Putin speaks to the American people in The New York Times

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Grandluxe

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
<B>A Plea for Caution From Russia</B>
THE NEW YORK TIMES

By VLADIMIR V. PUTIN
Published: September 11, 2013

MOSCOW — RECENT events surrounding Syria have prompted me to speak directly to the American people and their political leaders. It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies. Relations between us have passed through different stages. We stood against each other during the cold war. But we were also allies once, and defeated the Nazis together.

Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country. There are few champions of democracy in Syria. But there are more than enough Qaeda fighters and extremists of all stripes battling the government.This internal conflict, fueled by foreign weapons supplied to the opposition, is one of the bloodiest in the world.

Mercenaries from Arab countries fighting there, and hundreds of militants from Western countries and even Russia, are an issue of our deep concern. Might they not return to our countries with experience acquired in Syria? After all, after fighting in Libya, extremists moved on to Mali. This threatens us all.

No one doubts that poison gas was used in Syria. But there is every reason to believe it was used not by the Syrian Army, but by opposition forces, to provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons, who would be siding with the fundamentalists. Reports that militants are preparing another attack — this time against Israel — cannot be ignored.

Is it in America’s long-term interest? I doubt it. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance.

No matter how targeted the strikes or how sophisticated the weapons, civilian casualties are inevitable, including the elderly and children, whom the strikes are meant to protect. If we can avoid force against Syria, this will improve the atmosphere in international affairs and strengthen mutual trust. It will be our shared success and open the door to cooperation on other critical issues.

<i>Vladimir V. Putin is the president of Russia.</i>

Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?_r=0
 
Finally, Russia has stepped up to help us with this tyrant in our nation's capital.
I had figured it would be either Russia or China.

Now, can the citizens of the USA, especially the liberals who voted for this tyrant, comprehend how low we have stooped when the president of Russia has to try to speak some sense into this madman in our country's oval office?

The majority in the USA do not want to take military action in Syria at this time.
We are broke.
We have no business starting, yet another, war.
WAKE UP OBAMA!
 
I thought this line is very interesting ... "It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies."

Putin is not a monster. IMO, Russians generally want a heavy-handed leader, and in Putin they got one. But I think the bloom is off the rose due to his power grabs.

The last time I was in Russia, last November, I was in a hostel, and a Russian said to me when we were drinking beers one night ... "we need a revolution." My response was "No you don't. You just need to follow your constitution." The rule of law in Russia seems to be problematic. Huh, maybe here too.
 
Quote from kandlekid:

I thought this line is very interesting ... "It is important to do so at a time of insufficient communication between our societies."

Putin is not a monster. IMO, Russians generally want a heavy-handed leader, and in Putin they got one. But I think the bloom is off the rose due to his power grabs.

The last time I was in Russia, last November, I was in a hostel, and a Russian said to me when we were drinking beers one night ... "we need a revolution." My response was "No you don't. You just need to follow your constitution." The rule of law in Russia seems to be problematic. Huh, maybe here too.
More...

There is an expression in Russian: "all Russians need a czar", so that heavy handed ruler comment is indeed correct. Putin is no monster. He is corrupt, just like every other politician - including our own. Personally, I believe he sent this to the NYT to rub some salt in the wound for Obama, letting him know he can manipulate the world just as well, if not better, than Obama's clowns.
 
Tugs at the heartstrings, doesn't it? The russkies have always, really, despite our differences at times, been good people. We should abandon our government and adopt theirs. Because we hate Obama so much.
 
I found this last passage from Vladimir The Great most moving:

"And I would rather disagree with a case [Obama] made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal."
 
In other news, President Obama of the United States, leader of the free world, responded by appearing on TV, brushing aside the overtures of peace and urged for the bombing of Syria and some killings. As yet, there is no indication that anyone is willing to join him in his Middle Eastern adventure.
 
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