Putin the Magnificent

Putin the Magnificent

It seems to be the case for many leading politicians that after a period of about 7 years in power, they begin to get grandiose ideas about their own importance and fallibility. In the UK we have had fairly recently Thatcher and then Blair; The US is enjoying Bush II. The French have had a few. Russia has Putin.

Putin is being a bit aggressive. As examples, he has presided over threatening postures to the Ukraine over Oil, and there are echos of that with the European Union. He has shown indifference to the murder of a British Subject by, quite clearly, Russian persons unknown. And now he has apparently decided to reignite the Cold War by suspending the Arms Control Pact

One clumsy and brutish move after another. But is he a simple-minded as he appears?

Putin is not allowed under the Russian Constitution to serve a further period as President. He claims to be against the idea of serving a third term. But it's a hot topic in Russia.

But now, if there was an international crisis then would it not make Russian sense for that rule to be waived in the interests of Russian Security.

The whole thing stinks.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

It is a rather juvenile attitude from JoshL because his man didn't win.

Wrong.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

The Russian Government spent nearly half a billion dollars on polling station electronics that gave Russians the chance to see things for themselves as more and more Russias are using the Net and it's services.

So what then?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

In the genral picture and weighing all the positives and negatives in the country the United Russia Party man got themost votes and blatantly obvious to a proverbial child.

There's no such a party here: 1) it is a trade union of rogues and corruptioners, 2) it has a strongly set different title - "the Party of Rogues & Thieves" - because it's really this.

Originally posted by string:

You seem not to understand the concept of democracy JoshL. People vote, people get elected.

Enough: I completely agree. It seems, though, that you get "information" from Russia's official institutions and take it the ultimate truth, don't you? For example, from some "Central Electoral Committee" headed by a friend of putin's mR Churov.. From the "Ministry for Internal Affairs" with its loyal to putin "demented angel" Herr Nurgaliyev? Don't you? Don't you all?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

A pointless video that means nothing

Neeeeeeee, it was a certain illustration to what is going on here. Did you know that half Moscow had been emptied by specials - some said there weren't even birds in the area... Churov said "65%"? Well, where were all those LOVING PEOPLE? Erm? To me, Russia is more likely to resemble an occupied country - than won with 65% popular voting.
The problem is Russians are mostly slave-generic after all that negative imbreeding by Jugashvili & Co. They fear instability; but, at the same time, they don't regard the scumbag as their politician - the last poll of Levada says.

Originally posted by JoshL:

Neeeeeeee, it was a certain illustration to what is going on here. Did you know that half Moscow had been emptied by specials - some said there weren't even birds in the area... Churov said "65%"? Well, where were all those LOVING PEOPLE? Erm? To me, Russia is more likely to resemble an occupied country - than won with 65% popular voting.
The problem is Russians are mostly slave-generic after all that negative imbreeding by Jugashvili & Co. They fear instability; but, at the same time, they don't regard the scumbag as their politician - the last poll of Levada says.

your the Russian SF! GREEEAAT!

Well, well now JoshL. You don't see the juvenile and rather immature ranting on the political situation? You are seemingly so blined by hate there isn't cohesive thinking at all. As for fear such an emotion can be found in any country and that includes the USA too where people on the one side create such and I need to say "so what" on fear. That Russia spent hundreds of millions of dollars on camaeras that ordinary Russians could see things for themselves is sneered at. I don't remember such when the USSR that wonderful beacon of freedom and democracy was in existence. You and yuor oppostition would never have been allowed to take to the streets instead you would have been trucked away to Gulags in the biggest brutal dictatorship the world has seen.

So demonstrations are now part of Russia as here or anywehere in the West whichshows the changes. You very subtly give the impression they are not allowed when they ARE. Just like in any country in the West applications for demostrating are part of the process and where people have them without due process they are taken off the streets. Again similar to elsewhere. Just look what the police do in the US for even peaceful protest. No, you are very highly bigotted and not a reasonable example of opposition. You gripe becaue Putin did win against a motley group who couldn't really effectively come together but practice their own directions. Hardly a basis for legitimate complaint. That you also regress to over the top expressions shows frustration but it is not based on factual situations on the ground. As I further pointed out Putin's support had declined since his last bout however he is still the most popular politician in Russia. You cannot accept that due to being blinded by sheer hate and not a coherent and sensible stance as should be taken.

Originally posted by OakdaleFTL:

Originally posted by string:

You seem not to understand the concept of democracy JoshL. People vote, people get elected. The more people vote for one person the more likely he is to be voted in, and if someone wins an election then he is the democratic choice.

Democracy does not mean that you, repeat you, get to choose who governs your country; it is the decision of the majority.

That's certainly close enough, for gubbment work! (I, for one, am grateful for the peaceful transitions of administrations in the Russian Federation! It's a very positive sign — to my not-very-sympathetic-to-democracy POV; because I am actually sympathetic to democracy… Time was, the "old" leaders had to die — one way or another.) There are always "questionable" election results in a democracy; but there are seldom such in faux democracies. And people will note this…
I suspect (since we effectively have no choice, nor any reason to presume we should have such) that the various peoples of the RF will sort this out, to their own satisfaction, eventually.
I simply wish them well.

There were no elections.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

That Russia spent hundreds of millions of dollars on camaeras that ordinary Russians could see things for themselves is sneered at.

Ordinary people could see tons of clips after 4.12.11 - and what? For circus? If you can't perceive the intestines of the situation, I could try to depict it. Even here not many people are in with THE TRIALS on the falsifications reported by parties and civil activist groups. There's little judgement here - with your lovely cameras or without: your lovely "democratic" "judges" don't permit evidencies from your putin's cameras.
I've already said there hadn't been any elections: you couldn't perceive; as well you couldn't perceive here we live in decorations of justice, decorations of law, decorations of elections on most levels. Even decorations of media. Have you ever read some SciFi or psychedelic? WE - LIVE IN it.
All they are trying to keep - their renome towards YOU, guys. It means official foreign activity: peace, shmeace, stability, G8, H9, e2-e4, blablabla. + nuclear weapon - so that no obamas try to reproach "us" for rights abuse - similarly to some armed affairs by NATO recently...

No elections? How silly is this thread becoming?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

You very subtly give the impression they are not allowed when they ARE.

Yes. They are allowed by defualt - by the Constitution.

Have you heard something about some provocations of - by - the forces (I can't define them either as state forces or occupation forces - because there is no any stable order in the structure and activity of what we now face against us)?

Originally posted by JoshL:

All they are trying to keep - their renome towards YOU, guys. It means official foreign activity: peace, shmeace, stability, G8, H9, e2-e4, blablabla. + nuclear weapon - so that no obamas try to reproach "us" for rights abuse - similarly to some armed affairs by NATO recently...

Wonder if you are really convinced that "obamas" are primarily interested in Russian life conditions/democracy?
BTW, as far as I can remember B.Yeltsin had a much more favorable coverage in western media than V.Putin ever had.

Originally posted by JoshL:

(I can't define them either as state forces or occupation forces - because there is no any stable order in the structure and activity of what we now face against us)?

What do you mean by "us"? The Russian people? Some social classes? A majority? A minority?

Just out of curiosity. If you would have to pick between Putin and Khodorkovsky, whom would you prefer?

Elections are "allowd by default- by the constitution"?? That is even more silly.

You grudgingly ackowledge it IS a right and say it by adding the word - default? Now how daft is that. By virtue of any Constitution I would submit democratic involvement by the people through a vote is the normal course. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Russia certainly needs to have an effective opposition to any government but to be snidy because it is'nt yours is plain childish. The more votes you get then the better the chance of winning. It is accepted that United Russia didn't have the same situation as before and it has to acknowledge this but it is still the most voted for lot. The fragmented opposition parties need to get their acts together and stop moaning in lieu of not getting enough votes.

You are perfectly entitled to a credible views and stance (lacking so far by your own mouth) but you do your cause no utter good at all coming on here and being petty if not down right rather coarse and brutal instead. I do hope such infantile mouthings are not typical of the opposition parties as such will only continue to encourage the majority to vite for Putin and company. Argue on depth not inexperienced emotional rant.

Originally posted by Krake:

Wonder if you are really convinced that "obamas" are primarily interested in Russian life conditions/democracy?

Not at all.

Originally posted by Krake:

What do you mean by "us"? The Russian people? Some social classes? A majority? A minority?

The last one. A citizenly active minority.

Originally posted by Krake:

Just out of curiosity. If you would have to pick between Putin and Khodorkovsky, whom would you prefer?

What for? To be my husband? A priest? Something else?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

You grudgingly ackowledge it IS a right and say it by adding the word - default? Now how daft is that. By virtue of any Constitution I would submit democratic involvement by the people through a vote is the normal course.

Out of course?
The question seemed a bit not about that:)

Originally posted by OakdaleFTL:

Oakdale, hi!




RJ, the dissatisfied are always less balanced than the satisfied, don't you?

The unbalanced are always unsatsified.

rjh put it well enough.

Originally posted by JoshL:

What for? To be my husband? A priest? Something else?

Something else. Sorry for not being more accurate.
I ment as President of Russia.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

By virtue of any Constitution I would submit democratic involvement by the people through a vote is the normal course.

Of course, you mean a "proper" constitution, RJ…

Hhm JoshL, don't think i could knee-jerk and say the dis-satisified are automatically unbalanced. Your own rather strident offerings are however unbalanced but not mentally I may add. Minorities have to get on with it that is the way of life anywehere. The tendency here in the West to go overboard on minorities has lead to all sorts of daft politcal correctness i the name of so-called fairness and equality to the point you wonder why the needs of the majority are negated.

As for Russia the trouble is that there is no-one as capable as Putin amongst the oppostion party leaders. That rules are being relaxed for the formation and registration of politcal paarties is a welcome sign However the minor parties have to stop acting like spoiled chidlren and realise that he who gets the most votes wins. They have to try harder and get beyond emotinal ranting and snarling and something more positive. That this can happen can be seen modestly in that Putin's share did go down from his last sojourn as President. Get yourself someone capable of contesting him.

Turning to OakdaleFTL. That submission on Constitutions is open to a variable interpretation actually. It could mean yours is A1 or we are somehow failing because we don't have one. This is a world noted democracy and yet no written Constitution and vwallah to that because it works. Such wouldn't work in the ex-Colonies as the lawyers would be miffed not being able to fight over something that wasn't there and stop them being rich at others expense. For over 200 years the powers that be have used fear and "security" for all sorts of restrictions whilst arguments have went back and forth on amendmentsetc. Great sounding words but followed by hypoccritical control by the money class who give you elections that mean sod all to the man in the street these days. No money son? Then forget about being a good American. I must admit to being a bit delighted at being probably the only nation on Earth with no written bit of paper for political pygmies to control others with in the name of "freedom", etc!

Finally, I think Russia is moving in the wright direction internally. Externally they are using wise heads not to get involved in setting bases up all over the damn place and living on tick to maintain them for what? Diplomacy is something others beating their chests could copy?

Please note, Howie, that by "proper" I didn't mean any objective feature; merely the approbation of a certain rjhowie…

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Finally, I think Russia is moving in the wright direction internally.

Methinks that you could have lived in the time of Stalin and been quite happy, Mr. Howie.
As such, this is for you, you old commie bugger!

Originally posted by rjhowie:

As for Russia the trouble is that there is no-one as capable as Putin amongst the oppostion party leaders.

Utter shit - because there are thousands of men able to keep the affairs and hundreds who can do the country far better. What is putin's "achievement" is that you can't observe any others here. You're far not alone - with the majority of Russia's populace.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Minorities have to get on with it that is the way of life anywehere.

I mean entirely different minority - by the quality: we are the minority which are seeds of the future nation here. Not quantity minority proper - but that sort of minority WHICH ALWAYS MOVES THE CIVILISATION ONWARD. In every country on all times..

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Finally, I think Russia is moving in the wright direction internally.

I think your thinking is based not on the right presuppositions. The system's decaying inevitably.

TheDawgFan, "long live BB" exactly...

By the way, I hear the white ribbon of fair elections is wanted by Duma to be put the same as Hitler's fylfot..

Now how ironic from the land of the free and home of the brave!

The great Paul Robeson was afine singer and entertainer who was better received here in a real democracy than in his own land. You lot made his life hell and treated him like a leper - so much for freedom and all that baloney. Made me laugh to think you quote him. As for national Anthems the new Russia has reverted back to the USSR tune but different words. As it happens,I ignore all Bolshevik minc even from a youthful libertarian in the land of controls and have the music of the present day St Petersburg Naval Band on one of my 3 pc's. Getting the DVD on Amazon a great find as It has the Regimental tunes of each of the Tsar's Imperial Guard Regiments and the wonderful version of the old Imperial National Anthem. I often play it to remind me what happens when you weaken. Even the present day Russian Army on ceremonial occasions is falling back on using this material which is stirring and tremendous. What have you got to compare for your civilians in a uniform? Well, Suza I suppose!

JoshL, in your frustration with the opposition not being able to cobble together something that could run a Christmas Savings Club, you resort to what I have stated. All that keech about thousands being capable and what a cop-out! We are taling about men who ARE political leaders not searching through scores of millions. That is a excuse and you damn well know it! Then you throw in as another example of that strained frustrating mindset about "decaying." We could say that about the Imperial Regime then the the aftermath of the Civil War with the USSR. Kind of too handy just to say "decaying." Considering the place is modernising, getting involved in world trade (we here have a massive trade link with the Russian Federation as it happens), it is exercising world diplomacy not military interventions and threats everywhere like the "Leader of the Free World." It is obvious you are one rather depressed and pessimistic so maybe you should emmigrate?

Originally posted by JoshL:

Originally posted by rjhowie:

As for Russia the trouble is that there is no-one as capable as Putin amongst the oppostion party leaders.

Utter shit - because there are thousands of men able to keep the affairs and hundreds who can do the country far better. What is putin's "achievement" is that you can't observe any others here. You're far not alone - with the majority of Russia's populace.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Minorities have to get on with it that is the way of life anywehere.

I mean entirely different minority - by the quality: we are the minority which are seeds of the future nation here. Not quantity minority proper - but that sort of minority WHICH ALWAYS MOVES THE CIVILISATION ONWARD. In every country on all times..

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Finally, I think Russia is moving in the wright direction internally.

I think your thinking is based not on the right presuppositions. The system's decaying inevitably.

Me thinks you live in the past and can't get over the fact that Russia is actually bettering her self without pissing other nations off, get over it.

He is a hangover from the dusty past and maybe even misses the "efficicency" of the old USSR system. The knock at the door in the middle of the night - put in a mental hospital for criticisng the government - Gulags - persecution - torture - utter control. Only one political party allowed and when the tried to reform that impossibility in a dictatorship the place fell apart.

When the new Russia brings back those old "attributes" we will know it has failed but it won't fail. If JoshL cannot get beyond rabid, rabble rousing and blind hate he will be history. Virusboy is quite correct on going along with the gut feeling that Russia will continue to move on politically, economically, socially and enhance it's diplomatic sense. In a rather juvenile and kids huffy fashion when Putin invited other politicals for dialogue they ignored the opportunity so what does that tell you about the opposition lot? As much use as me dreaming of being Pope.

he's the smileyfaze of Russia

Ha, ha, brilliant. I should send a case of our excellent Scots soft drink, Irn Bru to you for that one!

Originally posted by rjhowie:

He is a hangover from the dusty past and maybe even misses the "efficicency" of the old USSR system. The knock at the door in the middle of the night - put in a mental hospital for criticisng the government - Gulags - persecution - torture - utter control. Only one political party allowed and when the tried to reform that impossibility in a dictatorship the place fell apart.

When the new Russia brings back those old "attributes" we will know it has failed but it won't fail. If JoshL cannot get beyond rabid, rabble rousing and blind hate he will be history. Virusboy is quite correct on going along with the gut feeling that Russia will continue to move on politically, economically, socially and enhance it's diplomatic sense. In a rather juvenile and kids huffy fashion when Putin invited other politicals for dialogue they ignored the opportunity so what does that tell you about the opposition lot? As much use as me dreaming of being Pope.

Enjoy...

Originally posted by Virusboy:

Me thinks you live in the past and can't get over the fact that Russia is actually bettering her self without pissing other nations off, get over it.

Don't like statists.

Hey, everybody - who doesn't mind fascism - you're completely free to take our corruptioners and usurpers to hire as your majordomos (I don't think your co-citizens would approve any COMMON placement for the shit you like). You've missed to hire Gaddafi this way, but you still have lots of opportunities: for example, what about stealing a worthy man like Charlie Tailor?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

JoshL, in your frustration with the opposition not being able to cobble together something that could run a Christmas Savings Club, you resort to what I have stated. All that keech about thousands being capable and what a cop-out! We are taling about men who ARE political leaders not searching through scores of millions. That is a excuse and you damn well know it!

Not at all. You're free to worship "leaders" how much you wish to - without me and lots of alike people not suffering from the "Stockholm syndrom" ("when you're raped, relax and enjoy!").

One more time for brakers.

If you like to make me believe as if I'm not unwell but happy, taking your own business will be better for all.

Originally posted by JoshL:

Don't like statists.Hey, everybody - who doesn't mind fascism - you're completely free to take our corruptioners and usurpers to hire as your majordomos (I don't think your co-citizens would approve any COMMON placement for the shit you like). You've missed to hire Gaddafi this way, but you still have lots of opportunities: for example, what about stealing a worthy man like Charlie Tailor?

yep jealous is being screamed here.

I don't worship any human being and you are clutching at rather vagueness straws there Russian frustrater, JoshL. You have a slight anarchial leaning and goodly represent that fringe element of the opposition in modern Russia. It is moving ahead. Even now in electronics the cast new equivilant of silicon valley is being created outside Moscow. More and more are on the Net and getting media savvied. The new Media Minister in the government in his twenties is showing the modernistic and future way the country will go. People like yourself will moan and gripe beacuse you cannot control the masses any longer like your pals did in dictatorship days. As I pointed out no political parties just one allowed and it decided on your mind control. If you didn't like it have a wee break in a mental hospital or maybe a holiday in one of the restful holiday camps in Siberia. You can place yourself inthe same group as the old who harken back for the old days but the young went something else and they will get it.

Virusboy has a goodly point on the jealousy label. You have offered no alternative here at all but moan and gripe because you cannot attract enough in your country to go along with your wild and daft accusations thrown about. Nothing definite at all, no policies or anything just wild rantings with no depth, nothing. Russia has the future covered and it will leave the negatives behind that cannot adapt to a modern life without jackboots.

How, RJ, do you think the U.S. (NATO) will react, if the Russian Federation follows through on its threat to "take out" missile shield installations in bordering countries?
(What would you or your country do, if some of those ex-Soviet missiles strayed into your moors? )

Originally posted by JoshL:

One more time for brakers.If you like to make me believe as if I'm not unwell but happy, taking your own business will be better for all.

ex-KGB?

Excuse me OakdaleFTL but what the Hell are you doing having military peole everywhere and missiles all over the damn planet? No-one else does that but you and you have the gall to mouth at Russia?! There is no comparison whatsover. They aren't doing anything like you at all so how is that one for arrogance. You also have them right next to the Russian Federation but you are so far up yourselves you think you are somehow special on this planet? We don't see the Russian Navy wandering about near New York like your crowd are doing near China. Kind of daft that one as China is your main debtor you owe. And you wonder why the world see you as full of hypocrisy?

Originally posted by rjhowie:

The new Media Minister in the government in his twenties is showing the modernistic and future way the country will go.

It looks like shit, doesn't it, if there's no one legitimate power branch here? Outlaws toggle each other in their masquerade, isn't it? It's lol...

"Double Standards in Russia"; there must be a couple of my comments there...

Nice bit of not very subtle propaganda thare from JoshL and people who don't know the whole picture actually. Public protests ARE permitted. It's the un-official ones that aren't and that is much the same as here and most other places. If you didn't have any control things could come to a standstill. People here have to apply for a protest to march through the streets and it is probably the same in the land of the free and home of the brave although there the police wil batter you to a pulp with glee. So JoshL is using double-speak which is just as negative as double standards. However when you look at much of the bile produced by him it kind of takes away the principle that every other politico outside of United Russia is a paragon.

ps. I note he ignores the history of the USSR........

Originally posted by JoshL:

Originally posted by rjhowie:

The new Media Minister in the government in his twenties is showing the modernistic and future way the country will go.

It looks like shit, doesn't it, if there's no one legitimate power branch here? Outlaws toggle each other in their masquerade, isn't it? It's lol...

at least he is man enough to take power for it non corruptive state and make hope into reality! you gripe because you were ex-KGB, sorry you grew up like that.but Putin is putting the needs of the many in front of the few(a trait Obama needs to learn). So if anything Russia is where I'd rather live right now, America reminds me of a shit hole south of us.

For the record: If you want to hold a protest march in Chicago, you can do it but you have to get a permit. Given the number of protests, I don't think it's all that hard to get the permits. I've only heard of a couple of denials, and those because of public safety issues. So, you CAN protest in the Rahmulan Empire, in the Land of the Free as RJH likes to say.

Originally posted by rjhowie:

Nice bit of not very subtle propaganda thare from JoshL and people who don't know the whole picture actually. Public protests ARE permitted. It's the un-official ones that aren't and that is much the same as here and most other places. If you didn't have any control things could come to a standstill. People here have to apply for a protest to march through the streets and it is probably the same in the land of the free and home of the brave although there the police wil batter you to a pulp with glee. So JoshL is using double-speak which is just as negative as double standards. However when you look at much of the bile produced by him it kind of takes away the principle that every other politico outside of United Russia is a paragon.

ps. I note he ignores the history of the USSR........

Have you heard the so called "Duma" was in haste to establish new fines for assemblying? I don't know if in the GB or USA people must apply for a date or wedding, funerals or classmates meeting, but it is going to look like elements of 24-hours curfew, isn't it?
Didn't you hear of the defending some forests here? If I should stop a Harvester RIGHT NOW, how long beforehand should I have applied for "the permission" to rush saving the unique alive trees?
You seem to operate with a number of known elements but having failed to compilate the puzzle. Did you hear about the harsh detaining of an Australian the moment he got a white ribbon strolling along some protesters?
Would you mind visiting Moscow and motioning in the centre with a white ribbon put on?
Would you mind drawing some "31" on a sheet of paper and lifting it for a minite standing on a square here?
What about saying the word "Constitution" on a street of Britain or US? Will you be pushed down and detained immediately?

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

For the record: If you want to hold a protest march in Chicago, you can do it but you have to get a permit. Given the number of protests, I don't think it's all that hard to get the permits. I've only heard of a couple of denials, and those because of public safety issues. So, you CAN protest in the Rahmulan Empire, in the Land of the Free as RJH likes to say.

Again, Michail:

1) we are all treated as protesters hence enemies - the moment they've been struck to think so;
2) is it at all sensible to apply to somebody for their permission for protesting against them?
3) we have a right to protest written down in our constitution and we don't have such a word as "permission" there - the LOCAL authorities must coordinate the future action with the declarants.

Originally posted by JoshL:

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

For the record: If you want to hold a protest march in Chicago, you can do it but you have to get a permit. Given the number of protests, I don't think it's all that hard to get the permits. I've only heard of a couple of denials, and those because of public safety issues. So, you CAN protest in the Rahmulan Empire, in the Land of the Free as RJH likes to say.

Again, Michail:

1) we are all treated as protesters hence enemies - the moment they've been struck to think so;
2) is it at all sensible to apply to somebody for their permission for protesting against them?
3) we have a right to protest written down in our constitution and we don't have such a word as "permission" there - the LOCAL authorities must coordinate the future action with the declarants.

Recently, here in the Windy City we hosted the NATO summit. It attracted protesters of every sort from all over the place, and I only heard of two permits being denied. Even then, it was a technical issue and the protesters got to protest with only a slight change in routing. I got a chance to see what the Occupiers are really all about-- subject for another thread, we may have to resurrect the OWS thread from last year-- and generally get a handle on what is going down.

May 31, 2012: "A Young Patriot on the Protesting Triumphalnaya"
"...Because what is going on now will shape my future, and I'd like to live in a nice country.
- But it's not safe..
- Yes, but..
- The thing's that those adults knowing you're here are responsible for that you're here alone.
- My father's responsible for me.
- But he's not aside?
- He's near here - there, at the pathway..
- Well, the question is about danger..
- Yes, it's really dangerous. But the alternative is that I could live all my life under "our tsar"; I don't like that very much...
- This problem is not yet yours but your father's.
- Well, but in 4 year it'll be mine...
...
- We by no means leave you alone... What do people of your age think..? Ah, they're on the phone now...
... (He says he's 14. - Rubbish! 10 maximum! - Oh, gestapo on the left...)
- What do your friends think?
- They think the same, one of them was already detained and is going to be registered soon. Several more attend protests, we are visiting #OccupyArbat...
- Were you yourselves struck to do so?
- Yes, ourselves; even my parents are not so oppositionary.
- Do you think some changes are reachable?
- I hope so. While my country is far from being ideal, I believe we have to try to make it that ideal. Because... Will it be sensible to get desperate saying 'I'm for stability'; what the police were undertaking today was not just enough.
- Are you aware of the new law which...
- Yes, one and half million [roubles], I've heard... One more to the ravings.
- So, will you stay indoors out of that?
- No, I will go on.
- But what about the fine for participation?
- If the law's established, we'll see; but I try to attend only when sanctioned...
- Now, what do you think? Many people believe we are depriving them of stability, shaking the boat... So on?
- It's of utter stupidity. The same as 'we're all paid by the US's State Department'.. It's a sort of subjective and childish thinking, because they seem to like their present life and.. Or they're paid - I really don't know...
- Could it be they like it indeed?
~ Excume me, what's your name?
- I'm Arman.
- Anton.
- Nice to meet you.
It seems to me that however well they feel, if the rights are being broken, it's not at all good. If the rights are broken - however good the everyday life is - it's not good, it's wrong. And the fact we are segresated who wear white ribbon or do not - even more wrong. It was wrong when they screwed people at the 'While defile' and it was wrong when they pushed people away for they stood at the pavement: 'Give way for people, dear people!'... Not that right.
- How do you think it could influence on something?
- I suppose it can help other people who walk near and see it to change their attitude: they think 'what can I do alone' but when they notice many others intending for making some changes.. He/she will be able to change their opinion and join us, and if we become the real majority, the activity will be stronger and it will not be possible to conceal this.
- But... There are many who worry we can break the power being unable to build something new..
- It doesn't matter if we'll be or not able to build this new, what does matter is to destroy the bad. Because... Well, now we didn't seemingly have any alternatives to putin - they all seem to not fit.. But the way putin rule doesn't allow him to introduce himself 'president' - he has stolen the power and he's holding it by force: it's 8 to 12 years in jail [12-20 /Josh]; what is going on now is wrong - not depending on what will happen in some future. We must deprive the present of the wrong.
- Still what do you think: which people are in a more number - those ready to risk for the better or those ready to stay at home?
- I think, I believe there are more people to risk, and there are many such people who're ready but fear; and the most important thing is to make them know that it's crucial to stop fearing but starting to try doing something..
- Thank you very much, take care..."

Sorry for lumpy translation.

Originally posted by mjmsprt40:

Recently, here in the Windy City we hosted the NATO summit. It attracted protesters of every sort from all over the place, and I only heard of two permits being denied. Even then, it was a technical issue and the protesters got to protest with only a slight change in routing. I got a chance to see what the Occupiers are really all about-- subject for another thread, we may have to resurrect the OWS thread from last year-- and generally get a handle on what is going down.

You all seem to be absolutely unaware of the reality.
The reality is that there is a maximum difference between what you mean by occupies and what we see here. No litter at all. No drunk people. No broken glass. No spit ground. No nothing. Maybe you believe we're alike your that year rioters in Anglia???
Turn on your brains: we're here those brought up by 70 years in the USSR. WE ARE NOT YOU. The life here is different. The attitudes, the habbits here are different. THE WAY OF THINKING is different... WE BEHAVE IN ANOTHER WAY - WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO IT...
And we who're protesting here are not of any resemblance to your destructive leftists and rioters! The structure of society, of populace here itself is even different - and we are a NEW stratum bringing hope for ourselves and maybe our country to have a certain new nation being born. Because it was that there were no any real nation here for decades...

About the "lumpy translation" and your subsequent post, all I can say is that I wish you well. (Too, I'd wish my government would do so… Maybe in January!?)

Well JoshL even in the USA often held up as the paragon of virtue on rights the police can be something else. However mjsmsprt40 is showing that over the pond and like here permits for protest are not rare but easy to get but if you are going to march illegally then tough on you. So both countries have a similarity in that regard. And like us in modern Russia in the days following the great dictatorship the situation is much the same. Americans can argue on their Constitution but Great Britain as far as I am aware is the only democracy or country without a written Contsitution and we generally do all right. It is a centuries old convention. Sometime politicians here will refer to the "Consitution" but they mean the tradition of doing things. And surprise, surprise, it works!

We are still waiting to hear what YOU want in Russia. We hear all the harsh words but what is your political perspective, ideals, stance apart from moaning that the biggest party got the most votes and therefor hold office! Do you miss the USSR as well? Come on give something definite here instead of spleen venting.

Rj, maybe you don't have a "Constitution", but you do have the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta was so important a document that I think it can be said that without it, there would be no American "Constitution".