Nazi occupation of Minsk

[Leto]

You're being defensive. Even if the US were a dictatorship, which it isn't (and if it were it wouldn't be the biggest) that wouldn't prevent Belarus from being one. People get arrested for dissent.

The Western world persecutes people for "dissent" as well. Liberals are the most intolerant supremacists in the world.

[Longbowman]

The Western world persecutes people for "dissent" as well. Liberals are the most intolerant supremacists in the world.

It's not relevant. Belarus is still at best only as good, and even then, I wholeheartedly disagree.

[Leto]

It's not relevant. Belarus is still at best only as good, and even then, I wholeheartedly disagree.

Well, you're a dual British and American citizen, of course the life in Belarus is not (good enough) for you.

[Rugevit]

Does it or does it not have a de facto dictatorship?

My friend lives on the Polish border, I spent a few weeks with him.

Lukashenko may qualify as a dictator when it comes to dealing with political fractions and media censorship. There were less than 10 political prisoners since he assumed presidency as far as I remember. I haven't looked into the cases of all jailed people but some broke state laws. You may not know but there was mini-Maidan in Minsk in 2010 orchestrated from abroad. Some of them were breaking the doors and windows in the government building. Another example was with a journalist from Russia visiting Belarus purposely going to Lithuanian border and crossing it illegally. Belarusian border control detained the journalist and the journalist said he lost his way in the forest. The press was writing about Belarusian regime detaining another journalist and many readers not knowing the circumstances thought about awful dictatorship.

Lukashenko is far from being a good leader. Not many people like him despite voting for him. But there are no alternative for Lukashenko. A lot people in opposition are literally from the streets having not done anything useful in their lives. Many people see them as opportunists who are sponsored by western countries to make some money. The circumstances in Ukraine with revolutions and civil wars resulted in low living standards is not helping the opposition to win people's support either. It be nice to have another leader but noone wants to see anything like what we've seen in Georgia and Ukraine. There's no way out until Lukashenko decides to retire as it seems.

[Longbowman]

Lukashenko may qualify as a dictator when it comes to dealing with political fractions and media censorship. There were less than 10 political prisoners since he assumed presidency as far as I remember. I haven't looked into the cases of all jailed people but some broke state laws. You may not know but there was mini-Maidan in Minsk in 2010 orchestrated from abroad. Some of them were breaking the doors and windows in the government building. Another example was with a journalist from Russia visiting Belarus purposely going to Lithuanian border and crossing it illegally. Belarusian border control detained the journalist and the journalist said he lost his way in the forest. The press was writing about Belarusian regime detaining another journalist and many readers not knowing the circumstances thought about awful dictatorship.

Lukashenko is far from being a good leader. Not many people like him despite voting for him. But there are no alternative for Lukashenko. A lot people in opposition are literally from the streets having not done anything useful in their lives. Many people see them as opportunists who are sponsored by western countries to make some money. The circumstances in Ukraine with revolutions and civil wars resulted in low living standards is not helping the opposition to win people's support either. It be nice to have another leader but noone wants to see anything like what we've seen in Georgia and Ukraine. There's no way out until Lukashenko decides to retire as it seems.

His personal life is also pretty shocking.

[Rugevit]

His personal life is also pretty shocking.

Like he takes his youngest son Kolja to public and the language he uses speaking with his colleagues? Those antiques are strange. He is not stealing billions and the system is not letting other politicians to steal. If he was the news would have been in the media already. Belarusian politicians look like poor people sitting next to the Russian politicians wearing $10K suites and $15K watches. The government is supporting society building roads, hospitals, public housing providing work for people. All this is important for ordinary people. You can see median household income by countries which includes all social benefits prepared by Gullap institute. Many young people are more concerned about the Belarusian language and past history of the country ignored by Lukashenko's government than media censorship as it seems. It's not like people cannot go on the Internet reading any source of information from around the world.

[Leto]

Armstrong01, are you from Russia or Belarus?

[Peikko]

Armstrong01, are you from Russia or Belarus?

As if there's a difference.

[Rugevit]

As if there's a difference.

There are more similarities between northern Russians and Finns, than between Belarusians and northern Russians. Better start getting on good terms with your cousins.

[Leto]

Many young people are more concerned about the Belarusian language and past history of the country ignored by Lukashenko's government than media censorship as it seems.

The language is almost dead. It's rarely heard in cities.