Shows how the press doesn't really understand the situation over here:In a sign of the Kremlin’s dominance of politics and society under President Vladimir Putin, the largest gathering was apparently a march and rally in downtown Moscow led by the loyal United Russia party and the government-approved trade union organization. Organizers said some 25,000 people participated.
What the article failed to say was that the majority of Russians actually do support Putin. As for the "mass rallies", I was working on May Day and on the way into town, went through
Later I put it to the babushki at my house: "There used to be hundreds marching."
"Hundreds?" they sighed, "Nyet - thousands."
The USSR was one of the most dismal failures in history. Stalin slaughtered 20 million people to make the system work. However, it never was effective since central planning, and power concentrated in the hands of the few, who have ultimate authority, just won't work.
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100% correct, Winfred.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to come to your blog and find out what is REALLY happening there, James. I reckon the other reason the USSR failed was, as Coral Browne said in that film about her meeting with Guy Burgess over there, that it was "bloody boring"!
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