Putin - It's All in the Eyes of the Beholder

You exhibit the intellect to work for the Washington Post editorial department; probably research as well as they do.
 
Yes. I have much respect for Putin and the more I study him, the more I realize he is nothing like the image of which he's portrayed. All I'd ever heard was that Putin was an ex KGB thug that made himself dictator. In fact, he's a patriot, extremely intelligent, and very open in his communication; something we know longer see in American politics. He is a visionary and has the respect of the common Russian citizen.
 
Hu Fan,What a dissertation!

Let me briefly summarize some thoughts I have regarding USA/Russian relations and world politics...

I think the world would be a far safer place if the USA and Russia's relations warmed and we were able to find common ground fighting against the rise of Islamist terrorism wherever it raises its ugly 5th century head, rather then fighting proxy wars against each other by funding various Muslim terror groups who happen to be attacking the other country's interests at the time.

Think about it. What pissant terror organization could hope to function and prosper in any significant capacity if it was going to face the combined and unified might of both countries? I think the possibilities are very intriguing and are definitely worth pursuing, but I hold out extremely little hope that I will see it in my lifetime.
 
Think if W Bush as he was ending his second term set himself up as prime minister? Then as president again? Then he annexes Mexico. Then begins supporting active rebels to overthrow Canada. That is my weak correlation with Putin at 30000 feet. Not to mention anything about the day to day governing, control of the press, etc, etc, etc. F Putin. Hey but that is just my opinion, man.
 
There has never been a benign dictator in the history of the world. Putin is a dictator. There really is no way to argue around this.

His actions in Ukraine are criminal.

Do I think the West does a lousy job of covering the full range of the issues in Russia and Ukraine?

Sure. They are lazy and stupid.

Does this make Putin a misunderstood good guy?

Hell no.

I do hope oil continues its drop in price because this will devastate Russia's economy. I also hope we can start supplying LNG to the EU and Ukraine in a year or two to drive a stake through it.

I do not often agree with zork on this forum, but I must echo what he said.

F Russia and f Putin. Neither is worthy of anything but scorn at this point.
 
The biggest joke of this is that Russia is anything more than a minor actor on the world stage. It can be a real irritant to the adults especially on nuclear proliferation, but it is a regional military power and almost nothing economically.
 
It is the West's refusal to recognize the people of Crimea their right of self-determination that is criminal. Perhaps you should study the history of Crimea before you demonize Russia for protecting Crimea.
 
Paso, a sustained drop in oil prices will not only hurt the Russian economy, it would also devastate the US shale industry. If the drop in oil price is due to collaboration of the US and the Saudis for the purpose of hurting Russia, we are in essence cutting off our nose to spite our face.
 
You're obviously more versed in this topic than most here and I understand that the inherent bias of our media may cloud the narrative of the story. With that said, based on your personal life I can't help but get the feeling that you may be transposing characteristics on Putin that you want to see.

Awhile back I began adding RT to my media viewing habits with the explicit goal of seeing things through Russian perspective. I did a similar thing with Al Jazeera in previous years. As a political science major, I have a desire to always try to see all sides of the perspectives. What was clear to me is that though American media has a strong bias, RT was blatant propaganda. Even their media personalities have said as much as they exited. It's artful and skill propaganda but propaganda none the less. Furthermore, Putin understands the power of propaganda. He's created a huge social media arm that employs people to defend Russia on twitter, facebook and BBS like this with more propaganda.

To ignore these facts to say he should be respected as much as Western leaders is to purposely remain ignorant, IMHO.
 
One idea that I find curious is that this feeling that Russia needs to be "forgiven" like Japan, Germany or China. The first 2 literally succumbed to invading forces and remade their societies from the ground up on western ideals. China is walking down the same path that Russia did, trying to keep their strong government in place while opening their economy. They simply got a later start than Glasnost.

China may follow the path of Russia in trying to use nationalism to cover up blatant governmental corruption and decidedly un-Democratic methods. Their activity in the South China Sea to flex their muscle could be a precept to a "Crimea" move.

Musburger, what were your thoughts when Russian soldiers moved into Crimea yet removed their patches and repainted over their Cycle/Hammer on their vehicles? Remember, Putin was shouting that Russian soldiers has not entered Crimea. If he truly believed he was enforcing their right of self determination why the obfuscation? Why has Russia been hiding the fact that they are supplying the Ukraine "rebels" with military hardware and intelligence? We KNOW these are facts.

We also know that Putin has become one of the wealthiest individuals in the world based on known assets throughout the world, worth billions. Is that the mark of someone who genuinely cares for his country or rather someone who successfully manipulates the masses while all the while increasing the 2 things that he cares most about: Power and Money. I'm not saying he doesn't care about Russia but he most certainly is using his role to enrich himself demonstrably.
 
I've enjoyed the discussion, but I think I've kind of hit the wall. Here's a link you might enjoy reading from someone with a pro-Putin perspective. Link

Below is a list of Putin's accomplishments (from his perspective) that is quite admirable from a Russian point of view.

In reply to:
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Communist/Russian propaganda is alive and well in 2014! Stalin was a pretty cool guy to unless you lived in Russia and didn't tow the line perfectly. Ask Trotsky.
 
It's really tough to take that list serious with the consistent use of "AngloZionist". It's rife with unvalidated conspiracy theories.

With that said, thanks for the alternate viewpoint Musburger. That's what I'll miss about this place when it's gone.
 
Reading these discussions is what I will miss. I'm to ignorant on the topics to contribute intelligently but sure enjoy reading 'point - counterpoint'.
Hook'm
 
There never was a true ceasefire. Russia has opened the gate and delivered much needed aid and weapons to the people under attack in Novorussia (eastern Ukraine). The "ceasefire" was merely a ploy by Poroschenko to regroup his badly defeated forces and prepare for another surge. He'll get his *** kicked again.
 
This thread is about Putin BTW.

However, since it has pretty much run aground:

Why did the USSR break apart if it was so grand? Why are the US troops in Germany? Why are the US troops in South Korea?
 
Nobody said the USSR was "so grand." If you are equating the ideology of Putin's Russia to the USSR you are off base. A comparison to Russia in the time of Peter the Great would perhaps be more appropriate with respect to Putin and the current Russia.

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