Posted on 06/13/2006 11:36:07 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Russia remains a corrupt totalitarian state, as it was under the Tsars and the bolcheviks. Things haven't changed much since the emancipation of the serfs.
I have to chuckle. Some Russian FReepers have periodically shown up here to complain that the US did nothing to help them democratize or shake off their capitalist roots. They have also scoffed when I informed them that Putin was slowly taking Russia back to the bad old days of the USSR. Perhaps, today, they see the light.
When the USSR fell, Russians who wanted out from under the communist system could do and did something else. Many, as a result, have become quite wealthy. The rest of Russia spent their time complaining that capitalism was bad and lamenting the Soviet system.
Well, they're getting it back, thanks to Pootie-Poot, and the rest of us are being dragged back into another Cold War. Russia had their shot and blew it. Expect no tears from me.
There is the "reversion to the norm [or mean]" law - it is a somewhat indirect corollary of the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Here is a certain type of society, with its own way of life, as it has historically formed over the centuries. And this way of life has its own "historical norm", to which such a society would tend to revert after any perturbations.
Russia is not the only country "increasingly unfree". Putting aside PC/smoking issue, see how the high-rise window washer in Massachusetts is facing long prison term for killing a gull, in self defense!
Apples and oranges. One is talking about the political freedom here, freedom against the powers that be.
I see. So in Russia you cannot organize a political party? Or you are not free to voice your views? Or not free to travel? Or run for the office? What political freedoms Russians are lacking? Curious minds want to know.
Gerhard Shroeder is paid for being Putin's bitch. Are you?
Try to voice above the threshold of becoming meaningful - and see what happens to you. Recent NGO story is a good example. Freedom of bowel movement is not a political freedom.
Do you think that US laws regulating activity of NGO's financed from foreign sources are wrong?
As for the NGO's - all kinds of fly by night NGO's came into Russia and tried to undermine the steady and progresive rise of freedom after the end of Communism. A good example is the Soros machine which set up all kinds of little outfits...in his attempt to influence matters.
Russian people are more than capable of setting up their own NGO's...and left wing influences are not welcome.
The requirements are for them to register with the State Department [if acting as agents of a foreign government], if memory serves, and with IRS for tax exempt purposes. Are there any other requirements? How much red tape is involved in such a registration? How frequently is the registration denied? The degree of control involved in the US is qualitatively different.
Planned Parenthood and other NGOs seeking to interfere in Russian society do Russians NO GOOD and they are aware of it thankfully. We too should be more aware.
http://accidentalrussophile.blogspot.com/2006/04/russians-take-aim-at-western-anti-aids.html
Well, I always believed that you properly belong in the Russian paradise. I see it as an intrisically suboptimal society, with any attempt of improvement [even a Soros would be a vast improvement there] necessarily be [and be seen as] an interference with its very nature.
"...attempt of improvement [even a Soros would be a vast improvement there] necessarily be [and be seen as] an interference with its very nature."
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Moving on as there is nothing of substance in your response.
I didn't know the technical term for it, but I knew that what is going on in Russia wasn't unique.
It's too bad they couldn't break away from nearly 100 years of a failed political structure that creates an elite political class and relegates the rest of the population to second class status.
700+ years, not 100.
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