War with Russia

[Rusty Nails]

Patronising much?

Probably yes, although I know his support is not 100% in Russia

Other than a military dictatorship the people of all countries get the government they want, or at least can accept. Putin is voted in with huge majorities and there is, apparently, no widespread dissent against this war special operation.
Are they duped or complicit? I hope it is duped.

 

[Deleted member 49]

Probably yes, although I know his support is not 100% in Russia

I think he's polling the highest he's been since he annexed Crimea ?

 

[Milzy]

The fog of war has never been so thick. I’m certain war crimes have been committed on both sides. Bush & Blair should be convicted first and then Putin.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I think he's polling the highest he's been since he annexed Crimea ?

So is the population duped or complicit?

War has this strange effect upon the popularity of leaders. Even Boris's ratings have increased.

Although it didn't work for Blair.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I realise that my personal experience of working (1990s) in Russia are probably not statistically significant (with a population of approx 140million, I met, perhaps c100). I found the. Russians I met seemed to recognise they had been conned by their government (of course, I had a similar experience of realising that perhaps, our Government had not been entirely truthful). The difference I noted was that they (the Russians) seemed recognise that they could do little to change things, where-as I continue to think we possibly can (perhaps I am over optimistic).

However, I do agree, the chances of bringing Putin to trial, for what he has done, are pretty slim. That doesn't mean we should not seek to bring charges against him, and, generally, make life as difficult as possible for him (IMHO).

Interesting take on things from someone who has been there.

What sort of people were you working with? I seem to remember you worked in IT.

 

[qigong chimp]

View attachment 953
Good game.

I dunno about that: in this game Mother Teresa's the equivalent of a very weak second serve.

So standing well inside the baseline to receive I wind up and.. Biff!!

 

[Rusty Nails]

I dunno about that: in this game Mother Teresa's the equivalent of a very weak second serve.

So standing well inside the baseline to receive I wind up and.. Biff!!

View attachment 954​

Game, set and match to you. I quit.
The Queen does meet some evil people.

 

[qigong chimp]

 

[Ian H]

Probably yes, although I know his support is not 100% in Russia

Other than a military dictatorship the people of all countries get the government they want, or at least can accept. Putin is voted in with huge majorities and there is, apparently, no widespread dissent against this war special operation.
Are they duped or complicit? I hope it is duped.

It's relatively easy to win a majority when you have disqualified, poisoned and/or imprisoned most of the opposition.

 

[Rusty Nails]

It's relatively easy to win a majority when you have disqualified, poisoned and/or imprisoned most of the opposition.

And when the population sees those things as acceptable.......or accepts the lies of the state.

 

[newfhouse]

Probably yes, although I know his support is not 100% in Russia

Other than a military dictatorship the people of all countries get the government they want, or at least can accept. Putin is voted in with huge majorities and there is, apparently, no widespread dissent against this war special operation.
Are they duped or complicit? I hope it is duped.

This episode of Analysis is subtitled The Dictator’s Survival Guide. It was repeated only a couple of days ago and offers some insights into how this happens. Well worth investing half an hour.

How do dictators and authoritarians stay in power? James Tilley, a professor of politics at Oxford University, finds out what's in the dictators' survival guide. How do they control ordinary people and stop revolts? How do they stop rivals from taking over? And how do they manipulate apparently democratic procedures like elections - such as the notoriously fraudulent 2004 vote in Ukraine - to secure their rule? This is another chance to hear a programme, originally broadcast in 2018, that has acquired new relevance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b09sn5f8

 

[Ian H]

And when the population sees those things as acceptable.......or accepts the lies of the state.

Lies of the state? A large number of the population of this country accept uncritically what they're told.

 

[newfhouse]

Lies of the state? A large number of the population of this country accept uncritically what they're told.

Do they, or do they disregard the obvious lies because of some screwed up (and cultivated) team loyalty? They know Johnson is lying but they price it in because at least he’s not one of that other lot.

 

[Deleted member 49]

And when the population sees those things as acceptable.......or accepts the lies of the state.

Tough one....do they like a strong leader or fear 15 years in jail...
This was the article I was reading.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/31/...orld/europe/putin-approval-rating-russia.html

 

[Ian H]

Do they, or do they disregard the obvious lies because of some screwed up (and cultivated) team loyalty? They know Johnson is lying but they price it in because at least he’s not one of that other lot.

I was thinking of more basic stuff such as our glorious (former) empire and the grateful Commonwealth, or fuel and food poverty is unfortunate but necessary.