Not my fight Mr Путин

I was recently contacted by a radio show asking me to give my opinion on the Russian protests that have been all over the international news this last week. Although I was flattered, I declined their offer and told them the only opinion I have is sourced from what I have read and seen in the international and local media. I told them that I try to avoid being political on the world wide web. However on reflection, no blog like this, would be totally complete without making some comment on what are clearly historic events that are happening in Russia while I am currently living here as an expatriate in Moscow. To be serious for a moment, on a blog normally with an ethos of humor, lets now focus on the recent street protests in Moscow because it would be disrespectful to ignore it and an opinion must be given.

I don't watch the news on TV but usually read the press online, simply because I don't have the free time or the patience to watch the same dribble and crap on every channel from shows like RT (Russia today), CNN or the BBC. No offense to any American cousins reading this but I can't stand to watch Americanized news (RT) or news that tries to over sensationalize world events for a story, however these events are real and are important to Russia and to the world. I live in Moscow and did not go to the protests because its not my fight or my business to get involved, however I do have an admiration and a great respect for any Russian that did take part in the street protests. I can only offer an opinion rather than getting involved at street level. Apathy is consuming society the world over, however, with a choice of crap, mad or bad, who do we elect to lead us? As has been proved in Iran, Russia and other countries, voting processes are deeply flawed and subject to wide spread cheating, It's little wonder we are all so disillusioned with our politicians and governments and simply don't bother to vote.

In my humble view, Russia's dear leader, Vladimir Putin was the right man for the job when he came to power but is no longer relevant. He built Russian up to be strong, while many of his government politicians and civil servants have filled their pockets via corruption and theft which are really the same thing. The reality is, that there is not a real strong alternative to him and he damn well knows it, with exception to a one or two billionaire embittered thugs, who threaten his territory. Putin recently went on Russian radio and almost laughed at the protesters, some say you can almost smell the arrogance wafting in a thick cloud, over the Moskva river. I reserve no judgement but it does indicate that change, may be a very hard women to bed.

Russia is a rich country in minerals and oil and yet outside Moscow, villages, towns and cities lay rotting with decaying hospitals, schools and infrastructure. Why is not the wealth distributed across the country to make it a modern example to the rest of the world and to its old enemy, America? I don't have those answers and would not have the audacity to suggest any. As a foreign observer of the situation here, I feel the elite in Russian hold onto power, lining their own deep pockets. The media and television is controlled by an unseen hand and the only real form of people power and truth, is via crappy social network sites that 99% of the worlds population now belong to and democratic action by mass people mobilization on the streets. The media here present no opinion or only give a neutral opinion on any event that tends to conflict with the ruling party in power. Any Russian journalist that does give an openly public opinion of those in power or who tries to expose corruption, is simply shot or beaten to death. Their deaths are never resolved and the case is closed and largely forgotten.

Some Russians would deny they are spoon fed a set reality via their own TV channels but always have the option to read the foreign press and to join social network sites and many have done so. They cannot be fooled or misguided any longer. On the other hand, many are very patriotic to Russia and very proud of Russia, they choose the bury their heads in the sand. I think this national pride and a naivety regarding of the rest of the world, makes many docile to the power that rules them. Countries like the United Kingdom and America are often seen as very bad examples of social harmony and patriotism and I agree with this belief, and in my own opinion, if used correctly, nationalism and patriotism is not such a bad thing for social harmony and peace. Russia has developed national pride and patriotism as a tool for social harmony, it has got some way to go to get the balance right between control, truth and fiction.

For all of Russia's negatives, one of the positives I have noticed regarding the society, is the pride people have in their country (as suggested above), this pride offers a brotherhood and social harmony that is lacking in other countries, Russian society is ruled with a stick rather than a feather and this can be an example to countries like the United Kingdom that are so wet and liberal, that the country is now an international joke and in free fall of moral and political decline. I am not saying a stick is the answer to rule and I don't agree with disguised dictatorships but I do feel that a population must be ruled with strength and with fairness, Russia has a strong rule but many suggest an unfair and corrupt one. Strength can often suffocate the weak, a strong rule must be combined with a fair democratic rule, where the people decide who to elect and who should ultimately rule them.

One thing is clear from these protests, things have to change and it's time for those in power to listen to the people and to stop the endless draining of resources via corruption, election fraud and bad rule. I am not convinced that things will change and if they do change, it will be very slow and it will be very painful for Russia. The ruling elite have too much to lose to change and to cut off the pipeline of money that flows into their pockets. Only time will tell. Countries like North Korea, China and Iran (some have bravely tried) could follow the example here in Russia of people saying we have had enough and we now want change, although sadly, those two countries don't have a free and uncontrolled internet and have fanatical dictatorships so the situation is a lot worse for them than it is here. Although the media love to sensationalize a situation, in the case of the protests here, the media attention is justified. Conspiracy theories of Americans taking part in the protests to stir up the situation are just conspiracy theories and have so far not been conclusively proved, although it is human nature to bate a fight, even after thousands of years of evolution. Like at every demonstration the world over, there are always anarchists around high on drugs or beer, who are looking for a fight. Putin and other players, should stop using that as a valid excuse to dismiss the protests as just another American or anarchist conspiracy. We are not seeing a copy version of an Arab spring in Russia but we are seeing a lot of very angry citizens who are brave enough to say, enough is enough.

The protests are not my fight, although if I had a Russian wife or girlfriend and lived permanently in Russia, I may have taken part in the street protests. If I was American or any other nationality with a relationship or family link to Russia, then I may have taken part, it would be my right to do so. However, trouble makers and anarchists would not have any right to interfere with Russian protests and we should expose them where possible.

I do not have any political solutions but I wish the people the best of luck and pray for a fair and peaceful solution for all. We can only hope for a better and more fair, open, honest democracy in Russia. Russia needs continued strength as well as fairness and an end to all corruption, perhaps this is a utopian dream that will never happen? We can only hope things change and be optimistic for a better future for Russian citizens.

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