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 Cuneiformist 
                The Imperfectionist 
 
 
USA 
4955 Posts  | 
 Posted - 04/25/2005 :  10:50:08
  
 
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 Apparently, the guy who runs the Russian Federation has a soft spot for the good ol' days of the USSR:quote: Russian President Vladimir Putin told the nation Monday that the collapse of the Soviet empire "was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century" and had fostered separatist movements inside Russia.
  I, too, am sad to see the some oppressive, poorly-run government/economic systems didn't make it to the 21st century.
  Of course, Putin also saidthat quote: Russia's main political task was to develop as a free, democratic nation with European ideals. He stressed that individual freedoms would not be compromised by strengthening the state.
  Presumably, this is all while wistfulliny remembering the unfree Communist ideals that existed before the Soviet collapse.
  Good times ahead!
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 beskeptigal 
SFN Die Hard 
 
 
USA 
3834 Posts  | 
                
 Posted - 04/25/2005 :  13:05:38   [Permalink]
  
                 
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|  Leave it to the Bush administration to neglect the Russian progress in capitalism. Not that Bush is responsible for everything, but his idea you don't have to do anything, or you just have to threaten everyone and all will be well isn't helpful. | 
 
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 Dr. Mabuse 
Septic Fiend 
 
 
Sweden 
9698 Posts  | 
                
 Posted - 04/25/2005 :  13:51:08   [Permalink]
  
  
                 
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|  Instant, shake-and-back captialism didn't work. When USSR fell, the Russian mobs moved in to fill the power-vacuum. If people would only realize that it isn't possible to change a society over night, and that creating stability is a slow process... | 
 
  Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..." Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
  "Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
  Support American Troops in Iraq: Send them unarmed civilians for target practice.. Collateralmurder. | 
 
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 Gorgo 
SFN Die Hard 
 
 
USA 
5311 Posts  | 
                
 Posted - 04/25/2005 :  15:07:15   [Permalink]
  
                 
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|  When the USSR fell, it was the Russian (and Western) mobsters that were in power that wanted it.  The same people were in charge afterwards because they're the ones that ran off with the spoils. | 
 
  I know the rent is in arrears The dog has not been fed in years It's even worse than it appears But it's alright- Jerry Garcia Robert Hunter
 
 
 
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