Comment

I made a point early this morning to listen to the full Putin speech.  Although the translation was rough, I thought his presentation, essentially an assimilation of previous points he's made plus recent developments, was well done.  Using the critical importance of grassroots self-determination as indicated by the huge pro-Russian Crimean vote  on Sunday, and the historic and contemporary strategic importance of Crimea to Russia, it would seem difficult for reasonable people to seriously challenge his and Russia's position -- as far as it has tangibly gone.

I  listened to it on Al Jazeera America where our family now spends most of its new-getting time.  It's a welcome change from what seems increasingly to be the "kept" traditional U.S. TV media.  It does have a number of pundits who follow that U.S. position but it does provide other points pf view, pundit and grassroots,  and has very good camera footage.  Its various global features are nicely done.  I like the attention to Mongolia.

Soon after Putin's speech, it carried a shot of  Gorbachev with his very strong statement backing Putin's Crimean policy.

It's interesting to watch some -- some -- American academic specialists in Russian affairs and international law struggle to maintain academic integrity while trying to follow the U.S. position.

To me, the government in Kiev is far from impressive.  Busy attempting to integrate itself into the Western arrangement while receiving a continual flow of blessings from that direction, it seems generally impotent.  I have heard more about fascist currents therein, some information on which seems authoritative -- though that general part of the pasture remains pretty murky.  I have noted no signs so far of public and significant left tendencies.

Hunter Bear


HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / 
St. Francis Abenaki / St. Regis Mohawk 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO

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