[Mr Ramsbotham]

But then, why the present day reluctance to once an forever denounce and renounce imperial Communism and all it stood for?

Probably for the same reason I don't renounce and denounce slavery or the injustices done to the American Indians. Not very nice things, those two, but I didn't have anything to do with them.

[Cronos]

Probably for the same reason I don't renounce and denounce slavery or the injustices done to the American Indians. Not very nice things, those two, but I didn't have anything to do with them.

not you, but if you were 60 years in 1870 then you SHOULD have renounced those things -- that's the analogy.

[Capriole]

I don't renounce and denounce slavery or the injustices done to the American Indians. Not very nice things, those two, but I didn't have anything to do with them.

Those atrocities took place in the nineteenth century, and it's true that you had nothing to do with them. But communism was still functioning in Russia only 15 years ago. Many of the people who live in Russia today were not only active Communist Party functionaries but would leap back into their positions of power instantly if they could. Many modern Russians long for a return of communism. For them, communism represents the good old days. Putin, the former KGB agent, is one of millions.

[jalisco555]

Probably for the same reason I don't renounce and denounce slavery or the injustices done to the American Indians. Not very nice things, those two, but I didn't have anything to do with them.

The difference is that while slavery ended in the 19th century many of the perpetrators of the Communist atrocities are still alive and prospering. Putin, Yeltsin and Gorbachev were all part of this vicious system and deserve to be in prison, not in power or comfortable retirement. Many of the Gulag guards and commandants are alive and well as are numerous former KGB types. Who has been tried for war crimes committed in Afghanistan? No one.

The author of this piece is right. Until the Russians come to grips with their past they have no future.