I am not willing to count the Russians out quite yet.
Hitler made the same mistake in the late 30's....
It's going to take a couple generations for the Russians to grow out of the filth that was Communism....
1. Me neither.
2. So did Napoleon 100 years earlier.
3. I'd say AT LEAST three generations.
Our Russian roommate says the the birthrate of Russia is beginning to grow by tiny fractions. At the hospital where she worked the number rises by 10 or 15 births on average above the previous years average.
Another thing that's going on seemingly unnoticed is a migration out of the cities. Along with the migration to the country there has been a resurgence of birthing by midwife and those children often go uncounted for a few years.
I tend to agree. I love Steyn and he is right that many things in Russia are bad and getting worse. But things are simultaneously getting better in other areas. Obviously many Russkies are still in shock over the death of communism and there appears to be a tremendous loss of confidence in their country. But that trend might change as the country gets richer and continues to interact with the western countries. I agree, don't count out Russia yet.
L
That's a wise attitude. The Russian Orthodox church is making a very powerful revival, and all kinds of pre-revolutionary movements and ideas are taking root again.
Just last week, I saw that the Cossack ethnic group, unoffical police force/army, Orthodox crusaders are coming back in force. A lot of good things are on the move in Russia. They also have a great deal of money, and a very realistic attitude about their Muslim friends and neighbors.
Wouldn't count them out, things can change pretty fast.