The W
February 23, 2017 - mayflower.jpg
Views: 178586018
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Calendar | Color chart | Log in for more!
19.3.24 0051
The W - Current Events & Politics - Putin using Beslan to consolidate his grip over Russia.
This thread has 2 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
Thread rated: 4.56
Pages: 1
(1169 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (7 total)
Malarky
Bauerwurst








Since: 19.8.04

Since last post: 7101 days
Last activity: 7098 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.87
Can't say that I'm all that surprised, exploiting national tragedies to usher in police-state controls seems to be all the rage nowadays.

Putin unveiled a new initiative to appoint Regional Governors instead of having them directly elected as they are now. Easy to see how this benefits the man in charge. A little more opaque however is another new initiative, that of having the lower house of Russia's parliament elected entirely by party list, instead of the current arrangement whereby half are elected by first-past-the-post local riding elections. My only guess is that this is meant to benefit United Russia at the expense of the smaller parties.

Can we please drop the pretext that this man is a democrat?
Promote this thread!
Grimis
Scrapple








Since: 11.7.02
From: MD

Since last post: 4704 days
Last activity: 3158 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.29
Honestly, I dropped that pretext awhile ago, something we have mentioned on the W with Yukos and Khodorkovsky.

I just don't think that Putin is the leader to perpetuate democracy in Russia. Just can't happen.



You know, if John Kerry weren't so darn electable, the Democrats would be panicking right now. Oh wait, he isn't and they are.
- James Taranto
Malarky
Bauerwurst








Since: 19.8.04

Since last post: 7101 days
Last activity: 7098 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.87
Yup.

I also can't see the man stepping down after his current 4 year term ends in march 2008. With a crony parliament under his control my guess is he'll abolish term limits.
DrDirt
Banger








Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country

Since last post: 2336 days
Last activity: 2238 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.08
Just a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition? AFter the fall of the USSR and a few years, many Russians longed for the good old days. We assume the people don't want this and I am not so sure.



Perception is reality
Von Maestro
Boudin rouge








Since: 6.1.04
From: New York

Since last post: 2596 days
Last activity: 2169 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.46
At least the US recognizes this & is not letting it go by without comment...

Hopefully Powell's comments (story.news.yahoo.com) will help stabilize the situation & Russia will avoid making long-term mistakes in response to the immediate aftermath of this tremendous national tragedy.
Grimis
Scrapple








Since: 11.7.02
From: MD

Since last post: 4704 days
Last activity: 3158 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.29
    Originally posted by DrDirt
    Just a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition?
I'd say that Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia(among others) have made out fine.



You know, if John Kerry weren't so darn electable, the Democrats would be panicking right now. Oh wait, he isn't and they are.
- James Taranto
DrDirt
Banger








Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country

Since last post: 2336 days
Last activity: 2238 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.11
    Originally posted by Grimis
      Originally posted by DrDirt
      Just a question. Whether it's Russia, Iraq, China, or Vietnam, why are we surprised that countries with no democratic and pluralistic conditions in their history have a hell of a time being democratic in our tradition?
    I'd say that Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia(among others) have made out fine.


Japan - never a victim of colonialism

Germany consolidation under Prussia followed by starting two WW before having democracy imposed on half and still over 100 years since consolidation.

Czech Rep and Slovakia part of the Austrian Empire

Poland - Parts of poland were part of German states and Russia. Started inter war and picked up in the 1980's

Baltic states some independent history but not much.

All your exaamples had educated populations and an economic infrastructure..

Vietnam really had little history of a nation, mostly under subjugation. I stand by what I asked.

(edited by DrDirt on 14.9.04 1209)


Perception is reality
Thread rated: 4.56
Pages: 1
Thread ahead: Illinois naming rights for sale?
Next thread: Daschle/Thune is a statistical dead heat
Previous thread: Pres. Bush's base?
(1169 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=529224&catid=2 Franken trails Coleman by 204 votes now One thing is certain: the final margin in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is still not certain. The day after the election, Sen.
- JimBob Skeeter, Coleman/Franken recount. (2008)
The W - Current Events & Politics - Putin using Beslan to consolidate his grip over Russia.Register and log in to post!

The W™ message board

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim

This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.167 seconds.