Re: [Redbadbear] Re: [SycamoreCanyon] Fwd: Violent video: Ukraine TV boss beaten up, forced to resign by far-right Svoboda MPs

Also, politely and in friendship, I would point out that I did not blame "Putin." I used the term "Russia."  I probably should have been more precise and used terms like the ruling class and political forces of Russia, since I do not think that the great bulk of the Russian people had anything to do with making these decisions. (Of course, as is often the case in such circumstances, I am sure that a great many Russian people currently support the seizure of the Crimea.)

The actions by the ruling class and political leaders of the USA and Eu--like those of Russia--usually are in terms of their perceived imperial interests.  This includes a great deal of bickering and threatening over this issue.  Hopefully, it will not lead to war, but it does have some resemblance to 1914 that worries me.  A "Sarajevo" incident could prove disastrous, and the Ukrainian fascists are certainly capable of doing something like that.  I would hope that Russia and NATO are more restrained--but the instability of most governments in current circumstances (as was true in 1914, I would remind you) might lead them to dangerous actions.

I think you are mistaken in waiting for "public evidence " of a viable Ukrainian left.  The mainstream media will do their best to suppress it--and, unfortunately, I think this may be true of much of the "progressive" left press as well since they have adopted the narrative that Ukraine's uprising was a putsch by fascists.  Sources like Solidarity or ISO or Richard Greeman or various left anarchist sites are likely to be better on that.

I also think it is a mistake to write off the extent to which worry about the uprising turning left has been a factor in Russian government decisions or those of NATO.  They have adequate sources to see the extent of participatory democratic sentiment in the Maidan and elsewhere in Ukraine--and also to see both the strengths and weaknesses of the Independent Trade Unions.  Although there ideology might blind them to some of this, in the time of the Indignados, the "Arab Spring," etc., I think they are quite alert to these threats to their interests.

Indeed, in addition to the warm water port issue, I think this led Putin etc to risk sanctions and perhaps a war to avoid it.




 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Hunter Gray <[email protected]>
To: SycamoreCanyon <[email protected]>; Redbadbear <[email protected]>; marxist <[email protected]>; newgreencanada <[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, Mar 20, 2014 9:37 am
Subject: [Redbadbear] Re: [SycamoreCanyon] Fwd: Violent video: Ukraine TV boss beaten up, forced to resign by far-right Svoboda MPs


 
  
    
                  

I think you're dead wrong, Sam, in consistently blaming Putin -- and, of course, I say this politely.  I think he and Russia have done well to safeguard Crimea, its people, and certainly the always critical warm water port
 
In fact, over the longer run, Putin's position may well have prevented a regional war.
 
In the last few weeks, ethnocentrists in the West have consistenly defamed Putin and Russia.  They're having a hard time dealing with a Force that can't be manipulated.  Their rush to endorse the Kiev government may prove embarrasing as the far right elements -- united  by fanaticism and single-minded zeal -- could  very possibly seize a dominant position in the Kiev government.
 
I certainly join you in wishing for the emergence of a viable Left in the Ukrainian situation.  I'd like to see some public evidence of it.
 
Best, Hunter
 
 
HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq / 
St. Francis Abenaki / St. Regis Mohawk 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO
 
Check out our massive social justice website
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----- Original Message ----- 
  
From:   [email protected] 
  
To: [email protected] ; [email protected]   ; [email protected]   ; [email protected]   
  
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2014 4:16   AM
  
Subject: [SycamoreCanyon] Fwd: Violent   video: Ukraine TV boss beaten up, forced to resign by far-right Svoboda   MPs
  


    
  
This may sHow the need to help the left there to fight the fascists.   (Although maybe they will do it without any help.)  


  
It also may show how the Russian actions are strengthening the right wing   and fascists in Ukraine and maybe the US as well as in Russia.

Sent   from AOL Mobile Mail


-----Original Message-----
From: friedman   <[email protected]>
To: sam4wp   <[email protected]>
Sent:   Thu, Mar 20, 2014 07:11 AM
Subject: Fwd: Violent video: Ukraine TV boss   beaten up, forced to resign by far-right Svoboda MPs


  
  
  


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Begin forwarded message: 


  
    
From: Claudia Chaufan < [email protected]>     
Date: March 20, 2014 at 6:02:57 AM GMT-3 
To: [email protected]     
Subject: Violent video: Ukraine TV boss beaten up, forced to     resign by far-right Svoboda MPs 
Reply-To: Claudia Chaufan     < [email protected]>     


  
    
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article38007.htm     


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