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VLADIMIR PUTIN: MARKETER IN CHIEF
City Watch
June 13 2014
13 Jun 2014
Written by Paul Hatfield
PERSPECTIVE-The commemoration of D-Day never fails to rankle the
Russians. They like to downplay the Normandy invasion and emphasize
the sacrifice made by the Soviet Union. Someone should remind them
that westerners do not trivialize their commemoration of Stalingrad.
The Great Patriotic War, as it was known in the former Soviet Union
and still is by the citizens of today's Russia - has been used by
both the Communist and current leaders of Russia as a means to stoke
nationalistic fervor. It is this fervor that has been behind their
desire to expand power and influence throughout the world. Russian
separatists and their sympathizers in Ukraine routinely parade images
of Joseph Stalin and justify their actions as a continuation of the
war against fascism.
Russian losses in World War 2 were estimated at 20,000,000 - as large
a sacrifice as any nation ever made. One should note the casualty
figure includes at least 3,000,000 Ukrainians, Georgians, Armenians
and those from other republics that were under Soviet subjection.
The victims should be honored and respected, but the past and present
governments and leaders of Russia, along with the nationalists who
use the war to wave the bloody shirt, do not deserve any recognition.
Vladimir Putin strutted around like a peacock at the very solemn
gathering in France last week marking the 70th anniversary of the
riskiest military venture ever attempted in modern times.
Perhaps Putin should be reminded that Stalin's Non Aggression Pact
with Germany gave the green light for Hitler to invade Poland and
start the war. The agreement also partitioned Poland. Stalin invaded
days after German forces attacked to secure his share of the spoils.
The Soviet occupation of Poland was as brutal as Germany's. Besides
atrocities committed against the civilian population, the Russian
government authorized the execution of 4,300 Polish officers held
as prisoners.
In 1944, the Red Army did nothing to provide relief to the valiant
Polish resistance who rose up against the Nazi occupiers of Warsaw.
There was more than ample time to intervene, instead the Russians
sat outside the Polish capital with a massive force and provided
little assistance despite pleas from Churchill and Roosevelt. There
was so much disgust with Stalin that Churchill's cabinet considered
stopping the danger-ridden Arctic convoys that ferried 4 million tons
of military aid to Russia.
Stalin repeatedly criticized the western allies for taking so long
to open a second front in Europe. However, the Anglo-American forces
were involved in the war against Imperial Japan, one in which Russia
sat out until just days before the Emperor surrendered. Stalin's sole
motivation in those last days of the Pacific War was to gobble up as
much land as possible in Asia.
The Americans, British and their Commonwealth allies were also
heavily engaged in North Africa and later Italy. Their Navies
were simultaneously fighting Germany's deadly U-Boat threat to
life-sustaining convoys crossing the Atlantic to England.
Stalin and his regime perverted the victory over Hitler by enslaving
half of Europe. Stalin also installed Kim Il-Sung as his puppet in
North Korea...and you know how that played out.
With Putin, it is all about Russia. He, his cronies and the 80% of
Russian citizens who support them want to create a power the Czars
and Stalin would be proud of.
The Great Patriotic War is their marketing tool.
(Paul Hatfield is a CPA and former NC Valley Village board member
and treasurer. He blogs at Village to Village and contributes to
CityWatch )
http://www.citywatchla.com/lead-stories-hidden/7052-vladimir-putin-marketer-in-chief
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
City Watch
June 13 2014
13 Jun 2014
Written by Paul Hatfield
PERSPECTIVE-The commemoration of D-Day never fails to rankle the
Russians. They like to downplay the Normandy invasion and emphasize
the sacrifice made by the Soviet Union. Someone should remind them
that westerners do not trivialize their commemoration of Stalingrad.
The Great Patriotic War, as it was known in the former Soviet Union
and still is by the citizens of today's Russia - has been used by
both the Communist and current leaders of Russia as a means to stoke
nationalistic fervor. It is this fervor that has been behind their
desire to expand power and influence throughout the world. Russian
separatists and their sympathizers in Ukraine routinely parade images
of Joseph Stalin and justify their actions as a continuation of the
war against fascism.
Russian losses in World War 2 were estimated at 20,000,000 - as large
a sacrifice as any nation ever made. One should note the casualty
figure includes at least 3,000,000 Ukrainians, Georgians, Armenians
and those from other republics that were under Soviet subjection.
The victims should be honored and respected, but the past and present
governments and leaders of Russia, along with the nationalists who
use the war to wave the bloody shirt, do not deserve any recognition.
Vladimir Putin strutted around like a peacock at the very solemn
gathering in France last week marking the 70th anniversary of the
riskiest military venture ever attempted in modern times.
Perhaps Putin should be reminded that Stalin's Non Aggression Pact
with Germany gave the green light for Hitler to invade Poland and
start the war. The agreement also partitioned Poland. Stalin invaded
days after German forces attacked to secure his share of the spoils.
The Soviet occupation of Poland was as brutal as Germany's. Besides
atrocities committed against the civilian population, the Russian
government authorized the execution of 4,300 Polish officers held
as prisoners.
In 1944, the Red Army did nothing to provide relief to the valiant
Polish resistance who rose up against the Nazi occupiers of Warsaw.
There was more than ample time to intervene, instead the Russians
sat outside the Polish capital with a massive force and provided
little assistance despite pleas from Churchill and Roosevelt. There
was so much disgust with Stalin that Churchill's cabinet considered
stopping the danger-ridden Arctic convoys that ferried 4 million tons
of military aid to Russia.
Stalin repeatedly criticized the western allies for taking so long
to open a second front in Europe. However, the Anglo-American forces
were involved in the war against Imperial Japan, one in which Russia
sat out until just days before the Emperor surrendered. Stalin's sole
motivation in those last days of the Pacific War was to gobble up as
much land as possible in Asia.
The Americans, British and their Commonwealth allies were also
heavily engaged in North Africa and later Italy. Their Navies
were simultaneously fighting Germany's deadly U-Boat threat to
life-sustaining convoys crossing the Atlantic to England.
Stalin and his regime perverted the victory over Hitler by enslaving
half of Europe. Stalin also installed Kim Il-Sung as his puppet in
North Korea...and you know how that played out.
With Putin, it is all about Russia. He, his cronies and the 80% of
Russian citizens who support them want to create a power the Czars
and Stalin would be proud of.
The Great Patriotic War is their marketing tool.
(Paul Hatfield is a CPA and former NC Valley Village board member
and treasurer. He blogs at Village to Village and contributes to
CityWatch )
http://www.citywatchla.com/lead-stories-hidden/7052-vladimir-putin-marketer-in-chief
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress