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The Dark Side: The Inside Story of How The War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals
by Jane Mayer
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by Jane Mayer
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12/19/2007
Richard Stengel
A discussion about Time Magazine's Person of the Year
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A discussion about Time Magazine's Person of the Year Vladimir Putin with managing editor Rick Stengel.
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Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
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Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
John, as a Russian, I can assure you that your facts are incorrect. As an example, corruption has decreased under Putin tremendously (though it is by no means a resolved problem - as Putin will attest). I would encourage all westerners to reflect about why the vast majority of Russians supports Mr. Putin. In regards to the oft suggested notion that his achievements can be solely attributed to the rising oil prices, it is a point hardly worth arguing as most of its proponents have never even studied the fiscal policy of the Putin Administration and thus do not possess the elementary knowledge to comprehend the other side's arguments.
One should remember that Putin represents values contrary to those America was founded upon. Corruption, xenophobia, racial discrimination, human rights abuse - these are the few consequences of "stability" this man has mastered in Russia largely due to the windfall of oil money from the West. Sorry, Stengel, but I don't share your trepidation with Putin's unblinking stare. It is unfathomable to me why such a revered American institution would favor a KGB brigadier with fish eyes over so many other deserving individuals.
One should always remember that Putin represents values contrary to those America was founded upon. Corruption, xenophobia, racial discrimination, human rights abuseâ??these are the few consequences of â??stabilityâ?? this man has mastered in Russia largely due to the windfall of oil money from the West. Sorry, Stengel, but I donâ??t share your trepidation with Putinâ??s unblinking stare. It is unfathomable to me why such a revered American institution would favor a KGB brigadier with fish eyes over so many other deserving individuals.
Stengel: "He (Putin) is responsible for this environment (where 13 journalists were killed over couple years or so)..." - you are kidding me! Check how many journalists were killed in time of "democrat" Yeltsin.... more! And who is "responsible" then?
John I think you misunderstand the requirements for time's person of the year. Considering that Hitler was person of the year and Stalin got the award twice. Its not based on who promotes democracy around the world... (Not that I'm comparing Putin to them)
High John: What do you have against Putin, he is the smartest statesman on the planet today. Would you rather have Bush, well, take it and be happy and join the club.
Putin is a terrible choice, no matter how you look at it. He may dominate the news with so-called presidential elections in Russia, but your choice of him as the person of the year delivers a devastating blow to young democracies around the world, not to mention countries of Ukraine and Georgia who try very hard to get from under Russia's political grip. It is an unfortunate endorsement of a cruel and sinister little man and the passing autocracy he represents.