Script! Re-Write...
Who? He said what exactly?! Fancy that. And here I had read, you read, we've all read, of Vladimir Putin lamenting the long-lost brotherhood of man exemplified by the late United Soviet Socialist Republic. Refresh my memory: did he not also speak of Josef Stalin at some point in rather glowing terms? Reflectively nostalgic for a time now past. As time and events have a habit of transiting human constructs.
Yet here is that very same Vladimir Putin, a very busy man on the world stage, of inestimable importance and entitled respect, airing another view entirely. One can understand. We are so often conflicted in our emotions and opinions. Recalling some events and characters with fondness while yet nudging past memory about some of the less palatable instances and observances outlined by history.
The president, speaking at commemorative ceremonies on the outskirts of Moscow - the Day of Memory for Victims of Political Repressions in memory of Stalin's purges in 1936-1938 - allows that the Soviet Union had lost sight of "fundamental" human values. Furthermore, that it was essential in a decent society to preserve political diversity. Um, yes. And where are Mr. Putin's political challengers languishing as he speaks?
Details, bloody details, they always get in the way of a good story.
Still, give the man his due, he is publicly aligning himself with a view that the past was full of flaws and human tragedies, when "ideas that seem attractive but prove to be empty are placed above fundamental values: human life and the rights and liberties of man." Trump that, if you can.
"For our country this is a particular tragedy. Its dimensions are huge, hundreds of thousands, millions of people were exterminated, people who had their own opinions and were not afraid to express them - the cream of the nation." Amen. No disputation. For a while back there it seemed he cared not a whit about human rights and the preservation of humanity. How mistaken can you be?
Not everyone is convinced, though. In the words of a representative from the organization For Human Rights in Russia: "It's a public relations exercise". Listen, even if it is, it's a nice exercise. I like it. If it's repeated often enough it may just make a desired dent. Those who hear it may anticipate that whoever expresses these views may become sufficiently engaged with them to begin to practise them.
Yet here is that very same Vladimir Putin, a very busy man on the world stage, of inestimable importance and entitled respect, airing another view entirely. One can understand. We are so often conflicted in our emotions and opinions. Recalling some events and characters with fondness while yet nudging past memory about some of the less palatable instances and observances outlined by history.
The president, speaking at commemorative ceremonies on the outskirts of Moscow - the Day of Memory for Victims of Political Repressions in memory of Stalin's purges in 1936-1938 - allows that the Soviet Union had lost sight of "fundamental" human values. Furthermore, that it was essential in a decent society to preserve political diversity. Um, yes. And where are Mr. Putin's political challengers languishing as he speaks?
Details, bloody details, they always get in the way of a good story.
Still, give the man his due, he is publicly aligning himself with a view that the past was full of flaws and human tragedies, when "ideas that seem attractive but prove to be empty are placed above fundamental values: human life and the rights and liberties of man." Trump that, if you can.
"For our country this is a particular tragedy. Its dimensions are huge, hundreds of thousands, millions of people were exterminated, people who had their own opinions and were not afraid to express them - the cream of the nation." Amen. No disputation. For a while back there it seemed he cared not a whit about human rights and the preservation of humanity. How mistaken can you be?
Not everyone is convinced, though. In the words of a representative from the organization For Human Rights in Russia: "It's a public relations exercise". Listen, even if it is, it's a nice exercise. I like it. If it's repeated often enough it may just make a desired dent. Those who hear it may anticipate that whoever expresses these views may become sufficiently engaged with them to begin to practise them.
posted by Pieface | 6:44 PM
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