Does Putin have a soul?

[idesign]

( Agreed,

the GOP although head and shoulders above the Democrats, are clueless as to he direction the USA needs to go for it

to continue to be a viable player on the world stage in the next quarter century.)

Unfortunately, part of

the "head and shoulders" party of the first part just quit the race. Fred Thompson was the only *true* conservative

of the bunch.

While any of the others are a better choice than either of the Dems, it now comes down to

compromise.

[Alex157]

Ok, Putin and the Kremlin understand the need for a two-party system, will they

say 'nebos and 'avos?

Well, Putin is not quite

Russian. That is, he is an ethnic Russian, of course, but he has been a spy in Germany for 10 years and adopted a

lot from German mentality, I think.
There is our famous movie hero a

shtandartenfurer SS Shtirliz (who was in reality our Russian agent, of course) and Putin is something like this

One thing that concerns me is the way Putin handled

himself during the Ukranian election a few years ago.

Well, nobody’s perfect

Also his most recent "sabre rattling" exercises. He's a strong-man in Ivan

IV's clothing, but I think perhaps he knows he can't get away with it.

I hope it is as you say, and there will be a true choice.

The only remaining question is does Russia have a leader who will come from the people to lead a new party?

No, it is out of consideration . It should be a guy

from the Kremlin who would coordinate all his actions with it. If there is a second strong leader it will be a civil

war.

Say, a Peter in Gorbachov clothing? Maybe Peter is

not the best choice for that example, but you understand.

Yes, the Russian population had lessened by third under Peter No, I think that a

plan is that it should be a second party controlled by the Kremlin and when people get used to a notion that after

electing a new leader heavens won’t come down to Russia with angels who will work for us it will be possible

to make the system more realistic.



[quote] к вашему здоровью

[/quote]



I have heard that Russians in movies say ‘na zdorovie’? Is it true? We never say it in

reality

Поднимем

наши стаканы за две

великие нации –

русских и

американцев

[idesign]

Поднимем наши

стаканы за две

великие нации –

русских и

американцев

"Let us raise our glasses to two

great nations - Russia and America".

очень

хорошо, I owe you a bottle of Scotch Whiskey.

Yes, I have heard "na zdorovie"

in the movies (Local Hero), but in my post I simply translated "to your health" in a translator. My Russian is 25

years old and has not aged as well as a good whiskey.

I appreciate your insight Alexander. What is your

patromymic?

I will think about your reply and will certainly ask more questions.

[Alex157]

î÷åÃü

õîðîøî, I owe you a bottle of

Scotch Whiskey.

OK, and I owe you a bottle of vodka Do you remember as they changed

their watches in ‘Red Hot’?

Yes, I have heard "na zdorovie" in the movies (Local Hero),

but in my post I simply translated "to your health" in a translator. My Russian is 25 years old and has not aged as

well as a good whiskey.

Well, a bit more accurate would be ‘za tvoje/vashe zdorovje’ but your

Russian is still quite OK

I appreciate your

insight Alexander. What is your patromymic?

No, I am

Alexey - as it was a real name of Gorky, not as Pushkin’s



I am Alexey Lvovich, how is your one?

[idesign]

Understood, but I never saw "Red

Hot", is it good? Who are the primary actors?

Ok good Alexey, Gorky and Pushkin are two very interesting and

different men. I think you are more like Pushkin in ideals if not name.

We do not use patromymics, so I could be

either Yosef Grigorovich, or Odelovich using my father's name.

To be honest, I prefer whiskey too, so we should

have a wonderful time drinking.

We in America look eagerly toward political and social change in Russia, and

we also understand that it is Russia who will determine her future. I'm glad that we are now "friends", and of

course we wish to remain friends. Sometimes it is difficult among friends to achieve a balance as we know.

A

question: what do you think is the most desired social change among most of the population? I assume it would be

economic. If so, do you look mostly for economic freedom? Do you think Russia mostly desires for a Western ideal

of economic success?

More interestingly, do you care so much about the political system if the economic benefits

are good on the street? Assuming that the successor to Putin will follow his policies, do you think those policies

are oriented more to achieving a place in some new world order or a new Russian independence or dominance?

A lot

of questions, sorry, but I look forward to your answer.

Greg

[Alex157]

Understood, but I never saw "Red Hot", is it good? Who are the primary

actors?

Well, it was popular in Russia (as well as all movies

with the governator, though). Another leading role was played by Belushi.


There were some funny lines there. For example, the

Soviet policeman suggested to his American colleague (played by Belushi) to shoot all drug dealers and the like. He

said that it would be a good idea, but politicians won’t allow this. ‘Shoot them first’ was an answer.

Ok good Alexey, Gorky and Pushkin are two very

interesting and different men. I think you are more like Pushkin in ideals if not name.

I heard that the main reason why Pushkin wrote verses was

that he always had huge card debts and tried to get some money to pay

We do not use

patromymics

It is not of any importance . As long as a person knows

the name of his father he/she has patronymics . If not, the patronymics will be thought up

so I could be either Yosef Grigorovich, or

Odelovich using my father's name.

Why Yosef? Greg is quite OK And it cannot be two ones

. What is the name of your father?







[quote] To be honest, I prefer whiskey too, so we

should have a wonderful time drinking.

[/

quote]





OK, I prefer Johnny Walker. I think that it a lady’s

drink but I don’t like hard drinks.

We in America look eagerly toward political and

social change in Russia, and we also understand that it is Russia who will determine her future. I'm glad that we

are now "friends", and of course we wish to remain friends. Sometimes it is difficult among friends to achieve a

balance as we know.

Yeah, it is the last thing I would want – to have the US

as enemy again.

A question: what do you think is the most

desired social change among most of the population? I assume it would be economic. If so, do you look mostly for

economic freedom?

Actually, I am not sure. I think that economy is only a

part of politics. Again, you never are able to create good economy without political stability.


Why everybody is glad to keep money in Switzerland? It is

a safe place, in the center of Europe and NATO defends my beloved money (no matter that Switzerland itself is not a

member of it).
The problem is that everybody knows that

any second the government may rob people. Nobody will be surprised if tomorrow it will be announced that all rubles

should be changed in proportion 1:10 after showing papers where they come from. In Moscow there are exchange booths

at each corner and we keep our money in dollars and euros. Nobody trusts rubles, nobody trusts the government. So

rich people just make money here and have some infrastructure for the recreation – brothels and small gyms. They try

to send serious money abroad.
It is very difficult to

develop economy under such political and social circumstances.

Do you think Russia mostly desires for a Western

ideal of economic success?

Politically we are total morons, so it doesn’t matter

what we desire . I think that we desperately need for colleges of high economical and political education. When

there are several thousands educated Russian guys – it will be possible to discuss what they want.


However, I think yes, many prefer the Western way of

economics now.

More interestingly, do you care so much about

the political system if the economic benefits are good on the street?

Sure, sure. Without a firm political system everything

may collapse in a second. It happened in 1998 already.

Assuming that the successor to Putin will follow

his policies, do you think those policies are oriented more to achieving a place in some new world order or a new

Russian independence or dominance?

I think

that Medvedev is a quite pro-Western politician and he’s going to continue to try to find a place under the

capitalists sun for Russia.




Greg, who do you think is going to be the next president of the US?

[Rbt]

I'm thinking there is a bit of a

translation thing here... the movie I recall I think was called "Red Heat" not "Red Hot"...

[idesign]

Well, it was popular in Russia (as well as all movies

with the governator, though). Another leading role was played by Belushi.


There were some funny lines there. For example, the

Soviet policeman suggested to his American colleague (played by Belushi) to shoot all drug dealers and the like. He

said that it would be a good idea, but politicians won’t allow this. ‘Shoot them first’ was an

answer.

You might also add the

lawyers...

I heard that the

main reason why Pushkin wrote verses was that he always had huge card debts and tried to get some money to pay

Ok Alex, we will not drink and play cards in

the same evening, unless you are like Pushkin. But if I win, you could pay your debt with a poem that would win

the heart of a lovely Russian woman.

Why Yosef? Greg is quite OK And it cannot be two

ones . What is the name of your father?

My

name is Joseph Gregory. My father is Odell.

OK, I prefer Johnny Walker. I think that it a

lady’s drink but I don’t like hard drinks.

Johnny Walker is a good drink, but I prefer

single malt scotch, there are many. I will bring you a bottle of Glenmorangie. Scotch is definitely not a lady's

drink, but some women will drink it. I will tell you a story when we are drinking Scotch

together.
[/quote]

Yeah, it is

the last thing I would want – to have the US as enemy again.



Actually, I am not sure. I think that economy is only a

part of politics. Again, you never are able to create good economy without political stability.


Why everybody is glad to keep money in Switzerland? It is

a safe place, in the center of Europe and NATO defends my beloved money (no matter that Switzerland itself is not a

member of it).
The problem is that everybody knows that

any second the government may rob people. Nobody will be surprised if tomorrow it will be announced that all rubles

should be changed in proportion 1:10 after showing papers where they come from. In Moscow there are exchange booths

at each corner and we keep our money in dollars and euros. Nobody trusts rubles, nobody trusts the government.

I understand, it is the same worry that the

West has with Putin. He is seen as a figure who is not known, and not predictable. Also, the history of Russia

will always be "an enigma wrapped in a mystery". As with all countries, history and culture are a weight which

moves slowly and with much effort.

So rich people just make money here

and have some infrastructure for the recreation – brothels and small gyms.

So, you are saying that the prostitutes are in

good physical shape? Maybe I will visit you soon.

They try to send serious money

abroad.
It is very difficult to develop economy under

such political and social circumstances.

Yes,

capitalism suffers when capital leaves the country. Its too bad. Political stability is the first requirement, you

know this. That is the main question with the Putin dynasty. They must create an environment of national stability

and growth.

You are right, politics will lead economics, and in Russia there has never been an environment

conducive to capitalism.

Politically we are total

morons, so it doesn’t matter what we desire .

Again, spoken like nobody but a Russian can

speak. You are a wonderful people waiting to be born into the world. What can you do? I suppose you can wait for

time to deliver changes which may or may not happen. You've never had politics in your homes, and now you see the

world but have no choices.

[/quote]

I think that we

desperately need for colleges of high economical and political education. When there are several thousands educated

Russian guys – it will be possible to discuss what they want.


However, I think yes, many prefer the Western way of

economics now.

Yes, an educated

political/economic infrastructure is much needed. The USA is the "university of the world" in many ways, and I

hope Russians will be able to take advantage.

I think

that Medvedev is a quite pro-Western politician and he’s going to continue to try to find a place under the

capitalists sun for Russia.

I hope he is not

cut from the same cloth as Putin.

Greg, who do you think is going to be the next president of the US?

Good question

Alexey. A super-model I think...