Wow. There's some fairly hardcore perspectives in this thread.
@CCIP: I agree with you on Putin and "democracy". I know you can't just heave a load of voting into a place and expect everything to be perfect. Look at China -- there was a time when I thought Tiennamen was horrible, but now that I'm older and looking at California, I don't blame the Communists for doing it (rolling in the tanks). Russia has significant issues with crime, aged population, infrastructure, border security. If there is to be a "middle class" in Russia, it's going to be the young generation that grows up to fill it. But my God, it's been what, 15 years since that failed coup against Gorby?
Post-war Japan, which is about how I view current Russia, was still having a rough time in 1955. Hell, it wasn't until the mid 70's until their economy broke even from the war reparations. All the oldies died in the war from physical hardship, which is some that....pragmatically.....Russia does not have the benefit of. What is it, like 20% of their population is over 60? It's about 15% for America (our mexican population brings that down).
Anyway, nice pictures.
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