Putin Invades the Ukraine

[donquixote99]

Negative stereotypes are always wrong. There are undoubtedly millions and millions of Russian people, the majority, who are kind and honest and humane. This is certainly reflected in their arts and literature. Normal good will is the human default, and the Russians are human. Even so, it would be naive not to recognize that the dark side is strong in Russia. Just as many in the US are poisoned by racism and greed, many in Russia are poisoned by resentment, cynicism, and cruelty. All humans are neither intrinsecly good nor bad, but carry the potential for both. One may predominate in the development however. So it is with human cultures.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Negative stereotypes are always wrong...

For better or worse, stereotypes/generalizations are the only way to talk collectively about a nation of 146 million people.

For example, this joke would make no sense whatsoever nor be the slightest bit funny without generally accepted notions about these nations and their people:

Q: What's the difference between Heaven and Hell?

In Heaven...
the French are the cooks
the Germans are the engineers
the British are the police
the Swiss are the managers
the Italians are the lovers

In Hell...
the British are the cooks
the French are the managers
the Italians are the engineers
the Germans are the police
the Swiss are the lovers

[donquixote99]

Possibly apropos:

[BigElCat]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Even if Russians end up struggling mightily and find themselves pushing shopping carts of worthless Rubles through the muddy snows of Moscow to buy a loaf of black bread, they won't do shit.

That's probably because the Soviet Gov't murdered millions of Soviet citizens any time they expressed discontent.

It still happens in present day Russia. I can't judge them harshly for not standing up to their government.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by BigElCat

That's probably because the Soviet Gov't murdered millions of Soviet citizens any time they expressed discontent.

It still happens in present day Russia. I can't judge them harshly for not standing up to their government.

I hear ya and I believe that people around the world are all decent folks who want the same things for themselves and their families, even if their governments are bad. However, my experiences in over 60 countries have left me with the distinct impression that Russia and Israel are exceptions to this rule. A deep, malignant cultural rot is readily apparent among the citizens of both countries.

[Oerets]

Having experienced meeting and working with people from all over the world. Also being lover and student of history. Found people are in general the same. Good, bad, honest or crooks.

Studied the seemingly ease at taking and controlling a population by Authoritarianism. So know that good people will be silent to stay alive, survive. Now it is easy to say you would standup and fight back. In reality until faced with the prospects of annihilation of you and yours. Who really knows.

The Russians I knew and know all left years ago and hate what has become of their country. Now most of the Israel's I ran across are more the a little sensitive to criticism on issues related to Palestinian issues and treatment. Then again our country has a past that is one of great injustices of others. Hopefully like any country there a growing pains associated with their history.

[finnbow]

On the train to Kyiv yesterday I sat with a soldier who had recovered from his injuries and was starting the journey back to the front. I just sat and listened for hours. Perhaps I will never see Yuriy from Zhytomyr again, but the weight of his words will stay with me forever.

“It’s not Putin who scares me. It’s the Russian nation that found it easier to pick up guns and kill, torture, rape innocent people in Ukraine rather than build a better country for themselves back home.”

https://twitter.com/TsurkanKate/stat...62202969014275

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by finnbow

For better or worse, stereotypes/generalizations are the only way to talk collectively about a nation of 146 million people.

For example, this joke would make no sense whatsoever nor be the slightest bit funny without generally accepted notions about these nations and their people:

Q: What's the difference between Heaven and Hell?

In Heaven...
the French are the cooks
the Germans are the engineers
the British are the police
the Swiss are the managers
the Italians are the lovers

In Hell...
the British are the cooks
the French are the managers
the Italians are the engineers
the Germans are the police
the Swiss are the lovers

Must think this all relates to cultural self image. Indeed to myth. Myths that are true if believed.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Must think this all relates to cultural self image. Indeed to myth. Myths that are true if believed.

I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean, but won't argue for a minute that a nation's history and culture derives, in part, from myth. Ours certainly does. That said, a nation's army is reflective of of its society and Russian soldiers in Ukraine have committed untold thousands of murders, rapes, and forced resettlements as well as deliberately targeted noncombatants, tortured captives and looted everything of value in sight while engaging in an unprovoked, aggressive war. These are not the actions of a healthy society worthy of our empathy.

[Oerets]

History is full of examples of inhumanity towards others. Japan Germany ISIS ....

I'm just saying painting with a broad brush a people is short sighted. This is a human failing a common issue with our species.