Very good article. I wish all would read it. (though most won't, it's too long and has some critical comments regarding some who can not be criticized)

For the curious, research Ivan Ilyan and Alexander Dugin. Two Russian fascist thinkers who have had an influence on Putin. (he even had Ilyan dug up and reburied on Russian soil, complete with his Orthodox mystic alongside).
It seems Putin has evolved a picture of Russian National Purity and forever victim hood. Russia is Forever the Innocent.
As Hill states in the article, his views and plans have been more and more public since at least 2007. He views Ukraine as Russian, so as the leader of Russia only he should speak for them. Borrowing from Stalin as far back as the 30's, any who dispute his world view (which is profoundly fascist) is a Fascist. Ergo, he is always fighting Fascists, whomever they may be. A neatly intellectually closed loop.
Russian "fake news" has had a profound effect on vast groups of people throughout the world. Whether through social media or through news items planted via websites, bloggers, and conventional media distribution, attitudes have been shaped regarding thinking about Russian History, it's neighbors, Democracy, immigration/refugees, race, and positions of Politicians and Political parties. Russian disinformation was active during the leadup to the vote on Brexit. The United Kingdom split from the EU was a tremendous victory for Russia. Use similar logic regarding the last 5 years or so about rancor that has built in EU relationships, NATO, and US-Europe relations and you have some idea of the damage that has been done (and is ongoing).
There was an old Unionizing anti scab song back in the day. (Pete Seeger amongst others recorded it )
Titled "Which Side Are You On" . It's time for many people to look inward, reflect a bit, and answer that question to themselves.

 

Not too concerned about it. I’m sure you’ll cry yourself to sleep over it tonight.

 

Yea, everyone should read Hill’s article linked above, powerful stuff and very accurate.

 

as long as I am pay protected, what’s the big deal?

 

interesting. I’m going to have to read that article and thanks. I was a bit concerned about Brexit when it happened and the impact on the EU. Speaking with a British VA pilot buddy, his view was fairly neutral and let’s just move forward. He did mention that polish immigrants were a problem in England and they were tired of dealing with EU and other immigrants. Makes you kind of wonder if that was a bit of Russian propaganda or not? I remember thinking the polish people were completely hosed by both sides in ww11 multiple times. Russians killing thousands of polish officers pre Germaine invasion, Russians letting the Germans completely destroy Warsaw before advancing. After all that European allies letting them fall under the iron curtain during the Tehran conference. And no I’m not polish.

 

+1
Came across it earlier today. Pretty eye opening

 

Book rec:

“The Gun” by CJ Chivers.

Fascinating history of the AK47. Really a great overview of the Cold War though the lens of this particular weapon.

 

“Ordinary Men: Reserve Police Battalion 101 and the Final Solution in Poland” - C R Browning.

Chilling book about what ordinary men can be convinced to do, even volunteer to do it with no threat of penalty for refusal. These Germans weren’t stone cold Nazi ideologues.They were basically city cops too old for line service and drafted to be MPs and POW guards.

Great book to read for those who think they would never get sucked into propaganda and non stop agitprop.

(Poles really took in in the shorts from both Germany AND Russia WWII. Remember, G&R invaded Poland on the same day then carved it up, but the western alliance only declared war on Germany).

 

Yup. If I recall correctly Russians had Warsaw surrounded on three sides on their advance to Germany. Could have basically closed the loop but instead let the Germans destroy the city.

 

Well now, this didn’t age well, and it’s only been a week. Pathetic to read some of these earlier posts that put full confidence in Putin being honest.