IMHO Communism and thuggery are synomynous, and have always have been. The "ideals" of Communism were and are
a smoke screen to charm and mislead "the masses".
It was either the Czar or the Communists dominating Eastern Europe.
While you're right that the ideals of Communism have always been a smoke screen to mislead the masses, that does not mean that every form of thuggery is synonymous with Communism. My point was that at least Communism took people in with a promise for their fair share. Under the Ukrainian oligarchy, and the one creeping into Russia, there is no promise for the common man, only corruption for the government cronies. In a sense, it is the old state Communism with the mask removed, and such a system cannot win popular support, unlike the lie of Communism.
Exactly. And the same thugs have been in power since the 'fall' of Communism: I see it as the difference between Kentucky Fried Chicken changing its name to 'KFC' --big deal, same chicken.