[vkladchik]

Something else that seems to get lost in the shuffle is the fact that life under Stalin was no different in terms of freedom of thought, association, expression, etc. from life under the Tsars (any of them). The current return we’re seeing to an all-encompassing State in Russia under Putin is just a natural return to the status quo.

In other words, “communism” (an economic theory) had nothing to do with totalitarian oppression in Russia, which comfortably co-existed with feudalism and now with capitalism. China and Vietnam are other examples of totalitarian systems working together very well with capitalism.

[Borges]

There were reform movement going all through the 19th century going back to the Decembrists in the 1820s. Alexander II was on his way to establishing the equivalent of a Parliament but he was killed by extremists. His son Alexander III was a reactionary tyrant who cracked down and paved the way for the Bolsheviks.

[mkjessup]

"life under Stalin was no different in terms of freedom of thought, association, expression, etc. from life under the Tsars"

Now you have proven that you are an absolute ignoramus. So in your view, Stalin was just one more oppressive tyrant, no better, no worse than any other, is that it?

Tell that to ol' Uncle Joe's victims, the 7 million murdered peasants from the 1932-33 forced famine on orders of Stalin, in the Spring of 1933, 25,000 people died EVERY FREAKIN' DAY in the Ukraine alone, can any of those Tsars you mention top that? By the end of 1933, over 3 million CHILDREN had died in the Ukraine, thanks to Uncle Joe. Shame on you for trying to minimize such an inhuman slaughter.

Before Joe shuffled off to his eternal infernal reward, he caused the deaths of over 23 million, which certainly qualifies him for the crime of genocide.

You need to read up on history, n00b.