What’s really sad, Cross, is that the Russians like and need a strongman, a czar. The most recent polls I’ve seen show 70-80% of Russians approve of Putin and his Ukrainian policies. The Russians may yet throw him out of office (every politician’s nightmare), but they’d probably end up with an equally czar-like replacement. Russians value order above all else, and they are legendary in their ability to suffer for their love.
What rot, Mr. Danziger! It would be more realistic if President Obama were in the seat of prominence in your caption. The US and its NATO serfs have done far more to kill of civilians in Eastern Ukraine than Russia. Why is it no one can provide any proof that Russia is involved in that region?
Jeff D. — I like the telling little details you put in your drawing. F’rinstance, the lack of national or unit identification on the soldiers. Well done!
Often, I agree with your comments, but not completely, this time. While I cannot claim this to be absolutely true, there were political observers as far back as 1850 who wrote that Russia and the United States would be the greatest rivals in the next century. Both nations, they pointed out, were rapidly growing in population and had abundant natural resources. In the 40 or so years leading up to the Great War (1914), the other European powers were alternately dismissing Russia as a legitimate player, then becoming suspicious of her. Russia too, was constantly redefining herself as Asians for a while, then wanted to be included in the family of European powers. In the 1920’s, Winston Churchill foresaw the coming clash between Russia and the USA. American involvment in Europe’s two great wars (especially the second) alarmed more Russians than just the paranoid Stalin. They feared the fact that the USA pretty much had its act together while they, with such an enormous landmass, were still struggling to feed themselves. Russia did not want American Hegemony to take root in Europe.
Fat forward:
Fortunately for us, the Russians and the world, between WWII and 2000, there were enough pragmatic, cooler heads at the reins of power in both countries that the Eagle and the Bear did not have it out.
We MIGHT have had a chance for a short window after the Russian tanks in Red Square refused to open fire on their own people, and Yeltsin kept the reforms going. Yeltsin still had many hard-liners roaming around (like Putin), many idle, unemployed military officers & soldiers and the KGB, now watered down and “reformed” could not control the huge growth of the Russian underground crime syndicates. Yeltsin couldn’t do it all alone. When he was gone, Putin and the criminal elements took charge. (of course, we here in the USA don’t have any criminal elements affecting OUR government!).Lastly, I was told directly by a former naval officer (whom I still know and talk with) that the PRIMARY reason Nixon and Mao met was because of a mutual fear of the then Soviet Union. He told me that a military agreement was also signed at that time, and not announced publicly. Another local ex-politician kind of confirmed this story to me..I would like to know others take on this, like dtroutma, or anyone else.
braindead Premium Member about 9 years ago
A war president.
Just like the other Republican hero, George W Bush.
twclix about 9 years ago
What’s really sad, Cross, is that the Russians like and need a strongman, a czar. The most recent polls I’ve seen show 70-80% of Russians approve of Putin and his Ukrainian policies. The Russians may yet throw him out of office (every politician’s nightmare), but they’d probably end up with an equally czar-like replacement. Russians value order above all else, and they are legendary in their ability to suffer for their love.
moosemin about 9 years ago
He ain’t no Winston Churchill!
Combatcarl about 9 years ago
What rot, Mr. Danziger! It would be more realistic if President Obama were in the seat of prominence in your caption. The US and its NATO serfs have done far more to kill of civilians in Eastern Ukraine than Russia. Why is it no one can provide any proof that Russia is involved in that region?
Kali39 about 9 years ago
Yeah, is that supposed to be Putin or Emperor Cheney?
Ryan Plut about 9 years ago
Jeff D. — I like the telling little details you put in your drawing. F’rinstance, the lack of national or unit identification on the soldiers. Well done!
Dtroutma about 9 years ago
“W” looked into his eyes and saw his soul, reflected.
moosemin about 9 years ago
Often, I agree with your comments, but not completely, this time. While I cannot claim this to be absolutely true, there were political observers as far back as 1850 who wrote that Russia and the United States would be the greatest rivals in the next century. Both nations, they pointed out, were rapidly growing in population and had abundant natural resources. In the 40 or so years leading up to the Great War (1914), the other European powers were alternately dismissing Russia as a legitimate player, then becoming suspicious of her. Russia too, was constantly redefining herself as Asians for a while, then wanted to be included in the family of European powers. In the 1920’s, Winston Churchill foresaw the coming clash between Russia and the USA. American involvment in Europe’s two great wars (especially the second) alarmed more Russians than just the paranoid Stalin. They feared the fact that the USA pretty much had its act together while they, with such an enormous landmass, were still struggling to feed themselves. Russia did not want American Hegemony to take root in Europe.
Fat forward:
Fortunately for us, the Russians and the world, between WWII and 2000, there were enough pragmatic, cooler heads at the reins of power in both countries that the Eagle and the Bear did not have it out.
We MIGHT have had a chance for a short window after the Russian tanks in Red Square refused to open fire on their own people, and Yeltsin kept the reforms going. Yeltsin still had many hard-liners roaming around (like Putin), many idle, unemployed military officers & soldiers and the KGB, now watered down and “reformed” could not control the huge growth of the Russian underground crime syndicates. Yeltsin couldn’t do it all alone. When he was gone, Putin and the criminal elements took charge. (of course, we here in the USA don’t have any criminal elements affecting OUR government!).Lastly, I was told directly by a former naval officer (whom I still know and talk with) that the PRIMARY reason Nixon and Mao met was because of a mutual fear of the then Soviet Union. He told me that a military agreement was also signed at that time, and not announced publicly. Another local ex-politician kind of confirmed this story to me..I would like to know others take on this, like dtroutma, or anyone else.