22 Comments

Every step Putin takes reinforces my belief that this man has been a blessing to Russia and the world. History will mark him as the great leader and statesman that he is. He has revitalized the virtues of the Russian people and rescued those that the West lost. I wish him a long and healthy life.

Expand full comment

I wonder how many others from western nations are drooling when they read about the way Russia invests in its people and their well-being.

Expand full comment

“When they read”, but in what publications, Diana? I have about 4K subscribers and followers, and most are oldsters like me. If that number was 4 million, then that might make a difference in the numbers who would move. I might write about that potential motivation.

Expand full comment

I was thinking of your posts, Karl. But even the glimpses others got of Russia through Tucker Carlson's visit there were compelling.

But, ya, I get your point.

Expand full comment

As a historian, I have a good understanding of the conditions that force/obligate people/populations to move/migrate. Such conditions haven’t been present in North America sans Mexico for many decades—almost 100 years That’s what I’m contemplating writing about.

I didn’t post the meeting, but recently there was an extensive discussion about the state of the clean-up of the two tankers that wrecked during a late December storm in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait where Putin again showed how well he gets briefed on events. The response to the event was excellent but challenges remain when water temps warm. I tell you this because I know you are environmentally in-tuned. Which reminds me, did I ever share this with you? https://archive.org/details/GoddessoftheEarth

Expand full comment

I look forward to reading that post, Karl.

I'll watch the video you sent when I get a chance. Thanks.

Expand full comment

Thanks for another nice write up Karl

I of the thought that the SV Paypal Mafia have taken over the government, with Vance a Theil acolyte as VP and Musk as the controller of Trump is where the power lies. The neocons are no

longer in charge but and there is always a but the SV Mafia are no better, they're just going to

take amerika even deeper into a totalitarian state.

https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/1886563665475678641

I don't believe for a second that amerika can save itself from within, it will need to be defeated

for it be able to work in peaceful harmony with the ROW

With interesting yet extremely scary times are upon us I can't fathom the optimism that many have that Trump will do anything right let alone for the right reason

Expand full comment

You may want to read whatever it is that Dr. Doctorow comes up with. There’s a short FYI at the link, https://gilbertdoctorow.com/

Expand full comment

I don't believe that Trump himself has come up with any of this on his own, he's definitely someone's puppet

Let's see what he has to say later in the week

Expand full comment

Trump's ego and crude language is a tell, he's not playing 5D chess, I guess that Musk has been his appointed controller.

Expand full comment

Thanks for the link!

Expand full comment

Vocational secondary education?

How smart. The US would never go for that.

Expand full comment

The US hasn’t a clue how to properly relate to its human capital, the one exception being the period of slavery—white, native and black.

Expand full comment

In Australia we used to have something like that years ago.

They used to be called technical schools and prepared mainly boys for jobs in the various trades although they had to complete apprenticeships on top of that.

It was essentially hands on which suited the way a lot of boys approached things. These however were closed down and school became more focused on academic type stuff and university entrance. This suited girls much more and the boys lost interest and either dropped out barely literate or stayed and become disruptive.

To my mind this has destroyed the education of thousands of young men and women who were never remotely interested in going to University. Possibly even ushering in the dystopia that has brought us Trump and the rest of it.

Expand full comment

In Russia and elsewhere, the emphasis is on SMEs—Small & Medium Enterprises—where technicians from many trades are aided in starting a shop/business. It’s portion of Russia’s economy is the fastest growing.

When looking at Russia’s unemployment rate of about 2.5%, there’re sectors that are much higher like teen unemployment meaning there’re some sectors where it’s zero. Unless you’re incapacitated and unable to perform any function, you can find employment—and the government will be happy to assist. And given Russia’s development goals, you’ll work until you retire.

Expand full comment

I worked at a TAFE college as an IT/admin/manager which was transitioning to business studies but had a long history turning out plumbers and electricians. The transition coincided with increasing service privatisation, campus consolidation, and outsourcing. In my opinion the Hilmer report was national sabotage.

Expand full comment

Superb article. So good to see Russia going in this direction. The emphasis on human capital--the education, opportunities, health and well-being of the general population is what separates the good guys from the capitalist empire, which, incidentally, performs pretty much as Marx depicts. Thank you!

Expand full comment

Do you suppose the oligarchy was frightened by the whims whoever controlled the past 3 years' US empire flirting with nuclear war over Stalin's borders for Kiev?

Expand full comment

I don’t know if “frightened” is the term I’d use. Dismayed by the outcome and realization that they need to change mojo is what I see. The inability and need to nurture and develop your nation’s #1 asset is the most critical mistake the USA has made, and it’s been ongoing for several generations.

Expand full comment

Dead right Karl. The wealthy don't seem to imagine that they need to nurture anything as they will always be able to buy whatever it is that they want form wherever they want. Failing that, they launch a hostile takeover.

They never dream that anyone would not sell to them, yet with their idiotic sanctions they are creating a world where people can't sell to them and are now looking elsewhere.

Expand full comment

It's quite the story how the "wealthy" got so wealthy(bullies) yet they believe that they're the best and brightest

Great comment, spot on

Expand full comment

I agree I think the oligarchs (Atlanticist?) thought Russian Federation would fold, they overestimated (underestimated RF, how could they did they expect RF different than Russia under Stalin in terms of grit?) the US' military potential, believed their media's propaganda, etc.

Next how do the oligarchs accommodate the BRICS....?

Expand full comment