[wtc911]

We don't disagree that much. Russians generally follow strong leaders, regardless of that leader's philosophy. And, they have been conditioned to harsh leadership for generations. Surveys cited in various Foreign Policy journals have indicated that the Russian populace would rather have order than American type freedom, even if obtaining that order required a return to Communism. This would not surprise me but it would not scare me either. The world has changed too much in the last 15 years. The resurrection of a USSR, Stalinist global power desirous of world domination is at best a minimal possibility.

However, that is not the issue here. The issue is that this thread was started in an attempt to deflect attention away from the islamic roots of terror and toward a fringe dweller's conspiracy theory that it is the left in all its forms that is the real source of the terrorism we face and that they have cleverly duped us into blaming islam.

[Frank_Discussion]

"However, that is not the issue here."

I guess my take is irrelevant, in that case.

"The issue is that this thread was started in an attempt to deflect attention away from the islamic roots of terror and toward a fringe dweller's conspiracy theory that it is the left in all its forms that is the real source of the terrorism we face and that they have cleverly duped us into blaming islam."

I blame Islamic terrorism for its own actions, I assure you. And it's roots run a millenium deep, sick as it is. But I do agree with the notion that Russia is still a player on the world stage, and is more than capable AND prone to use Islam's internalized hatred to play international chess.

[jb6]

Well, we've yet to see if our system will survive. We're 250 years into it and it's not looking to stable. Half the population is leaning heavily toward socialism or out right communism. Also remember, Lincoln was a very strong leader, so was FDR who could have been a dictator, except he died and WW2 got started. It is human nature in any system to yearn for a strong government that will make things alright. Remember, after the Constitution, the Federalists attempted to pass laws outlawing criticism of the government and a limitation on the Freedom of Speech in general. Washington also used military might to crush the Whisky Rebellion, which was a revolt against taxation.

[A. Pole]

Surveys cited in various Foreign Policy journals have indicated that the Russian populace would rather have order than American type freedom, even if obtaining that order required a return to Communism.

Americans also would prefer order over chaos of Yeltsin years. BTW, could you give me the examples of freedoms Americans enjoy and Russians do not have? I want to get an idea what do you mean by the "American type freedom".