So you think you know us

Kapitan · 08-21-09, 04:30 PM

born in the UK yes i havnt resided in the UK all my life i spent about 7 years in Russia and still visit normally once a year atleast, i poses a duel citizenship for both the UK and Russia.

Sledgehammer427 · 08-21-09, 04:40 PM

I have a deep appreciation of Russia, and its people. They are always solid competitors in the olympics, and I have a friend there whos just the most awesomest girl you could ever meet.

Dowly · 08-21-09, 04:57 PM

I was raised to be aware of the Winter War & Continuation War, so I cant say I love Russians. BUT, I dont think it's fair to base my opinions to something that happened almost 70yrs ago.

So, from my personal experience, I've met two russian families that were close to my father (the guys played bandy in a team my father was involved in). They were great! Ow and as for the drunk part, they visited our summer cottage and drank the same as everyone else, but they ate little snacks all the time, so they ended up being almost sober at the time everyone else were pissed drunk.

I also met a russian gal few years back who was a friend of my friend's GF, one thing lead to another and I had pretttty fracking great night with her.

I wonder where she is atm.

GoldenRivet · 08-21-09, 05:04 PM

I dont care if she speaks english or not...or if Russia is hell bent on conquering the world... fine... as long as i get to surrender fully to her.

EDIT: what happened to the russian sailor girl image?!?!

TLAM Strike · 08-25-09, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

I dont care if she speaks english or not...or if Russia is hell bent on conquering the world... fine... as long as i get to surrender fully to her.

EDIT: what happened to the russian sailor girl image?!?!

Seems to show up if you cut and paste the link.

Before you surrendering don't forget what we got defending the good old USA...

08-21-09, 05:18 PM

I've never been to Russia but I've learned some of the language and read some Russian history, military history mostly. I've mostly read about European history and I think Russian history is linked with European 'destiny' in many ways. Russia was founded as a western nation in the east, to stop the marauding eastern hordes from plundering the ripe orchards of the central and southern Europe.

As a country Russia has the capacity to surprise people. It's just a vast nation, demographically and geographically too. The geographical size of Russia is mind boggling, normal flat maps don't do justice to the size and scope the whole of the Russian land, let alone what it used to be when it was Soviet union.

As for Russian people, I've known a few of them. I've noticed that Russian women kind of travel around, sort of wonder around without an attempt to settle down and study etc. They are very nice looking and they can certainly hold their liquour. One problem with Russians is the alcohol, especially with men. I think the average age of men is around 60 when they die, mostly due to alcohol related things.

Oberon · 08-21-09, 05:32 PM

Russia, nice place, good people. Still not quite sure what to make of the leadership, but it's nowhere near as bad as the days of the big bad old Bear of the Cold War

Now just stop playing chicken with our Eurofighters

Freiwillige · 08-21-09, 05:35 PM

What do I as an American think of Russia?

I think they have some of the most beautiful women in the world, Oddly enough they also sport some of the ugliest!

I think that Putin is a mans man and nothing like our nancy boy president. Funny cause now the Russians have their Reagan and we have our Comrade Obama!

I think that Russia is on the right path politically and economically.

I think Russia still has a little bit of the Communist Russia against the world syndrome (Though not much)

I think that I like Russians and even lost some of my sexual innocence to a hot teen redheaded one who's family defected during the cold war in the mid 80's.

Oberon · 08-21-09, 05:45 PM

To add to my somewhat brief post, regarding the Russian government, I'm not anti-Putin, in fact I like the whole personality he's built up around himself as the tough guy of Europe. I mean, Putin goes out and wrestles with Tigers whilst Brown picks litter with Hoodies...

However, the echoes of the Cold War are still quite loud, the recent overhaul of the Russian nuclear missile system in response to the US Unified Strike Command, it's all still a bit icey and seemingly getting icier.
But, one mans poison is anothers delight and it will surely be a thing of national pride for Russia, just as our Type 45s and Astutes are for us.
As I have stated before, Russia needed a tough man to clear up the mess following Yeltsin, to clear away the decade of stagnation following the glasnost and Soviet collapse and build Russia up again, and they got that man in Putin, and I salute him for that, but I wouldn't trust the guy as far as I could throw him (then again, I would say the same about Brown...).
Some things will never change, and that mentality from the 1950s-1980s seems to be something that hasn't. Russia has gone from being ally, to enemy, to laughing stock and now back to cautious ally but possible enemy.

Another thing I do love about Russia, your music! Such stirring musical pieces, Katyusha, Polyushka Polye, The Great Patriotic War, Kalinka, Ochi chyornye, the Russian national anthem, all such beautiful stirring pieces which really stand out amongst any parade of anthems or musical pieces.

Spasiba

Max2147 · 08-21-09, 06:35 PM

I'm not sure if my views are typical of Americans, but I have a lot of respect for Russia.

I don't see Russia as a country that wants to conquer the world, but I think they have a chip on their shoulder. They are proud, powerful, and paranoid. They think they should be treated like a superpower, just like the US. Now that Putin has the country back in order, they see that as a realistic goal. They still have immense military power, and now that they're finally extracting their natural resources they have immense economic power as well. Finally, I think Russia is very suspicious of outsiders and always afraid that other countries are teaming up and plotting against them. These fears aren't entirely unjustified, but Russia's natural suspicion causes a lot of unnecessary tension.

I think Russia is power-hungry in a way, but not in the old Soviet take over the world way. I think Russia's quest for power is motivated by security needs, not by ideological desires. They want to make sure that the countries around them will never have the strength or desire to threaten Russia or help somebody else threaten Russia. This quest for power is inextricably linked to Russia's security fears.

Castout · 08-25-09, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

I also met a russian gal few years back who was a friend of my friend's GF, one thing lead to another and I had pretttty fracking great night with her.

I wonder where she is atm.

I am Sam the wizard and the wise I know where she is

Having a pretty fracking night with man just like you :rotfl:

Too bad it wasn't a permanent relationship for you or at least a longer one.

Well never met a Russian, exchanges emails with a few.
But I can say that they are smart people. Just that the west painted a picture that they are somewhat inferior with emphasis on their war technology but I think they are really smart capable people. No wonder they were such a threat during the cold war. A bit rough on the edges, perhpas due to language barrier but overall nice people.

But again i've come to realize that people are the same inside whether they are chinese, mongols, Russian, Caucasian, Indian, poor, rich.....people are much more a like inside. Disclaimer I'm not a leftist in fact I don't know what a leftist is. So don't label me. I'm everything and nothing put together. It's called confused. So no wonder I'm always confused. I have to refer to a piece of paper to see my name from time to time. I think it doesn't fit me. lol

geetrue · 08-27-09, 02:38 PM

Why does the good ole USA hate Russia?

We don't really hate the people ... we just don't trust the leaders.

Probably started with Stalin purging his nation of 20 million people from among his own countrymen.

Russia bribed two spies and stole the US atomic secrets could have started our path to calling Russia our emeny.

Perhaps some of their threats to bury us have caused our leaders to become wary of their motives.

Perhaps Russia's supply of air to air missiles and funding along with China of course in the Vietnam war caused a problem.

I was born near the end of WWII joined the Navy in 62 reported aboard my first submarine in April 63 and made five patrols on FBM's all during the cold war.

I was raised and trained to hate Russia ... as a sonar supervisor I read top secret (with need to know) reports about the Russian submarine service.

I often wondered who these people were that we had trained 16 missiles on day and night for each patrol.

I got out in 71 and made myself busy providing for my family. Reagan came along and said "Gorbachev tear down that wall" and by golly gee they did it.

The thaw came ... then I met a man from Russia at a swap meet down in San Diego. I just grabbed his hand and shook what seemed like the hand of a bear. He couldn't understand why I was so happy to meet him even after explaining that he was the first person from Russia that I had ever met.

No I don't hate the people of Russia, but just like our present leader in charge of the USA ... I sure don't trust them.

I have become a seeker of the truth in these last twenty four years of my life. One of the men I have met back in 87 in Southern California was from Romania.

Dumitru Duduman is his name and he has suffered at the hands of the Russians more than anyone I know for distributing bibles and smuggling them into Russia.

They put him into a cell with a trap door that lets rats into the cell. All the rats died. The head of the KGB called on him in jail and allowed him to come to his home to pray for his very sick son. The son got healed and the KGB officer turned over all of the bibles they had confiscated to him as a way of saying thank you. He had to leave his country due to the persecution, but he returned after the cold war for a few last years.

Dimitri died in 1996 and left a few words about Russia that have me a bit concerned, but the Lord has always reminded me to be careful what I think.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

Quote:

Prophecy received by Dumitru Duduman September 1984

Due to the nature of Mr. Duduman's visions, most people do not want to read his visions.

I guess it is only natural to want to bury one's head in the sand.
If Father God says something is going to happen then it will happen.

If on the other hand He says something will happen to a nation unless it repents, then it is up to the peoples of that nation to repent in order to avoid the pronounced judgements.

So you tell me - do you think that the population of this nation will repent and seek righteousness?

Late one night I could not sleep. I went outside and walked around saying,

"God! Why did you punish me? Why did you bring me into this country (America)?

Suddenly a bright light came toward me. I jumped to my feet because it looked as if a car was coming directly at me, attempting to run me down!

As the light approached, it surrounded me. From the light I heard the same voice that I had heard so many times in prison.

He said, "Dumitru, why are you so despaired?"

I said, "Why did you punish me? Why did you bring me to this country?

I have nowhere to lay my head down. I can't understand anybody.

Why did you bring me here to burn? Why didn't you let me die in my own country?

You should have let me die in jail in Romania!"

He said, "Dumitru, didn't I tell you I am here with you also?

Quote:

I brought you to this country because this country will burn."

Dumitru went on to say, "This was not a dream or a vision. I was awake just as I am now."

Shortly before Dumitru died he had this vision: http://revlu.com/dd.html

Quote:

A Vision Received by Dumitru Duduman, April 22 1996

I was still awake, when suddenly I heard a trumpet sound in my vision
I was in America. I saw 3 men dressed alike. Two of the men carried weapons.

One of the armed men came to me. "I woke you to show you what is to come.

He said. "Come with me." I didn't know where I was being taken,
but when we reached a certain place he said, "stop here!"

A pair of binoculars was handed to me, and I was told to look through them.

"Stand there, don't move, and look. You will see what they are saying
and what they are preparing for America."

I saw a great light. A dark cloud appeared over it.
I saw the president of Russia and a short, chubby man,
who said he was the president of China, and two others.

The last two also said where they were from, but I did not understand
but I gathered they were part of Russian controlled territory.

The Russian president began to speak to the Chinese one.

"I will give you the land with all the people, but you must free Taiwan of the Americans. Do not fear, we will attack them from behind."

A voice said to me, "Watch where the Russians penetrate America."
I saw these words being written - Alaska, Minnesota, Florida.

"When America goes to war with China, the Russians will strike without warning."

The other two presidents spoke, "We, too, will fight for you."
Each had a place already planned as a point of attack.

All of them shook hands and hugged. Then they all signed a contract.
One of them said, "We're sure that Korea and Cuba will be on our side, too.

Without a doubt, together, we can destroy America."

The president of Russia began to speak insistently,
"Why let ourselves be led by the Americans?

Why not rule the world ourselves? They have to be kicked out of Europe, too!

Then I could do as I please with Europe!"

The man standing beside me asked,
"This is what you saw: they act as friends,
and say they respect the treaties made together.

But everything I've shown you is how it will REALLY happen.
You must tell them what is being planned against America.

Then, when it comes to pass, the people will remember the words the Lord has spoken."

MothBalls · 08-27-09, 04:57 PM

I'll chime in here because of personal experience.

In the 60's in the US, we were basically fed propaganda telling us Big Bad Ivan wanted to take over the world, communism was going to enslave all of us if we didn't die in a Russian mushroom cloud first. They showed us pictures of old Russian women in scarves standing in line for bread and cheese in the freezing snow, showed pictures of Russian coal miners covered in soot and told us this was what the average worker looked like. When I was in the military, we trained to fight against our enemy, the Russians. I was taught Russian in the Army because they were our enemy.

In later life while working in corporate America, I had the opportunity to travel to Russia and work with them on some joint projects. (Enron and Gazprom) First hand I learned that all of the propaganda was just that. BS made up by fear mongering politicians to justify our military industrial complex.

I was also told by Russian people my own age that they too were fed the same propaganda, that they would be enslaved and exploited by capitalist pigs. They were shown pictures of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and told this was a typical life in America.

As for the country, Moscow is probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I've been there three times and look forward to going back again. The people there were no different than anywhere else in the world. There's good and bad in every crowd, but that is the same all over the world.

I did find that the women were exceptionally beautiful and took really good care of themselves. I later learned the reason this is part of their society is because of WWII, so many men were lost and the women were in strong competition for husbands.

Now that I'm older it much easier to see the truth. A great country, a rich culture with a long history of accomplishments, tarnished by the wrong people in power. The general population were forced to suffer through decades of hardship through no fault of their own. most of them are just like any normal person. They just want to live a good life, in peace, and wish the same for everyone else.

People all over the world are good, it's the damn governments that can't get along.

Takeda Shingen · 08-22-09, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitan

born in the UK yes i havnt resided in the UK all my life i spent about 7 years in Russia and still visit normally once a year atleast, i poses a duel citizenship for both the UK and Russia.

I was not aware that you had dual citizenship. Very good.

AngusJS · 08-22-09, 10:38 AM

I speak Russian and lived in Moscow from 2004 to 2007.

Most Russians that I knew personally were nice. I liked most of my flatmates, really liked my coworkers, and I don't think I'll ever have a better boss than the one I had there. Their work/life balance is much more sane than in the US.

Their bureaucracy is really really bad. I once was denied an apostille for a Russian college diploma because it was signed in blue ink, not black ink. That "error" resulted in another 6 months of waiting and endless trips to the college and the &#@%^ Ministry of Education, as I refused to partake in bribery.

I've heard that the Russia today has more bureaucrats than the Soviet Union did, which had twice the population and a planned economy. Way to go Putin!

All but one of the TV stations were conservative, and they competed to see who could suck up to the Kremlin the most. Critical stories on local or regional matters were allowed, but I don't think I ever saw anything critical of Putin himself.

I don't like Putin, and I don't like what he's done to Russia. I'm a democrat, and am against the rule of the one "official" party, the Putin-jugend (which is not to be taken too seriously, but is absurd and is indicative of Putin's cult of personality), and the ever greater concentration of power in the presidency. Some Russians would make the case that Russia first needs stability before it can become truly democratic. I can see where they're coming from, but good luck getting the power back then.

OTOH, most Russians honestly do love Putin. He would be reelected even without the TV media doing everything in its power to ensure that result.

It sometimes seemed to me that for Russians, world history ended in 1945. They don't really understand why Eastern Europe is so pissed off at the them. I think this is reflected in the media as well. There were documentaries and dramas about the many domestic crimes of the Soviet Union, but I never saw anything about what it did to other countries.

If my country had been murdering its own citizens wholesale less than 60 years ago, I don't know how I could live here, but apparently for Russians it's no big deal. Maybe that's how it is everywhere, though - I got something of the same feeling during my short time in Cambodia.

I never had any problems in Russia stemming from my being American or a Westerner. But Russians are still suspicious of Western governments, both the EU and the US. In Russia the Cold War continues on, albeit in a much diminished form. They miss being a superpower, and this drives their foreign policy.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling post.

And boy, could I go for a shaurma now! (I know, not ethnic Russian food, but they were my main form of sustenance for years there, and I miss them dearly.)

08-21-09, 04:30 PM	#1
Kapitan Sub Test Pilot Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK + Canada Posts: 7,132 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 7	born in the UK yes i havnt resided in the UK all my life i spent about 7 years in Russia and still visit normally once a year atleast, i poses a duel citizenship for both the UK and Russia. __________________ DONT FORGET if you like a post to nominate it by using the blue diamond Find out about Museum Ships here: https://www.museumships.us/ Flickr for all my pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/131313936@N03/ Navy general board articles: https://www.navygeneralboard.com/author/aegis/

08-21-09, 04:40 PM	#2
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,908 Downloads: 287 Uploads: 0	I have a deep appreciation of Russia, and its people. They are always solid competitors in the olympics, and I have a friend there whos just the most awesomest girl you could ever meet. __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C!

08-21-09, 05:04 PM	#4
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	I dont care if she speaks english or not...or if Russia is hell bent on conquering the world... fine... as long as i get to surrender fully to her. EDIT: what happened to the russian sailor girl image?!?! __________________ Last edited by GoldenRivet; 08-22-09 at 12:28 PM.

08-21-09, 04:57 PM	#3
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,056 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I was raised to be aware of the Winter War & Continuation War, so I cant say I love Russians. BUT, I dont think it's fair to base my opinions to something that happened almost 70yrs ago. So, from my personal experience, I've met two russian families that were close to my father (the guys played bandy in a team my father was involved in). They were great! Ow and as for the drunk part, they visited our summer cottage and drank the same as everyone else, but they ate little snacks all the time, so they ended up being almost sober at the time everyone else were pissed drunk. I also met a russian gal few years back who was a friend of my friend's GF, one thing lead to another and I had pretttty fracking great night with her. I wonder where she is atm.

08-21-09, 05:18 PM	#6
OneToughHerring Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I've never been to Russia but I've learned some of the language and read some Russian history, military history mostly. I've mostly read about European history and I think Russian history is linked with European 'destiny' in many ways. Russia was founded as a western nation in the east, to stop the marauding eastern hordes from plundering the ripe orchards of the central and southern Europe. As a country Russia has the capacity to surprise people. It's just a vast nation, demographically and geographically too. The geographical size of Russia is mind boggling, normal flat maps don't do justice to the size and scope the whole of the Russian land, let alone what it used to be when it was Soviet union. As for Russian people, I've known a few of them. I've noticed that Russian women kind of travel around, sort of wonder around without an attempt to settle down and study etc. They are very nice looking and they can certainly hold their liquour. One problem with Russians is the alcohol, especially with men. I think the average age of men is around 60 when they die, mostly due to alcohol related things.

08-21-09, 05:32 PM	#7
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Russia, nice place, good people. Still not quite sure what to make of the leadership, but it's nowhere near as bad as the days of the big bad old Bear of the Cold War Now just stop playing chicken with our Eurofighters

08-21-09, 05:35 PM	#8
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	What do I as an American think of Russia? I think they have some of the most beautiful women in the world, Oddly enough they also sport some of the ugliest! I think that Putin is a mans man and nothing like our nancy boy president. Funny cause now the Russians have their Reagan and we have our Comrade Obama! I think that Russia is on the right path politically and economically. I think Russia still has a little bit of the Communist Russia against the world syndrome (Though not much) I think that I like Russians and even lost some of my sexual innocence to a hot teen redheaded one who's family defected during the cold war in the mid 80's.

08-21-09, 05:45 PM	#9
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	To add to my somewhat brief post, regarding the Russian government, I'm not anti-Putin, in fact I like the whole personality he's built up around himself as the tough guy of Europe. I mean, Putin goes out and wrestles with Tigers whilst Brown picks litter with Hoodies... However, the echoes of the Cold War are still quite loud, the recent overhaul of the Russian nuclear missile system in response to the US Unified Strike Command, it's all still a bit icey and seemingly getting icier. But, one mans poison is anothers delight and it will surely be a thing of national pride for Russia, just as our Type 45s and Astutes are for us. As I have stated before, Russia needed a tough man to clear up the mess following Yeltsin, to clear away the decade of stagnation following the glasnost and Soviet collapse and build Russia up again, and they got that man in Putin, and I salute him for that, but I wouldn't trust the guy as far as I could throw him (then again, I would say the same about Brown...). Some things will never change, and that mentality from the 1950s-1980s seems to be something that hasn't. Russia has gone from being ally, to enemy, to laughing stock and now back to cautious ally but possible enemy. Another thing I do love about Russia, your music! Such stirring musical pieces, Katyusha, Polyushka Polye, The Great Patriotic War, Kalinka, Ochi chyornye, the Russian national anthem, all such beautiful stirring pieces which really stand out amongst any parade of anthems or musical pieces. Spasiba

08-21-09, 06:35 PM	#10
Max2147 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 714 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm not sure if my views are typical of Americans, but I have a lot of respect for Russia. I don't see Russia as a country that wants to conquer the world, but I think they have a chip on their shoulder. They are proud, powerful, and paranoid. They think they should be treated like a superpower, just like the US. Now that Putin has the country back in order, they see that as a realistic goal. They still have immense military power, and now that they're finally extracting their natural resources they have immense economic power as well. Finally, I think Russia is very suspicious of outsiders and always afraid that other countries are teaming up and plotting against them. These fears aren't entirely unjustified, but Russia's natural suspicion causes a lot of unnecessary tension. I think Russia is power-hungry in a way, but not in the old Soviet take over the world way. I think Russia's quest for power is motivated by security needs, not by ideological desires. They want to make sure that the countries around them will never have the strength or desire to threaten Russia or help somebody else threaten Russia. This quest for power is inextricably linked to Russia's security fears.

08-27-09, 04:57 PM	#13
MothBalls Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,012 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	I'll chime in here because of personal experience. In the 60's in the US, we were basically fed propaganda telling us Big Bad Ivan wanted to take over the world, communism was going to enslave all of us if we didn't die in a Russian mushroom cloud first. They showed us pictures of old Russian women in scarves standing in line for bread and cheese in the freezing snow, showed pictures of Russian coal miners covered in soot and told us this was what the average worker looked like. When I was in the military, we trained to fight against our enemy, the Russians. I was taught Russian in the Army because they were our enemy. In later life while working in corporate America, I had the opportunity to travel to Russia and work with them on some joint projects. (Enron and Gazprom) First hand I learned that all of the propaganda was just that. BS made up by fear mongering politicians to justify our military industrial complex. I was also told by Russian people my own age that they too were fed the same propaganda, that they would be enslaved and exploited by capitalist pigs. They were shown pictures of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and told this was a typical life in America. As for the country, Moscow is probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I've been there three times and look forward to going back again. The people there were no different than anywhere else in the world. There's good and bad in every crowd, but that is the same all over the world. I did find that the women were exceptionally beautiful and took really good care of themselves. I later learned the reason this is part of their society is because of WWII, so many men were lost and the women were in strong competition for husbands. Now that I'm older it much easier to see the truth. A great country, a rich culture with a long history of accomplishments, tarnished by the wrong people in power. The general population were forced to suffer through decades of hardship through no fault of their own. most of them are just like any normal person. They just want to live a good life, in peace, and wish the same for everyone else. People all over the world are good, it's the damn governments that can't get along.

08-22-09, 10:38 AM	#15
AngusJS Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 746 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I speak Russian and lived in Moscow from 2004 to 2007. Most Russians that I knew personally were nice. I liked most of my flatmates, really liked my coworkers, and I don't think I'll ever have a better boss than the one I had there. Their work/life balance is much more sane than in the US. Their bureaucracy is really really bad. I once was denied an apostille for a Russian college diploma because it was signed in blue ink, not black ink. That "error" resulted in another 6 months of waiting and endless trips to the college and the &#@%^ Ministry of Education, as I refused to partake in bribery. I've heard that the Russia today has more bureaucrats than the Soviet Union did, which had twice the population and a planned economy. Way to go Putin! All but one of the TV stations were conservative, and they competed to see who could suck up to the Kremlin the most. Critical stories on local or regional matters were allowed, but I don't think I ever saw anything critical of Putin himself. I don't like Putin, and I don't like what he's done to Russia. I'm a democrat, and am against the rule of the one "official" party, the Putin-jugend (which is not to be taken too seriously, but is absurd and is indicative of Putin's cult of personality), and the ever greater concentration of power in the presidency. Some Russians would make the case that Russia first needs stability before it can become truly democratic. I can see where they're coming from, but good luck getting the power back then. OTOH, most Russians honestly do love Putin. He would be reelected even without the TV media doing everything in its power to ensure that result. It sometimes seemed to me that for Russians, world history ended in 1945. They don't really understand why Eastern Europe is so pissed off at the them. I think this is reflected in the media as well. There were documentaries and dramas about the many domestic crimes of the Soviet Union, but I never saw anything about what it did to other countries. If my country had been murdering its own citizens wholesale less than 60 years ago, I don't know how I could live here, but apparently for Russians it's no big deal. Maybe that's how it is everywhere, though - I got something of the same feeling during my short time in Cambodia. I never had any problems in Russia stemming from my being American or a Westerner. But Russians are still suspicious of Western governments, both the EU and the US. In Russia the Cold War continues on, albeit in a much diminished form. They miss being a superpower, and this drives their foreign policy. Anyway, sorry for the rambling post. And boy, could I go for a shaurma now! (I know, not ethnic Russian food, but they were my main form of sustenance for years there, and I miss them dearly.)