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Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'

anatta

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Sometimes I think, maybe they'll (the West) let the bear eat berries and honey in the forest, maybe they will leave it in peace," Putin said at a news conference in Moscow on Thursday, using a metaphor to refer to Russia's famed symbol.
"They will not. Because they will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and his claws."

Putin also accused the West of trying to infringe on Russia's sovereignty, adding the Ukrainian crisis was just a pretext for Western action.

Putin said sanctions were responsible for up to 30% of Russia's economic crisis and added the ruble would stabilize.

"The current situation has been provoked by external factors, but it's worth noting that we haven't done what we planned to do to diversify our economy," he said
Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'


some colorful language -read other sources for more in depth.
He also mention US torture post 9-11, and lashes out at a question about political reform.

Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy; or as McCain called it
"a glorified gas station"
EDIT: his annual news conference
 
I would prefer to put it in a grave but a chain will suffice.
 
Last week the Russian economic meltdown was a myth created by the West, this week it's the West's fault. In other Russian news, Putin won Man of The Year for the 15th year in a row (I'm not making that up).
 
When will Russians like Putin learn that if you produce nothing whatsoever that can't be attained elsewhere, you have no leverage or reliable economy?

Of course, this guy is crazy enough to start a global war out of spite.
 
Last week the Russian economic meltdown was a myth created by the West, this week it's the West's fault. In other Russian news, Putin won Man of The Year for the 15th year in a row (I'm not making that up).

Russian nationalism at work. He's still got high poll numbers there - a lot of support - not just from the old people who watch state TV.
 
Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'


some colorful language -read other sources for more in depth.
He also mention US torture post 9-11, and lashes out at a question about political reform.

Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy; or as McCain called it
"a glorified gas station"
EDIT: his annual news conference
Indeed. Of course the West wants the Russian bear on a chain. It's got a bad history of misdeeds.
I would prefer to put it in a grave but a chain will suffice.

Hmm. A chain may be all we can get at this time, but that should be enough to let the old cold warriors age out. Once that's done, you figure the Russian cold war bear would be in the grave?
 
Russian nationalism at work. He's still got high poll numbers there - a lot of support - not just from the old people who watch state TV.

Stalin hasn't been doing poorly of late either.
 
Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'


some colorful language -read other sources for more in depth.
He also mention US torture post 9-11, and lashes out at a question about political reform.

Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy; or as McCain called it
"a glorified gas station"
EDIT: his annual news conference

He's just stirring up the locals so he can remain politically popular
 
He's still got high poll numbers there - a lot of support - not just from the old people who watch state TV.

Good point.

Though through various means including uhmm... "out raged patriots" beating up independent journalists and "Putin does not like your news, now all government liked cable providers (pretty much the only cable providers in Russia) suddenly refuse to carry it", state TV is becoming the only TV in Russia.

That aside, Russian nationalism, as you mentioned, is a huge draw. The Economist , however, suggested that Russian are long conditioned to say one thing (tow the Soviet or the right wing nationalist line), while keeping true feelings private-until they boil over.

Needless to say, such a boil over could make Putin very desperate. My guess is that the first places for a boil over wont be Moscow, but Tatarastan and Saint Petersbug. Saint Petersburg has always been more exposed to the west and might be less likely to blindly follow the: "Russian patriots support Putin, because then they would not be Russian patriots- and we are Russian patriots" type of "logic".
 
Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'


some colorful language -read other sources for more in depth.
He also mention US torture post 9-11, and lashes out at a question about political reform.

Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy; or as McCain called it
"a glorified gas station"
EDIT: his annual news conference

What Putin says is true. We are conducting an "Economic War" against Russia.
The sanctions are economic war and it is very likely that John Kerry's August
trip to Saudi Arabia was to request for an OIL price drop to corral the Russian "Gas
Station,(McCain), by squeezing the product that generates about 60% or more
of the Russian economy. Keep in mind that Russia suffered 20 million casualties
in WWII helping the allies snuff Hitler. We've been treating them like an enemy
ever since. The backstory is that CORPORATISM is deathly afraid of Communism
because it is labor oriented instead of Elitist Capital oriented. Russia's actions
to co-ordinate the BRICS Nations and develop alternative banking, currency, and
financing arrangements are what is behind the USA intrigue to bankrupt Russia.
The USA is colluding with the World's largest banks and uses the power of the
Reserve Currency against Russia. Russia must operate with its' own surplus
capital whereas the USA continuously writes checks (new money/debt) to add
to Trillions of dollars of debt that the money structure of the World must tolerate.
Russia is organizing a threat to that Unlimited Debt hegemony. If China and India
decide to help Russia with their large surpluses, Russia will recover more rapidly,
Irregardless, Russia will recover and develop a more independent economy and, most
definitely, an alternative banking environment. Russia is the new boogeyman of the
"Mighty Wurlitzer" CIA generated narrative and big boost to the Military Industrial
Corporate Complex that needs a focused potential enemy/threat to keep the DOLLARS
flowing. Over 60% of the US economy goes to Military Offense. Does that make people
proud? I don't think so.
 
Russian nationalism at work. He's still got high poll numbers there - a lot of support - not just from the old people who watch state TV.

If the economy collapses, they won't. The basic deal between Putin and the Russian people is "You can do whatever as long as it doesn't mess with my ability to make money."

The thing to remember about Russia is this: In the West, our idea of the "ideal leader" is George Washington. In Russia, it's Ivan the Terrible.
 
Good point.

Though through various means including uhmm... "out raged patriots" beating up independent journalists and "Putin does not like your news, now all government liked cable providers (pretty much the only cable providers in Russia) suddenly refuse to carry it", state TV is becoming the only TV in Russia.

That aside, Russian nationalism, as you mentioned, is a huge draw. The Economist , however, suggested that Russian are long conditioned to say one thing (tow the Soviet or the right wing nationalist line), while keeping true feelings private-until they boil over.

Needless to say, such a boil over could make Putin very desperate. My guess is that the first places for a boil over wont be Moscow, but Tatarastan and Saint Petersbug. Saint Petersburg has always been more exposed to the west and might be less likely to blindly follow the: "Russian patriots support Putin, because then they would not be Russian patriots- and we are Russian patriots" type of "logic".

Ironically, St. Petersburg is Putin's hometown.
 
Putin: West wants to put Russian bear 'on a chain'


some colorful language -read other sources for more in depth.
He also mention US torture post 9-11, and lashes out at a question about political reform.

Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy; or as McCain called it
"a glorified gas station"
EDIT: his annual news conference

Owning a gas station is fine, if you don't bully your customers and their freinds.
 
If the economy collapses, they won't. The basic deal between Putin and the Russian people is "You can do whatever as long as it doesn't mess with my ability to make money."

The thing to remember about Russia is this: In the West, our idea of the "ideal leader" is George Washington. In Russia, it's Ivan the Terrible.
Ivan the Terrible is as despised of a historical figure in Russia as Joseph Stalin.

Peter the Great, maybe. Putin for sure. But not Ivan the Terrible.
 
Putin has been beating the drums of nationalism for years. Beating the idea that the "Russians deserved better" coming out of the Cold War.

Russians should be grateful that the Cold War ended without a line of smoking craters where their beloved "Rodina" used to be.
 
Ironically, St. Petersburg is Putin's hometown.

Good point, I forgot about that. I think his father was wounded defending the city as a naval infantryman. I think the Czars also viewed Saint Petersburg as not only their capital, but also their hometown.

Even still, things boiled over in saint Petersburg first. I dont think Putin is facing anywhere near the pressure cooker that the Czar was. But... the people of Saint Petersburg have tasted some degrees of freedom for twenty years and may not be inclined to swallow nationalist slogans indefinetly- espescially if they are used to justify wars of aggression and a collapsing economy.

Rather, their boiling point might come sooner, and with less heat than in the past.
 
i've said this in other threads, but i'll say it again : we should not be involved in this. we should be building / repairing infrastructure, hiring people, and fixing our stupidly inefficient health care delivery model. being involved in a dick measuring contest with Russia does not help the US.
 
What Putin says is true. We are conducting an "Economic War" against Russia.
The sanctions are economic war and it is very likely that John Kerry's August
trip to Saudi Arabia was to request for an OIL price drop to corral the Russian "Gas
Station,(McCain), by squeezing the product that generates about 60% or more
of the Russian economy. Keep in mind that Russia suffered 20 million casualties
in WWII helping the allies snuff Hitler. We've been treating them like an enemy
ever since. The backstory is that CORPORATISM is deathly afraid of Communism
because it is labor oriented instead of Elitist Capital oriented. Russia's actions
to co-ordinate the BRICS Nations and develop alternative banking, currency, and
financing arrangements are what is behind the USA intrigue to bankrupt Russia.
The USA is colluding with the World's largest banks and uses the power of the
Reserve Currency against Russia. Russia must operate with its' own surplus
capital whereas the USA continuously writes checks (new money/debt) to add
to Trillions of dollars of debt that the money structure of the World must tolerate.
Russia is organizing a threat to that Unlimited Debt hegemony. If China and India
decide to help Russia with their large surpluses, Russia will recover more rapidly,
Irregardless, Russia will recover and develop a more independent economy and, most
definitely, an alternative banking environment. Russia is the new boogeyman of the
"Mighty Wurlitzer" CIA generated narrative and big boost to the Military Industrial
Corporate Complex that needs a focused potential enemy/threat to keep the DOLLARS
flowing. Over 60% of the US economy goes to Military Offense. Does that make people
proud? I don't think so.
Hi Dave.
I think Saudi Arabia is tolerating the low oil prices to keep market shares (futures) since they have SO much reserves,
but who knows what goes on behind closed doors -and we do have a crazed relationship with that Wahhabi monster..I dunno.

I'm not all that skilled in economics, so I'll just take your points - but no doubt Russia was meddling in Donbass ( eastern Uk.)
whatever the right or wrong about Crimea. Some say it had to be seized because of Sevastopol Naval Base.
but trying to federalize the Uk is just plain hegemony by Putin.

From what I know there was a recent cease fire there, but I don't feel like looking it all up.
So to say Russia is the new Boogeyman is true, but it's the same old boogeyman - and with Putin showing he is willing
to take real economic hardship for territory mean he has to be considered a threat to say the Baltics.
 
i've said this in other threads, but i'll say it again : we should not be involved in this. we should be building / repairing infrastructure, hiring people, and fixing our stupidly inefficient health care delivery model. being involved in a dick measuring contest with Russia does not help the US.
should we not have used sanctions in tandem with Europe?
Did we send requested military aid to Uk? (no)

Putin's land grab violating the Budapest Memorandum
The memorandum included security assurances against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine as well as those of Belarus and Kazakhstan. As a result Ukraine gave up the world's third largest nuclear weapons stockpile between 1994 and 1996,[2][3] of which Ukraine had physical though not operational control. The use of the weapons was dependent on Russian controlled electronic Permissive Action Links and the Russian command and control system
Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ....just forget about it all?
 
Be interesting to see if Russia can diversify from an extractive economy...

Economic diversification requires time, investment, and flexibility for risk taking. A crisis can accelerate such efforts, but there are no short cuts. With Russia facing a volatile currency, investment restrictions, and some illiberal rules that can skew investments, such an effort will be particularly challenging. Once oil prices rebound--and like other commodities, big swings occur fairly frequently--the temptation to de-emphasize economic diversification could be great.
 
should we not have used sanctions in tandem with Europe? Did we send military aid to Uk? (no)

Putin's land grab violating the Budapest Memorandum
Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ....just forget about it all?

i support vastly reducing our involvement in stuff like this. we should abandon this "global superpower" stuff in favor of regional powers. each regional hegemon would be responsible for regional stability. for example, we could be involved brokering peace in Central America if the region were to erupt into serious unrest. we could also concentrate on Mexico, which is being torn apart by drug gangs. but Ukraine? no. not our job. same thing with the Middle East. once we're out of there, Saudi Arabia and Iran will be forced to do their jobs. it's starting already, as the US has minimized involvement. if we were to go in there for all out war, though, Saudi Arabia could go back to doing nothing. we just can't afford to be involved in everything. no nation can. perpetual war is what sinks empires.
 
What Putin says is true. We are conducting an "Economic War" against Russia.
The sanctions are economic war and it is very likely that John Kerry's August
trip to Saudi Arabia was to request for an OIL price drop to corral the Russian "Gas
Station,(McCain), by squeezing the product that generates about 60% or more
of the Russian economy. Keep in mind that Russia suffered 20 million casualties
in WWII helping the allies snuff Hitler. We've been treating them like an enemy
ever since. The backstory is that CORPORATISM is deathly afraid of Communism
because it is labor oriented instead of Elitist Capital oriented. Russia's actions
to co-ordinate the BRICS Nations and develop alternative banking, currency, and
financing arrangements are what is behind the USA intrigue to bankrupt Russia.
The USA is colluding with the World's largest banks and uses the power of the
Reserve Currency against Russia. Russia must operate with its' own surplus
capital whereas the USA continuously writes checks (new money/debt) to add
to Trillions of dollars of debt that the money structure of the World must tolerate.
Russia is organizing a threat to that Unlimited Debt hegemony. If China and India
decide to help Russia with their large surpluses, Russia will recover more rapidly,
Irregardless, Russia will recover and develop a more independent economy and, most
definitely, an alternative banking environment. Russia is the new boogeyman of the
"Mighty Wurlitzer" CIA generated narrative and big boost to the Military Industrial
Corporate Complex that needs a focused potential enemy/threat to keep the DOLLARS
flowing. Over 60% of the US economy goes to Military Offense. Does that make people
proud? I don't think so.

"Over 60% of the US economy goes to Military Offense." :lamo

It was Russia's subjugation of Eastern Europe that made Russia the enemy. That and the Russian post war slaughter of civilians.

The goal of the West to to prevent that subjugation of Eastern Europe again by blocking the recreation of the Soviet Empire. The Ukraine is key to this. I understand you totally approve of the slaughter and deportation of the Tartars and non-Russian Ukraines. You are a person who loves genocides in your messages. But you aren't getting your way.

Russia's threats against the Saudi's is what got this going - and then Russian's military invasion of Crimea and covert invasion of Eastern Ukraine. Saudi Arabia turned open the flow of their cheap oil and OPEC joined it - plus this slows the West's development of shale oil and shifting to natural gas and other alternatives.

If Turkey would get on board we could slam Russia's natural gas prices too, big time. Your tyrant may be going down to the fury of his own starving, cold people. The Russian shelves are going bare, inflation is growing, money is fleeing and winter is coming.
 
i support vastly reducing our involvement in stuff like this. we should abandon this "global superpower" stuff in favor of regional powers. each regional hegemon would be responsible for regional stability. for example, we could be involved brokering peace in Central America if the region were to erupt into serious unrest. we could also concentrate on Mexico, which is being torn apart by drug gangs. but Ukraine? no. not our job. same thing with the Middle East. once we're out of there, Saudi Arabia and Iran will be forced to do their jobs. it's starting already, as the US has minimized involvement. if we were to go in there for all out war, though, Saudi Arabia could go back to doing nothing. we just can't afford to be involved in everything. no nation can. perpetual war is what sinks empires.

That was exactly Hitler's proposal to the UK. Germany would be the hedgmon of continental Europe. In return, UK could keep it's vast empire, provided Germany got one Middle East oil country. Some historians believe he did not destroy the British at Dunkirk believing he could make that deal. The UK said no.

A world of regional superpowers is a world destined to super wars. That is history.
 
i support vastly reducing our involvement in stuff like this. we should abandon this "global superpower" stuff in favor of regional powers. each regional hegemon would be responsible for regional stability. for example, we could be involved brokering peace in Central America if the region were to erupt into serious unrest. we could also concentrate on Mexico, which is being torn apart by drug gangs. but Ukraine? no. not our job. same thing with the Middle East. once we're out of there, Saudi Arabia and Iran will be forced to do their jobs. it's starting already, as the US has minimized involvement. if we were to go in there for all out war, though, Saudi Arabia could go back to doing nothing. we just can't afford to be involved in everything. no nation can. perpetual war is what sinks empires.
thing about regional powers is they have their own agendas too.
Mid East Big Guys are Saudi Arabia and Iran -and they despise each other. While I'd like to see a more balanced approach with Iran,
we can't just shift overnight either with our security agreements, and weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

I have no idea what we could do with Mexican drug gangs, other then legalize all that stuff ( libertarian approach),
and just tax it, instead of having the DEA drive west hemisphere policy.
I do agree a more sane relationship with Cuba was well past due -but we also have world (global superpower)duties like it or not.

China and Russia will only act in their self interests. Tibet and Ukraine are good examples. They will glom up territory.
China is smarter then Russia in the use of "soft power" The Decline of America's Soft Power | Foreign Affairs
but they are backing it up with a new fighter that they prolly ripped off the design from our F-35, as well as any other weapons systems they are pumping money into.

My point is we could do a better job with soft power -no more land wars of intervention -
or regime change like Libya ( which is now a failed terrorist state).
But we simply cannot abandon global roles as there isn't anyone else to take our place.
 
That was exactly Hitler's proposal to the UK. Germany would be the hedgmon of continental Europe. In return, UK could keep it's vast empire, provided Germany got one Middle East oil country. Some historians believe he did not destroy the British at Dunkirk believing he could make that deal. The UK said no.

A world of regional superpowers is a world destined to super wars. That is history.

nice Godwin, but endless war has sunk pretty much every empire. that's history, too. Sun Tzu pointed it out in 500 BC, and empires have been ignoring it at their own peril ever since.
 
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