Article

2005-02-26 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

No return to totalitarianism for Russia, asserts Putin

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Posted by Fred 2005-02-26 00:00:00|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Despite the tidal wave of criticism of Putin, I have to cut him considerable slack, knowing something of Russian history and culture. It is easy to forget that he, or George Bush, for that matter, are not dictators (in the old sense), able to rule by decree. More than anything else, he is trying to reassert Russia's deservedly prominent place in the world. But he must do so in consensus with his government, a Duma, parliament, that is just getting used to the idea of multiple political parties (several of which are extremist), the complete re-ordering of their judicial branch to conform with international legal standards, and an executive bureaucracy that must be ruled with an iron fist just to do its job and not collapse under the weight of its own corruption. Now, in addition to this, he is in the middle of several national and international conflicts; a US that seems to want to separate Central Asia from Russia in mysterious and threatening ways; and now, to select a successor who won't screw it all up. These are maybe his top ten nightmares. But the list is very, very long.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-02-26 10:32:03 AM|| 2005-02-26 10:32:03 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 More than anything else, he is trying to reassert Russia's deservedly prominent place in the world.

So was Hitler with Germany.

"deservedly" in what sense, btw?

a US that seems to want to separate Central Asia from Russia

Geez, I thought that happened when those Central Asian nations *and* Russia signed a document calling themselves "independent states", thus abolishing the Soviet Union.

As for the Duma and the parliament, and having to deal with parties, several of which are "extremist": If you are referring to the communists and nationalists, I might have a bit more sympathy for Putin's position, IF he'd not been hunting down all actually liberal-democratic forces in his nations, with the clear intention of keeping *only* the communists and hypernationalists in opposition and thus presenting himself as a "moderate", something which would have been impossible had actually democratic forces been allowed to prosper.

It's a neat trick really. Let only the unreformed communists and lunatic nationalists around as theoretical opposition (in truth, letting aside stuff like Babuska revolution and fancy crap like that aside, he hardly ever gets opposed by them)and you therefore make yourself look *good* in comparison.

Posted by Aris Katsaris 2005-02-26 2:17:15 PM|| [http://www.livejournal.com/~katsaris/] 2005-02-26 2:17:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Air A** Catharsis: yadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayada
yadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayada
yadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayada
yadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayada
yadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadayadaetc.

Anyway, you made some good points, Anonymoose. I'm not quite sure about the "mysterious and threatening ways" thingy, but maybe it's still The Great Game 2005.

Posted by Dr August Balls of Nice 2005-02-26 6:49:55 PM|| 2005-02-26 6:49:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 For Pete's krutzing sake, Dr. August, please don't stretch the page like that!

Posted by Korora 2005-02-26 6:57:15 PM|| [http://basementburrow.blogspot.com] 2005-02-26 6:57:15 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Whaddid I do? (I admit 2being pooter-challenged.)

I'm re-minded of some movie (I 4get which) where the guy sez, "But I didn't touch anything!"

Posted by Dr August Balls of Nice 2005-02-26 7:12:19 PM|| 2005-02-26 7:12:19 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Whaddid I do?

Well, you used "catharsis" as a ridicule, without knowing that the Greek connotations of the word are quite positive actually. It's the word primarily used for the eradication of political corruption. In US catharsis may be what a doctor prescribes, in Greece it's what a politician promises.

You are welcome for the free linguistic lesson.

And also you wrote a too long word that ended up stretching the page before a mod corrected it for you.

Posted by Aris Katsaris 2005-02-26 8:47:16 PM|| [http://www.livejournal.com/~katsaris/] 2005-02-26 8:47:16 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 Hey, Aris, you seem to be growing a thicker skin, heh.

I would pick a nit though, "what a politician promises" is not catharsis... usually it's a lie. :-)

"What a politician does" may result in catharsis.

Neva had a doc prescribing me catharsis and shrinks are not included in my phonebook.

Posted by Sobiesky 2005-02-26 8:59:59 PM|| 2005-02-26 8:59:59 PM|| Front Page Top

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