Thought control returns to Russia
Apr 24, 2007 Oppression, Politics and Poker, Stragety
I am waiting for Noam Chomsky to weigh in:
At their first meeting with journalists since taking over Russia’s largest independent radio news network, the managers had startling news of their own: from now on, they said, at least 50 percent of the reports about Russia must be “positive.”In addition, opposition leaders could not be mentioned on the air and the United States was to be portrayed as an enemy, journalists employed by the network, Russian News Service, say they were told by the new managers, who are allies of the Kremlin.
I don’t mean (merely) to be facetious — but isn’t the creeping re-fascification of Russia and genuine repression of dissent something left-wingers everywhere should be up in arms about? It’s not even fellow-traveling to ignore this, after all — Stalin is dead.
Is it just habit — one look at those Cyrillic letters and it’s okay? Or is it, rather, the fact that the enemy of my enemy (the West) is, on the left, always my friend? That would, of course, align well with the left-wing defeat wish in Iraq. I wonder when Ambassador Pelosi is heading to Moscow?
April 24th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
isn’t the creeping re-fascification of Russia and genuine repression of dissent something left-wingers everywhere should be up in arms about?
Newsflash: Columbus discovers America!
I can only speak for myself, but I never bought the conventional wisdom that, deep down, Putin was a good guy.
April 24th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Yeah, Ara, but you were basing you suspicions on those shifty eyes. That’s lookism!
April 24th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Guilty as charged!
April 24th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
…but isn’t the creeping re-fascification of Russia and genuine repression of dissent something left-wingers everywhere should be up in arms about?
Absolutely. And we are, aren’t we? I know that I’ve been talking about Putin’s economic war with the US for some time now, and I know that liberals like Juan Cole have certainly been talking about it for a couple of years. It’s probably not getting much attention from the right because of the “Muslims are scary” side issue.
I’m not sure of Chomsky’s views on the issue, but your remarks could indicate that you think him a fan or apologist for Stalinism. If so, let me clear that up — he’s an anarchist, and deeply opposed to what Stalin represented.
April 24th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Where are the faculty boycotts? The divestment campaigns? Voter education? Demonstrations at embassies? Civil disobedience? The Rachel Corries? How much is Soros spending on this?
And as to Chomsky, he never met a neo-Stalinist regime (e.g., Saddam) he didn’t prefer to the one he lives and flourishes under.
April 24th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
And as to Chomsky, he never met a neo-Stalinist regime (e.g., Saddam) he didn’t prefer to the one he lives and flourishes under.
I’m quite curious what you’ve read of his that would lead you to that conclusion. Possibly you’re mixing him up with George Galloway, because I’ve never read a single word of praise for Hussein from Chomsky. Then again, perhaps you’ve read more of him than I.
Where are the faculty boycotts? The divestment campaigns? Voter education? Demonstrations at embassies? Civil disobedience? The Rachel Corries?
You’re right, they must be in favor of Putin and his regime. The right wing too, apparently, as I don’t see any of this from them either.
April 25th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
But the right wing doesn’t do political theater (save right-to-lifers) at all, DPU.
As to Chomsky, read this. He constantly reiterates what a bad guy Saddam is (was) — but how nothing he does could possibly justify removing him, because he was once supported by the U.S. It is perfect socialist dialectical “reasoning.”