[Cathi]

Gonzalo: “German statesman Otto von Bismarck once famously observed that the Russian cavalry were “slow to saddle up, but ride fast.”

Pretty good description of Russia. Some uninformed posters keep suggesting that the Russian people will rise up against Putin when the reality is that the more common criticism of Putin by Russians is that he is too cautious, too slow.

[kiryandil]

Some uninformed posters keep suggesting that the Russian people will rise up against Putin when the reality is that the more common criticism of Putin by Russians is that he is too cautious, too slow.

They believe what their TeeVees tell them.

In all things.

[Organic Panic]

Having been there. The Russians I met don’t get up before noon with a massive vodka hangover. Russia is drinking itself to death. It is a miserable and depressed population enamored with the strongman as their only source of pride. I am surprised that any soldiers bothered showing up to muster.