MP: 3 Blog: 2
So last time I wrote about the problem with immigration into Russia and about how Putin promised to make stricter legislation if reelected. Obviously, we all know Putin's history of rigging elections so there is no doubt that he will win the next election.
However, Russian citizens are beginning to catch on and are getting tired of his grip on power.
Anti-Putin protesters stood out in extremely cold weather, approximately negative nineteen degrees Celsius, to let Putin know they want him out of power and they are demanding fair elections. A Pro-Putin group has also formed, but what is interesting is that Russians are being FORCED to go to Pro-Putin rallies; workers are threatened by employers that they will lose their job if they do not attend the Pro-Putin rallies.
Not only that, but Moscow police are even fudging the numbers for how many protesters show up to each rally--not the smartest move on Putin's part considering citizens are already mad at him for rigging things. Anyway, police report the number of attendees at the Anti-Putin rallies as being much lower than they actually were and they report the number of attendees at the Pro-Putin rallies as much much higher than they actually are.
Putin addressed the Anti-Putin organizations and told them that he was glad they are sharing their perspectives and also encouraged them to dress warm. This seems a little condescending because I don't think he cares about their perspectives enough to give up power and give an honest election. I personally don't think this movement will have enough of an effect to change Putin's ways.
But what do you think? Will the protesters have any influence? Do you think they have/would be able to acquire any evidence that Putin actually does rig elections? Will Putin ever get out of power? If Putin did get out of power, do you think honest elections would even be granted then?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Russian to the Rescue...or not
MP: 3 Blog: 1
I don't know if you all know what's up in Syria, but it is pretty crazy. The Syrian government, under Assad, in the past few days, has been murdering civilians in their homes and denying them access to medical care, though Syria's UN diplomat denies this saying that "no sensible person" would launch an attack on the citizens of his country the night before a security counsel debate. Considering there have been a great number of accounts and brutal photos circulating the internet, it is doubtful that the shots and accounts were made up or set up, as Syrian government officials have claimed.
The Security Counsel was meeting to discuss and vote on a resolution to Assad's war-machine rule in Syria. Essentially, if the resolution passed, resources and weapons would no longer become available to the Syrian government and would hopefully cause Assad to lose or give up power...at which time Syria would adopt a democratic government.
This resolution didn't pass after a veto from both China and Russia. Clinton called the veto a "travesty" and is now putting the death and blood of Syrian citizens on the hands of Russia and China as well. Because of their veto, she says, bloodshed will continue to flow and more Syrian citizens will continue to die.
Russia says that they vetoed the resolution because it was biased and it would mean that they would have to pick a side in a civil war--and they really don't want to do that, even though Syria is a huge ally of Russia's in the middle east. Additionally, China's veto came after Russia's and seems to be for the same reason. The Turkish Prime Minister accuses China and Russia of reverting to Cold War logic and not wanting to support this resolution simply because of their attitude against the West.
Many countries are in support of the resolution and really want to help get Assad out of power. Even other Middle Eastern countries have publicly decided they are opposed to Assad.
Do you think if there are enough countries that band together, they could form a new group and help Syria without the approval of Russia and China? What changes do you think could be made for China and Russia to support the resolution? Why do you think China and Russia can't put aside their opposition to the West to help Syria?
I don't know if you all know what's up in Syria, but it is pretty crazy. The Syrian government, under Assad, in the past few days, has been murdering civilians in their homes and denying them access to medical care, though Syria's UN diplomat denies this saying that "no sensible person" would launch an attack on the citizens of his country the night before a security counsel debate. Considering there have been a great number of accounts and brutal photos circulating the internet, it is doubtful that the shots and accounts were made up or set up, as Syrian government officials have claimed.
The Security Counsel was meeting to discuss and vote on a resolution to Assad's war-machine rule in Syria. Essentially, if the resolution passed, resources and weapons would no longer become available to the Syrian government and would hopefully cause Assad to lose or give up power...at which time Syria would adopt a democratic government.
This resolution didn't pass after a veto from both China and Russia. Clinton called the veto a "travesty" and is now putting the death and blood of Syrian citizens on the hands of Russia and China as well. Because of their veto, she says, bloodshed will continue to flow and more Syrian citizens will continue to die.
Russia says that they vetoed the resolution because it was biased and it would mean that they would have to pick a side in a civil war--and they really don't want to do that, even though Syria is a huge ally of Russia's in the middle east. Additionally, China's veto came after Russia's and seems to be for the same reason. The Turkish Prime Minister accuses China and Russia of reverting to Cold War logic and not wanting to support this resolution simply because of their attitude against the West.
Many countries are in support of the resolution and really want to help get Assad out of power. Even other Middle Eastern countries have publicly decided they are opposed to Assad.
Do you think if there are enough countries that band together, they could form a new group and help Syria without the approval of Russia and China? What changes do you think could be made for China and Russia to support the resolution? Why do you think China and Russia can't put aside their opposition to the West to help Syria?
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