(December 3, 2015 at 7:44 am)DespondentFishdeathMasochismo Wrote:(December 3, 2015 at 7:33 am)Redbeard The Pink Wrote: Putin is the leader Russia deserves, but not the one it needs.
Excuse me for my naivete, but... what?
Russia has always been a country ruled by tyrants. Their history is fascinatingly harsh and bloody, and Putin? He fits their culture. There's a lot more complexity behind where Russia is at right now (economically, the story is really not good)... but:
Even if Redbeard intended it as a throwaway comment... he is right. Russia deserves Putin.
And you know what's interesting...? Russia may even need him. Putin HAS done great things for Russia... But he's also failed greatly for Russia in other places... misplays following good plays.
...
His being a tyrant... doesn't mean he isn't a good leader. He is a thug. He is harsh. He's hardly good for Russia's image in 'the West'... but he has to be, he has to be, and doesn't have to be.
Please give me a home where cloud buffalo roam
Where the dear and the strangers can play
Where sometimes is heard a discouraging word
But the skies are not stormy all day
