Russia - threadbanned users in OP

Yes, agreed 100%. If there was a real opposition, the invasion would not have taken place. Of course, from square one a real opposition and democracy would mean Putin would have been jailed many times over. But even before Putins latest crazy escapade, Just any kind of civil protest was ruthlessly stamped out. I remember one escapade long before the war, while having a meal in street cafe watching the world go by. Then a couple of kids came driving down the street, windows open loud music blaring for all and sundry to hear. Harmless fun, a couple of kids blowing off steam. Then out steps two policemen and stops the car. The kids got out, and started horsing around the police, making a joke out of the whole thing. Police started to get annoyed and turn nasty ( as they do) and passer-bys started to take an interest, and gather. One policeman makes a call for back-up, and within minutes, the street is swarming with heavily armed police. The kids are arrested, and taken away, and the police face the crowd with a defiant " Anyone else want trouble" attitude. The crowd dispersed. As my Russian friend remarked " Even the kids cannot have a bit of Fun here".

That's his role on these shows. These shows are not scripted but each of the guests is given a certain lane that they occupy and certain talking points. For most of them it is tub-thumping nationalism but this guy and another older softly spoken guy get to question things. They could very well be their true opinions and they may have been chosen for their role based on those in the first place. They'll be fully aware of the invisible lanes that they are not to cross though. If they are giving an opinion that contravenes the official Kremlin line you can be damn sure they have been green-lighted to do so.

The whole point of having views like this aired is twofold. One is that the other guests (and often the actual hosts) can shout them down and attack their arguments. This will reinforce in the viewers the notion that these are stupid or unpatriotic opinions. The other is that the Kremlin will monitor the reaction of the viewers to try and understand where their audience are at. This feedback allows them to get a feel for what kinds of future policies they will stomach.

It's the same in the Duma although I'm not sure if any of the members of that body get to question anything anymore.

A short 2 min video by Australian public journalist reporting in Kozacha Lopan on systematic torture by Russian soldiers on village locals.

Investigators are gathering a lot of evidence on war crimes.

As countless similar reports before on this thread, its clear that this is not a case of rogue soldiers acting terribly in the fog of war, these are authorised sanctioned acts of crimes against humanity by Orcs.

Another reason for ‘apparent the difference of opinion ‘ is that it can be held up as a good example of ‘freedom of speech’. The Westis always going on about the Russian media is totally controlled by Putin

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Blinken also said what I have been saying all along: the ceasefire deal is Russia Leaves.

June 6th would be a very symbolic date allright...

Calls to remove Vladimir Putin air on Russian state TV in first since Ukraine invasion | ITV News

What would you do if the gun was put to your head, and you were given the choice " Obey or die?" All very fine sitting in the safety and comfort of your own home, and pontificating on the high moral ground, but I can assure you, if the knock ever came to your front door, your mind might change 360○ and in the blink of an eye at that. Because that's how its done in Putin's Russia. I know of people who have been picked up off the street on a Monday, and were in uniform the next day. And for sure, 100% they were not acquiescing and complying, or even going along with it, they knew only too well what the situation was, and wanted no part of it. If they supported Putin and his war, they would have enlisted.

To all those “peace loving” Russian sympathisers on this thread just remember that the UN have had 4 resolution votes on ending the Russian/Ukraine war and each one of those times Russia has voted against it. And China and India have abstained. So clearly Russia are against ending the war and China and India don’t give a sh1t.

So much for “peace”

where is the “PEACE”

Argue this point why don’t ya. This is a discussion forum. Let’s Argue these points.

The majority of UN countries have voted to end this war. Discuss. I’m just an average joe soap of average intelligence and I can see it. Tell me why. Set me straight.

As for so called NATO expansion, Explain to me why two stable democracies in Finland and Sweden clearly APPLIED as in sent in an application to join in the last year. Where is the expansion? How is that expansion?? They weren’t invaded. They weren’t forced. They APPLIED APPLIED APPLIED like all the other former-eastern bloc countries . Do ye ever stop to ask why that is ???? Does that brain connection ever connect ????? How is application = to expansion. How ?????

why don’t some of ye come on here and directly argue these points right now????

why the silence on these issues???

why the silence on this reality ????

As I said I’m an average joe of average intelligence. Blow me out of the water.

I’d say I’ll be waiting .

You are mixing up the material world and the world of ideas.

Have reported you to the moderation team.

Good luck!

Really!!!!!!!!

OK. Point taken. And the validity of the change of mind and the reasons for it?

Yes, I've already mentioned that the whole rotten construction has to be demolished completely, and rebuilt from the ground up. There's simply no other way. On a brighter note, the "cracks" that are starting to appear in the regime, the forthcoming offensive, the attacks by Russians ( real or not) on Russian territory etc. could well be the catalyst for change, hopefully!! The next 3-6 months will be critical.

Clare Daly doing God's work upholding Irish democracy for you all 😁