The old bear is stirring again in Ukraine, and it's wearing Putin's face

Times Online ^ | November 30, 2004 | Michael Gove

[Cutterjohnmhb]

Putin believes in the rule of a grim elite who will protect Russia from the corrupt West TWO YEARS ago who had heard of Fallujah? Twelve years ago what resonance did Srebrenica have? Two weeks ago how many of us had a view on the relative merits of Viktor Yushchenko or Viktor Yanukovych?

Its in the nature of international crises that they tend to occur in parts of the globe that have escaped the world’s close attention. A hundred years ago crises in Fashoda and Port Arthur, flashpoints on the fringes of empire, dominated the thoughts of statesmen. Today, our sleeves are tugged by an insistent media, anxious that we should take an interest in the historic events unfolding between Lviv and Donetsk.

It is, however, in the nature of the busy newspaper reader to wonder just which crisis in distant lands really is momentous enough to demand close attention. Who now remembers Nagorno-Karabakh? With each new story, the pundits bark and then the camera crews move on.

[IAMNO1]

June 26, 2001 Bush-Putin news conference in Slovenia:

"I looked the man (Putin) in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue. There was no kind of diplomatic chit chat, trying to throw each other off balance. There was a straightforward dialogue, and that's the beginning of a very constructive relationship."

Partly true, but one of the few times I feel the President was wrong. Putin is a wolf in sheep's clothing. I think, deep down, the President knows that. Putin let him down big time on Iraq, and I'm sure President Bush will never feel the same way about him.

[SoDak]

This quotation brings to mind quotes attributed to Harry Truman dealing with Stalin. He said Stalin was a man you could deal with, and trust. Obviously it wasn't very long down the road that even Truman knew he was mistaken.

[Once-Ler]

Partly true, but one of the few times I feel the President was wrong. Putin is a wolf in sheep's clothing. I think, deep down, the President knows that. Putin let him down big time on Iraq, and I'm sure President Bush will never feel the same way about him.

You words mirror my thoughts. I get the sense that Dubya is extremely disappointed with Putin. It is almost as if Dubya embodies the thoughts of the nation. More so than with France or Germany, I think America really wanted to befriend Russia. We have sympathized with the people of the Soviet Union and celebrated it's breakup.

Watching them struggle with democracy gives insights to our own struggle for Independence from England. I am happy that the Ukrainian elections have not yet led to bloodshed and I pray that God watches over them as he watched over us.

[IAMNO1]

A strange comparison, but I felt the same way about John Breaux, the Democratic Senator from Louisiana. President Bush seemed very close to him going into his first term, and I thought their relationship might work well at healing the rift in our country after a divisive election. I was rather disappointed on that score also.

[American in Israel]

It is stirring again because it was only hibernating. Now that Clinton has sunk half the navy, laid off the army and closed so many bases, the bear is waking up.

After such a long winter, it is hungry too.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Bump

[Just mythoughts]

Excellent, excellent article. Got to wonder if there is a "gene" flowing in these of the 'communistic mind'?