[FBD]

People are known by the company they keep. That was just one photo of many. I can post more, to prove my point, if you think I've based my opinions on one photo.

Ukraine: Donetsk's old Soviet faithful and young radicals look to Moscow
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/22/ukraine-crisis-donetsk-soviet-faithful-young-radicals-moscow

http://voiceofdetroit.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Ukraine-Crimea-pro-Russian-protesters.jpg

http://gdb.rferl.org/6396B787-BE39-4501-9986-F8A50B1B8C36_mw1024_n_s.jpg

http://cdn.mintpressnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Russia-Ukraine-Phone-_Mill.jpg

[Mount Athos]

You can find pictures of concentrations of people to support whatever view you want.

Were the protesters in Kiev really representative of the mentality of the whole country?
How about the “occupy” protesters?

In the last election, communists won about 13% of the vote in Ukraine. Maybe that is a more accurate indicator of support than some pictures.

That’s about the same percent as in Russia.

Many of these people vote for the communists because they want to nationalize oil, and have that money go to support social programs like public schools and child subsidies for families, health care, etc..

Is that really so different from the majority of this country that voted for Obama?

Because our country voted for Obama twice, does it mean our country is irredeemably wicked and communist and should be opposed reflexively?

Ukraine has done poorly after independence, despite massive foreign aid. Most Ukrainians are below poverty line. Very low income growth. It’s so bad that it’s not surprising to see a some percent longing for the higher pensions of the old days.

The western leaning government of Tymoshenko was incredibly corrupt, leading to her election loss. (Her Russian leaning replacement was just as corrupt). This probably damaged people’s hopes at what a future Western leaning government might bring.

Look at the first results of the interim government — removing the official status of minority languages, and a 50% hike in natural gas prices. Won’t that push voters into the arms of the opposition?

The right wing party the West supports in Ukraine, glamorizes leaders at their rallies that wanted totalitarianism (Stepan Bandera, etc...).

There’s people on both sides and many voters who want “strong government”.

[caww]

Donestk is very loyal to Russia.....at least the majority is, which is why they constantly have upheaval among citizens there...and you're right..they have been able to instill this love of Russia into the next generations. Not so sure younger Russians see the "old Communist Russia" though....when they can go to Russia and sit in an Irish pub, see how it's changed, they see something quite different then what the older generation saw.

New years st. Petersburg....mcuh like any city at this time

Novosibirsk,Siberia Russia

Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Moscow International Business Center