Bingo! I posted it earlier, Germany has taken a proactive approach to criticizing Nazism and educating its people on the horrors of the Nazi regime. Its pretty much standard in all schools there and the German government has legal power to shut down any Neo-nazi groups. That doesn't exist in Russia and Russia has a serious economic problem that has created a middle class being starved of any of the growth generated by the oil boom. East Germany has the same problem but the Germans are really trying to tackle it head on while the Russians are staying put.
i know a russian lady that was born in like '45 right at the start... needless to say, she doesn't have any sense of logic, thinks that everything in America is polluted and bad. She won't drink the water, won't work, and stays home all day.. she's also been in the USA for 5 years and still speaks english like a 2 yr old. her dad was in the KGB too so its not like she was in the poor side of russia my opinion of russians thru personal experience is they are terribly educated, misinformed, and pretty much stupid. that's from one person though, but obviously if they are saying Stalin is good then something is still wrong. let em rot.
Partly, yes, but I also think that you're seriously underestimating just how much some Russians -- especially the younger generations -- admire what they view as a "strong leader" in Putin. I have Russian friends and when we discuss Russian politics (past and present) the overwhelming sentiment seems to be that Russia needs a "strong hand" to guide it back on the road of relevance. Some have expressed to me just how much of an "embarrassment" someone like Boris Yeltsin was to the average citizen, that he made Russia look like a big joke on the national stage, or that he was nothing more than a "Western stooge" and a womanizer. So that's just been my personal experience. I am positive others might see things differently, but this recent poll of Russian youths expressing what I think are similar sentiments (admiration of 'power' and 'strength' above all else) seems to validate much of what I've already heard.
Sadly, your opinion is without much merit. Historically speaking, Russians are some of the most industrious peoples in the world. To call them largely "stupid" or "terribly educated" or even "misinformed" (there is some irony, here) only reflects poorly on your person.
Neo-Nazis are gaining a foothold in some parts of Germany today. So while the Germans have done much over the decades, it doesn't mean that xenophobia is no longer an issue there. Quite the contrary. They're merely forcing those elements underground, not doing away with them. Xenophobia is rising, not declining, in Germany these days...
and that's why I said through my personal experience when I go to russia and meet some intellectual scientists then I can change my opinion, but for now it is tainted by bad experiences.
Precisely, I said that East Germany is economically depressed and hence seeing a rise in neo-nazi-esque sentiment. MadMax argued that Germany was different when I said it was different because of Germany's policies toward Neo-nazis, not the people themselves. People in economically depressed areas will look to the past, its a natural historical process.
You should read more about the Russian people, and their contributions to the arts, literature, science... a host of things. It is truly remarkable. As tiger pointed out, having an opinion like that based on some "personal experiences" with some lousy people, or people you perhaps didn't understand, or both, and using that as a reason to taint an entire nation of hundreds of millions, with a very, very long history, says more about you, and less about them. With all due respect. D&D. Impeach Bush and Cheney.
meh, whatever, I stick to my opinion, it digs deeper into a personal level. if you had to live with it for 5 yrs it'd be different trust me haha. Anyways yeah of course they have contributed to arts, science, etc. But who hasn't? Besides like...Ethiopia, which I'm sure has had its glory in the past, pretty much every nation has done its bit. Just ignore my posts, I am hella bored just rambling crap, it was more a "this person made my life suck so I hate everything related to it" kinda thing! But back to the topic! cmon, Fifty-four percent agreed that Stalin did more good than bad," That is...that's stupid, I don't care if they invented how to make energy from a jellybean or whatever.
Hate to derail the thread, but why Deckard? What good does it do now other than waste hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and tear the nation apart once more? You do realize that any attempt to impeach the president/vp will only serve to rally their mostly 'indifferent' or 'numb' supporters? I say just wait 'em out...it's cheaper AND smarter.
You're right, it would derail the thread. I'll just say that while I used to feel as you do, I think they have gone so far beyond the pale that it is damaging the fundamental institutions of our government. Just waiting for them to leave is akin to saying that what they are doing (without getting into specifics) is legal. In my opinion, it is not. Impeach Bush and Cheney.
In that case, it better happen soon because we don't have much time to work with here. IMPEACH BUSH NOW! TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
Heck, we've been waiting around 50 years. If it's a side benefit of impeaching Bush/Cheney, that'd be groovy, but nothing will happen until after the 2008 elections. Florida is in play. D&D. Impeach Bush and Cheney. Let Americans Vacation in Cuba!
It is disturbing that Russian youth would be so willing to see Stalin's good qualities after the millions he slaughtered. I am certainly hoping that very few would in a poll say that they would like to go back to the Communist era. As many have said, it is probably yearning for the lost super power era and the prestige associated with that status for some. Talking about wmd, Russia has lots. So unless we want to get into another Cold War we should do all we can to keep things moderate in Russia. Is anyone else disturbed by this whole thing of us putting anti-missile batteries in the neighboring countries close to Russia. This has really pissed off Putin and I believe the Russians have pulled out of some arms control treaties. It seems so unnecessary and the only possible advantage I can see is for those who want to profit off a new arms' race. It seems like we have enough on our plate in the Middle East without needlessly creating more problems.
OFF TOPIC: After Reading you post . . all I could think was ,.. MAN! Someone got a Raw deal on one of those Russian Mail Order Brides *grin* Rocket RIver
Is a Pissing contest necessary? If we must . . . Most presidents were not in office as along as Stalin I beleive so their amount of damage may not be as great but the Native Americans were killed to near extinction and that happen on SOMEONE'S WATCH! Rocket River
