In terms of Putin and his fanatical Nashi cult, it is totally true.
Posted on 06/15/2007 10:25:07 PM PDT by neverdem
It was but all a dream to ever believe Russia would be benign and peaceful under Putin. Deplorably, numerous people in strategic posts misjudged Russia.
Today the Kremlin is on the offensive. It has positioned military and ex-security service personal in charge of Russian industry and all key governmental posts. It is liquidating its adversaries even across international borders, has gagged the media, suppressed civil liberties, harassed foreign diplomats, intimidated businessmen and NGOs, it's threatened to target Europe with ABM missiles, it carried out intense cyber attacks against its neighbor, Estonia and it's using pipeline power to shake down its near abroad and wrest the rest of Europe into line. As if that weren't enough, an even more sinister development has arisen.
Putin has created a very sophisticated youth movement made up of over 100,000 volunteers called "Nashi", much like a clone of the Nazi youth movement. It is a well-equipped, fanatical, nationalistic private army that is hostile to foreigners and to any political group opposing the Kremlin leadership. Their aggressive behavior is not only tolerated by the authorities but also even encouraged. They help re-enforce local police; wearing black attire, they aggressively beat anyone they consider hooligans or insurrectionist.
They have been taught to believe that the United States is actively preparing a pro-western revolution in their country and that they will thwart it. They have developed high-level recruiting and training camps right across the expanse of Russia. Not only are they schooled in a variety of military issues, they also have orientation courses in such esoteric subjects as gestalt therapy, to help them to survive under extreme conditions.
This newly created, virtual army needs to be closely monitored and taken very seriously as it could well get out of hand and take on an even more menacing function.
What might come as a surprise to some readers is that the average citizen is not pleased with the way Putin has carried out his mandate and conducted his administration. The official approval rating of 81% is not an accurate figure, nor an up to date indication of his popularity; just consider where a poll would be coming from today, how objective it could be now with the media so effectively muzzled. Opposition candidate's rights to address the media and television stations have been eliminated, making it nearly impossible to get exposure.
Putin has already abused the spirit of the Russian constitution by making it so difficult for an opposition party, or an individual, to present itself/himself for elections; it is only another small step towards remaining in office for another term over some convenient pretext. Does this country really deserve G-8 status? Makes one wonder.
anyone surprised by this?
No! It's not a woman! It's not a woman! It's a rabbit!
The party never gave up power, like a cameleon they merely changed their colors. Read Lenin, Putin aparently did. Lenin’s dictum was “two steps forward, one step back”.
Exactly....
Another hit piece on our great president. Remember, president Bush looked into Putin’s eyes and saw the goodness in his heart. Anyone who disagrees with Bush is a traitor, doesn’t want what’s best for this country, and is probably a racist against slavs.
Shame on American Thinker for posting this kind of trash! /s
In terms of Putin and his fanatical Nashi cult, it is totally true.
Nashi is structured alot like the little oktoberists and the youth Komosol.
If it was only ABM missiles, the Europeans wouldn't have to worry.
Yes, I was going to say ...
Your buddy, Putin’s Russia.
And having this “ally” is going to improve your image in the US and Europe how??
Not a bit.
Russians are scum.
Venezuela going to buy Russian submarines
Serbs are no different, and Russia loves Serbia... Seem to be a lot of those supporters on FreeRepublic.
I notice that. The Serbs have always been united with their Russian ‘bothers’. It’s interesting the last ruthless communist dictatorship in Europe - was Serbian, yet the Serbian supports are mute on that subject. Also notice that same element will skirt the truth on Putin’s dictatorship. They are two of a kind , the wrong kind.
“Russia loves Serbia”
The Russians have always viewed themselves as the protector or big brother of the Slavic peoples. One of the primary reasons they fought on Serbia’s side in WWI.
...And I have noticed that USA loves Islamofascist church-burning-women-raping Islamofascist Albanians...
Last time I checked, Russians havent burned any churches...
Partialy true. Russians supported in 1821 Greek independancy from Muslim Turkish empire.
Russian policy on Balkan was support of Christians (Slavs/Latins/Greeks) against Muslim opressors.
And Western policy was support of Islam against Christians, just to counter Russia...
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