Posted on 07/26/2019 12:55:11 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
The New York Rangers free-agent signing of the summer, Artemi Panarin, gave an interview where he did something unprecedented for a Russian athlete of his caliber: criticize President Vladimir Putin.
I think he no longer understands whats right and whats wrong. Psychologically, its not easy for him to judge the situation soberly. He has a lot of people who influence his decisions. But if everyone is walking around you for 20 years telling you what a great guy you are and how great a job you are doing, you will never see your mistakes.
Panarin admits that he used to not be so politically aware, because he was focused on hockey...but a few years of living in America helped him come around to an opposing point of view:
We have two cities that are developing, Saint Petersburg and Moscow, but the rest of them are a joke. I lived in Columbus, which isnt even in the top 10 American cities, but look at the pictures and you will see how nice it looks ... American cities are developing thanks to local taxes which stay in the state. But here, a lot of money goes to Moscow, so people everywhere work for Moscows benefit.
Panarins interview stands in stark contrast to...Alex Ovechkin, who has openly complimented Putin and called on other Russians to support him...
There is still this belief in our society that you cant say bad things about the government or you will be killed or poisoned. This should not be happening. [In America] a star or an athlete can directly badmouth the president, and nothing will happen. They can refuse to go to the White House. But here, its impossible.
I am coming from a positive place, I want to change something, to have people live better.
(Excerpt) Read more at deadspin.com ...
There is still this belief in our society that you cant say bad things about the government or you will be killed or poisoned. This should not be happening. [In America] a star or an athlete can directly badmouth the president, and nothing will happen. They can refuse to go to the White House. But here, its impossible....
I hope those aren’t prophetic words. Putin’s grasp is far and wide.
i’m mostly joking but I would want to be his enemy and live in Russia.
Sounds like a certain recent president.
So this Texan is talking to a Russian.
He says, “We got political freedom. I can march into Trump’s office, slam my fist on his desk and say, ‘Mr. Trump, I don’t like the way you are runnin’ this country!’”
The Russian snorts and says, “We have political freedom too. I can march into Mr. Putin’s office, slam my fist on his desk and say, ‘Mr. Putin, I don’t like the way Mr. Trump is running his country!’”
He will learn to be more discreet.
I mean that saying what he did was just plain STUPID - unless he never plans on going back home....
It was once called brave :)
Brave AND stupid.
And you don’t need to be in Russia for Putin to give you a radiation Popsicle.
He's too young to start wearing a "martyr" sign on his back.
Correct. Panarin had better hire a tester for his Gatorade and smelling salts.
is that the dude Ovi knocked out?
No, not him.
ok
Oh BS!
Remember the Russian Five who played for the Red Wings?
Sergei Federov
Slava Fetisov
Slava Kozlov
Igor Larionov
Vladimir Konstatinov...?
Larionov returned home to Russia
All doing well in both the U.S. and Russia..........As are the rest of the Russians hockey players, past and present, who came and played in the NHL then ultimately returned to their home country of Russia........
Panarin did right by Columbus in letting them know a year in advance he wasn’t coming back. He seems like an honest hardworking guy without the off ice issues unlike some other Russians.
It was the second or third overall draft pick last year, name stats with a “V”, can’t remember at the moment.
The Soviet generation is a bit complex in their relationship and loyalty to the State and how they measure their countrys progress. All of them though, including those openly critical of Putin and disapproving of Russias political direction (like the younger Panarin) are still ultimately loyal to their country and people, regardless of any pain theyve endured at the hands of the State. Thats a given. And its easier to be that way of course after attaining such a high level of success and comfortable living.
Its the younger generation thats fleeing.
Thanks for the reminder. I’ve got to see that movie !
(let me know if you want on or off the ping list)
What movie? I never mentioned any movie......
Trailer: The Russian Five (2019) so good!!!
https://youtu.be/yS2mV3bhqZ0
Trailer: Red Army (2015) also good!
https://youtu.be/ItfesHOjpwE
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