I'm playing catch-up, and this situation continues to unfold. I wonder how the narrative that the s.m.o concerns only the military, not general society, is playing out, given that the ruble's in the tank, Russians can't fly to a lot of places, and can't get a BIG Mac or Starbucks coffee.
It's horrifying on the ground in Ukraine. And here's a comment that can be used in these situations: "I think it will get worse before it gets better and I'm not optimistic." That's what I say whenenever someone asks me about Israel. Seems to apply here, too.
I think the "umbrella" is starting to leak...much to Putin's chagrin. With cell phones and social media, he cannot control all outlets and the younger generation does not know about/remember the KBG tactics. I think it will become almost impossible to arrest/silence the number of protestors in the streets this time (Hopefully). This may become Putin's Waterloo.
I agree, Putin's painted himself into a corner. But he still has a lot of repressive tools he can use. Currently, the Duma is considering a "proposal" to conscript anyone who is arrested at a protest and send them to the front. Members of the liberal intelligentsia are fleeing the country. The trains to Finland are full and prominent activists are booking any flight they can find - to Manilla, UAE, Brazil. We will be in an internationally tense situation for some time.
I agree with this also. I think the Scandinavian countries should also be concerned because they, also, are not NATO members. The EU needs to be careful not to let Putin form a noose around them!
The Russian government controls the internet, all they have to do is block a url. Independent media are now going back to analog. The BBC's broadcasts in Russia have been blocked so BBC London reinstated their shortwave radio service.
I'm playing catch-up, and this situation continues to unfold. I wonder how the narrative that the s.m.o concerns only the military, not general society, is playing out, given that the ruble's in the tank, Russians can't fly to a lot of places, and can't get a BIG Mac or Starbucks coffee.
It's horrifying on the ground in Ukraine. And here's a comment that can be used in these situations: "I think it will get worse before it gets better and I'm not optimistic." That's what I say whenenever someone asks me about Israel. Seems to apply here, too.
Fabulous narrative and I love the umbrella analogy! Thank you!
Lynn, if you could share my site with others, it would help build my audience. Thanks for reading!
I think the "umbrella" is starting to leak...much to Putin's chagrin. With cell phones and social media, he cannot control all outlets and the younger generation does not know about/remember the KBG tactics. I think it will become almost impossible to arrest/silence the number of protestors in the streets this time (Hopefully). This may become Putin's Waterloo.
I agree, Putin's painted himself into a corner. But he still has a lot of repressive tools he can use. Currently, the Duma is considering a "proposal" to conscript anyone who is arrested at a protest and send them to the front. Members of the liberal intelligentsia are fleeing the country. The trains to Finland are full and prominent activists are booking any flight they can find - to Manilla, UAE, Brazil. We will be in an internationally tense situation for some time.
I agree with this also. I think the Scandinavian countries should also be concerned because they, also, are not NATO members. The EU needs to be careful not to let Putin form a noose around them!
With all the technology the world now has, isn't there some way to get the truth of what's happening to the Russian people on a mass scale?
The Russian government controls the internet, all they have to do is block a url. Independent media are now going back to analog. The BBC's broadcasts in Russia have been blocked so BBC London reinstated their shortwave radio service.
That's a help. Don't know how many in Russia still have suitable receivers, 'tho.