If you guys have time....try to look at YouTube for a few
Russian news video clips.
For instance, RussiaToday (RT). It is an English language
Russian channel covering the news from Russian perspective.
If u have time, also watch several interviews of Vladimir
Putin.
Also take a look at the comments from ordinary Russian people,
the YouTube comments posted there by Russians.
In my opinion, he is a smart and well-balanced man. He is also
genuinely popular among many ordinary Russians. Not all of them
'brainwashed' like what western media says, because quite alot of
them are expatriate Russians who live abroad and access all sources
of news.
About this transition......this maybe a Russian style smooth and
peaceful transitioning of power. Remember not all countries and
societies in the world is the same. As noted, in Singapore, a
rather similar method is used. And in other countries, they have
kings and all sorts of different systems in the world today.
So who are we to critisize this Russian method?
The Russians themselves didn't object to it. Why must outsiders
impose their views?
Of course, for western media, they like to paint a negative
picture. They assume they are the most 'civilized' and they believe
that whatever they are familiar with, automatically all other
nations must also practice it, otherwise it is wrong.
If you read afew Russian media or watch those YouTube Russian
clips, there are different perspectives about this transition. One
is, Putin maybe is genuinely stepping down, and helping to phase
out and gear a smooth transition to a new president. They did make
a few points, that if Putin really wanted, he could have drawn a
new consitution, or even override the constitution, but he didn't.
He chose to obey it and step down in time.
Then another thing, western media says Medvedev is a 'puppet',
or inner-circle, unknown guy etc. No offence but first time I saw
Medvedev I got a good impression just from his looks.
This is a young, handsome, dynamic, and energetic person. He is
also someone who will most likely bring continuity with recent
years of Russian stability, and Putin policies, instead of abrupt
changes from a radical president.
If u look also at what Medvedev has been saying in interviews,
he talks about rule-of-law, democracy, human rights. This is not
just recently when his name is a candidate, but even from old
interviews from past periods. This gives u a glimpse into his mind
and what his instincts are. His background also, is not KGB or
security agencies, but a civilian.
So when Putin stepped down in time, obey constitution, didnt get
tempted despite his obvious ability, and when he chose someone not
from a security minded person, young, dynamic, has some reform
mindset, and is doing it in a smooth transfer, ensuring stability
and continuity for Russia's future, then...how can u blame
him...?
For the west, this event is being spun as something 'negative' ,
but negative for whom? Is it negative for Russia?
Meat Pao.