![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
...We, as Americans, are not as mature and clear-eyed as during the Cold War. In this – and only this! – sense the situation is more dangerous than when we faced the Soviet Union.
In comparison to the USSR Putin’s Russia is literally nothing: stalled economy with GDP less than Californian; dwindling, rapidly aging population; sweeping incompetence encompassing all but the few elite military; an “ideology” of nothing but propaganda instilling hatred for democracy; and a dream of greatness long since gone. But most importantly, the Evil Empire of the previous century was systemic, while Putin’s Russia is an ad hoc arrangement centered on nothing but the greedy thievery of his clique.
Vladimir Putin is a bully. He is bluffing. Bullies won’t play chicken. Call his bluff, challenge him and he will, humiliated in the eyes of his supporters, loose power. He will not start a nuclear war. If for no other reason, because it would incinerate his billions. Pussyfooting around bullies makes them look taller. It is a much safer choice to challenge Mr. Putin. Because the longer we let him linger, the greater the chance of the big war by accident.
One more time: BULLIES DON’T PLAY CHICKEN.
Read More ›››
Bullies don’t play chicken | Эхо России
The following is a post for Americans since you need to know some teenagers' games in the MidWest to properly understand it. But here it is anyway.
↱ehorussia.com
In comparison to the USSR Putin’s Russia is literally nothing: stalled economy with GDP less than Californian; dwindling, rapidly aging population; sweeping incompetence encompassing all but the few elite military; an “ideology” of nothing but propaganda instilling hatred for democracy; and a dream of greatness long since gone. But most importantly, the Evil Empire of the previous century was systemic, while Putin’s Russia is an ad hoc arrangement centered on nothing but the greedy thievery of his clique.
Vladimir Putin is a bully. He is bluffing. Bullies won’t play chicken. Call his bluff, challenge him and he will, humiliated in the eyes of his supporters, loose power. He will not start a nuclear war. If for no other reason, because it would incinerate his billions. Pussyfooting around bullies makes them look taller. It is a much safer choice to challenge Mr. Putin. Because the longer we let him linger, the greater the chance of the big war by accident.
One more time: BULLIES DON’T PLAY CHICKEN.
Read More ›››
Bullies don’t play chicken | Эхо России
The following is a post for Americans since you need to know some teenagers' games in the MidWest to properly understand it. But here it is anyway.
↱ehorussia.com
