The new KGB in action here, harmonization of all opposition to the Supreme Soviet. How regular Russians are not taking note and why Putin's approval is still 85% is beyond me. Has there ever been a case in the west where direct opposition to a sitting government has been gunned down like this? Sounds like another great purge is coming.
Russia lives on their WWII reputation. They're the same cluster #### that were massacred by the fins.
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Thank you for everything CP. Good memories and thankful for everything that has been done to help me out. I will no longer take part on these boards. Take care, Go Flames Go.
The new KGB in action here, harmonization of all opposition to the Supreme Soviet. How regular Russians are not taking note and why Putin's approval is still 85% is beyond me. Has there ever been a case in the west where direct opposition to a sitting government has been gunned down like this? Sounds like another great purge is coming.
Two thoughts come to mind:
1. Who says the approval rating is 85%, and considering the opposition leader just got gunned down... I can only imagine what going public with a dismal approval rating would get somebody... I highly suspect that data. Assuming by some miracle that actually is true:
2. Do we really think the regular Joe Russian is getting the full story here? There has to be some pretty ridiculous propaganda action going on here. In a way, much of what we see in the west is propaganda-ish as well.
It really does seem like the situation is becoming more unstable. It was also fairly recently that he went to Kazakhstan to spread Russian nationalism and then met with and pledged support to the Bosnian Serb separatist party leader. I really hope nothing comes from any of it, but it seems like it is getting harder to contain.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
1. Who says the approval rating is 85%, and considering the opposition leader just got gunned down... I can only imagine what going public with a dismal approval rating would get somebody... I highly suspect that data. Assuming by some miracle that actually is true:
2. Do we really think the regular Joe Russian is getting the full story here? There has to be some pretty ridiculous propaganda action going on here. In a way, much of what we see in the west is propaganda-ish as well.
Good point. The approval rating is probably a bit of propaganda itself. Not to say it isn't high (last I heard was 70, didn't hear this 85 percent) but it probably isn't that high.
A very good point. And goes back to what I said a few pages back. Sanction them so hard the economy crumbles. It's really the only way. And, it may be closrr than we think, if they are putting on a bold face through approval ratings.
Nobody is going to step in and really do anything about Putin, that's the real sad aspect of all of this. So much needless suffering for millions and millions of Russians and non-Russians alike.
1. Who says the approval rating is 85%, and considering the opposition leader just got gunned down... I can only imagine what going public with a dismal approval rating would get somebody... I highly suspect that data. Assuming by some miracle that actually is true:
2. Do we really think the regular Joe Russian is getting the full story here? There has to be some pretty ridiculous propaganda action going on here. In a way, much of what we see in the west is propaganda-ish as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daradon
Good point. The approval rating is probably a bit of propaganda itself. Not to say it isn't high (last I heard was 70, didn't hear this 85 percent) but it probably isn't that high.
A very good point. And goes back to what I said a few pages back. Sanction them so hard the economy crumbles. It's really the only way. And, it may be closrr than we think, if they are putting on a bold face through approval ratings.
Russia is pushing instability perhaps as a product of the sanctions? Russia's two biggest industries are arms and oil. Since the sanctions started and the current oil prices dropped substantially, Russia's been facing a huge budget shortfall. Maybe this is just them doing what they can to kickstart their other main industry.
UPDATE: Investigative body speculates saying Nemtsov was killed by Islamic extremists...
Quote:
Russian officials investigating the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov have claimed Islamist extremists may have been behind his death.
Other possible motives listed by the Investigative Committee, which has Vladimir Putin as its executive, included an attempt to destabilise Russia, the Ukraine conflict and his personal life.
Mr Nemtsov was shot four times in the back by a gunman in a car as he crossed a bridge in view of the Kremlin just before midnight on Friday, police said.
Good doc. Had no idea that he most likely was behind the apartment bombings and war in Chechnya to basically make a name for himself after Yeltsin so he'd win the election.
However, from my readings, Pointman doesn't rationalize it at all. In fact, I think I remember him disagreeing with Putin's actions (I am sure you can find quotes if this is incorrect).
As I said in a previous post, 15 years ago we would of never been able to get his unfiltered perspective in a conflict such as this. I hope he keeps posting on here.
Last edited by Kavvy; 02-28-2015 at 10:15 PM.
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He seems very intelligent and well spoken but also heavily indoctrinated. I actually look forward to his posts, I find it fascinating, and I often wonder what my views would be if I grew up in a place like Russia.
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However, from my readings, Pointman doesn't rationalize it at all. In fact, I think I remember him disagreeing with Putin's actions (I am sure you can find quotes if this is incorrect).
As I said in a previous post, 15 years ago we would of never been able to get his unfiltered perspective in a conflict such as this. I hope he keeps posting on here.
Agree that I enjoy his posts, but I feel as flameswin below. He does rationalize. Most posts are "I disagree with what Putin is doing, but..." then rationalizes why it's ok
Quote:
Originally Posted by flameswin
He seems very intelligent and well spoken but also heavily indoctrinated. I actually look forward to his posts, I find it fascinating, and I often wonder what my views would be if I grew up in a place like Russia.
Agree that I enjoy his posts, but I feel as flameswin below. He does rationalize. Most posts are "I disagree with what Putin is doing, but..." then rationalizes why it's ok
If I was living in Putin's Russia, I might be fairly circumspect as well.
I work with a girl who came to Canada, from Russia, when she was 15. She's in her early 20's now. She supports what Russia did in the Crimea (because everyone there is Russian) but doesn't like what's happening now in eastern Ukraine because so many people are dying. I suspect that's her only objection.
I work with a girl who came to Canada, from Russia, when she was 15. She's in her early 20's now. She supports what Russia did in the Crimea (because everyone there is Russian) but doesn't like what's happening now in eastern Ukraine because so many people are dying. I suspect that's her only objection.
I know a girl who is ethnic Russian via Estonia and her Russian nationalism is unbearable these days. It sounds like the propaganda machine is going full force in Estonia these day. I expect them to go full Ukraine within the next year if things don't simmer down soon.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Yep, I've got a Russian friend that swears there's nothing wrong with what Russia is doing. He's in full-on propaganda mode, and it's bloody annoying trying to hear him justify Russia invading a sovereign nation.
Don't forget, Pointman may have to straddle a bit of a line here. We've seen how Putin's government deals with dissenters and people who disagree. And the internet is watched very very closely. I know I'd be nervous about posting anything too critical if I was a citizen there.
But I do agree, though his posts are interesting and he does seem very intelligent and informed, I do believe the whole 'coup supported by Western nations' angle as complete bull honky. Even if you take out the angle that the former Prime Minister (president?) was a Moscow puppet, he was a complete crook, and bankrupting the nation at levels that make Allison Redford look like politician of the year! There were many many reasons why he needed to go. And go immediately, not wait for the next election. Think of how much he could have stolen by then!
And, as I've said before, legitimate protest is a perfectly acceptable way of removing someone from office in a democracy. And it didn't get violent until the government MADE it violent. It was completely peaceful before that.
'Coup', my lilly white bum.
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I know a girl who is ethnic Russian via Estonia and her Russian nationalism is unbearable these days. It sounds like the propaganda machine is going full force in Estonia these day. I expect them to go full Ukraine within the next year if things don't simmer down soon.
Another Estonian girl I knew did the exact same thing, even though she was born in Estonia she self identified as Russian and even made the comment that "Estonia is part of Russia anyways" several times. This wasn't even recent though but was like four years ago at this point.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daradon
Don't forget, Pointman may have to straddle a bit of a line here. We've seen how Putin's government deals with dissenters and people who disagree. And the internet is watched very very closely. I know I'd be nervous about posting anything too critical if I was a citizen there.
But I do agree, though his posts are interesting and he does seem very intelligent and informed, I do believe the whole 'coup supported by Western nations' angle as complete bull honky. Even if you take out the angle that the former Prime Minister (president?) was a Moscow puppet, he was a complete crook, and bankrupting the nation at levels that make Allison Redford look like politician of the year! There were many many reasons why he needed to go. And go immediately, not wait for the next election. Think of how much he could have stolen by then!
And, as I've said before, legitimate protest is a perfectly acceptable way of removing someone from office in a democracy. And it didn't get violent until the government MADE it violent. It was completely peaceful before that.
'Coup', my lilly white bum.
If we found out Redford had made off with 30% of our gross yearly GDP over the course of her tenure, could you imagine the riots in the streets protesting this is she refused to resign and the auditor generals office did nothing?