It should also be remembered that Pope Benedict XVI was a member of the Hitler Youth. In the days of his youth, you either joined, or your family stood a very real risk of being arrested . . . or worse.
Same principle during the Soviet Union's existence. If you wanted any chance of a better life, you joined the Komsomol as a kid, and your family played the part of good Party members, regardless of what they really felt or thought. No other choice.
Re Putin:
1) I think it will take more than just saying “America is run by cabal” to shock Americans awake. I’m hoping there’s more.
2) I’m “wait and see” about Putin.