CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2694 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (1 year 8 months 13 hours ago) and read 1569 times:
The Norwegian newspaper VG had an article about it. I had to laugh, because they also had a poll at the end of the article, and their poles are usually serious, where the question was "Who will be the next president of Russia" and there were two options, A: Vladimir Putin and B: Vladimir Putin
With the control of the media in Russia, I can't see Putin losing.
einsteinboricua From Puerto Rico, joined Apr 2010, 2043 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (1 year 8 months 13 hours ago) and read 1561 times:
Quoting alberchico (Thread starter): If he wins democracy in Russia will officially have died.....
Normally I'd say this is true if Putin's win is arranged through fraud and blackmail, you know...the traditional ways many rulers keep winning. HOWEVER, Russians are given the choice in front of a ballot. While it is unethical, it's one of the many loopholes democracy has. It's up to Russians to see if they are willing to let Putin rule them again or whether they'll pick another person. Odds are that Putin will win again.
"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky."
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 4, posted (1 year 8 months 11 hours ago) and read 1479 times:
Quoting alberchico (Thread starter):
So Medvedev was nothing more than a placeholder who held down the fort while Putin planned his return.
If he wins democracy in Russia will officially have died.....
I had the exact same thought when I saw this in the news this morning.
Looks like they put Medvedev with Putin as his PM (Medvedev being the underdog) so Putin could be re-running for another Presidential bid and be re-elected President of Russia for another term. The way they are doing this he might even end up President for life. This is dangerous.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
Asturias From Spain, joined Apr 2006, 1934 posts, RR: 17 Reply 5, posted (1 year 8 months 8 hours ago) and read 1428 times:
I guess that explains unusual amount of macho-Putin pictures we've had to endure the last years, he's been preparing an image and the groundwork for another presidential bid.
Of course, this should be 0% surprise for everyone.
WarRI1 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 6493 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (1 year 8 months 7 hours ago) and read 1399 times:
Quoting Asturias (Reply 5): I guess that explains unusual amount of macho-Putin pictures we've had to endure the last years, he's been preparing an image and the groundwork for another presidential bid.
Of course, this should be 0% surprise for everyone.
Absolutely, election laws that were written to make this possible. Not much change from the old days, a ruling Clique.
It is better to die on your feet, than live on your knees.
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 7, posted (1 year 8 months ago) and read 1332 times:
The man joined the KGB in 1975 after he graduated from Univversity then joined the KGB school.
On 25 July 1998 Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Putin head of the FSB (one of the successor agencies to the KGB), the position Putin occupied until August 1999.
On 9 August 1999, Vladimir Putin was appointed one of three First Deputy Prime Ministers, which enabled him later on that day, as the previous government led by Sergei Stepashin had been sacked, to be appointed acting Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation by President Boris Yeltsin.[46] Yeltsin also announced that he wanted to see Putin as his successor. Later, that same day, Putin agreed to run for the presidency.[47] On 16 August, the State Duma approved his appointment as Prime Minister with 233 votes in favour (vs. 84 against, 17 abstained),[48] while a simple majority of 226 was required, making him Russia's fifth PM in fewer than eighteen months.
He has built a large personal wealth. See the wikipedia.
connies4ever From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3857 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1299 times:
Quoting Asturias (Reply 5): I guess that explains unusual amount of macho-Putin pictures we've had to endure the last years, he's been preparing an image and the groundwork for another presidential bid.
Of course, this should be 0% surprise for everyone.
And with the Constitutional changes in Russia, 2 6 year terms, he can be President until 2024...
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5286 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 1293 times:
I'm in Russia a lot, if you actually talk to Russians they like him, they keep voting for him, they have the choice not to vote for him, whilst Russia is booming they will continue to vote for him. Plus Russians have always liked strong leaders, Putin is a strong leader.
kevin From Canada, joined Dec 2000, 1129 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 1279 times:
A country like Russia needs a strong handed leader like Putin. It's too big and very difficult to control. Local governors of remote territories tend to play their own game. A person like Putin (whom they fear) would keep them on the leash. I'm sure he is using his position for personal gains as well, but would we want someone new to come in and start from 0, or wouldn't it be better to have someone who already stole enough? Democracy , freedom of speech? I think Russia's priority is its economy and welfare of its citizens rather than freedoms at this point.
fridgmus From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 1383 posts, RR: 11 Reply 13, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1265 times:
Quoting alberchico (Thread starter): If he wins democracy in Russia will officially have died.....
Did it ever really exist?
The Lockheed Super Constellation, the REAL Queen of the Skies!
MadameConcorde From San Marino, joined Feb 2007, 10243 posts, RR: 40 Reply 14, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 1251 times:
Quoting kevin (Reply 12): Local governors of remote territories tend to play their own game.
So what?
Yugoslavia broke up into several little countries and we accepted them and they were officially recognized as their own nations. Look at Kosovo, Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia, etc. I don't see why the same should not be with the provinces who are part of the Russian Federation.
Why did we accept those and not wish the independence of those Russian Federation provinces who wish to become independent, whether Vladimir Putin likes it or not. Let them secede and be their own countries.
There was a better way to fly it was called Concorde
Ok then why don't we just give independence to everyone who wants it? Let's give it to Mindanao in Philipines, Kurdistan in Turkey, Quebec in Canada, Basque in Spain... Let's do it. What will the world be like then? Seeing how easy it is to get independence u will have a spike in ethnic conflicts and civil wars. But hey so what?
Revelation From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 10456 posts, RR: 20 Reply 16, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1203 times:
Quoting CXfirst (Reply 2): the question was "Who will be the next president of Russia" and there were two options, A: Vladimir Putin and B: Vladimir Putin
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 7): I don't see how they will ever get rid of him. He is an Absolute Monarch.
People get the government they deserve.
Quoting kevin (Reply 12): A country like Russia needs a strong handed leader like Putin. It's too big and very difficult to control.
Oh, and exactly who gets to decide when a country is too big and needs a "strong handed leader"?
Quoting kevin (Reply 12): Local governors of remote territories tend to play their own game.
Actually, one of the first things Putin did was made all the governorships appointments instead of elected positions.
Quoting kevin (Reply 15): Seeing how easy it is to get independence u will have a spike in ethnic conflicts and civil wars.
And yet we have the example of many former Soviet "SSRs" like the Baltic states having absolutely no such problems.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12708 posts, RR: 80 Reply 17, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1173 times:
Yes Putin is popular, yes there is a tradition, for historical reasons of a liking of strong leaders.
However, do the opposition get fair hearings in the media? Can they go about the business unmolested by arms of the state? Is their any real media plurality? How many journalists keep on having the temerity to get themselves murdered?
Why are some gangster oligarchs OK with Putin and others not - as in ending up in jail 'not'.
And why despite the clear wealth in places like Moscow and St Petersburg (or parts of them) are there large ares of Russia with Sub-Saharan Africa style life expectancies? That's not a very 'United Russia' to name Putin's own party.
PanHAM From Germany, joined May 2005, 7771 posts, RR: 26 Reply 18, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 1097 times:
One of the biggest jokes in international politics was the remark by former German chancellor Schroeder citing Putin as a "flawless democrat".
That is one of these jokes where the initial laughter freezes deep down in the throat. Well Putin has Schroeder on the payroll, so what can one expect. Like many others. And the old wisdom will always be valid, a democratic leader is not made by elections only. A leader can be called "democratic" only if he yields power in free and democratic elections, without tricks but with checks and balances.
tu204 From Russia, joined Mar 2006, 904 posts, RR: 19 Reply 19, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 1084 times:
Quoting kevin (Reply 12): I think Russia's priority is its economy and welfare of its citizens rather than freedoms at this point.
Good point. Iа the two would have run against each other, Medvedev would have my vote. Now that they are on the same ballot, Putin has got it. As long as I see my life improving on a daily basis in Russia they will get my vote.
Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 14): Why did we accept those and not wish the independence of those Russian Federation provinces who wish to become independent, whether Vladimir Putin likes it or not. Let them secede and be their own countries.
Because it is usually outside forces that are fueling these fires.
I do not dream about movie stars, they must dream about me for I am real and they are not. - Alexander Popov
tugger From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 4631 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1034 times:
What?!? No one has yet offered up the most appropriate movie line for this?
Quote: The Emperor: (to the Senate) In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.
(Senate fills with enormous applause) Padmé: So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.
.
Quoting GDB (Reply 17): Why are some gangster oligarchs OK with Putin and others not - as in ending up in jail 'not'.
Simple: Those oligarchs that sublimate appropriately, provide "offerings or donations" (why do you think Putin is worth some $40bln?) AND do not challenge his power will do fine, those that do not pay or challenge him.... ehh no so much.
Tugg
I don’t know that I am unafraid to be myself, but it is hard to be somebody else. -W. Shatner
JoeCanuck From Canada, joined Dec 2005, 5024 posts, RR: 29 Reply 21, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 994 times:
Putin has never stopped being president...with changes to the constitution, he will probably be president for life...and not have to pretend to be prime minister again.
lewis From Greece, joined Jul 1999, 3447 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 990 times:
Same can be said for Berlusconi or the 2-3 families that have been ruling Greece for the past few decades. I personally don't see a problem with it. Under Putin, Russia has become powerful again and, if the life of ordinary Russians keeps improving, then why vote someone else?
tu204 From Russia, joined Mar 2006, 904 posts, RR: 19 Reply 23, posted (1 year 7 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 962 times:
Quoting lewis (Reply 22): Under Putin, Russia has become powerful again and, if the life of ordinary Russians keeps improving, then why vote someone else?
EXACTLY! Why do all the nay-sayers from abroad not understand this?
I do not dream about movie stars, they must dream about me for I am real and they are not. - Alexander Popov
HELyes From Finland, joined Oct 2010, 643 posts, RR: 1 Reply 24, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 909 times:
From a Finnish paper: "Botox-Putin"
(Iltasanomat.fi)
25 tugger: To me the idea that you would want to elect someone that would have you "silenced" if you speak "incorrectly" is an anathema. Doesn't mean that you m
26 KiwiRob: Too much vodka, many Russians live in pretty harsh environments, plus have you ever seen how they drive? I have no problem with Putin, he's done a pr
27 MadameConcorde: Same question brought up by Robert Eringer on his blog. POLONIUM PUTIN BECOMING A PRETTY BOTOX BOY? http://www.eringer33.com/2011/09/pol...m-putin-be
28 Revelation: #SATIRE/mode=on Maybe he's doing it the same way Burlusconi does - lots of sex with teenaged women! That will do wonders for an older man! And if they
29 malioil: If he manages to build Russia into the country it once was and better, if he manages to create a nation that is good for all Russians, then let him st
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