Comments on Centre for European Reform: Has Germany been Finlandised (and has Britain)? by...

Every time I read comments in western media about ...

2007-01-12T06:19:00.000Z

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:
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?

Every time I read comments in western media about ...

2007-01-12T06:18:00.000Z

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:
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?

Great article! I must say it summs up everything w...

2007-01-04T17:02:00.000Z

Great article! I must say it summs up everything what is really going on in power politics in EU.

Foreign policy is a messy business indeed, and dur...

2007-01-04T15:06:00.000Z

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.
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.

Sorry guys, but real politicians (especially those...

2007-01-03T12:55:00.000Z

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.
This is how politics works. If you do not like it, start playing internet games. Politics has very little to do with morality, unfortunately.

The energy debate is picking up speed. The cold f...

2007-01-02T14:19:00.000Z

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.

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).

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.

One issue is that Germany and other large EU membe...

2006-12-29T11:32:00.000Z

One issue is that Germany and other large EU member states are prepared to sacrifice human rights for a few bread crumbs thrown to them by China and Russia.

However, what's also worrying is that their political leaders, such as Schroder in case of his cushy marketing job at Gazprom, are willing to do things (such as participating in the economically nonsensical project of a pipeline through the Baltic Sea as opposed to the cheaper and more useful alternative of a pipeline through Eastern European mainland) that - at the very least - create an impression of impropriety and conflict of interest. Not that the German authorities seem to be very eager to investigate this case for potential corruption. I guess even in Western Europe there's justice only for some and the big fish can hardly ever be found corrupt.