RE Putin:
Many out here have a positive opinion of him. I believe it’s mainly because we have such a lousy contrast of our own to point to. This guy, at the very least, loves his own country. No denying that. And people respect that idea. But there is also no denying that the guy IS “The Boss”, brooks no dissent, and sees himself that way. That is NOT an American value, nor is it one we should look up to.
I would liken it to - maybe sort of how many viewed Rommel in WWII...
They watched Rommel take apart British armies in the Desert one after another, disgracing Wavell and Auchinleck in the process and then he took us apart at Kasserine Pass; all Allied commanders were very aware of his abilities, and they respected what he was capable of and respected his skills. Yet Monty finally beat at El Alamien (in ‘42, with overwhelming numerical odds), and Patton beat him at El Guettar (in ‘43), and ultimately we drove the Afrika Corps out of the middle east.
In other words - You respected the general and his abilities as an adversary... but he was nevertheless an adversary to be defeated.
Make sense?
I think it makes sense.
Countries have different values and cultures and no conservative in our country has ever said we want to be like Russia.
I want America to remain America.
Yeah, if presiding over a thoroughly corrupt nation & imprisoning & killing your political foes is your kinda thing.