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Putin Is Basking in an ‘Astonishing Leadership Vacuum’
Time Magazine ^ | Jan. 06, 2014 | Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Garry Kasparov

Posted on 01/08/2014 12:03:23 AM PST by Olog-hai

Since Vladimir Putin’s official return to power in 2012, the Russian President seems to have set his mind on teaching the rest of the world a few simple lessons. First, that he shall not be underestimated on the international stage; second, that Moscow will keep reasserting control over what it considers to be its legitimate sphere of influence for Russia; and finally, that he shall do whatever he pleases at home. […]

When it comes to the honorable title of Bully of the Year, the Russian President surely triumphed in 2013. But all too often bullies fail with their homework. Russia’s economy is crumbling. Moscow revised downward its economic outlook in December, the fourth time it did so last year. Growth, investment and industrial output are all below previously set targets, while inflation has risen to above 6%. […] Crony capitalism and the heavy hand of the state has led to steady brain drain among the educated Russians needed for any real economy to thrive. …

(Excerpt) Read more at ideas.time.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: enemyputin; kasparov; kgbputin; kgbputinfanclub; misguidedfools; moreputinbuttkissing; putin; usefulidiots; zuguttenberg
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To: ETL

I suppose it never occurred to you that your prejudiced bias for sins of a country dead and gone is no longer really applicable.


41 posted on 01/08/2014 4:31:33 AM PST by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Travon... Felony assault and battery hate crime)
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To: SeminoleCounty

So what?


42 posted on 01/08/2014 4:33:34 AM PST by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Travon... Felony assault and battery hate crime)
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To: Conspiracy Guy
Re: When you say someone is “A MAN” it implies they’re upstanding and honorable.

I can’t find that definition in my dictionary.

Well, would you have described bin-laden as 'a man'. Hitler? Stalin? Mao? John Gotti? Al Capone? Of course not. Right?

43 posted on 01/08/2014 4:35:20 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

...plus, you used the term in a way that was flattering to his character. Because we obviously know he’s a man in the physical sense of being a male.


44 posted on 01/08/2014 4:38:52 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Olog-hai

Why should American conservatives care what a socialist German politician and a Russian dissident with political ambitions have to say about Vladimir Putin?

Among other things, the notion that Russia/Putin is a ‘bully’ for getting the US to stand down in Syria is absurd.


45 posted on 01/08/2014 5:04:29 AM PST by mac_truck ( Aide toi et dieu t aidera)
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To: ETL

Was the story about all of them? Besides Hitler for one was a pansy. You really are a stupid person and I’m too busy to play any more for now.. Maybe you can sign up for a reading comprehension class. Buzz off.


46 posted on 01/08/2014 5:09:10 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Did the ancients know they were ancients? Or did they see themselves as presents?)
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To: ETL

I believe Putin does love Russia in his own way—He’s more Czar than Communist. He will use his ham handed policies to do aa he pleases. He plays hard ball and doesn’t mind sheding blood of those he sees as traitors. the social constraints of the USA and the west mean nothing in Russia. He is a leader—and will use his power—for the Glory of an imperial Russia (and himself).


47 posted on 01/08/2014 5:18:13 AM PST by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: Olog-hai

If you want to know one of the chief reasons for Time article, it is its objection to “human rights abuses” meaning rejection of homosexuality as normative and acceptable. As part of the MSM, they want Russia also to become one the United States of Sodom, and punish those who dissent. .

“The Magnitsky Act, designed to punish Russian officials for human-rights abuses, is one of the available tools, but so far Washington seems to lack the will to use it.”


48 posted on 01/08/2014 5:29:14 AM PST by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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To: TigersEye

LOL.


49 posted on 01/08/2014 6:34:31 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Did the ancients know they were ancients? Or did they see themselves as presents?)
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To: TigersEye
I was making a joke. I don’t need a nitwit like you to edit my posts. Get lost.

With all the Putin asrs lickers there are on these Russia-Putin threads, how the hell should I know you're making a joke? Where was the /s then? Freaking jerk. You couldn't find a single negative thing to say about him to help the clueless here understand that he's an evil POS enemy of the US?? Only "HE LOVES HIS COUNTRY...." Screw you.

50 posted on 01/08/2014 6:59:25 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Conspiracy Guy

Another f-ing a-hole. “PUTIN IS A REEEEAL MANNN”. You sounded like Olive Oil on Popeye drooling over Brutus.


51 posted on 01/08/2014 7:08:08 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL

Those are your words not mine you little poop licker. You my need to cry louder so mommy will come change your poopy diaper. It’s getting all over you.


52 posted on 01/08/2014 7:47:20 AM PST by Conspiracy Guy (Did the ancients know they were ancients? Or did they see themselves as presents?)
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To: Cowboy Bob

It seems to me that he views advancing Russia’s geopolitical interests as congruent with his own interests. Obama clearly does not see a similar congruence between his interests and America’s geopolitical position.


53 posted on 01/08/2014 10:59:12 AM PST by pluvmantelo (Disqus seems to be taking longer than usual. Reload?)
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To: Olog-hai

Putin better not cross any of Obama’s red lines.


54 posted on 01/08/2014 1:29:23 PM PST by Organic Panic
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To: ETL

Screw you too you witless humorless turd.


55 posted on 01/08/2014 1:38:57 PM PST by TigersEye (Stupid is a Progressive disease.)
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To: TigersEye

You got a big mouth on the computer, faggot.


56 posted on 01/08/2014 1:42:46 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL
You have a foul mouth on the computer, dumbass.

Who the heck needs a joke explained with caveats and historical notes? What a maroon!

57 posted on 01/08/2014 1:44:29 PM PST by TigersEye (Stupid is a Progressive disease.)
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To: TigersEye

That wasn’t a freaking joke. You’re just trying to cover your behind. Like I said before, with all the gushing praise Putin gets by a number of misguided dopes on this site, why in hell should I, or anyone, assume you were joking? Your arse was joking.


58 posted on 01/08/2014 1:51:05 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: TigersEye

What you should do, if you had half a brain, is swallow your pride and actually learn something from the material I posted. And if you claim you know it already, you’d just be lying again.


59 posted on 01/08/2014 1:54:04 PM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL; Cowboy Bob
You freaking moron. The subject of the joke was 0bama. Anyone with half a brain would see that.

"How is Putin any different than Obama?" - Cowboy Bob

"He loves his country." TigersEye

As far as your mind reading act, you better keep your day job. I don't give a flying fat frog's arse what you assume I mean. Get lost!

(courtesy ping to you, Cowboy Bob)

60 posted on 01/08/2014 2:03:50 PM PST by TigersEye (Stupid is a Progressive disease.)
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