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.
Have you ever read Putin’s Nashi youth cult’s stated goals?
As in many areas and issues....we had the wool pulled over our eyes.
Some say it was a part of a plan.
On this thread Serbians seems to be well represented as being in the solidly pro-Putin camp :)
[But has anyone noticed that several of these things going on in Russia sound frighteningly similar to what’s going on with the American Left? Control of the media—the Left controls the media and flavors it with their propaganda, just as Putin’s cronies do in Russia. Squashing opposition candidates—a liberal newspaper in Texas refused to print an article endorsing Bush around the 2004 election. So much for freedom of the press. Brainwashing youth—what do think public schools do? The “Young Democrat”-type clubs are youth organizations supporting liberals formed after these kids have been indoctrinated in public school. The fact is, the US is going down the same path, and if the good people here don’t do something about it we too will become like Russia, because we have people here doing the exact same things as what’s going on in Russia. Their progress with it isn’t as pronounced as Russia’s is, because we have the conservatives here to taper its effect, but communists are at work in this nation, it’s no longer a TRUE land of the free.]
Exactly. Except Russia’s right wing controls the press. The lefties get no chance there.
This is why I love it there.
*there is a quasi exception in www.exile.ru which is a free newspaper in Moscow run by a few gay American men who pretend to be heterosexuals who like to party.
Plus, the right wingers who control the Kremlin are not religious types who want to control the lives of others (no attempts at Internet regulation there, unlike in the US where a new Internet regulation law passes every few months and then runs into trouble in court)...they are more the no-nonsense types who hate terrorists and traitors.
One can say that Putin is dictating down the center.
Now the people of Russia disliking Americans? I have never met a Russian who did not respect and like Americans. It is just that we are supposed to be rivals = equals to them. They have the largest country in the world and so they act like it.
It is just that Russians are not going to be doormats for Americans, the way the lefty Europeans will be doormats for US Democrats and the right wing Europeans will often be doormats for the US Republicans.
In terms of the 1990's Yugoslav wars, it was in June of 1991 that Serbian communist dictator Milosevic ordered his army & air force to attack Slovenia. In 10 days the Slovenes had beaten back the Milosevic's invaders.
"Russia also supplies the largest terrorist network (iran) with a Nuclear Reator, missiles and other such weapons of death.
Putin's Kremlin is at it again with the Iran's nuclear 'weapons' program.
Moscow Releases Nuclear Fuel for Iran’s Bushehr Reactor
I am not smearing Americans in general, I expose Liberal and Neocon Americans who are up to the neck in cooperation with Islamofascists. I state the facts that expose their ugly activities. If you are offended by the facts and want to defend Liberal agenda, IMHO you are on the wrong forum. DU should be more to your liking I guess.
Kosovo is a litmus that RINOs, Liberals and Neocons can not pass.
My profile clearly states where I am from.
Shades of Chamberlains famous 'Peace in Our Time' famous appeasement meeting with Hitler Are we are doomed to repeat the horrors of WW II all over again?
Remember this movie? And what it was really about?
"Gort -- Klatu, Barata Nicto"
1. Slovenia and Serbia do not border. It would be like “Texas fought agressive war against Vermont”
2. Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia, and Yugoslavian Army was attacked by Slovenian separatist rebels. Federal Army was comanded by Federal Presidency, not Milosevic, he was just one of governors of republics.
3. Wars in Bosnia and Croatia were civil wars.
I can allready hear news on CNN:
“A gang of ruthless Nashi girls attacked and raped pro-democracy candidate..”
Those girl-scouts can bi viscious, you know...
You’re welcome. I’ll be getting away from posting on this day of the week, though, little by little. ...not for me but for others.
Communism is a Disease. It is not state-relogion, it have no country of origin yet it is sneaky, and leathal.
It originated from human mind, deepest datkest coners of human mind, in 19zh century in Western Europe, in England and Germany.
Its characteristics are that is sweet, suitable, comforting and easily spread.
No one is imune to it, no nation, no system, not even a religion.
Russians were infected by communism in 1917 by defacto British action, sending Lenin to Russia with German armoured train.
Why? Russia was an ally in WWI, things were bad for Russia, but Kerenski, national-democrate took over and Russia could stand enoigh time to see Germany capitulate. Brits and French didnt wanted that. Why? Russia would seek compensations after the war, some in europe some in Asia some in Africa, and West wasnt keen to see that happening. So, they brought communism to Russsia, knocked-her out of the war.
Europe got replacement, USA, thens of thousands of US soldiers died in 1917-1918 in Europe.
We will get back to this strory later.
During Vietnam war (started by democrate Lindon Johnson, not Nixon as half of the world thinks)USA got infected by communism. Liberls started to take over.
Communism infestation began in your own homes. Your kids got infected with communism via MSM, schools, universities.. than those infected kids grew up, finished schools, began politocal, and other careees. Soon, demoralised society after the lost of Vietnam war needed a brake. Just like Russians in 1917. Instead of conservative revolution, they got liberal (communist) reolution, just like Russians after WWI. Voila! communism was installed in USA. Those kids, infected by communism, became senators, congressmans, judges, journalists, and again, teachers and professors, thus closing magic cirlce...
80es went in rampage of liberalis in US society. Even US won battle of Cold War on millitary and somweath political ground, on SOCIOLOGICAL battlefield, USA was defeated. US society was owerwhelmed by communism.
In 90es communism died in Europe and well in Russia.
Russia maneged to restore Christianity, religion, and conservative vlaues.
USA denunced God, on Presidential greetings cards there is no more “Marry Christmass”, but “Happy Holidays”... Just like in USSR...
Now, communism can work only in ghettoised countries. So US Communists need to isolate USA, ghettoise USA and make strong and powerfull enemy with whome it can scare domestic population.
Like Kim does in N.Korea.
Alll the way in 90es Liberals were making enemies to the USA... Al-Khaeda, China, and started to mess with Russia. They did evrything possibla to provoke Russians. Hummiliating them, attacking Serbs and than openly in 1999 attacked Serbia.
Why is that so important?
Russians and Chinese said “Hold on, what? we are next?”
And lets just say China reversed its economy boosting its military. “If USA can invade Serbia, so can we invade Thaiwan”
Kosovo. Just look hoe Holbrooke, Hillary and Halfbright started campaign for “independant” Kosovo, knowing that Russians will stand against. That is just what they wanted. Russia as the enemy...
M.Espinola is just a product of Liberal conspiracy.
Soviet Union is dead. No moe communism in Moscow.
Communism is in capitol Hill, in Senate, Congress, and possibly in 2008 White House again.
USA is supporting for its own reasons ONLY AND SINGLE Islamic nuclear power— Pakistan. Done by Liberals, Clinton allowed them to make nukes.
Liberals (Communists) will have it their way.
They will use patriotic sentiment of conservative americans to make Russia as enemy, Soros is doing just that. In Serbia, Bulgaraia etc he openly advocates “multiculturalis”, homosexuallism in name of “US democracy”. Thus making Christians hate USA.
Communist conspiracy- YES, TRUE! But this itime comming from within USA, not from Moscow...
You know, in Moscow you can here the souns of Church bells rom hundreds of church towers... can you hear that in Washington? Nope, there you can hear “Internationale”...
You are full of it. In June 1991 Yugoslav Army was headed by Croatian (General Kadijevic), Yugoslav Navy by Slovene (Admiral Brovet) and Yugoslav Air Force by Croat (Major General Jurjevic). Prime Minister who order movement of the troops to secure international borders was Croat (Ante Markovic), Chief of Federal Police was Croat (Mustac).
Slovenia VIOLENTLY SECEDED from Yugoslavia and movement of the troops was justified by the international treaties.
George Bush Administration was against violent secession of Slovenia.
Milosevic has nothing with movement of Yugoslav army. Actually, he was supporting secession of Slovenia for his own reasons.
Can you tell the truth for a change? Or your pathological hatred of Serbs incapacitate your common sense.
I can catch you for every lie you post here, but it is so boring. All your lies have been debunked on FR so many times that they are common knowledge.
No. The Cold War was over the day the Russians and Chinese stopped pointing their missiles at us. Oh wait, that never happened, in spite of what Bill Clinton told us.
Government seeks more power. Period. Only its populace can stop it. We're witnessing the same thing right under our noses, right here at home, with this Illegal Alien Amnesty. Out of control government. Evil.
Disconnected Arrogance. They'll take whatever we give them.
In 1707, threre were no disciples of Leo Strauss and other Ex-marxist scumbags, because they are the product of 2oth century.
Methinks that you do not have 20/20 vision who Neocons really are.
Choosing between neocons and islamofascists is similar choice as choosing between communists and nazis. Like Comie/Nazi pair, Islamofascists and Neocons have ups and downs in their relationship. Sometimes they are in honeymoon, sometimes they attack each other.
I despise both of them, the same way I hate communists and nazis. In their grand schemes, all of them are ready to trample on the freedoms and liberties of a citizen. Neocons consider citizens to be stupid and ignorant cattle that deserve to be lied to and cheated. Communists consider citizens to be building blocks of their insane plans to better future, nazis believed about the same, and for Islamonazis, an indivudual is insignifficant.
"Am I on a Democrat forum here? :-)
No, Florida, you are not -- at least not if you are expecting any respect for your real experience in Russia to hold water vs their inherent Slavo-phobic bigotries parading as "political opinions".
I am neither a Russophile nor a Putin-lover, but I agree with Buchanan is that we squandered the opportunities we had with Russia over the last 20 years -- 70 years of fighting them, we win and then we dumped tham like so much insignificant garbage instead of making an ally of them.
And the Russians are right re Kosovo and we are wrong.
Beyond that, how Russia is run is up to Russians. How America is run is up to us. They is plenty that needs our attention here.
The point here is that one "people's movement" funded by Washington was "democratic," and "genuine" (Otpor, Serbia), whereas this one (Nashi, Russia) is being likened to Die Jugend. Why? Because it's funded by the Kremlin and is patriotic. Preposterous.
Nobody is denying the Kremlin connection, but the hypocrisy is just too much. Why is this so reprehensible when practiced by other governments (*especially* the Russian gov't)?
Here's something from a more serious source:
The youth democratic movement Nashi (molodezhnoe demokraticheskoe dvizhenie “Nashi”) lists among its goals the protection of Russia from “liberals,” “communists” and “fascists,” all of whom Nashi believes threaten the personal freedom of Russian citizens or the sovereignty of the Russian state.
(...)
The language Nashi uses in explaining whom they are against focuses on nameless “bureaucrats,” “oligarchs” and “fascists” whom they perceive to be sabotaging the program put forth by Putin. Rather than call for a change of the existing order, Nashi hopes to cleanse the current system of the detritus that threatens the positive program put forth by the government.
(...)
Nashi recognizes the somewhat troublesome nature of this banner definition in it manifesto, but solves the problem by declaring this opposition to be the result of “an unnatural union” which consists of “liberals and fascists, Westernizers and ultranationalists, international money and international terrorists.” The constituent components of this union seek to take Russia down an equally unnatural path towards Western “facsimile,” or look to take advantage of the “societal chaos” that occurred during the 1990s for their own nefarious ends.
(...)
In viewing the past, Nashi sees that actors at different times have made a choice between having a strong state, and respecting the importance of this personal liberty. “Communists and fascists are ready to sacrifice personal freedom of citizens for the sake of achieving a great state,” whereas liberals value personal freedom but at the expense of a strong state. Nashi sees this as a false choice. “Personal freedom and national sovereignty are two sides of the same coin,” they write. “The two sides…are indivisible. A man may not be free if his country is oppressed. A country may not be free while its people are oppressed.”
(...)
“We will make Russia a strong and great country again!” the group writes in its account of the day’s events. This struggle, a descendent of the struggle against fascism, is assured by the Nashi Generation’s decision to take historical responsibility. “While hundreds of thousands of our kids remember the war and protect the motherland…Russia will be a great, free, and independent country!”
-- Buchacek, Robert D. "Nasha Pravda, Nashe Delo: The Mobilization of the Nashi Generation in Contemporary Russia.” Carolina Papers Democracy & Human Rights. No. 7 (Spring 2006). University of North Carolina
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