Russians vote in nationwide parliamentary poll

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by Karle94

Is Russia even capable of taking back Alaska? Sure the US economy is not at its best day. I still believe that the US would win. To get to Alaska they have to go through both the navy and the airforce. Something they can`t do, for the moment. I think its ironic that the US navy has more planes than most airforces combined. I strongly believe that the Russians won`t risk loosing everything they`ve built up the last ten years. Never before has Russia been in such good times. The same goes for China.

I did mention the guy is a clown I certainly hope noone takes him seriously.

Russia really doesn't have any reason to take over anything. It'd be ludicrous for them to even try. They never needed and could never really sustain Alaska - its "sale" (actually originally signed as a long-term rent) may not have been the most advantageous thing for Russia, but it wasn't really a loss like some nationalists like to paint it either. Bottom line, it's the distant past.

As for Russia having good times - that's very questionable to say the least. A very small proportion of the population and a still-insignificant middle class are definitely not living too badly. But the majority of Russia's population still lives in crushing poverty and massive social, economic and even basic health problems are practically tearing the country apart while the state pretends that everything is okay. The only reason the current regime enjoys popularity is that it's better than previous alternatives in that at least it keeps things more stable. Rather than going through a series of constant economic and social catastrophes (as in the 1990s), the country is slowly bleeding the unwanted parts of its society to death. And Russia is far from immune to global economic problems.

[Karle94]

Originally Posted by CCIP

I did mention the guy is a clown I certainly hope noone takes him seriously.

Russia really doesn't have any reason to take over anything. It'd be ludicrous for them to even try. They never needed and could never really sustain Alaska - its "sale" (actually originally signed as a long-term rent) may not have been the most advantageous thing for Russia, but it wasn't really a loss like some nationalists like to paint it either. Bottom line, it's the distant past.

As for Russia having good times - that's very questionable to say the least. A very small proportion of the population and a still-insignificant middle class are definitely not living too badly. But the majority of Russia's population still lives in crushing poverty and massive social, economic and even basic health problems are practically tearing the country apart while the state pretends that everything is okay. The only reason the current regime enjoys popularity is that it's better than previous alternatives in that at least it keeps things more stable. Rather than going through a series of constant economic and social catastrophes (as in the 1990s), the country is slowly bleeding the unwanted parts of its society to death. And Russia is far from immune to global economic problems.

I never really said they were in good times. just the best time they`ve ever had.

[Gerald]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16042797


Note: Update record,5 December 2011 Last updated at 20:42 GMT

[CCIP]

And the protest was, of course, squashed with police and interior troops

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by CCIP

And the protest was, of course, squashed with police and interior troops

No real suprises there then

[Gerald]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16052329


note: Update record,December 2011 Last updated at 17:53 GMT