Matt Yglesias asks a good question: Why do our media portray Vladimir Putin as a bad guy for authoritarian government that's broadly popular with his people, but are soft on far more authoritarian governments in the Arab world that are hated by their people? The US government does because their our SOBs. Cynical, but understandable. But why the media? Concludes Yglesias:
The result of the media's decision to adhere to a double-standard is to substantially obscure from the American public some salient facts about the role our country plays in the world. It's widely understood, for example, that insofar as Vladimir Putin backs unpopular undemocratic pro-Russian leaders in the "near abroad" this is likely to make Russia even less popular in Russia-skeptical elements of the population of those countries. The analog of this, that staunch American support for unpopular undemocratic pro-American leaders in the Gulf and in Egypt is a significant source of anti-American sentiment is, by contrast, completely absent from the national conversation.
I was talking with a Russian emigre friend the other night, who remarked on how Americans don't understand why Russians like Putin. They just don't understand Russia's history and culture. Boy, did he say a mouthful. I explained to him that most Americans assume that inside the heart of every foreigner is an American dying to get out. Which leads us into all kinds of trouble.
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Anybody to punch the Americans around is cool with me. China? India? Enough of this superpower crap.
One more time: a multipolar world is a safer place for our grandkids.
Mik Infidelos, i m not antisemite, i m just not very educated.
Uberite vashi nogi iz prohoda sinagogi:)
forgot to sign
Rainwater. Getting off topic, but what historical evidence is there that a multi-polar world is safer?
Back on topic, I agree that the recent fact of the Soviet Union and Mr Putins KGB past and statist tendencies make Americans very nervous. There are only two powers in the world that can seriously challenge the United States one on one and we do NOT want to enter into hostilities with either. They are China and India. Putin looks like he is taking Russia back into a policy of potential hostility. Personally, I think we could accept a strong central government and president in Russia if they could establish a real independent judiciary.
Solzeinitzin summed things up quite well in a recent interview. basically he argued that Russia is not spiritually prepared for the National idea it has adopted and the role it wants to play on the world stage. When listening to his ideas though, I can't help but apply them to us, as well. As Stan Lee wrote, with great power comes great responsibility. In general, it seems that those who desire power aren't ready for responsibility.
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