tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post116670117224266308..comments2023-10-10T15:39:35.168+00:00Comments on Centre for European Reform: Centre for European Reformhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06815454225955436329noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1168582798072849352007-01-12T06:19:00.000+00:002007-01-12T06:19:00.000+00:00Every time I read comments in western media about ...Every time I read comments in western media about relations with Russia, retreat from democracy in Russia, need to punish members of western governments for establishing good relations with that country etc. I can't avoid thinking that those journalists are breaded somewhere specifically, probably in same laboratory, and than brainwashed to the point where all their thoughts are identical. I can't find another explanation why everything they write about Russia is so same and represents so little truth. Here are few questions I'd love them to answer, but I doubt that any of them could:<BR/>1. If there is so little freedom in Russia, why millions of Russian tourists, who travel worldwide in any given day come back home instead of trying to stay in the country they visit. Why Russian borders are open so any citizen can leave the country at any time? <BR/>2. If Putin is so bad tyrant and oppresses the freedoms and democracy how can this 'bastard' possibly maintain steady popularity over 70%, confirmed several times by many foreign agencies? Is there ANY other politician in the world who has same or similar rating of public support?<BR/>3. Should Russia run new gas pipeline to Germany through the territory of Poland - country, who's president Kaszynsky, while being major of Warsaw, named one of Warsaw squares after Chechen leader Shamil Basaev - for a while most wanted man in Russia, blamed for attack on hospital in small russian town Budyonovsk? What relation for example America would have with country where new square would be named Osama Bin Laden Plaza? Would USA even consider any trade deal which could benefit such country or would this country gain american bombing raid instead?<BR/>4. Is freedom of expression and freedom of press, with no censorship, would be a good idea in country of 126 nationalities with different cultural and religious background, or could uncensored article written by some idiot where he/she expresses his/her real thought lead to armed conflict or civil war in such country? Would freedom of press in lets say Germany tolerate if I published the article where I'd express deep dislike to say jews and/or nigros, could I say that I sincerely hate gays in german newspaper? <BR/>5. Without being strong and sometimes harsh, like Putin, how can one keep together the country of 22 million sq.km territory, 11 time zones, 126 nationalities, about 80 languages, all religions you can think of and with worlds largest arsenal of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Could Mr. Nice Guy, instead of Putin, guarantee that such country will not fall apart overnight and next day Europe will wake up to learn that now they have to deal with 50 small countries eager to make money selling this arsenal to whoever wants to pay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1168582725424640332007-01-12T06:18:00.000+00:002007-01-12T06:18:00.000+00:00Every time I read comments in western media about ...Every time I read comments in western media about relations with Russia, retreat from democracy in Russia, need to punish members of western governments for establishing good relations with that country etc. I can't avoid thinking that those journalists are breaded somewhere specifically, probably in same laboratory, and than brainwashed to the point where all their thoughts are identical. I can't find another explanation why everything they write about Russia is so same and represents so little truth. Here are few questions I'd love them to answer, but I doubt that any of them could:<BR/>1. If there is so little freedom in Russia, why millions of Russian tourists, who travel worldwide in any given day come back home instead of trying to stay in the country they visit. Why Russian borders are open so any citizen can leave the country at any time? <BR/>2. If Putin is so bad tyrant and oppresses the freedoms and democracy how can this 'bastard' possibly maintain steady popularity over 70%, confirmed several times by many foreign agencies? Is there ANY other politician in the world who has same or similar rating of public support?<BR/>3. Should Russia run new gas pipeline to Germany through the territory of Poland - country, who's president Kaszynsky, while being major of Warsaw, named one of Warsaw squares after Chechen leader Shamil Basaev - for a while most wanted man in Russia, blamed for attack on hospital in small russian town Budyonovsk? What relation for example America would have with country where new square would be named Osama Bin Laden Plaza? Would USA even consider any trade deal which could benefit such country or would this country gain american bombing raid instead?<BR/>4. Is freedom of expression and freedom of press, with no censorship, would be a good idea in country of 126 nationalities with different cultural and religious background, or could uncensored article written by some idiot where he/she expresses his/her real thought lead to armed conflict or civil war in such country? Would freedom of press in lets say Germany tolerate if I published the article where I'd express deep dislike to say jews and/or niggers, could I say that I sincerely hate gays in german newspaper? <BR/>5. Without being strong and sometimes harsh, like Putin, how can one keep together the country of 22 million sq.km territory, 11 time zones, 126 nationalities, about 80 languages, all religions you can think of and with worlds largest arsenal of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Could Mr. Nice Guy, instead of Putin, guarantee that such country will not fall apart overnight and next day Europe will wake up to learn that now they have to deal with 50 small countries eager to make money selling this arsenal to whoever wants to pay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1167930155971425972007-01-04T17:02:00.000+00:002007-01-04T17:02:00.000+00:00Great article! I must say it summs up everything w...Great article! I must say it summs up everything what is really going on in power politics in EU.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1167923216062278942007-01-04T15:06:00.000+00:002007-01-04T15:06:00.000+00:00Foreign policy is a messy business indeed, and dur...Foreign policy is a messy business indeed, and during its practice, most times values and principles are not balanced against national interests, but sacrificed instead. Especially when it comes to smaller countries, their foreign policy is usually lost in the name of the national interests of superpowers or larger countries, without often any chance to find justice. <BR/>Yes, morality and justice are not equal parties in politics, as our world is still based on the nation-state system. But I find it more unacceptable and quite disturbing when influential members of a democratic society submit to the likes and dislikes of higher interests of another country, rather than when governments do the same. Unfortunately, it is often that governments submit to influential economic interests, both in Europe but especially in the USA; but when submission reaches the levels of the press and civil society, there is something seriously wrong, worthy of serious attention.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1167828956494893692007-01-03T12:55:00.000+00:002007-01-03T12:55:00.000+00:00Sorry guys, but real politicians (especially those...Sorry guys, but real politicians (especially those in power) have to make decisions based in what their population (their voters) want, or at least on what they think their population wants. And if citizens have to choose between getting their gas (and therefore their daily comfort) or the human rights of some unknown citizens in Russia, the choice is quickly made.<BR/>This is how politics works. If you do not like it, start playing internet games. Politics has very little to do with morality, unfortunately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27932062.post-1167747573646774862007-01-02T14:19:00.000+00:002007-01-02T14:19:00.000+00:00The energy debate is picking up speed. The cold f...The energy debate is picking up speed. The cold facts are that in the next two, perhaps three, generations classic fossil based enrgy will have gone. Today those nations who supply energy are beginning to flex their muscles for future advantage. Their window of opportunity is not so large - so expect dramatic action.<BR/><BR/>The onyl ultimate counter will be alternative fuel based on nuclear or solar energy (wind, ocean currents, direct solar heat and others - even Hydrogen as fuel will need energy to produce Hydrogen).<BR/><BR/>The question is have the energy dependent and technologically advanced nations the stomach for investment in these sources early enough, or will we wait and allow the current suppliers to squeeze us over the next few decades.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com