Ignoring politics a moment: if everything Russian is so bad, faulty, flawed, and evil, why do we depend on THEM to get our folks to the ISS, because a series of REPUBLICAN actions, ditched the budget for NASA, because “defense” got the budgets. Okay, what are the politics of OUR changing peoples’ politics, at the end of a gun, as in OUR invasions??
Just a thought from more than a single, bigoted, viewpoint.
The nice thing about propaganda is the fools from that country/region always believe the only propaganda comes from the other side.
Frankly I’m embarrassed by our “Western leaders”. And frankly most of the people they lead. All they can see is their own side, and frankly none of them care in the least about Ukraine, it is all about them getting their way.
For some reason most in the “west” believes that in fact everyone wants “freedom at any cost”, even when in fact they are not “completely free”.
Some people do pick security over freedom. In fact most do. Most really don’t care who is governing them, as long as their life is relatively OK.
Russia is offering security for these people as long as they accept they the rules set forth.
The “West” is offering risks and maybe rewards in the future. They are certainly not guaranteeing anything.
Most people work for an employer, why when if they took bigger risks they could have more?
And Ukraine’s government (both sides) is no poster child of nice people. In general it is accepted that both the pro-West and the pro-Russian are made up of corrupt people stealing the tax money and granting favors to their friends.
So you are looking at a choice of corrupt pro-Russian(Ukraine), corrupt pro-West (Ukraine), and corrupt Russian (Russia). At least Russia has plenty of money they are willing to give for their loyalty.
“National Geographic” printed an excellent article about Crimea in 2011, “Inside Crimea: A Jewel in Two Crowns.” It explains the issues and attitudes on both sides. Crimea is an irresistible prize, and while nationalism plays a big role so do financial concerns. And as for Crimea belonging squarely to Russia, read this paragraph from the article:.“A cautionary note: Crimean history would suggest that it is folly to think that possession of any place, especially paradise, is anything other than a tenancy. Crimea has passed from hand to hand, from Scythians to Greeks to Romans, Goths, Huns, Mongols, and Tatars. The latter, Turkic Muslims who migrated from the Eurasian steppes in the 13th century, were brutally targeted by Joseph Stalin and suffered mass deportation.”
Dtroutma about 10 years ago
Ignoring politics a moment: if everything Russian is so bad, faulty, flawed, and evil, why do we depend on THEM to get our folks to the ISS, because a series of REPUBLICAN actions, ditched the budget for NASA, because “defense” got the budgets. Okay, what are the politics of OUR changing peoples’ politics, at the end of a gun, as in OUR invasions??
Just a thought from more than a single, bigoted, viewpoint.
CO Premium Member about 10 years ago
The nice thing about propaganda is the fools from that country/region always believe the only propaganda comes from the other side.
Frankly I’m embarrassed by our “Western leaders”. And frankly most of the people they lead. All they can see is their own side, and frankly none of them care in the least about Ukraine, it is all about them getting their way.
Ivan Araque about 10 years ago
I agree, Northern Redman. It may sound counter-intuitive, but, guess what? It’s like it is, not like we would like it to be.
CO Premium Member about 10 years ago
We all have to pick our own poison.
For some reason most in the “west” believes that in fact everyone wants “freedom at any cost”, even when in fact they are not “completely free”.
Some people do pick security over freedom. In fact most do. Most really don’t care who is governing them, as long as their life is relatively OK.
Russia is offering security for these people as long as they accept they the rules set forth.
The “West” is offering risks and maybe rewards in the future. They are certainly not guaranteeing anything.
Most people work for an employer, why when if they took bigger risks they could have more?
And Ukraine’s government (both sides) is no poster child of nice people. In general it is accepted that both the pro-West and the pro-Russian are made up of corrupt people stealing the tax money and granting favors to their friends.
So you are looking at a choice of corrupt pro-Russian(Ukraine), corrupt pro-West (Ukraine), and corrupt Russian (Russia). At least Russia has plenty of money they are willing to give for their loyalty.
emptc12 about 10 years ago
“National Geographic” printed an excellent article about Crimea in 2011, “Inside Crimea: A Jewel in Two Crowns.” It explains the issues and attitudes on both sides. Crimea is an irresistible prize, and while nationalism plays a big role so do financial concerns. And as for Crimea belonging squarely to Russia, read this paragraph from the article:.“A cautionary note: Crimean history would suggest that it is folly to think that possession of any place, especially paradise, is anything other than a tenancy. Crimea has passed from hand to hand, from Scythians to Greeks to Romans, Goths, Huns, Mongols, and Tatars. The latter, Turkic Muslims who migrated from the Eurasian steppes in the 13th century, were brutally targeted by Joseph Stalin and suffered mass deportation.”