POSTED RESPONSE TO A COLUMN BY AREL BRAUN IN TORONTO'S GLOBE AND MAIL
It seems clear that Putin commands more support than anyone
else in Russia.
It is equally clear that the small number of demonstrators
against Putin, undoubtedly covertly encouraged by the CIA, represents a small
minority.
So why do we keep getting junk-think articles like this one
from Arel Braun?
Because Putin is intelligent and capable and takes a stand
on a number of international issues opposed to the official line from
Washington.
As far as Russia's painful future, Mr. Braun seems unaware
that Russia has already been through the worst - a great depression and huge
convulsions following the collapse of communism.
We did not hear from people like Braun then.
I believe Russia has a great future - with their resources and
gifted people - and they need someone like Putin, not a drunken clown like
Boris Yetsin.
The world needs multi-polar power and not a single super one
like the United States. That is something in the interests of the overwhelming
majority of the world's people.
We've already seen the U.S. behave as a high-handed bully
many times in recent years.
Apologists for Israel's bloody excesses and irrational
demands - Mr. Braun having been one of these in the past - do not agree. They
want an America uber alles to keep Israel in an unchallenged position as
Mideast junior partner in determining world affairs .
I cannot attribute any other understandable motive for an
article like this.
Russia will become a more perfect democracy in future, but
it needs to grow and become strong and build a strong middle class, and Putin
is a pretty good bet for the kind of leadership needed for now.
