Meanwhile, Ana Braga-Henebry is rediscovering the classics of Russian literature. I have always thought that there is no tragedy quite like a Russian tragedy. Share
The Last Judgment
1 week ago
Friday, April 25, 2008
From Russia With Love
Meanwhile, Ana Braga-Henebry is rediscovering the classics of Russian literature. I have always thought that there is no tragedy quite like a Russian tragedy. Share
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6 comments:
One can say that "projection" is behind the efforts to attack Russia, but it's also true that Russia was one of the first to give communism a try, with disastrous effects. It simply replaced the despotism of the worst of tsars with despotism of the politburo. Democracy has its flaws, but that doesn't mean that the communism exported around the world is benign -- simply look at the body count from the Ukraine to Cambodia.
I found that to be a completely spurious quote.
I don't think that anyone is endorsing Communism here, certainly not conservative journalist John Laughland. Perhaps the entire article needs to be carefully read. His point was that the Russian people have historically sought the "protection" of autocratic rulers in order to spare themselves from dreaded invasion. This is also discussed in Theodore H. von Laue's "Why Lenin? Why Stalin?"
And I would hardly designate Nicholas II as being the "worst of the Tsars." Perhaps the most incompetent, but then he had a great deal with which to contend...Ivan the Terrible was much worse, I dare say.
No one is supporting Communism here. I am the last person in the world to do so.
If what you say is true about the entire article, then perhaps a different pull-quote could be used. This one underscores the importance of collaboration with Russia (which I endorse) by virtually saying that any aspersions are the fault of the critics in the west. I never mentioned Nicholas, so don't know why he would be brought up as an example of the "worst of tsars." He had some quite commendable qualities.
Sorry but when you said the politboro replaced the worst of the tsars, I assumed you meant poor Nicholas, since he was the one they replaced. Guess I misunderstood.
I still do not understand how any endorsement of Communism can be construed from the quote. John Laughland, who is a close friend of Pat Buchanan's, has traveled all over eastern Europe for decades and probably knows more about the harsh legacy of Communism than most Americans.
But I will take the quote down so that people will read the entire article first.
Meanwhile, I tackle The Brothers K. :-)
Enjoy. I was reading the Brothers K when we moved ten years ago. I kept getting interrupted so I just put it aside. When I took it up again, I had forgotten who all the characters were and had to start over.....
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