The different game after the game

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I consider organised crime and the "Russian Mafia" (any mafia-like structure) as one of the greatest threats for europe, due to their tendencies to slowly sink into legal economic structures and by legal means abuse them for their own financial interests, in a way that criminal figures turn out to become legal, well-respected members of civil society, and becoming untouchable for the law. This tendency is a very, very dangerous tren going on. The difference between legal and illegal, criminal and lawful are vanishing. If Mafia and economical and political leadership become identical, what help is there left, then?

Otherwise, I should both point out that while I don't like Mr. Putin, I think accusing him of being undemocratic always strikes me as a little strange. For all his apparent 'cons', the vast majority of Russians (and I can assure you of this first-hand) support him and his policies. No question about it.