Quote:
Originally posted by TheCommodoreAfro@Sep 27 2004, 01:40 PM
The brazen lack of respect the plan has for the people of Iraq is actually stunning. One would think that as an invading force, one would want to stabilize the place - that might lessen the desperation of the people a tad, helping the terrorists. Equally stunning is that most people have no idea this whole thing went on, but that's completely off topic.
I'm not sure that Russia can be held out as a beacon quite yet. With Putin stumping and the government control still deep in the media and in the boardroom (just ask that dude who ran Yukos) and the quagmire in the Causcas, I would hesitiate to call it a success.
Countries in the new EU are being integrated the proper way, IMHO. Estonia gets to keep it's cultural values intact and still get an economic boost with membership, and Poland and other "have not" member nations have shown signs of uptick in their economy as production has shifted East. All of this was done in a way that illustrates the diviseness between the old and "new" world today.
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I wasn't holding Russia up as a "beacon." Merely noting the fact of what is happening there and the comparison.
Economically, the pain is easing out of Russia, again after a lengthy period of suddenly being doused in the gasoline of capitalism.
Controlling media and the Caucus problem are different matters, basically political choices.
Cowperson