The Cold War II Has Officially Begun

[CastleStormer]

Originally Posted by katorzhanin

I'm really dissappointed with my country.Same lying goverment,which lied it's way into invaiding Iraq has the odacity to chastise Russia when all it does is preventing it's citiziens from being murdered on the streets by yet another one of CIA pet progects.Our "free and independant media" kept on lying to us throughout the whole thing.Not ONE word of truth!OO,it gave me a case of nostalgia..it was like being back in the good old USSR-lies,propaganda,empty slogans.Welkome to the Evil Empire,my fellow Americans!

"I also didn't find this member to be as agressive as you're implying.

Sincerely,
Natalie"

[HATALbR]

Hi Castlestormer:

I must still miss your point.

Grunt was aggressive.

Natalie

[deputycleric]

I also am saddened at obstacles to the USA and Russia being allies, or at least amicable partners, and that the similarities between the two countries outweigh the differences.

Both are based on a tradition of overthrowing royals and aristocracies, on the principle of all people being equal. The two countries took somewhat different paths on the ground, but the principle is an honorable one.

It doesn't mean the countries are, or should be, interchangeable, and I think we need to respect the reasons for the differences. But still.

Besides, shouldn't we large, northern-hemisphere rust-belt countries stick together?

The so-called humiliations of the Yeltsin era, which to most Westerners who lived there then looks like a golden era of relative normalcy ...

That has certainly been my observation.

I have seen formerly barren, empty city streets there sprout stores, cafes, and 24x7 mini-marts, set up as walk-downs in formerly unused vaulted basements of the buildings. They are cheery, clean and well-stocked.

Produce is generally plentiful. Food in restaurants, even small unassuming street cafes, is varied, comes in large portions, and is generally very good.

The young people growing up there since the early 90s are generally tall and strong, with good teeth. Remember all those metal teeth, even in young people, during the Soviet era?

I paid out of my own pocket in the US to address health, skeletal and dental problems in members of my own family, caused by Soviet-era malnutrition and not addressed by their "glorious" socialized health care.

called for vengeance.

Of course it did. They are furious that the new system works far better than the one they are, for whatever reason, devoted to.

Any "regular person" who benefits from the new system is guilty, because they are living proof of the above. And because "hobbits happy and free" are an affront to the notion that the State's natural role is to own everyone.

Yeltsin wasn't perfect. But under his regime, many positive changes came to Russia (and because I like and respect Russia and Russians in general, I like that). And he did bravely stand on that tank when bullets were flying in Moscow. I salute his memory.