…is a badass. No one has been talking about him and it needs to be thrown out there.
mike
He definitely is. Putin’s pushed Russia down a dangerous road.
Here’s an article Kasparov wrote this summer:
[i]Don Putin
To understand today’s Russia, read “The Godfather.”
BY GARRY KASPAROV
Sunday, July 29, 2007 12:01 a.m. EDT
When Vladimir Putin took power in Russia in 2000, the burning question was: “Who is Putin?” It has now changed to: “What is the nature of Putin’s Russia?” This regime has been remarkably consistent in its behavior, yet foreign leaders and the Western press still act surprised at Mr. Putin’s total disregard for their opinions.
Again and again we hear cries of: “Doesn’t Putin know how bad this looks?” When another prominent Russian journalist is murdered, when a businessman not friendly to the Kremlin is jailed, when a foreign company is pushed out of its Russian investment, when pro-democracy marchers are beaten by police, when gas and oil supplies are used as weapons, or when Russian weapons and missile technology are sold to terrorist sponsor states like Iran and Syria, what needs to be asked is what sort of government would continue such behavior. This Kremlin regime operates within a value system entirely different from that of the Western nations struggling to understand what is happening behind the medieval red walls.
Mr. Putin’s government is unique in history. This Kremlin is part oligarchy, with a small, tightly connected gang of wealthy rulers. It is partly a feudal system, broken down into semi-autonomous fiefdoms in which payments are collected from the serfs, who have no rights. Over this there is a democratic coat of paint, just thick enough to gain entry into the G-8 and keep the oligarchy’s money safe in Western banks.
But if you really wish to understand the Putin regime in depth, I can recommend some reading. No Karl Marx or Adam Smith. Nothing by Montesquieu or Machiavelli, although the author you are looking for is of Italian descent. But skip Mussolini’s “The Doctrine of Fascism,” for now, and the entire political science section. Instead, go directly to the fiction department and take home everything you can find by Mario Puzo. If you are in a real hurry to become an expert on the Russian government, you may prefer the DVD section, where you can find Mr. Puzo’s works on film. “The Godfather” trilogy is a good place to start, but do not leave out “The Last Don,” “Omerta” and “The Sicilian.”
The web of betrayals, the secrecy, the blurred lines between what is business, what is government, and what is criminal–it’s all there in Mr. Puzo’s books. A historian looks at the Kremlin today and sees elements of Mussolini’s “corporate state,” Latin American juntas and Mexico’s pseudo-democratic PRI machine. A Puzo fan sees the Putin government more accurately: the strict hierarchy, the extortion, the intimidation, the code of secrecy and, above all, the mandate to keep the revenue flowing. In other words, a mafia.
If a member of the inner circle goes against the Capo, his life is forfeit. Once Russia’s richest man, Mikhail Khodorkovsky wanted to go straight and run his Yukos oil company as a legitimate corporation and not as another cog in Mr. Putin’s KGB, Inc. He quickly found himself in a Siberian prison, his company dismantled and looted, and its pieces absorbed by the state mafia apparatus of Rosneft and Gazprom.
The Yukos case has become a model. Private companies are absorbed into the state while at the same time the assets of the state companies move into private accounts.
Alexander Litvinenko was a KGB agent who broke the loyalty code by fleeing to Britain. Worse, he violated the law of omertà by going to the press and even publishing books about the dirty deeds of Mr. Putin and his foot soldiers. Instead of being taken fishing in the old-fashioned Godfather style, he was killed in London in the first recorded case of nuclear terrorism. Now the Kremlin is refusing to hand over the main suspect in the murder.
Mr. Putin can’t understand Britain doing potential harm to its business interests over one human life. That’s an alien concept. In his world, everything is negotiable. Morals and principles are just chips on the table in the Kremlin’s game. There is no mere misunderstanding in the Litvinenko case; there are two different languages being spoken.
In the civilized world, certain things are sacrosanct. Human life is not traded at the same table where business and diplomacy are discussed. But for Mr. Putin, it’s a true no-limits game. Kosovo, the missile shield, pipeline deals, the Iranian nuclear program and democratic rights are all just cards to be played.
After years of showing no respect for the law in Russia, with no resulting consequences from abroad, it should not come as a surprise that Mr. Putin’s attitude extends to international relations as well. The man accused of the Litvinenko murder, Andrei Lugovoi, signs autographs and enjoys the support of the Russian media, which says and does nothing without Kremlin approval. For seven years the West has tried to change the Kremlin with kind words and compliance. It apparently believed that it would be able to integrate Mr. Putin and his gang into the Western system of trade and diplomacy.
Instead, the opposite has happened–the mafia corrupts everything it touches. Bartering in human rights begins to appear acceptable. The Kremlin is not changing its standards: It is imposing them on the outside world. It receives the stamp of legitimacy from Western leaders and businesses but makes those same leaders and businesses complicit in its crimes.
With energy prices so high, the temptation to sell out to the Kremlin is an offer you almost can’t refuse. Gerhard Schröder could not resist doing business with Mr. Putin on his terms and, after pushing through a Baltic Sea pipeline deal while in office, he had a nice Gazprom job waiting for him when he left the chancellorship. Silvio Berlusconi also became a Putin business partner. He even answered for Mr. Putin at an EU meeting, vigorously defending Russian abuses in Chechnya and the jailing of Mr. Khodorkovsky and then joking to Mr. Putin, “I should be your lawyer!” Now we see Nicolas Sarkozy boosting the interests of French energy company Total in the Shtokman gas field.
Can Mr. Sarkozy possibly speak out strongly in support of Britain after making big deals on the phone with Mr. Putin? He should know that if Gordon Brown gets Mr. Putin on the line and offers to drop the case against Mr. Lugovoi, perhaps Total will find itself pushed out to make room for BP.
We in the Russian opposition have been saying for a long time that our problem would soon be the world’s problem. The mafia knows no borders. Nuclear terror is not out of the question if it fits in with the Kremlin business agenda. Expelling diplomats and limiting official visits is not going to have an impact.
How about limiting the Russian ruling elite’s visits to their properties in the West? Ironically, they like to keep their money where they can trust in the rule of law, and so far Mr. Putin and his wealthy supporters have every reason to believe their money is safe. They’ve been spending so much on ski trips to the Alps that they recently decided to bring the skiing to Russia by snapping up the Olympic Winter Games.
There is no reason to cease doing business with Russia. The delusion is that it can ever be more than that. The mafia takes, it does not give. Mr. Putin has discovered that when dealing with Europe and America he can always exchange worthless promises of reform for cold, hard cash. Mr. Lugovoi may yet find himself up for sale.
Mr. Kasparov, former world chess champion, is a contributing editor of The Wall Street Journal and chairman of the United Civil Front of Russia, a pro-democracy opposition organization.
[/i]
Nice piece.
Russia is a scary place at the moment.
[quote]plateau wrote:
Russia is a scary place at the moment.[/quote]
Especially if you happen to be in a Russian jail like Kasparov.
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
…is a badass. No one has been talking about him and it needs to be thrown out there.
mike[/quote]
His interview on Real Time with Bill Maher was damned impressive, he handed Maher his ass in an elegant manner. His demeanor was that which I would like to see more of our politicians display, instead of talking down to us with buzz phrases and no actual substance, he elaborated on points that he made and challenged the presented questions. Something tells me he would never utter the phrase “comprehensive immigration reform” and leave it at that with no further explanation.
he is good example of why people in office should be intelligent.
[quote]Magnate wrote:
Mikeyali wrote:
…is a badass. No one has been talking about him and it needs to be thrown out there.
mike
His interview on Real Time with Bill Maher was damned impressive, he handed Maher his ass in an elegant manner. His demeanor was that which I would like to see more of our politicians display, instead of talking down to us with buzz phrases and no actual substance, he elaborated on points that he made and challenged the presented questions. Something tells me he would never utter the phrase “comprehensive immigration reform” and leave it at that with no further explanation.[/quote]
Agreed. But Kasparov’s intelligence is also…let’s say uncommon. This is due in part though to flaws in American democracy. Voters want a smart leader, yet tend to fear men who are too smart or elitist. We are also caught up in things that are unnecesary.
A Jefferson, or a Hamilton or an Adams could never be president today and we are all the poorer for that. the closest politician America has today to a Gary Kasparov is Newt Gingrich and he’ll never see office again.
mike
Unfortunately, all of you are wrong about Russia, wrong about Putin, and certainly wrong about Gary Kasparov.
I’ll set you straight on the latter: Kasparov is a far left loon who is agitating against a very popular sitting president.
I’m borrowing the following quote from FreeRepublic:
Putin is doing what he can to protect his country from foreign (Read: US) influence. He’s a patriot. Small wonder, he’s overwhelmingly supported by the majority of Russians.
You guys just don’t understand what’s going on in that country. Russia was looted and ravished throughout the 90’s with the aid of Clinton’s friend, Yeltsin, whom Russians despised but the Western Media loved. Putin took over, put the looters in jail, restored order and is winning back Russia’s status as a regional power.
Remember what the 90’s were like here? They are getting THEIR 90’s, RIGHT NOW.
And what are the NATO/UN globalists doing about it? They’re undermining Russia’s influence in it’s own backyard by funding pro-US candidates in Eastern European elections. They’re expanding NATO to Russia’s borders - breaking earlier voews, in the process. And now, they want to surround Putin’s country with missiles.
Context Alert: What happened when the Soviets tried to place missiles on America’s doorstep? I seem to recall that Americans were unhappy about it, and the American president who dealt with the issue in a forceful way received a great deal of public support. Gee…
As far as all the hubub about the “media crackdown” is concerned, it is very simple: Do you see how the Western media is controlled by major business interests who push a globalist agenda? Well, Putin sees it as well, and, unlike you and me, he is in a position to do something about it. He can shut out Soros and all the rest if he so chooses - and that’s what Russians want. That’s what his country needs.
You’re being tricked by the Globalists and it’s happening right under your nose…
Pat Buchanan says,
“Get Out of Putin’s Face”
http://www.amconmag.com/2005_06_06/buchanan.html
You need to be able to spot imperialism when it’s happening. I know that everybody wants to talk about Iraq - that’s fine. But Iraq is too easy. Let’s talk about Serbia. Let’s talk about Kosovo. Something the majority of Americans know nothing about, and don’t care for - yet it is very dear to most Russians.
Russia has not forgotten the US/NATO bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999. That region is a complete mess now, and Serbs, who are the traditional allies of Russia in the Balkans, aren’t happy with it.
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
Magnate wrote:
Mikeyali wrote:
…is a badass. No one has been talking about him and it needs to be thrown out there.
mike
His interview on Real Time with Bill Maher was damned impressive, he handed Maher his ass in an elegant manner. His demeanor was that which I would like to see more of our politicians display, instead of talking down to us with buzz phrases and no actual substance, he elaborated on points that he made and challenged the presented questions. Something tells me he would never utter the phrase “comprehensive immigration reform” and leave it at that with no further explanation.
Agreed. But Kasparov’s intelligence is also…let’s say uncommon. This is due in part though to flaws in American democracy. Voters want a smart leader, yet tend to fear men who are too smart or elitist. We are also caught up in things that are unnecesary. A Jefferson, or a Hamilton or an Adams could never be president today and we are all the poorer for that. the closest politician America has today to a Gary Kasparov is Newt Gingrich and he’ll never see office again.
mike[/quote]
When you look back on all the great leaders the one thing they all had in common was their intelligence.
[quote]Nominal Prospect wrote:
Unfortunately, all of you are wrong about Russia, wrong about Putin, and certainly wrong about Gary Kasparov.
I’ll set you straight on the latter: Kasparov is a far left loon who is agitating against a very popular sitting president.
I’m borrowing the following quote from FreeRepublic:
Kasparov is a radical kook whose popularity is in the single digits in Russia. He is a Cynthia McKinney figure in the Russian context. The fact that the NYT is a fan is all you really need to know about him
Putin is doing what he can to protect his country from foreign (Read: US) influence. He’s a patriot. Small wonder, he’s overwhelmingly supported by the majority of Russians.
You guys just don’t understand what’s going on in that country. Russia was looted and ravished throughout the 90’s with the aid of Clinton’s friend, Yeltsin, whom Russians despised but the Western Media loved. Putin took over, put the looters in jail, restored order and is winning back Russia’s status as a regional power.
Remember what the 90’s were like here? They are getting THEIR 90’s, RIGHT NOW.
And what are the NATO/UN globalists doing about it? They’re undermining Russia’s influence in it’s own backyard by funding pro-US candidates in Eastern European elections. They’re expanding NATO to Russia’s borders - breaking earlier voews, in the process. And now, they want to surround Putin’s country with missiles.
Context Alert: What happened when the Soviets tried to place missiles on America’s doorstep? I seem to recall that Americans were unhappy about it, and the American president who dealt with the issue in a forceful way received a great deal of public support. Gee…
As far as all the hubub about the “media crackdown” is concerned, it is very simple: Do you see how the Western media is controlled by major business interests who push a globalist agenda? Well, Putin sees it as well, and, unlike you and me, he is in a position to do something about it. He can shut out Soros and all the rest if he so chooses - and that’s what Russians want. That’s what his country needs.
You’re being tricked by the Globalists and it’s happening right under your nose…
Pat Buchanan says,
“Get Out of Putin’s Face”
http://www.amconmag.com/2005_06_06/buchanan.html
You need to be able to spot imperialism when it’s happening. I know that everybody wants to talk about Iraq - that’s fine. But Iraq is too easy. Let’s talk about Serbia. Let’s talk about Kosovo. Something the majority of Americans know nothing about, and don’t care for - yet it is very dear to most Russians. Russia has not forgotten the US/NATO bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999. That region is a complete mess now, and Serbs, who are the traditional allies of Russia in the Balkans, aren’t happy with it.[/quote]
What a load of tripe. I don’t know where to begin so I won’t waste my time.
[quote]Mikeyali wrote:
Agreed. But Kasparov’s intelligence is also…let’s say uncommon. This is due in part though to flaws in American democracy. Voters want a smart leader, yet tend to fear men who are too smart or elitist. We are also caught up in things that are unnecesary.
A Jefferson, or a Hamilton or an Adams could never be president today and we are all the poorer for that. the closest politician America has today to a Gary Kasparov is Newt Gingrich and he’ll never see office again.
mike[/quote]
Populism is a huge problem with more direct versions of democratic or republican government.
[quote]
Nominal Prospect wrote:
[Tripe]
Zap Branigan wrote:
What a load of tripe. I don’t know where to begin so I won’t waste my time.[/quote]
At least Kasparov is out again, for the moment.
See this too, on Putin from the U.S. perspective: TCS Daily : Technology - Commerce - Society
Charlie Rose, hosting Kasparov and Stephen Cohen.
I think Cohen as an American has much better understanding of the situation than Kasparov even as a Russian. And its not arrogant to believe a foreigner has a better perspective.
First off, Cohen is brilliant, and as the above poster said, Kasparov’s a radical whose agenda is not in line with what everyone agrees is the only way to a liberal state - building wealth and better economic conditions through high oil prices. Once the Russians aren’t worrying about food or jobs, they will begin to slowly demand more liberal processes.
Putin understands this and is putting his country on the right track. Kasparov thinks elections and a changing of the guard are the answer. He is a chess player and does not understand too clearly the best ways to liberalize that society. It’s a long process and wont happen overnight. I could talk about how Iraq is a perfect example explaining why Kasparov has no idea what he is doing, but I am tired of typing.
[quote]BostonBarrister wrote:
Mikeyali wrote:
Agreed. But Kasparov’s intelligence is also…let’s say uncommon. This is due in part though to flaws in American democracy. Voters want a smart leader, yet tend to fear men who are too smart or elitist. We are also caught up in things that are unnecesary.
A Jefferson, or a Hamilton or an Adams could never be president today and we are all the poorer for that. the closest politician America has today to a Gary Kasparov is Newt Gingrich and he’ll never see office again.
mike
Populism is a huge problem with more direct versions of democratic or republican government.[/quote]
This is why democracy works only in the most restrained forms of government. It is also why I don’t believe in direct elections of the president.
mike