Vladimir Putin Delivers!!!

[HATALbR]

Hello Castlestormer:

Firstly, I would like to note that I know you are an intelligent man; but we've enjoyed insulting each other!

In reference to your remarks regarding an orphanage...

1) I have visited a third world orphanage...and they seemed like pretty regular kids to me...horseplay, teasing, fussing, and complaining. I used to love spending hours in the woods at the early age of five...chasing frogs, collecting cow bones, railroad nails, and was content enough playing with a stick...It's called "using your imagination."

2) Why are people always interested in the "children," and never after they've become adults? There are accounts of ax-murderers who have come from great homes, with many opportunities and loving families... and there are accounts of great politicians who claim to have come from "nothingness."

I guess you'd make a effective politician-- in the sense of appealing to the masses, by creating the link [or association]:

(weak logic): "Hungry Children w/o Parents = President Putin is Bad."

3) So, now we've come to the separation of the intelligent from the less intelligent...and also at the crossroads where those with passion are separated from those without passion...

4) Perhaps, I'd agree to give "the boot" to a few missionary groups (clans, cults) in russia in the name of President Putin?

5) We have the "fall of Communism" and we have "9.11.01..." Both the USA and Russia have come a long way...

6) Do you have any questions for me, directly? We haven't spoken privately in some time....Very often, in past years on this site, I've felt the probing effects of assumptions or indirect questionning...Are you interested in my religious affiliation (if any)?

Keeping the lines of communication open,
Sincerely,
Natalie

[CastleStormer]

Originally Posted by HATALbR

(weak logic): "Hungry Children w/o Parents = President Putin is Bad."

I guess that might seem like weak logic until a person understands that Russia has more than a million of those types of children, and Putin hasn't done jack squat about it. Russia is leading the world in the spread of HIV and aids...and Putin hasn't done jack squat about it. Russia has a declining populatuion, and all Putin can do is bribe people to crank out kids by offering them cash and cars for having a baby...even out of wedlock. And don't forget that he shoots, poisons, or jails for tax fraud anyone who disagrees with him.

Can you imagine anyone in America getting killed for writing about Iraq the way people have been constantly murdered for writing about Chechnya? And let's not talk about the missing 70 BILLION dollars from Russias central bank that was deposited in a phony wooden shed called a bank on a small pacific island.

Other than all the stuff named above and his running a country that is growing in everything from crime and corruption to alcohol poisoning, to a pathetically low average death age for men.....Putin has done a great job. At least we think so. He runs all the media.

Great guy.......NOT!

[HATALbR]

Dear Castlestormer:

I suppose we can agree to disagree, altogether...or just on particular topics....

The topics you are discussing are affected by many factors, including the influence of the former reigning Soviet Empire, WWII....

As a matter of managing the problems/concerns you have listed, what are the priorities listed in order of importance?

Have you figured out the budget for President Putin?

If the media is controlled by President Vladimir Putin, I don't understand where or how you have retrieved this negative information?

I'm not sure either of us is as interested in russia or russian affairs....as compared to an interest in figuring out, controlling, or publically humiliating each other?

You know very well, we have to pick sides and/or decide who appeals to us or who does not...

par example, what about the current USA presidential debate (if you dare)...we will argue until we are blue in the face...but only the vote will count...and furthermore, if the future population considers President Bush to be a failure...do those with grievances hunt down the people who voted for President Bush?

NOT.

[CastleStormer]

Public humiliation? I thought we were just talking. Sorry.

There are no factors of the old Soviet Union that have any impact at all on Russia. If you haven't gotten your act together in more than ten years...are you ever going to?

Putin's budget is what HE says it will be. Russia has an extremely robust economy. Just oil alone makes them very very rich. Siberia is an export gold mine. And the fact that they don't have any debt (unlike America) makes them a financial super power.

Nat, how can you not know that every media outlet is government controlled? They have even tried to run out Radio Free Europe. I think it was either Guzinsky or Berezhovsky who was the oligarch that made billions on Russia media. Putin took control under the guise of bringing media out of the hands of evil capitalists. Even Israeli owned RTV and RTVi are controlled by Russki govt. Nobody in the west even reads Pravda, Tass, or Izvestia anymore.

And I haven't found anyone on this board more interested in Russia or Russian affairs than me. I'm not sure what you mean by this statement: "I'm not sure either of us is as interested in russia or russian affairs....as compared to an interest in figuring out, controlling, or publically humiliating each other?"

Nice talking to you Nat...but I think I'm done here.

CS

PS: And Putin is a bad man! You'll see.

[HATALbR]

Dear Castlestormer:

How lovely it would be to meet a nice-looking, average russian man of moderate means, marry him, move to russia, and have a baby and I wouldn't even want the car (but I'd probably take it)!

The phrase, "out of wedlock," brings us closer to a more interesting and important debate....INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY for making sure the child of such manufactured means of population control is considered LEGITIMATE; furthermore, and I had this discussion a few months ago....

I don't agree with the label, or legality of ILLEGITIMACY. This must do wonders for individual ego and self-esteem....

I'm sure the medical professionals who get paid upwards of $50,000 per shot for infertility treatments (perhaps using invitro fertilization with a donor sperm) wouldn't consider the child illegitimate! Or how about the surrogate mothers who vehicle the child? Or worse yet (for pro-lifers)....the fertilization of more than one egg to increase odds that one is implanted in womb (can we say "conception")? Social stigma, influence, pressure, tides, guilt....and money honey....

And let's speak more of your accusations of President Putin's....supposed murderous ways....poisonings and blah, blah....mention that to your general practicioner during your physical, he may reccommend that you see a local psychiatrist to discuss you tendency toward or possible diagnosis of "schizophrenia, schizotypal," or of the likes. Damn, your doc might wait until your are in the grave and note that your ex-wife definitely must have had it in for you....

Isn't it all so sensational & interesting when it's on the news? This could easily branch off into a Law Enforcement Investigations discussion (and I'm sure President Putin has much more experience in this field).

On a more individual level....I wish secretly to have a russian "mobster" like boyfriend who would crack a can of whoop-arse on say...

The dude who patted my shoulder, started rubbing my back, spoke some more about his money & bids & former company & then started to rubbing my back again (and similar incidents occur at a local pub)....These american (invasive) men definitely make sure that you are "cornered" so-to-speak inducing a "fight or flight" response...or perhaps I should pay a counselor to discuss "how to be more assertive?" Or pay for karate lessons? Or pay for breast reduction surgery?

Am I more of a woman for not speaking up (due to individual discretion based on the number of patting, duration of rubbing, content of conversation, space between us, company within earshot, place of incidence)? Or is he just a plain ol' creepy guy who needs to keep his hands off other people? And what if I'm completely capable of kicking his butt myself....that would be so GI JANE wouldn't it?

Of course, I could do more on an individual level to help my fellow citizens...above and beyond...just trying to generally be respectful & kind to other people! I could volunteer.

Natalie

[HATALbR]

"State of the Union Address;" President Bush, 1.28.08:

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Firstly, in regards to my prior post, I'm playing the world's smallest violin for myself. I've been in my life legally & personally considered a "public figure," but never close to the stature of the President.

I viewed President Bush walking down the isle of Congress, and was utterly annoyed to watch the people waiting for autographs. He shook many hands, and many people took the liberty of patting him on the back and shoulder, and grabbing his arm. I wanted to scream, "where is the secret service!"

This is a lock-down situation. These people do play an important role in the government (constituents/ supporters)--but I failied, even in my mind, to envision people hanging all over the President as they would a famous musician. Is the floor of Congress similar to the players locker room after a winning game?

President Bush was nothing less than tolerant. I, on the other hand, might have had nightmares.
***********************************************************************************

President Bush wore his wedding ring and a royal-blue tie. I've never seen him wear his wedding ring before. His speech flowed well, as he gave an overview of his presidency thus far and discussed the policy issues and progress. We only saw him take a sip of water once.

There was definite [visual] focus on the current presidential candidates, Hillary & Barak.

The standing ovations, while flattering, were also utterly annoying. I would have stayed seated during his speech like the Supreme Court Justices. However, for the youth of America that might not have made up their minds whether they are Democratic or Republican--might consider this (isolated party ovations) almost an educational session. Whereas, I confirmed to myself--that I'm definitely a Democrat.

[CastleStormer]

Nat, What does a post on Bush's speech have to do with the topic of this thread?

And what president needs secret service to shadow him at the s.o.t.u.speech? None!