Russian opposition leader Navalny faces decades behind bars as new trial starts
So here he is, the obvious successor to Comrade Putin, if he is ever removed from office (one way or the other), or simply sheds his earthly coil.
Posted on 06/28/2023 3:52:36 AM PDT by Timber Rattler
Since June 1, even the radio has been turned off in my cell. I can't see other people, and when I do I'm not allowed to talk to them.
So when I entered the courtroom and the courtroom and the lawyers asked me, "So how did martial law go for you?", I thought it was some kind of new joke or Internet meme that hadn't reached me yet.
And when, a minute later, they were telling me about the seizure of Rostov, the helicopters that had been shot down, and the armed column heading for Moscow to "kill that bastard Shoigu," and the masked bailiffs were also listening and nodding, I kept expecting someone to suddenly yell "You got punk'd"!
But no one did. Instead the prosecutor came in and we continued the trial in which I stand accused of forming an organization to overthrow President Putin by violent means.
While listening to these accusations, I looked at the photo of a roadblock with a grenade launcher in Moscow's Yasenevo district.
I read about how Putin and the others fled from Moscow.
I looked at the photo of the burning oil depot in Voronezh.
While listening to how the ACF are extremists who are dangerous for the country, I read about how one group of Russian troops "took positions on the Oka river" to defend themselves against another group of Russian troops.
So I kept waiting for the prosecutor herself to finally burst out laughing and shout: it's all a prank, you should have seen your face, Navalny!
But she was absolutely serious.
As for what happened, I don't understand it as well as everyone else.
But I do understand a few things:
1. There is no greater threat to Russia than the Putin regime. It wasn't the West or the opposition that shot down Russian helicopters over Russia. It wasn't the ACF that brought Russia to the brink of civil war (which we may still be finding ourselves on).
It was Putin personally who did this, I remind you that he personally pardoned all those convicts who were on their way to assassinate Shoigu and whoever else they wanted to kill.
2. Putin's regime is so dangerous to the country that even its inevitable collapse would create the threat of a civil war.
Now we understand for sure: the pack of Putin's supporters is ready to start a war of all against all at any moment.
That is why it is crucial for all of us to remember that any post-Putin transit of power must be tied to free elections.
3. At the moment when literal military columns were on their way to seize Moscow, no one stood up to defend Putin, the nation did not unite around him.
We do not know (yet) exactly how popular Prigozhin and his ideas are with the troops, but it is likely that Putin is even less popular there. At least in the fighting units.
4 The fact that Putin's war could ruin and disintegrate Russia is no longer a dramatic exclamation.
5. This is obvious, but nevertheless, it needs to be repeated over and over again. It is not democracy, human rights and parliamentarism that make the regime weak and lead to turmoil.
It is dictators and usurpation of power that lead to mess, weak government and chaos. Always has been.
Russian opposition leader Navalny faces decades behind bars as new trial starts
So here he is, the obvious successor to Comrade Putin, if he is ever removed from office (one way or the other), or simply sheds his earthly coil.
10,000 Ukrainian KIA since the start of the counter-counteroffensive you cheered for. There is innocent blood 𩸠on your hands.
“Since June 1, even the radio has been turned off in my cell. I can’t see other people, and when I do I’m not allowed to talk to them”
And we should belief anything he says?
Yeah, I get it...you don’t believe in liberty, truth, justice, or the “American Way” anymore, and are perfectly fine with corrupt Russian totalitarianism.
Yeah, I get it...you don’t believe in liberty, truth, justice, or the “American Way” anymore, and are perfectly fine with corrupt Russian totalitarianism.
And any Ukrainian troops being killed were not killed by anyone here but by the Russian invaders you support.
Their blood is partly on your hands.
Because he’s out of his cell now for his new trial and in daily contact with his lawyers and supporters. So you don’t support dissidents who are locked up and under persecution for demanding liberty and democracy?
Yeah, with 150% of the Russian vote and no opposition.
But you're OK with that.
Yeah, with 150% of the Russian vote and no opposition.
But you're OK with that.
âAnother FReeper asked the other day who would replace Putin if he was overthrown, suggesting that the successor would be even worse. That’s not necessarily true. â
I suggested that essentially. Because thatâs historically how itâs gone for Russia. Respectfully, to take power, wield it, hold it, and direct Russia requires a specific skill set. Russia has changed, I mean it appears fundamentally different because of technology and informational access, but many of the skill sets needed still are required. Further, the job probably molds the person as much as the person can change the job. While we can agree the ânext one might not be worseâ there is a reasonable probability that they will. âThe Devil you knowâ
The United States needs to consider how far itâs going to push here. Why does all of Europe need to be NATO? Why do we have to âmessâ with governments in Eastern Europe if the co-exist with everyone else and are not a threat? Will any of these nations come to help the United States with an attack from the nation who is most dangerous to us? Regime change just hasnât seemed to be inexpensive and effective for the United States as a whole. Will a Regime change in Russia be worth it?
I may not like Putin. I certainly donât support him. Hopefully the next leader of Russia will be good for Russians and friendly to Americans. The problem is that I am not sure if the Deep State picks them it will help. Like Obama and Soros going after Ukraine, it just gets a lot of innocent farmers killed, because an honest intelligent will find blame on both sides of the current conflict.
If I have to pick a side in all this, I pick the side of the everyday person or farmer, just trying to make a living.
Anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny announced his intent to run in December 2016 but was barred from doing so due to a prior criminal conviction, which is widely seen as politically motivated, for corruption. Consequently, Navalny called for a boycott of the election. He had previously organized several public rallies against corruption among members of Putin's government.
You just made my point.
Just a moment of fluttering hope, swept away in a near-perfect storm of what is known as “CYA” among all The Powers That Be.
But note this - Putin is badly shaken and his grasp of power is weakened. Can he recover? Should he? Who is standing in the wings?
Russians may not still be Communist, strictly speaking, but they remain Russians, scheming and filled with intrigue.
Be careful what you wish for someone recently said.
ping
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