Vladimir Putin

[chiukov]

Putin may be young, fresh and decisive, but he slaughtered the Chechen people. I like him because he is close to the Russian people, and he listens to them. His firm image will also put a stop to corruption and mafia influences. However, his KGB background proves him to be mysterious and ruthless. I do worry about his true intentions. But in general, he is the only suitable person for Russia right now.

[VCorbanov]

KGB or not, Russia is still trying to stabilize a full democracy and Putin is who the masses chose.Myself, i abstained

[Nonson]

Let all the world hope that President Putin veers far away(left or right)from the current concepts of democracy. It is enough to have the present number of countries hiding behind this sham. Perhaps, a full dose of hard-line communism would create the motivation needed to bring about a new wave of civilization. A new way of doing things domestically and internationally is sorely needed.

[chiukov]

There is still hope for Russia if Russia stays on the system for Democracy. As the famous French socialist Leon Blum says, "the free man is he who does not fear to get to the end of his thought". The human race must achieve the stage when every person can be involved in politics to express their own free will. Dictatorship buries truth and justice underground until they blow up everything with them in the form of revolution. Anarchy is the extreme end of freedom, where everyone has the right to do whatever he or she likes. In this stage, conflicts are born out of the achievement of total equality, since every person wants the same things without the bondage of justice. Which, of course, creates the state of war according to Hobbes. Only through virtual democracy like the Greek city states will we find a moderate way to create peace and harmony.

[This message has been edited by chiukov (edited 03 May 2000).]

[Nonson]

Hobbs lies. Peace and harmony is born of anarchy. Force rules, not reason. Money does the talking, dreamers do the listening and the grunt work. Pretty pictures are painted for little children, so as not to scare them with the real thing.Ogres and nasty trolls inhabit the lands, and they must be fed, by somebody. What do you have in the rest of your children's library?

[TheMuslim]

If you think Putin is close to russians, you are wrong, that's how Hitler started, I look at him as anther Hitler, another dictator, I can see where Russia is heading, I won't be surprised if he creates a 3rd WW.

I disapprove of any leader who encourages crimes, killings, wars....but most russians and especially russians who live in Russia are naive, I can see why they like him because they watch and believe what he says on TV. Too bad..

[chiukov]

Mr. Nonson, you may think I am naive, but if you experience the real sufferings of the third world like I did, you will agree that democracy is the best system for now. Democracy may not be perfect, but it offers something to strive for. Anarchy takes a step backwards. Since there is no order in anarchy, the weak will be oppressed by the strong. That may be the reality, but we can try our best to make this world a little better by respecting everyone's opinion through civilized reasoning.