Posted on 07/14/2006 12:20:10 PM PDT by duckln
Why Russia loves Putin
Snip
That is among the reasons Putin's approval rating in Russia is twice that of Bush in America and four times that of the veep. On the eastern shore of Delaware, where college girls from Eastern Europe come to work in the summer, Putin is a rock star among the Russians.
Why is Putin popular in Russia?
snip
Americans give these reasons for the estrangement: Putin's reversion to authoritarianism, his support for repressive regimes in Belarus and Uzbekistan, his closeness to Beijing (including joint military exercises), his sale of fighter jets to Hugo Chavez and anti-aircraft missiles to Tehran, his support for Iran's nuclear plant, his recognition of Hamas' election victory, his oil blackmail of Ukraine, his unplugging of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, and his crackdown on U.S. NGOs promoting democracy in Russia. All seemed designed to show Russia's independence of – and, indeed, defiance of – the world leadership of the United States.
And that is not an unfair conclusion. But Americans need to ask themselves whether we have had it coming. For consider how we have dealt with Russia's interests and sensitivities.
SNIP
They saw the United States bomb into submission a Serb nation Russia had always seen as her Balkan godchild, for Serbia's crime of trying to hold on to her cradle province, Kosovo.
They watched America go back on her word – given when the Red Army withdrew from Europe – and push NATO into Poland, the Baltic States, the Balkans and, now, Ukraine and Georgia.
snip
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
No wonder he was advisor to 3 Presidents. W at the very least should listen, or even directly enlist Pat on his team.
BUMP
I agree with him. Our policy toward Russia is very short sighted and self-defeating.
Well, this should be fun.
Yeah, right. Russia is a strong country that we need to fear. (sarcasm) They would do better to allow a more free Russia.
How many more times as popular as Buchannan is Putin?
Please read the article (no sarcasm), so that you can
intellegently comment on it.
Pat's saying a lot of true things here
Our policy toward Russia is very short sighted and self-defeating.
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Yes, and put Communist China on the list too.
Russia is a fading power. It would do well to embrace, and support, the Pax Americana that our nation offers, rather than seek to subvert it.
America is a beacon of liberty to the world. We are the good guys. If we ever stop believing that -- and may have -- we are finished.
Quit sitting around asking yourself dumb questions.
Hmmm, he thinks Putin is popular because he takes no guff from the "Americans," but then he proceeds to say the U.S. should cater and kowtow to the Russians. Maybe some of the issues he brings up are valid, but overall it's amazing that he sees the United States as such a cowardly, powerless nation that should not even stand up for itself.
Putin is a better friend to W than paux screwballs Fox, Chavez, and Castro.
America is long overdue for a Pat Buchanan as President!
I did...I don't disagree...but I don't trust the Russians now anymore than during the cold war. I think Putin and Bush have an understanding. What we hear and see publicly is one thing, what is discussed privately is another. I think the MSM and some writers are fueling a riff between our countries. I don't think that's happening.
Pat's big beef back then was the 'borders', now finally, we MAY get derious.
There are some "interests and sensitivities" which deserve nothing better than being stepped upon and then rubbed into manure.
Good!! Very right, and to the point, especially that part
about the MSM.
Buchanan is right once again .
Found it. The popularity of Putin is approx 200 times that of Buchannan according to each of their electorate. And while we are at it, Bush's is 100 times more. I am just surprised that Buchannan was not able to work in something about how Israel deserves whatever they are getting right now.
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