Putin Reelected

[Phil75231]

Unfortunately, there has to be a strongly accountable government in place before there is assurance money will be spent wisely and legitimately. That requires not only strong democratic institutions on paper, but a strong culture of democracy at all levels of society. Norway's an "oil state", yet as far as I know it's spending its oil wealth more on its own peoples' needs, with very little - if any - oil revenue going to corrupt kleptocrats. That's because Norway had for decades a strong culture of democracy before the discovery of oil in its waters.

Corruption in Russia is likely going to require a few generations to bring it down to western European levels - for precisely this reason.

[Äike]

Do you really think Nato will do something to totally piss off Russia?

If anything we might get a replay of 1938.

What you wanted to say is:

"Do you really think that Russia will do something to piss off NATO?

this treaty is crap.

Maybe for a cheeseburger flipping Mcdonalds worker its crap, but not for the people who are the ones who do all the decisions at an international level.

who fuckin' cares about little countryes like estonia?

People with a brain.

[Magyar the Conqueror]

What you wanted to say is:

"Do you really think that Russia will do something to piss off NATO?

Don't put too much faith in Nato.
Better to have a backup plan

But to be honest, an Estonian vs Russia war will probably end up in Russian victory, but the Russian army will be humiliated several times.

My best estimate is that 1 Estonian soldier has about the same combat efficiency as 30 Mongol Moskal soldier together.

[Olika]

Don't put too much faith in Nato.
Better to have a backup plan

But to be honest, an Estonian vs Russia war will probably end up in Russian victory, but the Russian army will be humiliated several times.

My best estimate is that 1 Estonian soldier has about the same combat efficiency as 30 Mongol Moskal soldier together.

behold that in Russia think about Estonian army
[YOUTUBE]NrCesDm2PiQ[/YOUTUBE]

[Odoacer]

To be honest, I would rather have Mr. Putin as our president then Obama and the rest of the fake crooks running for candidacy , 1,000,000x!

Really, now, why would Putin be a better choice for the U.S. than Obama or the other presidential candidates?

[Osweo]

That's because Norway had for decades a strong culture of democracy before the discovery of oil in its waters.

Norway is tiny in comparison. Only in such a state can you have truly effective democracy. Russia, the USA, and even the UK are too big for this ever to be a realistic possibility. The question is, if you don't want to smash these large states into smaller fragments, what KIND of oligarchy do you want. In any case, I see zero merit in the UK and US alternatives to the Putin-style scenario.

Putin comes from a background of serving his country. For a sense of duty, professional honour, cameraderie within the service, and NOT for financial reward. Him and his cronies are reaping the financial rewards now, but that is not the only thing that motivates them, unlike in our financial-democracy.

[Joe McCarthy]

In any case, I see zero merit in the UK and US alternatives to the Putin-style scenario.

That's probably because despite being an Anglo-Saxon, you seem to have very little respect for the liberty found in both.

[Hess]

...

[Osweo]

That's probably because despite being an Anglo-Saxon, you seem to have very little respect for the liberty found in both.

Liberty without social mobility. Liberty to 'know your place'. Liberty in which the only real chance of getting on in life is the weekly million to one chance on the Lottery. Liberty to have the entire political machine set against you prevailing against the manifold injustices perpetrated for decades against your nation.

Liberty is a hollow word. A scrap tossed at us from the rich man's table, for which we are to tug our forelock with a 'thank'ee, Sir!'

[Joe McCarthy]

Liberty without social mobility. Liberty to 'know your place'. Liberty in which the only real chance of getting on in life is the weekly million to one chance on the Lottery. Liberty to have the entire political machine set against you prevailing against the manifold injustices perpetrated for decades against your nation.

Liberty is a hollow word. A scrap tossed at us from the rich man's table, for which we are to tug our forelock with a 'thank'ee, Sir!'

Man, this is truly retro-Marxist boilerplate. Your post is Communist Party of Great Britain approved.