AOS Interview Complete

[Nancy2015 2]

That's why I prefer the Russian way.

I seriously doubt you do.

The Russian style includes: Rewriting the constitution several times in a decade. Then having an election, but all the top candidates are either disqualified, "disappear", murdered, or jailed. The political parties have no platform (except we support Putin) and change every election. Then once in control the government buys up all the media enterprises, thus if you say everything I just said in Russia you will also "disappear". And for you soldiers (compulsory service + serious hazing) and being sent to Chechnya is not much better than Iraq.

I'm not a big supporter of the current Russian government, but I believe, you're exaggerating. People have criticized the government in Russia for as long as I've been around, and there's a lot of criticism in the media, so I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether. There are a lot of things that I'm not happy about, but "lack of free speech" is not among them, because I'm not convinced it's the case.

[Satellite 1]

I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether.

Remember, Kasporov being dragged into jail for voicing his opinion?

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=171441

Of course Putin is popular. No argument there. But his popularity stems from the fact that oil costs so much and the government has money to pay for all the things Yeltsin could not.

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

Of course Putin is popular. No argument there. But his popularity stems from the fact that oil costs so much and the government has money to pay for all the things Yeltsin could not.

If that were true in the west then bush would be one of the most popular presidents in history but alas tis not so. There are many misconceptions between the two countries and it will be awhile before people will learn to accept the truth that there is no perfect government, it cant exist because if you help the less fortunate then the well off will be upset, if you support the well off then the poor are upset the only ones who get screwed from both sides is the middle class(which will one day no longer exist anywhere if things keep going the way they are). If you hate your government or your officials vote them out of office if you cant find a candidate who will support your views run yourself. Too often in this country (the US) everyone wants things done for them but they dont want to put forth the effort to do them themselves. Its sad but it becomes more and more evident every day thats why Elena and I have a nice piece of property picked out on the moon where we will build our dream home and live without the weight of the world on our shoulders.

[slim 1,525]

We have an "intergalactic" spot already picked out as well. Just have to win that dag-gummed lottery first.

[Nancy2015 2]

I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether.

Remember, Kasporov being dragged into jail for voicing his opinion?

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=171441

Of course Putin is popular. No argument there. But his popularity stems from the fact that oil costs so much and the government has money to pay for all the things Yeltsin could not.

I don't think that the people who run my country now are capable of completely changing their old Soviet ways. It can only happen when the new generation of people who don't remeber anything about the Soviet Union come into power.

Oil is expensive, but there are other industrial sectors that are doing well too. IT, for instance. The economy there is doing very well, and right now it's the employee's job market... unlike here *sigh*

There are many misconceptions between the two countries and it will be awhile before people will learn to accept the truth that there is no perfect government, it cant exist because if you help the less fortunate then the well off will be upset, if you support the well off then the poor are upset the only ones who get screwed from both sides is the middle class(which will one day no longer exist anywhere if things keep going the way they are). If you hate your government or your officials vote them out of office if you cant find a candidate who will support your views run yourself. Too often in this country (the US) everyone wants things done for them but they dont want to put forth the effort to do them themselves.

I agree. Very well said.

Btw, I need to find out if I can vote at the Consulate next year. Probably not, cause I'm not registered with the Consulate.

[Nancy2015 2]

Also, I haven't formed an opinion about the Other Russia and their March od Dissent movement, because way too many people who belong to this movement are not just "against Putin", but they also have extreme nationalst views ("Russia for the Russians"), and Limonov is known to support them. And whenever I hear Limonov's name, I cringe and wonder why the guy isn't in jail yet. So, although opposition is always good, I don't understand why it has to be nationalist.

Berezovsky is not my favorite person either. My problem with all these people is that they want for the West to interfere with the Russian domestic affairs, whereas the current government is going everything to prevent that. And frankly, I don't want anyone to interfere with our politics, so I'm with the current government on that one.

There are too many complicated issues here, and I can't say that I've been following Russina politics that well, so I will abstain from having a serious discussion on the subject. I'll just say, I would love to see a democratic government in my country, but not necessarily a government that supports the U.S. in anything and everything. And man, would I love to see some strict anti-nationalist, anti-homophobic and anti-discrimination laws, as well as a more secular society.

I'll keep on dreaming

[slim 1,525]

I'm not a big supporter of the current Russian government, but I believe, you're exaggerating. People have criticized the government in Russia for as long as I've been around, and there's a lot of criticism in the media, so I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether. There are a lot of things that I'm not happy about, but "lack of free speech" is not among them, because I'm not convinced it's the case.

Sure it's not the case. Just ask Ivan Safranov or Anna Politkovskaya.... oh wait, they can no longer be reached for comment.

[Nancy2015 2]

I'm not a big supporter of the current Russian government, but I believe, you're exaggerating. People have criticized the government in Russia for as long as I've been around, and there's a lot of criticism in the media, so I'm not sure why the West is spreading the myth that we get punished for what we think and say in any way. The truth is, a lot of people truly support Putin - he's as popular as anyone can be, so there may be less criticism than support altogether. There are a lot of things that I'm not happy about, but "lack of free speech" is not among them, because I'm not convinced it's the case.

Sure it's not the case. Just ask Ivan Safranov or Anna Politkovskaya.... oh wait, they can no longer be reached for comment.

And you're so sure they were wacked by the government?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I can't be sure of anything until I see some hard evidence.

[slim 1,525]

And you're so sure they were wacked by the government?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but I can't be sure of anything until I see some hard evidence.

It's surprising how quickly hard evidence stops appearing when prominent journalists start getting whacked "by someone... not necessarily the government" for uncovering unfavorable information and then making it public.

Other journalists aren't so quick to report certain stories or findings after their colleagues have been whacked by "someone" for pursuing the same stories.

Not a lot of hard evidence after journalists lose their voice.

[dmhweb 0]

I don't think that the people who run my country now are capable of completely changing their old Soviet ways. It can only happen when the new generation of people who don't remeber anything about the Soviet Union come into power.

As someone wise once said, "Forget the past and you'll be doomed to repeat it"

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

As someone wise once said, "Forget the past and you'll be doomed to repeat it"

I dont remember the name but I believe he was Rusoalachian

[slim 1,525]

As someone wise once said, "Forget the past and you'll be doomed to repeat it"

I dont remember the name but I believe he was Rusoalachian

Already catching on! Awesome. Soon it should be an option on the Cencus boxes. - Check here if you're "Rusolachian." -