buffycat Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 For those interested Putin gave an hour long press conference which was totally ignored by so called western free press: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17855.htm excerpt: One of the major difficulties today is that certain members of the international community are absolutely convinced that their opinion is the correct one. And of course this is hardly conducive to creating the trusting atmosphere that I believe is crucial for finding more than simply mutually acceptable solutions, for finding optimal solutions. However, we also think that we should not dramatise anything unduly. If we express our opinions openly, honestly and forthrightly, then this does not imply that we are looking for confrontation. Moreover, I am deeply convinced that if we were able to reinstate honest discussion and the capacity to find compromises in the international arena then everyone would benefit. And I am convinced that certain crises that face the international community today would not exist and would not have had such a dire impact on the internal political situation in certain countries. For example, events in Iraq would not be such a headache for the United States. This is the most vivid, sharpest example but, nevertheless, I want you to understand me. And as you recall, we were opposed to military action in Iraq. We now consider that had we confronted the problems that faced us at the time with other means then the result would have been — in my opinion — still better than what we have today. *click on link for full text. Quote "An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind" ~ Ghandi
jbg Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 More Orwell-speak propaganda. Is he suggesting that he liked Hussein more? I suspect so. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
kuzadd Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 More Orwell-speak propaganda. Is he suggesting that he liked Hussein more? I suspect so. what are you talking about? cause he said, Iraq could have been handled differently? Isn't that obvious anyway? Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
Figleaf Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 Everyone who hopes to think seriously about current international affairs should read this material. Having done so myself, I would open with a caveat -- perhaps we cannot trust a thing Putin says. Other than that, however, WOW, the Russian pres is clearly a very intelligent man who is extremely aware of details and konwledgeable about issues. The contrast between Putin's brains, direct speaking, and clearsightedness compared with the severe disabilities on display from the U.S. administration is quite striking. And Putin is funny as all get out too! I loved this: DER SPIEGEL: Mr President, former Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder called you a ‘pure democrat’. Do you consider yourself such?VLADIMIR PUTIN: (laughs) Am I a ‘pure democrat’? Of course I am, absolutely. But do you know what the problem is? Not even a problem but a real tragedy? The problem is that I’m all alone, the only one of my kind in the whole wide world. Just look at what’s happening in North America, it’s simply awful: torture, homeless people, Guantanamo, people detained without trial and investigation. Just look at what’s happening in Europe: harsh treatment of demonstrators, rubber bullets and tear gas used first in one capital then in another, demonstrators killed on the streets. That’s not even to mention the post-Soviet area. Only the guys in Ukraine still gave hope, but they’ve completely discredited themselves now and things are moving towards total tyranny there; complete violation of the Constitution and the law and so on. There is no one to talk to since Mahatma Gandhi died. Gandhi! Quote
M.Dancer Posted June 12, 2007 Report Posted June 12, 2007 For those interested Putin gave an hour long press conference which was totally ignored by so called western free press:http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17855.htm Totally ignored, like totally..... except for .....The wall Street Journal, Der Spiegal, The Times, Le Figaro, Globe and Mail,....... Quote RIGHT of SOME, LEFT of OTHERS If it is a choice between them and us, I choose us
kuzadd Posted June 13, 2007 Report Posted June 13, 2007 "Throughout history, interests have always been the main organising principle for relations between states and on the international arena. And the more civilised these relations become, the clearer it is that one’s own interests must be balanced against the interests of other countries. And one must be able to find compromises to resolve the most difficult problems and issues." well at least he say's it honestly there, "INTERESTS", have always been the main organising principles between states. oil, mineral, water, land, pipelines, makin' money. Quote Insults are the ammunition of the unintelligent - do not use them. It is okay to criticize a policy, decision, action or comment. Such criticism is part of healthy debate. It is not okay to criticize a person's character or directly insult them, regardless of their position or actions. Derogatory terms such as "loser", "idiot", etc are not permitted unless the context clearly implies that it is not serious. Rule of thumb: Play the ball, not the person (i.e. tackle the argument, not the person making it).
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