29 Nov 07
Originally posted by runninfiendKasparov, I am sorry to say, is a publicity-seeking political whore. After all, he is opposed to Putin but is willing to throw in his lot with the National Bolshevik Party because it is alone among the opposition parties in having significant popular appeal (despite the fact that the party is officially banned). Note that Limonov, the leader of the party, was detained but released. That's the difference between having a big mouth and having influence. Kasparov, by contrast, having spent his time poking the bear with a sharp stick, got the photo-op he wanted when it finally bit his behind.
Say hello again to the Soviet apparichnik:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/11/26/001.html
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by Mark AdkinsI have never been a particular admirer of Kasparov the person, as opposed to Kasparov the chess player, but I think you are being grossly unfair to him in your post. It takes real guts to be a prominent opponent of Putin, seeing that a considerable number of them have already been murdered, almost certainly by Putin's shady security services.
Kasparov, I am sorry to say, is a publicity-seeking political whore. After all, he is opposed to Putin but is willing to throw in his lot with the National Bolshevik Party because it is alone among the opposition parties in having significant popular appeal (despite the fact that the party is officially banned). Note that Limonov, the leader of the par ...[text shortened]... poking the bear with a sharp stick, got the photo-op he wanted when it finally bit his behind.
Kasparov could have continued to quietly play chess and make a lot more money, but instead he chose to oppose the ruthless dictator who has taken over his native land. Of course he's made tactical mistakes (probably more that he ever did in chess!), and his chances appear bleak in view of Putin's huge domestic popularity gained by control of the media and a buoyant economy fuelled by high energy prices. But if he (or anyone else) doesn't at least try to oppose Putin's effective dictatorship, what hope is there for a democratic future in Russia?
29 Nov 07
Putin seems a bice enough sort of guy when I have seen him. I think Kasparov overstates how much of a 'dictatorship' putin has over the country, as we all know Russians are prone to uprisings if they feel they are being mistreated by the authorities so he must be doing something right.
Also, he is a judo master, and nobody who practises judo could be an evil person.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexI hope you're just being sarcastic.
Putin seems a bice enough sort of guy when I have seen him. I think Kasparov overstates how much of a 'dictatorship' putin has over the country, as we all know Russians are prone to uprisings if they feel they are being mistreated by the authorities so he must be doing something right.
Also, he is a judo master, and nobody who practises judo could be an evil person.
29 Nov 07
1 edit
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexYou are incredibly naive if you think of Putin as 'a nice enough sort of guy'. All effective political opposition in Russia (and sometimes outside too, e.g. Litvinenko) has been crushed (by force if necessary) and Chechnya has twice been brutally invaded with deaths in the 100,000s, mass rape, torture, etc. Some nice guy!
Putin seems a bice enough sort of guy when I have seen him. I think Kasparov overstates how much of a 'dictatorship' putin has over the country, as we all know Russians are prone to uprisings if they feel they are being mistreated by the authorities so he must be doing something right.
Also, he is a judo master, and nobody who practises judo could be an evil person.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by Northern LadBut how can we know these 'reports' are not just vicious rumours made up by his opposition to discredit him.
You are incredibly naive if you think of Putin as 'a nice enough sort of guy'. All effective political opposition in Russia (and sometimes outside too, e.g. Litvinenko) has been crushed (by force if necessary) and Chechnya has twice been brutally invaded with deaths in the 100,000s, mass rape, torture, etc. Some nice guy!
Also, if people had taken tips from him in the Iraq war they would have been over and done with in a matter of weeks instead of all this selective targeting and allowing the media to discredit everything good that has come out of it.
29 Nov 07
Nobody lines up their militia in an organised way anymore, civillians would be far less inclined to shelter terrorists if they knew they would be just as valid targets as the resistance forces themselves.
It is ironic really, that sadam actually had more of a control over the country then the army who deposed him.
29 Nov 07
Originally posted by TyrannosauruschexBecause they are well substantiated by respected international humanitarian organisations. Some people just don't seem able to face the facts. Maybe you think all the murdered opposition figures are just 'rumours' too.
But how can we know these 'reports' are not just vicious rumours made up by his opposition to discredit him.
Also, if people had taken tips from him in the Iraq war they would have been over and done with in a matter of weeks instead of all this selective targeting and allowing the media to discredit everything good that has come out of it.