[fluff]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7124585.stm

Foreign observers have said that Russia's parliamentary election won by President Vladimir Putin's party was "not fair".
The statement was made by a joint observer team from Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe.

With nearly 98% of ballots counted, Mr Putin's United Russia had 64.1% of Sunday's vote.

 

[blue]

I'd say more like the new Khrushchev...but same idea.

 

[fluff]

I'd say more like the new Khrushchev...but same idea.

I'm not sure they had the same views on Uncle Joe. Perhaps the new Nicholas II?

 

[blue]

I'm not sure they had the same views on Uncle Joe. Perhaps the new Nicholas II?

or?

 

[valve bouncer]

Here's what I'll never understand about these authoritarian types: Given that there's little doubt, even with the underhandedness apparently present, that this election has more or less reflected the will of the people, then why the need for manipulation? Putin is clearly not unpopular and would generally be expected to win any election anyway. Power corrupts I guess...

 

[fluff]

Here's what I'll never understand about these authoritarian types: Given that there's little doubt, even with the underhandedness apparently present, that this election has more or less reflected the will of the people, then why the need for manipulation? Putin is clearly not unpopular and would generally be expected to win any election anyway. Power corrupts I guess...

Why leave it to chance...

 

[fluff]

or?

Who dat?

I'm hoping it's Ivan the Terrible but I doubt I'm right.

 

[ohio]

rockwool says: no way, man, Putin is a savior of the people and you're just jaded by the Western Neo-Capitalist Media/Military/Industrial Complex Juggernaut.

 

[fluff]

rockwool says: no way, man, Putin is a savior of the people and you're just jaded by the Western Neo-Capitalist Media/Military/Industrial Complex Juggernaut.

The odd thing is that he does appear to have done a good job for the Russian people; by most figures I've seen the country (and the poor) have done very well under his regime.

Freedom-wise things may not be so rosy.

 

[$tinkle]

Freedom-wise things may not be so rosy.

did someone say "freedom fries..."?

 

[Transcend]

The odd thing is that he does appear to have done a good job for the Russian people; by most figures I've seen the country (and the poor) have done very well under his regime.

Freedom-wise things may not be so rosy.

And this surprises you from a throwback-style Russian leader?

 

[blue]

Who dat?

I'm hoping it's Ivan the Terrible but I doubt I'm right.

If you'd brush up on your Cyrillic you'd know...but yeah. 'Tis. Awesome simply because of his moniker.

 

[rockwool]

rockwool says: no way, man, Putin is a savior of the people and you're just jaded by the Western Neo-Capitalist Media/Military/Industrial Complex Juggernaut.

Thought you was funny first but then it stroke me that this might be the way some of you percieve me as my views are so opposite to what everything and everybody else around you say. Would be interesting to know.
But I will answer you before, guessing your remark has its foundation in that I support socialist politics and governments and that Russia would be one in the sence of former Soviet Union. Well, it's not socialist today (and as for the S.U. it was the worst form of communism so I didn't like much of it) but if it was and this electoral fraud happened I would have to be a damn wicked fvck to support Putin.

Your not trying in any way to play down the power of the "Western Neo-Capitalist Media/Military/Industrial Complex" posess over us, are you?

 

[rockwool]

The odd thing is that he does appear to have done a good job for the Russian people; by most figures I've seen the country (and the poor) have done very well under his regime.

Freedom-wise things may not be so rosy.

He did however get some helluva financial "help" for not filming/salvaging/comming forth with the truth about the Kursk though.. A lot of ruski coalminerski got finally payed after that scilenced incident. Some 6 months of wages (or so)...

 

[fluff]

And this surprises you from a throwback-style Russian leader?

Sheesh, light-hearted sure passed you by.

 

[ohio]

Your not trying in any way to play down the power of the "Western Neo-Capitalist Media/Military/Industrial Complex" posess over us, are you?

Of course I am. If you keep exposing my evil plans, how am I to succeed?

I was more referring the the fact that Putin is a populist leader and a critic of the US, therefore he must piss gold and **** bricks of the dankest hashish.

 

[MikeD]

I thought GWB had "looked into his [Putin's] soul" and told us everything was gonna be OK...say it ain't so!

 

[$tinkle]

I thought GWB had "looked into his [Putin's] soul" and told us everything was gonna be OK...say it ain't so!

i'm pretty sure that having his head up 2 asses violates some axiom of classical mechanics.

but this is a political forum, so i'm way out of line.