I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia, but as to actual governmental collusion, I still haven't seen any proof.
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They say that there's a broken light for every heart on Broadway
They say that life's a game and then they take the board away
They give you masks and costumes and an outline of the story
And leave you all to improvise their vicious cabaret-- A. Moore
I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia
Nonsense. When Putin took power in 2000, the so-called "Russian Mafia" was forced to leave Russia or be sent to jail. They fled the country, taking their ill gotten gains to London, New York and other places where they could launder this money. If you look at a history of Trump's dealings in detail, it was this period during the late 80's and 90's that the Trumpeter was dealing with the Russian "Oligarchs".
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
How Putin Outwitted the Russian Oligarchs
The Rise and Fall of the Russian Oligarchs focuses on the scandalous period after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in which 100 opportunist oligarchs destroyed the economy of a relatively wealthy country (with the help of the CIA, USAID, the IMF and the World Bank) by seizing $20 billion of assets for roughly a billion dollars. The admitted goal of these Russian oligarchs (and their CIA supporters) was to privatize as many industries as possible behind the scenes before the Communist majority in the Russian parliament could consolidate power and stop them. The documentary’s overarching theme concerns Putin’s rise to power in 1999, which is credited for saving the Russian economy via his shrewd confrontation and defeat of these oligarchs.
...
Part 1
Part 1 describes how these men used privatization schemes introduce by the last Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev (under Perestroika – 1985-1991) to acquire a variety of Russian assets for pennies on the dollar. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many state-owned factories were threatened with closure, the Russian government initially privatized them through an ill-conceived voucher scheme.
...
Part 1 also covers the 1991 attempted coup against Gorbachev (a desperate attempt by the Communists to reverse rapid privatization); Yeltsin’s successful (CIA-backed) coup in 1993, in which he used the military to attack the Russian parliament, effectively dissolving parliament and the constitutional court; and the vast human misery caused by the “shock therapy” Wall Street imposed Russia as they looted their economy. This, in turn, would lead to escalating mass protests demanding a return of the Communists to power.
...
Part 2
Part 2 focuses on the oligarch (and CIA) financed and controlled election of Boris Yeltsin in 1996 – as well as the direct role the oligarchs assumed in government following Yeltsin’s victory against his more popular Communist opponent.
The Russian economy reached breaking point in 1998. By then, the Russian government had lost so main state-owned industries (75%) that it could no longer pay its debts and Russian banks froze depositors assets.
This, along with Yeltsin’s failing health, would lead to a political crisis, resulting in Vladimir Putin’s appointment as acting president initially supported by the oligarchs – in 1999. Following Putin’s election in 2000, he quickly turned on oligarch supporters, who expected to control his government as they had Yeltsin’s.
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The documentary’s main weakness is its failure to explore the major role Wall Street and US intelligence played in the destruction of the Russian economy between 1991-2000. Good background on this at the following links:
The Harvard Boys do Russia
US Meddling in 1996 Russian Elections in Support of Boris Yeltsin
I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia, but as to actual governmental collusion, I still haven't seen any proof.
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
is the root for why so many are ready to re-start the Cold War.
I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia
Nonsense. When Putin took power in 2000, the so-called "Russian Mafia" was forced to leave Russia or be sent to jail. They fled the country, taking their ill gotten gains to London, New York and other places where they could launder this money. If you look at a history of Trump's dealings in detail, it was this period during the late 80's and 90's that the Trumpeter was dealing with the Russian "Oligarchs".
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
How Putin Outwitted the Russian Oligarchs
The Rise and Fall of the Russian Oligarchs focuses on the scandalous period after the collapse of the Soviet Union, in which 100 opportunist oligarchs destroyed the economy of a relatively wealthy country (with the help of the CIA, USAID, the IMF and the World Bank) by seizing $20 billion of assets for roughly a billion dollars. The admitted goal of these Russian oligarchs (and their CIA supporters) was to privatize as many industries as possible behind the scenes before the Communist majority in the Russian parliament could consolidate power and stop them. The documentary’s overarching theme concerns Putin’s rise to power in 1999, which is credited for saving the Russian economy via his shrewd confrontation and defeat of these oligarchs.
...
Part 1
Part 1 describes how these men used privatization schemes introduce by the last Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev (under Perestroika – 1985-1991) to acquire a variety of Russian assets for pennies on the dollar. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, many state-owned factories were threatened with closure, the Russian government initially privatized them through an ill-conceived voucher scheme.
...
Part 1 also covers the 1991 attempted coup against Gorbachev (a desperate attempt by the Communists to reverse rapid privatization); Yeltsin’s successful (CIA-backed) coup in 1993, in which he used the military to attack the Russian parliament, effectively dissolving parliament and the constitutional court; and the vast human misery caused by the “shock therapy” Wall Street imposed Russia as they looted their economy. This, in turn, would lead to escalating mass protests demanding a return of the Communists to power.
...
Part 2
Part 2 focuses on the oligarch (and CIA) financed and controlled election of Boris Yeltsin in 1996 – as well as the direct role the oligarchs assumed in government following Yeltsin’s victory against his more popular Communist opponent.
The Russian economy reached breaking point in 1998. By then, the Russian government had lost so main state-owned industries (75%) that it could no longer pay its debts and Russian banks froze depositors assets.
This, along with Yeltsin’s failing health, would lead to a political crisis, resulting in Vladimir Putin’s appointment as acting president initially supported by the oligarchs – in 1999. Following Putin’s election in 2000, he quickly turned on oligarch supporters, who expected to control his government as they had Yeltsin’s.
...
The documentary’s main weakness is its failure to explore the major role Wall Street and US intelligence played in the destruction of the Russian economy between 1991-2000. Good background on this at the following links:
The Harvard Boys do Russia
US Meddling in 1996 Russian Elections in Support of Boris Yeltsin
@Dr. John Carpenter
I thought the problem was the Big Boys are scared that Russia and China will get together, make a trade agreement that excludes us, and start buying and selling oil in something other than dollars.
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
is the root for why so many are ready to re-start the Cold War.
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—
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal
Russia and China have now gone off the US dollar for their bilateral trade. Reducing the US dollar as reserve currency must be done gradually because it would also hurt Russia and China (and the rest of the world) if it crashed suddenly. One needs to slowly back out while gradually building up your own independent banking system.
According to the South China Morning Post the new office was part of agreements made between the two neighbours "to seek stronger economic ties" since the West brought in sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis and the oil-price slump hit the Russian economy.
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Meanwhile, as the Russian central bank was getting closer to China, China was responding in kind with the establishment of a clearing bank in Moscow for handling transactions in Chinese yuan. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) officially started operating as a Chinese renminbi clearing bank in Russia on Wednesday this past Wednesday.
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Bypassing the US dollar appears to be paying off: according to the Chinese State Administration of Taxation, trade turnover between China and Russia increased by 34% in January, in annual terms. Bilateral trade in January 2017 amounted to $6.55 billion. China’s exports to Russia grew 29.5% reaching $3.41 billion, while imports from Russia increased by 39.3%, to $3.14 billion. Just as many suspected, with Russian sanctions forcing Moscow to find other trading partners, chief among which China, this is precisely what has happened.
The creation of the clearing center enables the two countries to further increase bilateral trade and investment while decreasing their dependence on the US dollar. It will create a pool of yuan liquidity in Russia that enables transactions for trade and financial operations to run smoothly.
...
There are 23 other countries also doing something similar. These countries are quietly making infrastructure investments and win-win trade. Meanwhile, the US is spending its (borrowed) wealth on war mongering around the world and letting it's infrastructure rot.
We have Obama and Hillary to thank for the Russian pivot to China.
They make a good dance couple while America sits on the sidelines. Stupid Trump thought he was going to dance with China just because Xi was laughing during the dinner party. What the Trumpeter didn't realize, Xi was not laughing WITH him, Xi was laughing AT him.
#1.1.1 I thought the problem was the Big Boys are scared that Russia and China will get together, make a trade agreement that excludes us, and start buying and selling oil in something other than dollars.
@Johnny Q
In this video, Abby Martin interviews Mark Ames about the time he and Matt Taibbi ran a newspaper in Moscow at the end of the 90's.
I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia, but as to actual governmental collusion, I still haven't seen any proof.
party congress and senate unrepresentatives, we'd end up with the same number of democratic and republican party congress and senate unrepresentatives.
Let's just tell Congress we don't need them anymore.
And of course, Obama is the one who recharged the Russia thing.
party congress and senate unrepresentatives, we'd end up with the same number of democratic and republican party congress and senate unrepresentatives.
Let's just tell Congress we don't need them anymore.
And of course, Obama is the one who recharged the Russia thing.
They are now hoping that the NSA can find something in its backlog to connect Trump and his administration to Russia, Russia, Russia, Russia! Never mind that they used to be against what the NSA was doing.
And if you are having any doubts whether Russia hacked the election, then you are basically stupid!
It was all laid out in a diary that had lots of quotes from anonymous sources. And those 17 intelligence agencies that have agreed that Russia interfered with the election? Apparently it's really only 4 agencies that agree with that scenario. Funny how that information doesn't get reported on.
Funny how after Obama ridiculed Romney for his economic policies of the 20's and his foreign policies from the 80's, Obama did just that.
During his tenure, income inequality was as bad as it was in the 1920's and he started amassing troops in countries that surround Russia and our relationship with them is close to where it was in the 80's
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There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
. . . Orange State hasn't exactly flipped. The opposition to the NSA just moved over here. A few years back, when we decried the surveillance programs, there were plenty of kossacks who were just fine with the NSA snooping. We kept getting asked if we had something to hide. And now that authoritarian contingent is all there is over there.
They are now hoping that the NSA can find something in its backlog to connect Trump and his administration to Russia, Russia, Russia, Russia! Never mind that they used to be against what the NSA was doing.
And if you are having any doubts whether Russia hacked the election, then you are basically stupid!
It was all laid out in a diary that had lots of quotes from anonymous sources. And those 17 intelligence agencies that have agreed that Russia interfered with the election? Apparently it's really only 4 agencies that agree with that scenario. Funny how that information doesn't get reported on.
Funny how after Obama ridiculed Romney for his economic policies of the 20's and his foreign policies from the 80's, Obama did just that.
During his tenure, income inequality was as bad as it was in the 1920's and he started amassing troops in countries that surround Russia and our relationship with them is close to where it was in the 80's
. . . Orange State hasn't exactly flipped. The opposition to the NSA just moved over here. A few years back, when we decried the surveillance programs, there were plenty of kossacks who were just fine with the NSA snooping. We kept getting asked if we had something to hide. And now that authoritarian contingent is all there is over there.
#4.1
is like not caring about free speech because you have nothing to say.”
Saw that somewhere, can’t remember where.
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The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
@dance you monster
I do remember that there was quite a few members who were okay with what the NSA was doing. I wonder how many were because Obama was the one doing it? Wars based on false pretenses is apparently only bad when it's a republican president starting them.
I had a few members being okay with his drone program because using them saved soldier's lives since they weren't in the country. No mention of the legality of the use of them.
There are quite a few issues and people who used to be bad before Hillary lost the election which are okay now there. SMDH
. . . Orange State hasn't exactly flipped. The opposition to the NSA just moved over here. A few years back, when we decried the surveillance programs, there were plenty of kossacks who were just fine with the NSA snooping. We kept getting asked if we had something to hide. And now that authoritarian contingent is all there is over there.
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There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
@snoopydawg
that's what it's come to. Of course, both parties are really playing for the same team, and it's not ours.
#4.1
I do remember that there was quite a few members who were okay with what the NSA was doing. I wonder how many were because Obama was the one doing it? Wars based on false pretenses is apparently only bad when it's a republican president starting them.
I had a few members being okay with his drone program because using them saved soldier's lives since they weren't in the country. No mention of the legality of the use of them.
There are quite a few issues and people who used to be bad before Hillary lost the election which are okay now there. SMDH
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Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
@snoopydawg
they haven't been against what the NSA is doing for a long time.
They are now hoping that the NSA can find something in its backlog to connect Trump and his administration to Russia, Russia, Russia, Russia! Never mind that they used to be against what the NSA was doing.
And if you are having any doubts whether Russia hacked the election, then you are basically stupid!
It was all laid out in a diary that had lots of quotes from anonymous sources. And those 17 intelligence agencies that have agreed that Russia interfered with the election? Apparently it's really only 4 agencies that agree with that scenario. Funny how that information doesn't get reported on.
Funny how after Obama ridiculed Romney for his economic policies of the 20's and his foreign policies from the 80's, Obama did just that.
During his tenure, income inequality was as bad as it was in the 1920's and he started amassing troops in countries that surround Russia and our relationship with them is close to where it was in the 80's
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
How about fake government?
How about some realization that our representatives are causing us to hate each other, hate "others", all the while doing splendidly, in perfect unison, for the corporations that bribe them?
Hell, they are not bribed. They are just on the pay roll.
Do we really need public servants to tell us what Monsanto can do? Why don't we just drop this government sham. Eliminate it all. Let Monsanto foist upon us their poison and tell it to us to our face, instead of some elected official.
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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp
I'm with you and have been there for some time.
Or, to put it another way,
"What was the message, Mr. Gardiner?"
"Now get this, honky. I ain't takin' no jive from no Western Union messenger. You tell that asshole, if he got something to tell me, he can get his ass down here and say it himself."
How about fake government?
How about some realization that our representatives are causing us to hate each other, hate "others", all the while doing splendidly, in perfect unison, for the corporations that bribe them?
Hell, they are not bribed. They are just on the pay roll.
Do we really need public servants to tell us what Monsanto can do? Why don't we just drop this government sham. Eliminate it all. Let Monsanto foist upon us their poison and tell it to us to our face, instead of some elected official.
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0 users have voted.
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?
Prof: Nancy! I’m going to Greece!
Nancy: And swim the English Channel?
Prof: No. No. To ancient Greece where burning Sapho stood beside the wine dark sea. Wa de do da! Nancy, I’ve invented a time machine!
@Not Henry Kissinger
LOL, being of the proper 'Brady Bunch' era-kid age, that is hilarious! Kudos to the originator of that meme, and I'm sorely disappointed I wasn't quick enough to correlate the phonetic fit of that scene and be the first to jump on that myself...hehehehe.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Most of the posters here at C99 have a good understanding of the events that have led up to today's circumstances. But, it is good to have them all listed in one book.
The Cold War we are familiar with ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. In his new book “The Plot to Scapegoat Russia,” lawyer and human rights activist Dan Kovalik writes about a new Cold War against Russia – and about the peace that never came. He discusses the role of the Democratic Party and the CIA, but his book centers on explaining why hostilities resumed.
...
The common explanation was a pretext, he thinks. In Kovalik’s words: “the Cold War, at least from the vantage point of the US, had little to do with fighting ‘Communism,’ and more to do with making the world safe for corporate plunder.” This proposition, implied more than dwelled upon, enables the author to account for other U. S. wars and interventions.
...
Readers hungry to know about the “plot” advertised in the book’s title will need patience. The author conducts a tour over time and across the world that takes in examples of U. S. military interventions and foreign meddling. At the point Kovalik is discussing the current U. S. – Russia confrontation, he has already described patterns of U. S. aggression and thereby has already traced out a scenario where motivations for harassing Russia are clear.
This highly – recommended book offers material so encompassing as to belie its small size. Kovalik’s writing is clear, evocative, and readable. Along the way, he recalls those causes and the outrage that fired up activists who were his contemporaries. That’s a side benefit.
...
Most of the posters here at C99 have a good understanding of the events that have led up to today's circumstances. But, it is good to have them all listed in one book.
The Cold War we are familiar with ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. In his new book “The Plot to Scapegoat Russia,” lawyer and human rights activist Dan Kovalik writes about a new Cold War against Russia – and about the peace that never came. He discusses the role of the Democratic Party and the CIA, but his book centers on explaining why hostilities resumed.
...
The common explanation was a pretext, he thinks. In Kovalik’s words: “the Cold War, at least from the vantage point of the US, had little to do with fighting ‘Communism,’ and more to do with making the world safe for corporate plunder.” This proposition, implied more than dwelled upon, enables the author to account for other U. S. wars and interventions.
...
Readers hungry to know about the “plot” advertised in the book’s title will need patience. The author conducts a tour over time and across the world that takes in examples of U. S. military interventions and foreign meddling. At the point Kovalik is discussing the current U. S. – Russia confrontation, he has already described patterns of U. S. aggression and thereby has already traced out a scenario where motivations for harassing Russia are clear.
This highly – recommended book offers material so encompassing as to belie its small size. Kovalik’s writing is clear, evocative, and readable. Along the way, he recalls those causes and the outrage that fired up activists who were his contemporaries. That’s a side benefit.
...
Dan Kovalik is a labor and human rights lawyer. He has been a peace activist throughout his life and has been deeply involved in the movement for peace and social justice in Colombia and Central America.
You can find his reports on the anti-war progressive left websites:
The United States as Destroyer of Nations
October 7, 2016
by Daniel Kovalik
In the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 – an invasion which many Iraqis believe left their country in the worst condition it has been since the Mongol invasion of 1258 — there was much discussion in the media about the Bush Administration’s goal for “nation-building” in that country. Of course, if there ever were such a goal, it was quickly abandoned, and one hardly ever hears the term “nation-building” discussed as a U.S. foreign policy objective anymore.
The stark truth is that the U.S. really has no intentions of helping to build strong states in the Middle East or elsewhere. Rather, as we see time and again – e.g., in Yugoslavia, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, Ukraine – the goal of U.S. foreign policy, whether stated or not, is increasingly and more aggressively the destruction and balkanization of independent states. However, it is important to recognize that this goal is not new.
...
The common explanation was a pretext, he thinks. In Kovalik’s words: “the Cold War, at least from the vantage point of the US, had little to do with fighting ‘Communism,’ and more to do with making the world safe for corporate plunder.” This proposition, implied more than dwelled upon, enables the author to account for other U. S. wars and interventions.
I agree. The common and historical, communism=despotism/dictatorship, mantra has typically demonstrated poor causative links, but even today, still spouted. However, the links between loss of corporate rule over resource/politics/rule = where the U.S. attacks (via military, sanctions, etc., while decrying 'evilness/fighting for good') remain strong. Venezuela serves as a prime example, as does Libya and Russia; the correlation/causative links remain significantly strong and tend to sway my objective assessment.
Most of the posters here at C99 have a good understanding of the events that have led up to today's circumstances. But, it is good to have them all listed in one book.
The Cold War we are familiar with ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. In his new book “The Plot to Scapegoat Russia,” lawyer and human rights activist Dan Kovalik writes about a new Cold War against Russia – and about the peace that never came. He discusses the role of the Democratic Party and the CIA, but his book centers on explaining why hostilities resumed.
...
The common explanation was a pretext, he thinks. In Kovalik’s words: “the Cold War, at least from the vantage point of the US, had little to do with fighting ‘Communism,’ and more to do with making the world safe for corporate plunder.” This proposition, implied more than dwelled upon, enables the author to account for other U. S. wars and interventions.
...
Readers hungry to know about the “plot” advertised in the book’s title will need patience. The author conducts a tour over time and across the world that takes in examples of U. S. military interventions and foreign meddling. At the point Kovalik is discussing the current U. S. – Russia confrontation, he has already described patterns of U. S. aggression and thereby has already traced out a scenario where motivations for harassing Russia are clear.
This highly – recommended book offers material so encompassing as to belie its small size. Kovalik’s writing is clear, evocative, and readable. Along the way, he recalls those causes and the outrage that fired up activists who were his contemporaries. That’s a side benefit.
...
@CB
I listen to those words and clearly see that Putin is an evil, evil man, trying to dupe the U.S. into employing reason, logic, evidence-based decision making. I hope nobody was fooled by such nonsense.
Just as valid today. Putin has western governments and media pegged.
Anyone know of another politician that can match Putin in statesmanship (other than President Xi)?
@CB
One of the techniques in pushing anti-Russian propaganda is to "mind read" Putin. Everybody seems to understand his inner motivations without ever reading what he said, without knowing Russian, without knowing Russian history, etc. Why does Putin want to invade Lithuania you ask? Well he is megalomaniac who wants revenge on the Baltics, etc. But here is a short video of Putin describing himself to German reporters at around 0:54.
He is a rational actor. But we have such juvenile ideas of international relationships as if they were a reality show inside a popularity contest.
Just as valid today. Putin has western governments and media pegged.
Anyone know of another politician that can match Putin in statesmanship (other than President Xi)?
@Dr. John Carpenter
oil and gas companies were involved in both cash stripping and asset stripping. They simply produced as much oil as they could and immediately exported it without reinvestment in exploration or maintenance. This influx of profits allowed them to sell shares at a higher price - doubling down on profit. The entire market was not transparent so no one knows how many billions left the country. The country and people got little in return for this theft of their resources.
Putin put an end to this pillaging of the country's wealth by 2004. He repeated this tactic with the rest of Russia's resource industry. One thing that really put him in Washington's cross-hairs was when he re-nationalized the entire defense industry. He literally pulled these out of the ashes when the US was concentrating on bombing and invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Putin brought a defeated and bankrupt Russia back from the brink and once again made the country strong and independent. He even managed to use the current sanctions to improve and strengthen Russia against all odds. With the advent of China's OBOR initiative, the sanctions are rapidly becoming meaningless.
Putin does politics like a Judo master. He uses the opponents weight and momentum to defeat them. The US Empire has become muscle-bound and overextended.
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
is the root for why so many are ready to re-start the Cold War.
@CB
what Putin has accomplished in the past 20 years. Especially considering the array of powerful opposition that he has faced, grappled with, and then roundly defeated. The man is a political genius of the very first order. It's no wonder his name strikes terror in the hearts of so many of the world's most eminent oligarchs.
#1.1.1
oil and gas companies were involved in both cash stripping and asset stripping. They simply produced as much oil as they could and immediately exported it without reinvestment in exploration or maintenance. This influx of profits allowed them to sell shares at a higher price - doubling down on profit. The entire market was not transparent so no one knows how many billions left the country. The country and people got little in return for this theft of their resources.
Putin put an end to this pillaging of the country's wealth by 2004. He repeated this tactic with the rest of Russia's resource industry. One thing that really put him in Washington's cross-hairs was when he re-nationalized the entire defense industry. He literally pulled these out of the ashes when the US was concentrating on bombing and invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Putin brought a defeated and bankrupt Russia back from the brink and once again made the country strong and independent. He even managed to use the current sanctions to improve and strengthen Russia against all odds. With the advent of China's OBOR initiative, the sanctions are rapidly becoming meaningless.
Putin does politics like a Judo master. He uses the opponents weight and momentum to defeat them. The US Empire has become muscle-bound and overextended.
@native
Putin is a more than usually competent and intelligent politician and statesman (I'm not speaking to his morality or ethics here), which, in this age of horrors, makes him look like a cross between FDR and Churchill in terms of political expertise. But he probably isn't--it's probably just that we haven't seen competence or intelligence, or at least competence or intelligence unchained, in a very long time. (It's the same reason the Iran agreement looks so good--it's the most competent, sensible piece of foreign policy US Gov has done in a long, long time.) That said, bringing Russia back from what happened in the 90s is remarkable. And if there's going to be a powerful boss man at the top of the heap--not something I'm thrilled with, at this point--I'd rather it were somebody who wasn't actively trying to get us all killed. (Though Putin does need to figure out global warming and get right on that, quick.)
#9 what Putin has accomplished in the past 20 years. Especially considering the array of powerful opposition that he has faced, grappled with, and then roundly defeated. The man is a political genius of the very first order. It's no wonder his name strikes terror in the hearts of so many of the world's most eminent oligarchs.
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal
He had implemented policies several years ago to advance renewable energy projects. These continue to be implemented. In addition, just like every other leader, he has to do a balancing and juggling act to keep his supporters reasonably happy. US sanctions are/were a major impediment to some of these projects. He cannot do anything at this time that does not positively increase Russia's GDP in the immediate future. Don't forget that the US has declared economic war against Russia. Putin has already cut back on defense spending to give more 'butter' (pensions, education and health care) to the Russian people. Gazprom and Rosneft pay for one hell of a lot of this 'butter'. He operates like a doctor, first do no harm.
There are many, many western and domestic entities within Russia just waiting to trip him up and stab him in the back.
Russia is pressing ahead with its biggest-ever auction for renewable energy, seeking to award contracts to purchase 1.9 gigawatts of clean electricity as well as attracting foreign investment to support jobs at home.
The government tender starting Monday has attracted the interest of Fortum Oyj, Finland’s largest energy company, which is prequalified to participate in the auction. Enel SpA of Italy may also participate.
“Russia has had a long history of leadership in the energy sector and now has the opportunity to extend that leadership into renewable energy,” said Adnan Amin, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Developing the country’s renewable resources, he said, “can significantly contribute to the country’s economic objectives such as economic growth and employment.”
Russia Tells the UN It Wants to Produce More Renewable Energy
The country lives off of its fossil fuel industry, but now says it’s interested in going green.
May 8, 2017
...
In a country known for deriving a huge amount of its wealth and economic activity from state-owned oil and gas companies, it may come as a surprise to hear that president Vladimir Putin has been speaking favorably about clean energy lately. The country’s energy ministry also endorsed a recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency that suggested that Russia has plenty of potential for developing renewables.
...
According to an article in the Financial Times that cites the IRENA report, Russia could expand its renewable portfolio up to 11.3 percent of consumption by 2030.
That would be far from world-beating, but would still require about $15 billion a year in investments, according to IRENA. Even assuming Putin and his administration are serious about backing up their words with deeds, the financial and political might of the fossil fuel giants Gazprom and Rosneft—which are essentially arms of the Russian government—could make ramping up renewables difficult.
...
#9.1 Putin is a more than usually competent and intelligent politician and statesman (I'm not speaking to his morality or ethics here), which, in this age of horrors, makes him look like a cross between FDR and Churchill in terms of political expertise. But he probably isn't--it's probably just that we haven't seen competence or intelligence, or at least competence or intelligence unchained, in a very long time. (It's the same reason the Iran agreement looks so good--it's the most competent, sensible piece of foreign policy US Gov has done in a long, long time.) That said, bringing Russia back from what happened in the 90s is remarkable. And if there's going to be a powerful boss man at the top of the heap--not something I'm thrilled with, at this point--I'd rather it were somebody who wasn't actively trying to get us all killed. (Though Putin does need to figure out global warming and get right on that, quick.)
@CB
I'm not unsympathetic. But given the situation, I feel I have to call every world leader out on this, to the extent that they're not treating it as an emergency.
As superpowers go, yes, I'd say Russia has the hardest row to hoe. But still.
#9.1.1
He had implemented policies several years ago to advance renewable energy projects. These continue to be implemented. In addition, just like every other leader, he has to do a balancing and juggling act to keep his supporters reasonably happy. US sanctions are/were a major impediment to some of these projects. He cannot do anything at this time that does not positively increase Russia's GDP in the immediate future. Don't forget that the US has declared economic war against Russia. Putin has already cut back on defense spending to give more 'butter' (pensions, education and health care) to the Russian people. Gazprom and Rosneft pay for one hell of a lot of this 'butter'. He operates like a doctor, first do no harm.
There are many, many western and domestic entities within Russia just waiting to trip him up and stab him in the back.
Russia is pressing ahead with its biggest-ever auction for renewable energy, seeking to award contracts to purchase 1.9 gigawatts of clean electricity as well as attracting foreign investment to support jobs at home.
The government tender starting Monday has attracted the interest of Fortum Oyj, Finland’s largest energy company, which is prequalified to participate in the auction. Enel SpA of Italy may also participate.
“Russia has had a long history of leadership in the energy sector and now has the opportunity to extend that leadership into renewable energy,” said Adnan Amin, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Developing the country’s renewable resources, he said, “can significantly contribute to the country’s economic objectives such as economic growth and employment.”
Russia Tells the UN It Wants to Produce More Renewable Energy
The country lives off of its fossil fuel industry, but now says it’s interested in going green.
May 8, 2017
...
In a country known for deriving a huge amount of its wealth and economic activity from state-owned oil and gas companies, it may come as a surprise to hear that president Vladimir Putin has been speaking favorably about clean energy lately. The country’s energy ministry also endorsed a recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency that suggested that Russia has plenty of potential for developing renewables.
...
According to an article in the Financial Times that cites the IRENA report, Russia could expand its renewable portfolio up to 11.3 percent of consumption by 2030.
That would be far from world-beating, but would still require about $15 billion a year in investments, according to IRENA. Even assuming Putin and his administration are serious about backing up their words with deeds, the financial and political might of the fossil fuel giants Gazprom and Rosneft—which are essentially arms of the Russian government—could make ramping up renewables difficult.
...
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal
the gas off suddenly. Just as Americans would go barefoot and naked with no toys and useless household appliances if China stopped using massive amounts of energy to make the stuff.
If everyone in the world lived like an average American it would take 4 1/2 earths to support them. If everyone in the world lived like an average Russian 1/4 of the world could be used for a wildlife refuge.
Consumption = energy production + environmental damage.
The US and Western Europe have had one hell of a head-start in consumption compared to the rest of the world. I'm old enough to remember the stinking, eye burning smog and the soot blackened snow in spring due to coal burning furnaces. We have to be careful of "we got ours so fuck you".
#9.1.1.1 I'm not unsympathetic. But given the situation, I feel I have to call every world leader out on this, to the extent that they're not treating it as an emergency.
As superpowers go, yes, I'd say Russia has the hardest row to hoe. But still.
@CB
Why do people always say this, as if we'd "turn off the gas" before we put replacement technology in place?
I would have a lot more patience with that sort of negativism if we had ever, you know, tried any of these technological transitions, and failed, because it can't be done, rather than having it all defeated in Congress (and occasionally, as when Bushes are in the White House, through the executive branch as well) over and over and over again. In other words, never having been given the chance to try it and see how well we could do, I'm a little less than sanguine about rock-solid assertions that it could never be done. We're all gonna die and destroy the earth because we have children and want to be something other than a hunter-gatherer living in a hut.
It's difficult for Putin because oil is where his wealth is and he's inhabiting a malicious political and economic world. He can't afford to give up any advantage he has. It's not difficult for Putin because homo sapiens can't do without petrochemicals as the basis of our economies--and we all need to live in huts anyway.
#9.1.1.1.1
the gas off suddenly. Just as Americans would go barefoot and naked with no toys and useless household appliances if China stopped using massive amounts of energy to make the stuff.
If everyone in the world lived like an average American it would take 4 1/2 earths to support them. If everyone in the world lived like an average Russian 1/4 of the world could be used for a wildlife refuge.
Consumption = energy production + environmental damage.
The US and Western Europe have had one hell of a head-start in consumption compared to the rest of the world. I'm old enough to remember the stinking, eye burning smog and the soot blackened snow in spring due to coal burning furnaces. We have to be careful of "we got ours so fuck you".
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Speaking of technological transitions, Putin did put a lot of money into carbon nanotube development and it seems to be paying off. Locking carbon emissions into stable long lasting materials such as cement and other items is also a way of lowering atmospheric CO2.
OCSiAl, the world leader in the production of single wall carbon nanotubes, has announced the first enrolment of students for the new Master’s degree programme at the Department of Nanocomposites at Novosibirsk State University (NSU). In this way, OCSiAl is contributing to solving the problem of the shortage of qualified personnel in this innovative materials science field.
As Mikhail Predtechenskiy, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Scientific Director of OCSiAl and Head of the new Department of Nanocomposites, said at a recent meeting with NSU students, single wall carbon nanotubes have almost unlimited application potential. The most promising markets include electronics, carbon fiber composites, fiberglass, electric–chemical generators, rubberware, various construction materials, and anti-static coatings. However, there is a lack of qualified professionals able to successfully create these new materials.
'We argue that we managed to get the world's first industrial production technology of single-walled nanotubes, enabling them to cost about 75 times lower than existing analogues,' he said.
'It was created by Novosibirsk company OCSiAl. In the past year were made 200 kg of nanotubes. This year will be about one ton, and in the next two - three years it is planned to reach an annual level of 30 - 40 tons. For reference - the global market last year, offered only two tons.'
Chubais said that 'our calculations show that if the rate of use of materials with nano-additive grows as we expect - and we have a fairly conservative assumptions - by 2030, the volume of emission reductions from this factor will be equal to, or greater than, reducing the volume of emissions from the use of all renewable energy in the world.'
OCSiAl have published a 'Manifesto of the Carbon Century' where they argue for the production of more effective materials. Nanotubes when added to the basic materials - metals, cement, ceramics, polymers, electrode materials of batteries and solar batteries, paint, coatings, and glass - make them stronger, more stable, and non-toxic.
#9.1.1.1.1.1 Why do people always say this, as if we'd "turn off the gas" before we put replacement technology in place?
I would have a lot more patience with that sort of negativism if we had ever, you know, tried any of these technological transitions, and failed, because it can't be done, rather than having it all defeated in Congress (and occasionally, as when Bushes are in the White House, through the executive branch as well) over and over and over again. In other words, never having been given the chance to try it and see how well we could do, I'm a little less than sanguine about rock-solid assertions that it could never be done. We're all gonna die and destroy the earth because we have children and want to be something other than a hunter-gatherer living in a hut.
It's difficult for Putin because oil is where his wealth is and he's inhabiting a malicious political and economic world. He can't afford to give up any advantage he has. It's not difficult for Putin because homo sapiens can't do without petrochemicals as the basis of our economies--and we all need to live in huts anyway.
@CB
A guy who used to be part of the secret police/intelligence business, but who doesn't want the world to die or to descend into Mad Max anarchy--and isn't actively trying to get the 99% killed.
I'll take it.
#1.1.1
oil and gas companies were involved in both cash stripping and asset stripping. They simply produced as much oil as they could and immediately exported it without reinvestment in exploration or maintenance. This influx of profits allowed them to sell shares at a higher price - doubling down on profit. The entire market was not transparent so no one knows how many billions left the country. The country and people got little in return for this theft of their resources.
Putin put an end to this pillaging of the country's wealth by 2004. He repeated this tactic with the rest of Russia's resource industry. One thing that really put him in Washington's cross-hairs was when he re-nationalized the entire defense industry. He literally pulled these out of the ashes when the US was concentrating on bombing and invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Putin brought a defeated and bankrupt Russia back from the brink and once again made the country strong and independent. He even managed to use the current sanctions to improve and strengthen Russia against all odds. With the advent of China's OBOR initiative, the sanctions are rapidly becoming meaningless.
Putin does politics like a Judo master. He uses the opponents weight and momentum to defeat them. The US Empire has become muscle-bound and overextended.
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"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@CB
Having a background in the KGB would actually help with that.
#1.1.1
oil and gas companies were involved in both cash stripping and asset stripping. They simply produced as much oil as they could and immediately exported it without reinvestment in exploration or maintenance. This influx of profits allowed them to sell shares at a higher price - doubling down on profit. The entire market was not transparent so no one knows how many billions left the country. The country and people got little in return for this theft of their resources.
Putin put an end to this pillaging of the country's wealth by 2004. He repeated this tactic with the rest of Russia's resource industry. One thing that really put him in Washington's cross-hairs was when he re-nationalized the entire defense industry. He literally pulled these out of the ashes when the US was concentrating on bombing and invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Putin brought a defeated and bankrupt Russia back from the brink and once again made the country strong and independent. He even managed to use the current sanctions to improve and strengthen Russia against all odds. With the advent of China's OBOR initiative, the sanctions are rapidly becoming meaningless.
Putin does politics like a Judo master. He uses the opponents weight and momentum to defeat them. The US Empire has become muscle-bound and overextended.
up
0 users have voted.
—
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
The democratic party establishment is dead set on repeating Hillary's campaign. But they are shooting themselves in the proverbial foot. There have been so many weekly "revelations", personalities, charges, currents, etc, that I think the democrats will so inflate all the accusations not even Maddow could keep track of them all. People will hear the word "Russians", nod in agreement, and move onto more pressing day-to-day challenges. And like Hillary come election time, the democrats will have nothing and stand for nothing except the status quo.
Comments
If I'm being completely honest
I can see both Trumpy and Pooty Poot being solidly connected to the Russian Mafia, but as to actual governmental collusion, I still haven't seen any proof.
They say that there's a broken light for every heart on Broadway
They say that life's a game and then they take the board away
They give you masks and costumes and an outline of the story
And leave you all to improvise their vicious cabaret-- A. Moore
Here's some history for you
Nonsense. When Putin took power in 2000, the so-called "Russian Mafia" was forced to leave Russia or be sent to jail. They fled the country, taking their ill gotten gains to London, New York and other places where they could launder this money. If you look at a history of Trump's dealings in detail, it was this period during the late 80's and 90's that the Trumpeter was dealing with the Russian "Oligarchs".
In 2003, Putin cancelled the usurious NOC's with foreign interests such as Exxon and forced them to start paying the Russian government a fair price for the oil they were basically stealing.
As I understand it...
is the root for why so many are ready to re-start the Cold War.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
@Dr. John Carpenter I thought the problem
I thought the problem was the Big Boys are scared that Russia and China will get together, make a trade agreement that excludes us, and start buying and selling oil in something other than dollars.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Fait accompli
Russia and China have now gone off the US dollar for their bilateral trade. Reducing the US dollar as reserve currency must be done gradually because it would also hurt Russia and China (and the rest of the world) if it crashed suddenly. One needs to slowly back out while gradually building up your own independent banking system.
There are 23 other countries also doing something similar. These countries are quietly making infrastructure investments and win-win trade. Meanwhile, the US is spending its (borrowed) wealth on war mongering around the world and letting it's infrastructure rot.
We have Obama and Hillary to thank for the Russian pivot to China.
They make a good dance couple while America sits on the sidelines. Stupid Trump thought he was going to dance with China just because Xi was laughing during the dinner party. What the Trumpeter didn't realize, Xi was not laughing WITH him, Xi was laughing AT him.
Here's a shorter video if you lack time
In this video, Abby Martin interviews Mark Ames about the time he and Matt Taibbi ran a newspaper in Moscow at the end of the 90's.
As far as I'm concerned
every 2016 superdelegate has sealed their fate.
They are all unelectable now.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Problem is, if we primaried all the democratic and republican
party congress and senate unrepresentatives, we'd end up with the same number of democratic and republican party congress and senate unrepresentatives.
Let's just tell Congress we don't need them anymore.
And of course, Obama is the one who recharged the Russia thing.
I like the way you think.
But I struggle with the "how."
How do we do this? (Honest question).
Orange State has flipped
They are now hoping that the NSA can find something in its backlog to connect Trump and his administration to Russia, Russia, Russia, Russia! Never mind that they used to be against what the NSA was doing.
And if you are having any doubts whether Russia hacked the election, then you are basically stupid!
It was all laid out in a diary that had lots of quotes from anonymous sources. And those 17 intelligence agencies that have agreed that Russia interfered with the election? Apparently it's really only 4 agencies that agree with that scenario. Funny how that information doesn't get reported on.
Funny how after Obama ridiculed Romney for his economic policies of the 20's and his foreign policies from the 80's, Obama did just that.
During his tenure, income inequality was as bad as it was in the 1920's and he started amassing troops in countries that surround Russia and our relationship with them is close to where it was in the 80's
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
Well, technically, . . .
. . . Orange State hasn't exactly flipped. The opposition to the NSA just moved over here. A few years back, when we decried the surveillance programs, there were plenty of kossacks who were just fine with the NSA snooping. We kept getting asked if we had something to hide. And now that authoritarian contingent is all there is over there.
“Not caring about privacy because you have nothing to hide
is like not caring about free speech because you have nothing to say.”
Saw that somewhere, can’t remember where.
that was snowden
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
You are right dym
I do remember that there was quite a few members who were okay with what the NSA was doing. I wonder how many were because Obama was the one doing it? Wars based on false pretenses is apparently only bad when it's a republican president starting them.
I had a few members being okay with his drone program because using them saved soldier's lives since they weren't in the country. No mention of the legality of the use of them.
There are quite a few issues and people who used to be bad before Hillary lost the election which are okay now there. SMDH
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.
It's politics as team sport.
that's what it's come to. Of course, both parties are really playing for the same team, and it's not ours.
Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.
@snoopydawg they haven't been against
they haven't been against what the NSA is doing for a long time.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Fake news my ass.
How about fake government?
How about some realization that our representatives are causing us to hate each other, hate "others", all the while doing splendidly, in perfect unison, for the corporations that bribe them?
Hell, they are not bribed. They are just on the pay roll.
Do we really need public servants to tell us what Monsanto can do? Why don't we just drop this government sham. Eliminate it all. Let Monsanto foist upon us their poison and tell it to us to our face, instead of some elected official.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp I'm with you and have
I'm with you and have been there for some time.
Or, to put it another way,
"What was the message, Mr. Gardiner?"
"Now get this, honky. I ain't takin' no jive from no Western Union messenger. You tell that asshole, if he got something to tell me, he can get his ass down here and say it himself."
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Can't resist...
The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?
@Not Henry Kissinger Bingo!
Bingo!
Prof: Nancy! I’m going to Greece!
Nancy: And swim the English Channel?
Prof: No. No. To ancient Greece where burning Sapho stood beside the wine dark sea. Wa de do da! Nancy, I’ve invented a time machine!
Firesign Theater
Stop the War!
@Not Henry Kissinger LOL, being of the proper
LOL, being of the proper 'Brady Bunch' era-kid age, that is hilarious! Kudos to the originator of that meme, and I'm sorely disappointed I wasn't quick enough to correlate the phonetic fit of that scene and be the first to jump on that myself...hehehehe.
How timely! There was yet another Brady Bunch reunion
on NBC's Today this morning. Lest we forget.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Book review at CounterPunch
Most of the posters here at C99 have a good understanding of the events that have led up to today's circumstances. But, it is good to have them all listed in one book.
Backstabbers
Poor Dan Kovalik. I don't envy him.
I'm sure the long knives are out at all the usual garden spots.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzTeLePbB08]
Dan Kovalik has been speaking truth to power
for many years.
You can find his reports on the anti-war progressive left websites:
@CB
I agree. The common and historical, communism=despotism/dictatorship, mantra has typically demonstrated poor causative links, but even today, still spouted. However, the links between loss of corporate rule over resource/politics/rule = where the U.S. attacks (via military, sanctions, etc., while decrying 'evilness/fighting for good') remain strong. Venezuela serves as a prime example, as does Libya and Russia; the correlation/causative links remain significantly strong and tend to sway my objective assessment.
Putin responds in 2013
Just as valid today. Putin has western governments and media pegged.
Anyone know of another politician that can match Putin in statesmanship (other than President Xi)?
@CB I listen to those words
I listen to those words and clearly see that Putin is an evil, evil man, trying to dupe the U.S. into employing reason, logic, evidence-based decision making. I hope nobody was fooled by such nonsense.
@CB Wow. Like a more
Wow. Like a more straightforward and uncompromising version of what John Kerry used to sound like, once upon a time.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
A revealing very short clip of Putin
One of the techniques in pushing anti-Russian propaganda is to "mind read" Putin. Everybody seems to understand his inner motivations without ever reading what he said, without knowing Russian, without knowing Russian history, etc. Why does Putin want to invade Lithuania you ask? Well he is megalomaniac who wants revenge on the Baltics, etc. But here is a short video of Putin describing himself to German reporters at around 0:54.
He is a rational actor. But we have such juvenile ideas of international relationships as if they were a reality show inside a popularity contest.
Up until 2003, the oligarch's who had taken over Russia's
oil and gas companies were involved in both cash stripping and asset stripping. They simply produced as much oil as they could and immediately exported it without reinvestment in exploration or maintenance. This influx of profits allowed them to sell shares at a higher price - doubling down on profit. The entire market was not transparent so no one knows how many billions left the country. The country and people got little in return for this theft of their resources.
Putin put an end to this pillaging of the country's wealth by 2004. He repeated this tactic with the rest of Russia's resource industry. One thing that really put him in Washington's cross-hairs was when he re-nationalized the entire defense industry. He literally pulled these out of the ashes when the US was concentrating on bombing and invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Putin brought a defeated and bankrupt Russia back from the brink and once again made the country strong and independent. He even managed to use the current sanctions to improve and strengthen Russia against all odds. With the advent of China's OBOR initiative, the sanctions are rapidly becoming meaningless.
Putin does politics like a Judo master. He uses the opponents weight and momentum to defeat them. The US Empire has become muscle-bound and overextended.
IMO it's little short of miraculous,
what Putin has accomplished in the past 20 years. Especially considering the array of powerful opposition that he has faced, grappled with, and then roundly defeated. The man is a political genius of the very first order. It's no wonder his name strikes terror in the hearts of so many of the world's most eminent oligarchs.
native
@native Putin is a more than
Putin is a more than usually competent and intelligent politician and statesman (I'm not speaking to his morality or ethics here), which, in this age of horrors, makes him look like a cross between FDR and Churchill in terms of political expertise. But he probably isn't--it's probably just that we haven't seen competence or intelligence, or at least competence or intelligence unchained, in a very long time. (It's the same reason the Iran agreement looks so good--it's the most competent, sensible piece of foreign policy US Gov has done in a long, long time.) That said, bringing Russia back from what happened in the 90s is remarkable. And if there's going to be a powerful boss man at the top of the heap--not something I'm thrilled with, at this point--I'd rather it were somebody who wasn't actively trying to get us all killed. (Though Putin does need to figure out global warming and get right on that, quick.)
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Putin is a master of realpolitik
He had implemented policies several years ago to advance renewable energy projects. These continue to be implemented. In addition, just like every other leader, he has to do a balancing and juggling act to keep his supporters reasonably happy. US sanctions are/were a major impediment to some of these projects. He cannot do anything at this time that does not positively increase Russia's GDP in the immediate future. Don't forget that the US has declared economic war against Russia. Putin has already cut back on defense spending to give more 'butter' (pensions, education and health care) to the Russian people. Gazprom and Rosneft pay for one hell of a lot of this 'butter'. He operates like a doctor, first do no harm.
There are many, many western and domestic entities within Russia just waiting to trip him up and stab him in the back.
@CB I'm not
I'm not unsympathetic. But given the situation, I feel I have to call every world leader out on this, to the extent that they're not treating it as an emergency.
As superpowers go, yes, I'd say Russia has the hardest row to hoe. But still.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Europe would freeze in the dark if Putin turned
the gas off suddenly. Just as Americans would go barefoot and naked with no toys and useless household appliances if China stopped using massive amounts of energy to make the stuff.
If everyone in the world lived like an average American it would take 4 1/2 earths to support them. If everyone in the world lived like an average Russian 1/4 of the world could be used for a wildlife refuge.
Consumption = energy production + environmental damage.
The US and Western Europe have had one hell of a head-start in consumption compared to the rest of the world. I'm old enough to remember the stinking, eye burning smog and the soot blackened snow in spring due to coal burning furnaces. We have to be careful of "we got ours so fuck you".
@CB Why do people
Why do people always say this, as if we'd "turn off the gas" before we put replacement technology in place?
I would have a lot more patience with that sort of negativism if we had ever, you know, tried any of these technological transitions, and failed, because it can't be done, rather than having it all defeated in Congress (and occasionally, as when Bushes are in the White House, through the executive branch as well) over and over and over again. In other words, never having been given the chance to try it and see how well we could do, I'm a little less than sanguine about rock-solid assertions that it could never be done. We're all gonna die and destroy the earth because we have children and want to be something other than a hunter-gatherer living in a hut.
It's difficult for Putin because oil is where his wealth is and he's inhabiting a malicious political and economic world. He can't afford to give up any advantage he has. It's not difficult for Putin because homo sapiens can't do without petrochemicals as the basis of our economies--and we all need to live in huts anyway.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I was just being facetious
Speaking of technological transitions, Putin did put a lot of money into carbon nanotube development and it seems to be paying off. Locking carbon emissions into stable long lasting materials such as cement and other items is also a way of lowering atmospheric CO2.
@CB A guy who used to be part
A guy who used to be part of the secret police/intelligence business, but who doesn't want the world to die or to descend into Mad Max anarchy--and isn't actively trying to get the 99% killed.
I'll take it.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@CB Having a background in
Having a background in the KGB would actually help with that.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
It will be Russia for the next four years.
The democratic party establishment is dead set on repeating Hillary's campaign. But they are shooting themselves in the proverbial foot. There have been so many weekly "revelations", personalities, charges, currents, etc, that I think the democrats will so inflate all the accusations not even Maddow could keep track of them all. People will hear the word "Russians", nod in agreement, and move onto more pressing day-to-day challenges. And like Hillary come election time, the democrats will have nothing and stand for nothing except the status quo.