For me, the most important exchange was between Putin and the young man who wanted to delay having children. Putin is always polite but I got the feeling that he just wanted to shake the young man and say: “YOU IDIOT, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE THE WHOLE POINT OF LIFE!!!”
How do you change a culture’s attitude from asking “what is good for me?” into one asking “what is good for the future?” I don’t know the answer. But I know that’s the right question.
You must be working late. I'm sitting here eating breakfast! When I began reading the article it had been uploaded only 17 minutes earlier! Sleep well.
Also the mountain Magnitnaya, as was said for winter sports it is very nice. Well it is a complete city itself. I am happy the pollution is being reversed, it was terrible, now not so much.
This is a fascinating interview! Thanks so much for posting. The history of Magnitogorsk is epic--one of Stalin's and the USSR's greatest industrial achievements. There is a fabulous book, currently out of print, called "Behind the Urals" which was written by an American machinist who went to work in Magnitogorsk when it was first being built in the early thirties. It is a magnificent book if you want to understand the spirit and sacrifice of the ordinary people who built the Soviet Union. Also what's quite interesting is that all of the numerous foreign engineers and contractors who began the project were thrown out for security purposes in 1932--including the author. In other words it was built by the Russian people. It is also notable that Stalin grabbed tons of German scientists and technicians during WW2, but they were all booted from Soviet programs in 1952, unlike the US where they became the backbone of the space program. Putin's obvious familiarity with the programs that serve ordinary people was impressive. What a guy. The guy is a closet Marxist. Russia is rekindling its socialist legacy--thank goodness.
IMO, Putin isn’t a Marxist. Rather, he’s a communitarian Christian and sees Russia as one big soviet. His political-economy doesn’t focus on tearing down capitalism but building up the people’s potential via People Centered Development as the people form the core of the state and thus the state cannot be strong unless the people are strong. Note carefully the people being chosen and trained to be Russia’s next cadre of leaders and governing officials. Fundamentally they are all very strong patriots and also very intelligent.
Can't imagine many western leaders doing such rounds, such hands on when VVP has so many pressing matters to attend to. It's not like he's out on the campaign trail, just a general interest in how the whole country is developing, overseeing the fruits of Russia's investment.
DJT pulls up to a backwater town in Tennessee having spotted what looks like a hub of activity with young men and women entering and exiting what looks like a factory. As he approaches the facility he notices dozens of people lying around while others dart off in several directions.
Young man he calls out approaching a bystander who looks in his direction. The young man stares at him saliva dribbling down his mouth. Do you work here asks DJT but the youth just stares through him the mouth moving but with no words of response. As he reaches the entrance he engages another young dishevelled man on the door. How many bags sir asks the man. Bags asks DJT. Yeah it's buy 2 get one free but watch out for the pigs they busted our lab last week.
After the factory, Putin took part in the opening ceremony of the next big leg of the M-12 freeway, 1200Kms—Russia’s version of our Interstate. He wants a road connection to reach DPRK via Kazakhstan and Mongolia as well as building more modern transport links within Russia.
For me, the most important exchange was between Putin and the young man who wanted to delay having children. Putin is always polite but I got the feeling that he just wanted to shake the young man and say: “YOU IDIOT, DON’T YOU KNOW THAT CHILDREN ARE THE WHOLE POINT OF LIFE!!!”
How do you change a culture’s attitude from asking “what is good for me?” into one asking “what is good for the future?” I don’t know the answer. But I know that’s the right question.
i enjoyed reading that exchange as well!
You must be working late. I'm sitting here eating breakfast! When I began reading the article it had been uploaded only 17 minutes earlier! Sleep well.
I took advantage of timed release so it wouldn’t be the 3rd article for Wednesday. That was only the second time in two years.
We call Chelyabinsk «Tankograd»
Yes, I saw that in the Wiki description. The Attraction Park looked impressive.
Also the mountain Magnitnaya, as was said for winter sports it is very nice. Well it is a complete city itself. I am happy the pollution is being reversed, it was terrible, now not so much.
Thrill to see the renewal of industry and the towns with a low unemployment , more need for highly skilled workers with higher pay.
Pride spirit of place is a wonder
To see .
This is a fascinating interview! Thanks so much for posting. The history of Magnitogorsk is epic--one of Stalin's and the USSR's greatest industrial achievements. There is a fabulous book, currently out of print, called "Behind the Urals" which was written by an American machinist who went to work in Magnitogorsk when it was first being built in the early thirties. It is a magnificent book if you want to understand the spirit and sacrifice of the ordinary people who built the Soviet Union. Also what's quite interesting is that all of the numerous foreign engineers and contractors who began the project were thrown out for security purposes in 1932--including the author. In other words it was built by the Russian people. It is also notable that Stalin grabbed tons of German scientists and technicians during WW2, but they were all booted from Soviet programs in 1952, unlike the US where they became the backbone of the space program. Putin's obvious familiarity with the programs that serve ordinary people was impressive. What a guy. The guy is a closet Marxist. Russia is rekindling its socialist legacy--thank goodness.
IMO, Putin isn’t a Marxist. Rather, he’s a communitarian Christian and sees Russia as one big soviet. His political-economy doesn’t focus on tearing down capitalism but building up the people’s potential via People Centered Development as the people form the core of the state and thus the state cannot be strong unless the people are strong. Note carefully the people being chosen and trained to be Russia’s next cadre of leaders and governing officials. Fundamentally they are all very strong patriots and also very intelligent.
"Closet Marxist" was tongue in cheek. Good luck leaving the nation's productive forces in the hands of capitalists. I wish him well.
Your middle sentence nails it RV, if tomorrow's leader is different it all slowly reverts or quickly.
Can't imagine many western leaders doing such rounds, such hands on when VVP has so many pressing matters to attend to. It's not like he's out on the campaign trail, just a general interest in how the whole country is developing, overseeing the fruits of Russia's investment.
DJT pulls up to a backwater town in Tennessee having spotted what looks like a hub of activity with young men and women entering and exiting what looks like a factory. As he approaches the facility he notices dozens of people lying around while others dart off in several directions.
Young man he calls out approaching a bystander who looks in his direction. The young man stares at him saliva dribbling down his mouth. Do you work here asks DJT but the youth just stares through him the mouth moving but with no words of response. As he reaches the entrance he engages another young dishevelled man on the door. How many bags sir asks the man. Bags asks DJT. Yeah it's buy 2 get one free but watch out for the pigs they busted our lab last week.
After the factory, Putin took part in the opening ceremony of the next big leg of the M-12 freeway, 1200Kms—Russia’s version of our Interstate. He wants a road connection to reach DPRK via Kazakhstan and Mongolia as well as building more modern transport links within Russia.