New Olympic sport - Bashing Beijing!

[Steel_Tomb]

Originally Posted by Dmitry Markov

Steel_Tomb what do you mean by "true freedom"? I've never met any restrictions from our authorities to do whatever I want (and so never met any restrictions all of my friends and people I know). Of course I'm not a political extremist or a football hooligan. I do not have any intent to go out in the street to burn somebody's property. Look maybe you don't have an adequate info about life in Russia as your press (except Guardian) is tend to make a monster out of my country. Of course life level of most part of our people is lower than in UK. But everybody is free to go whatever he/she wants, do any business he/she likes and to speak anything he/she likes. I repeat - as for myself I always speak what I mean and I've never been in any way pursued by authorities. Of course I try not to offend anyone (not because of fear of authorities but because my upbringing and educational level does not allow me to). I suppose if I would go into street and burn somebody's property, or if I would call my friends and we would walk along the street crying something like "We want Yushenko to be president of Russia" (blocking traffic and causing other troubles to normal people) - then I believe I would have some troubles with law. If that is the "true freedom" we lack in your oppinion.... :hmm: I don't think i loose too much

Best Regards

I mean no offense to you, its the government that controls Russia I have a problem with.

Its funny how you mention about the British press (granted some papers here print absolute dross, but for the most part its good stuff), when the Kremlin has removed all free media and replaced it with a propaganda machine. Journalists who find out something the Kremlin doesn't like simply disappear by the KGB...oh, sorry I meant "FSB" (same thing!). The truth doesn't come out in Russia, if the Government doesn't want people to know about it, there will simply be a blackout. It all started with the Kursk incident, Putin saw how damaging the press and free media could be to his so called "democratic" regime. Therefore he simply waved his hand and abolished the free press. Again, living conditions for you and fellow Russian citizens would be much better if the regime would concentrate on serving its population instead of its military. Russia is still a country of super power military status, but third world living conditions. To think about all the money that Russia has received from its energy exports, very little of that seems to go into public services it all goes to the military, or the corrupt billionaires that solidified their monopolies after the collapse of the USSR.

If Russia could become a truly democratic nation, I would be very happy. Russians are very proud of their country, like I imagine you are. Its just a shame that a few people can destroy all that potential.

[Happy Times]

Originally Posted by Steel_Tomb

I mean no offense to you, its the government that controls Russia I have a problem with.

Its funny how you mention about the British press (granted some papers here print absolute dross, but for the most part its good stuff), when the Kremlin has removed all free media and replaced it with a propaganda machine. Journalists who find out something the Kremlin doesn't like simply disappear by the KGB...oh, sorry I meant "FSB" (same thing!). The truth doesn't come out in Russia, if the Government doesn't want people to know about it, there will simply be a blackout. It all started with the Kursk incident, Putin saw how damaging the press and free media could be to his so called "democratic" regime. Therefore he simply waved his hand and abolished the free press. Again, living conditions for you and fellow Russian citizens would be much better if the regime would concentrate on serving its population instead of its military. Russia is still a country of super power military status, but third world living conditions. To think about all the money that Russia has received from its energy exports, very little of that seems to go into public services it all goes to the military.

The Russian people want a strong military, they support this policy.
Putins time has seen enough improvements for the common people that they are happy and believe in the future.

[GlobalExplorer]

I guess it's time for a new sig.