[BobL]

I know a number of Russians.

The FUNNY THING is that they are pretty much like us. They want their kids to have a country to grow up in. They want a STABLE place for everyone - they do not “appreciate” the “gorgeous mosaic” of 3rd World types blowing up their subways or otherwise killing their kids.

I know. Believe me, I know. I am supposed to HATE Putin because our present administration has problems with him.

But I’m not there yet...maybe others can tell me where I’m wrong.

[COBOL2Java]

I got this article from a friend of mine. He's married to a Lithuanian. Much of her family still lives in and around Vilnius. They don't much care for the Russians, but they know them very well, and she would very much agree with you. She told me that contrary to what we hear from some Russians who get a lot of time in the US press, Putin is genuinely popular, and has been his whole reign.