Cyprus-Forum.com

[repulsewarrior]

...Russians on "Russians", and other incursions into Russia.

[repulsewarrior]

...also an interesting view on what to watch for in the future.

[cyprusgrump]

At least the Russians get the opportunity to vote for their leader! Did the population of the UK get to vote for any of their Prime Ministers in the last hundred years? Is there a limit to their term in office in the UK? Do you regard the British PM as a dictator?

Putin.jpg

[Londonrake]

At least the Russians get the opportunity to vote for their leader! Did the population of the UK get to vote for any of their Prime Ministers in the last hundred years? Is there a limit to their term in office in the UK? Do you regard the British PM as a dictator?

Ohh, come on. That's a pretty thin - but oft used of course - gruel analogy. And…………. Cherry picking again! Of which, we are all - sometimes - guilty.

Question: I’m not holding my breath on this. Do you think Vladimir Putin is a democrat or a dictator? Perhaps in your case I should add "demi-god"?

Yes, Russians get to vote for their President, in their case 6 yearly these days. As do the North Koreans and Iranians regularly but not the Chinese, where it's a matter for the CCP. What real choices do their populations have in elections though? Other that is, than the incumbent Dictators?

Let's reprise a bit. Vladimir Putin came to power as President in 2000. At the time there was a Constitutional limit of 2 terms on the office (just like the US). He got around that in 2008 by having Medvedev elected President and taking up the post of Prime Minister. In reality exercising full control though. Since, he has had the constitution amended to reset his previous terms, thus currently allowing him to serve as President until 2036. So the man has exercised absolute power in Russia for 24 years. Absolute power meaning just that. I assume you will agree that the UK PM doesn't have that sort of jurisdiction?

In Putin's "reign" the UK has had 7 Prime Ministers and the US 5 Presidents. As in a lot of countries Party Leaders are elected by the Party. Not in national votes. Your question about whether that makes them Dictators is a non sequitur. All those national leaders had to face elections in constituency or state polls and in the US - as recently - the run-offs for candidacy.

The longest serving UK Prime MInister has been Blair, with 10 years. That, far exceeding the other 6. Conversely I think Truss managed 49 days. Whoever wins the Nov election in the US will not be able to serve beyond their 4 year term by Constitutional limitation. And whoever does, it's going to be a long 4 years.

Putin is clearly an in-your-face old fashioned Dictator. To argue otherwise is self delusional.

[Kikapu]

At least the Russians get the opportunity to vote for their leader! Did the population of the UK get to vote for any of their Prime Ministers in the last hundred years? Is there a limit to their term in office in the UK? Do you regard the British PM as a dictator?

Ohh, come on. That's a pretty thin - but oft used of course - gruel analogy. And…………. Cherry picking again! Of which, we are all - sometimes - guilty.

Question: I’m not holding my breath on this. Do you think Vladimir Putin is a democrat or a dictator? Perhaps in your case I should add "demi-god"?

Yes, Russians get to vote for their President, in their case 6 yearly these days. As do the North Koreans and Iranians regularly but not the Chinese, where it's a matter for the CCP. What real choices do their populations have in elections though? Other that is, than the incumbent Dictators?

Let's reprise a bit. Vladimir Putin came to power as President in 2000. At the time there was a Constitutional limit of 2 terms on the office (just like the US). He got around that in 2008 by having Medvedev elected President and taking up the post of Prime Minister. In reality exercising full control though. Since, he has had the constitution amended to reset his previous terms, thus currently allowing him to serve as President until 2036. So the man has exercised absolute power in Russia for 24 years. Absolute power meaning just that. I assume you will agree that the UK PM doesn't have that sort of jurisdiction?

In Putin's "reign" the UK has had 7 Prime Ministers and the US 5 Presidents. As in a lot of countries Party Leaders are elected by the Party. Not in national votes. Your question about whether that makes them Dictators is a non sequitur. All those national leaders had to face elections in constituency or state polls and in the US - as recently - the run-offs for candidacy.

The longest serving UK Prime MInister has been Blair, with 10 years. That, far exceeding the other 6. Conversely I think Truss managed 49 days. Whoever wins the Nov election in the US will not be able to serve beyond their 4 year term by Constitutional limitation. And whoever does, it's going to be a long 4 years.

Putin is clearly an in-your-face old fashioned Dictator. To argue otherwise is self delusional.

You make it sound like the Russian presidential system is unique when a strong NATO member country Turkey is no different, but the remaining NATO countries are very accepting of Erdogan using the same system as Putin to remain in power. Surely it is up to the citizens of those countries to deal with their leaders/elections and not the outsiders with their Suedo Democracy and freedom of speech/expression.

By the way, as I understand it, there are 3 other candidates running for the Russian presidential race.

No, I don’t think they are related to Putin!

[Londonrake]

You make it sound like the Russian presidential system is unique when a strong NATO member country Turkey is no different, but the remaining NATO countries are very accepting of Erdogan using the same system as Putin to remain in power. Surely it is up to the citizens of those countries to deal with their leaders/elections and not the outsiders with their Suedo Democracy and freedom of speech/expression.

By the way, as I understand it, there are 3 other candidates running for the Russian presidential race.

No, I don’t think they are related to Putin!

Do you pull rabbits out of hats for a living?

Off out. Back over the weekend.

[repulsewarrior]

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/at ... e019e8ae2f

...they came at him with hammers while he was parking his car; but he managed to escape with fifteen serious blows to the head and a broken arm.

[repulsewarrior]

Reznik said it was only after he pitched the idea of a Noon Against Putin that someone pointed out a parallel with a similar call to arms in Poland in 1989. A campaign poster using the slogan “High Noon” had helped mobilize opposition to the communist regime, ultimately leading to the end of Soviet-backed rule.

https://www.politico.eu/article/russian ... to%20Putin

...and ultimately Russians can vote as is their right; destroying their ballot as is also their right.

(a big "X" across the ballot in numbers would send a strong message, even if he wins 80% of "the vote")

[Kikapu]

You make it sound like the Russian presidential system is unique when a strong NATO member country Turkey is no different, but the remaining NATO countries are very accepting of Erdogan using the same system as Putin to remain in power. Surely it is up to the citizens of those countries to deal with their leaders/elections and not the outsiders with their Suedo Democracy and freedom of speech/expression.

By the way, as I understand it, there are 3 other candidates running for the Russian presidential race.

No, I don’t think they are related to Putin!

Do you pull rabbits out of hats for a living?

Off out. Back over the weekend.

If the Swiss chocolate Easter bunnies count, then, Yes!

[repulsewarrior]

...on the importance of elections to Putin.