Tucker Carlson again ridicules the "Kagans".

[BigElCat]

Originally Posted by finnbow

trying to undermine western democracy because its relative success, wealth and civil/political rights expose the moribund political and economic system in his Russia.

That is not why communism tries to undermine democracy.

In theory, it tries to undermine capitalism and private enterprise, because capitalism leads to politicians that buy their way into political power. Oligarchs that rule the common man. Take Trump as an example.

Communism, in theory, empowers the common, hard working laborer.

In practice, it leads to some scumbag working his way to the top as a dictator and granting his cronies power.

The political process in the USA is not nearly as pristine as you make out to be. And Free Market ? Like the 2008 bail outs ? As if the lobbyists, and money being spread doesn't make things happen in DC. The wealthy, be they individuals, or special interest groups, rule. Our voting for representatives gives the appearance that we're involved. You don't get involved unless you contribute money. The more money, the more influence.

We're spreading liberal democracy around the world ? We defend countries like Kuwait, a hereditary monarchy because...you think it's because...we couldn't stand to see Saddam Hussein violate their civil rights ? No, GHWB and friends did it for the money.

Some renegade Saudis supposedly pulled off 9/11, and George Junior smashed Iraq all the way down. To liberate the citizens of Iraq from an oppressive regime, they said. And because Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. (We knew he had some of those, because they came from the USA to be used on the Persians, the morality was a non-issue when sold).

That stuff is all propaganda.

[BigElCat]

When I say they did it for the money, I mean our economy, our way of life. In which certain people gain more wealth and more power than other people.

We gloss it over with a veneer of righteousness. Just like the commies. Their track record of civil rights is worse than ours, in numbers of people killed. Ours isn't exactly perfect either.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by finnbow

So, he made his regime permanent through a variety of shady deals (his deal with Medvedev to hold his seat) and then his legislative coup to extend his rule thru 2036.

I don't understand why you're so enamored with this murderous kleptocrat who dashed his and other nation's hopes for democracy in favor of kleptocratic autocracy and spends his every waking hour trying to undermine western democracy because its relative success, wealth and civil/political rights expose the moribund political and economic system in his Russia.

Tucker last night explained to a lot of Democratic listeners the result of regime change in Ukraine. Great work Tucker!

Putin is one Russian who understands the relentless pursuit to balkanize Russia. The idea is that Russia is too big and therefore should be splintered.
The approach is an old one: Organize regional separatism under the rubric of
promoting democracy and or promoting religious freedom. By so doing it is much easier to get at local assets through the handling of local warlords.
Africa has a lot of examples...Katanga, Biafra, Mobutu.

Anyone who is familiar with modern Russian history can easily discern the mischievous attempt to hoist the Siberian entity, the eastern entity, the
Muslim entity. To counter these movements in this huge state, Putin, a very competent bureaucrat has put in place regional autonomy, religious tolerance, and the official support of religion. Notice the stalwart effort by the government to rebuild churches destroyed by the Bolsheviks and the official celebration afforded religious dates.

After having skillfully survived the attempt of "color revolution" in 2011, Putin has come to the realization that the more the country engages with the west the easier it is to collapse, descend into chaos, and become less self-reliant. The constant resort to sanctions has reinforced this idea. Especially since 2014, Russia has shaped itself to be less dependent on the west, more cohesive, and self-reliant.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by BigElCat

That is not why communism tries to undermine democracy.

Putin's Russia is not communist. It is a kleptocratic autocracy.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Tucker last night explained to a lot of Democratic listeners the result of regime change in Ukraine. Great work Tucker!

Putin is one Russian who understands the relentless pursuit to balkanize Russia. The idea is that Russia is too big and therefore should be splintered.

Nobody is trying to balkanize Russia. Resisting Russia's efforts to reacquire the territory of former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet Republics, sovereign nations which are now fledgling democracies, is not balkanization. You've bought into Putin's imperial ambitions hook, line and sinker. Putin has transformed his country into a rogue state. When his army is not holding the world hostage, he’s engaged in cyberattacks, assassination, repression, shooting down civilian airliners and doping in international athletic competition.

As for Tucker's "insights," one should never, ever go to Fox News, particularly their primetime line-up of shameless propagandists, for an analysis of geopolitics. Indeed a study demonstrated that those who watch Fox News know less about the news than those who watch no news at all.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Nobody is trying to balkanize Russia. Resisting Russia's efforts to reacquire the territory of former Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet Republics, sovereign nations which are now fledgling democracies, is not balkanization. You've bought into Putin's imperial ambitions hook, line and sinker. Putin has transformed his country into a rogue state. When his army is not holding the world hostage, he’s engaged in cyberattacks, assassination, repression, shooting down civilian airliners and doping in international athletic competition.

As for Tucker's "insights," one should never, ever go to Fox News, particularly their primetime line-up of shameless propagandists, for an analysis of geopolitics. Indeed a study demonstrated that those who watch Fox News know less about the news than those who watch no news at all.

Carlson major international viewpoint is hardly ever in sync with that of Fox. He is the odd man drawing bipartisan wrath especially on Syria and Ukraine.

He is also the only person to offer a platform to the dissident left.

It is good that Democratic party followers are now able to get a different view. Probably the reason why they are tuning in.

[Chicks]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Carlson major international viewpoint is hardly ever in sync with that of Fox. He is the odd man drawing bipartisan wrath especially on Syria and Ukraine.

He is also the only person to offer a platform to the dissident left.

It is good that Democratic party followers are now able to get a different view. Probably the reason why they are tuning in.

What a load of BS!

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Carlson major international viewpoint is hardly ever in sync with that of Fox. He is the odd man drawing bipartisan wrath especially on Syria and Ukraine.

He is also the only person to offer a platform to the dissident left.

It is good that Democratic party followers are now able to get a different view. Probably the reason why they are tuning in.

BS again. Carlson is now Fox's primary mouthpiece for illiberal democracy, the animating force behind Trumpism. He's an outspoken fan of Hungary's Orban as is the base of the GOP, as evidenced by CPAC choosing Budapest to host their next annual conference.

To the extent that Democrats listen to him (or listened to Limbaugh), I think it's mostly to see what kind of ridiculous lies that the GOP base is being fed (and believes). That's why I occasionally tune in. I can only say that his dedicated fans must love being lied to.

[donquixote99]

Many people love being lied to, if it's the right lies. Not unusual at all.

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Many people love being lied to, if it's the right lies. Not unusual at all.

At least Carlson is going to make them curious to check for themselves...like for instance...who are the Banderites?