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In reply to the discussion: Guardian's former Moscow correspondent on "Russia’s treatment of its own whistle-blowers" (updated) [View all]Cha
(296,848 posts)63. I'm grateful I'm living in a country where Obama is President as opposed to Putin's Russia
Boycott Sochi?
Whether or not there is a boycott, connecting Putin's systematic attacks on LGBT people to the Sochi Olympics is a stroke of political genius. This isn't only because it focuses international attention on an issue largely undiscussed in the mainstream press. Sochi could very well be the all-powerful Putin's Achilles' heel. These Winter Games, to be held for reasons that still make no sense in Sochi's subtropical climate, are going to be more expensive than any other Games summer or winter in history. Due primarily to shady no-bid construction contracts for Putin's business allies, $30 billion in public funds have simply disappeared. This isn't an Olympics. It's more like a heist. The almighty Putin is looking more with each passing day like this guy: attacking the LGBT community in a cheap effort to turn attention away from rampant corruption and growing inequality, symbolized sharply by what's happening in Sochi.
http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9522926/gay-rights-sochi-boycott-movement
h/t http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023385664
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Guardian's former Moscow correspondent on "Russia’s treatment of its own whistle-blowers" (updated) [View all]
ProSense
Aug 2013
OP
I'm grateful I'm living in a country where Obama is President as opposed to Putin's Russia
Cha
Aug 2013
#63
If Snowden was Russian and had exposed a massive Russian surveillance network
Uncle Joe
Aug 2013
#72
I agree, Putin did make the big catch and it just goes to show you what a sad state of affairs it is
Uncle Joe
Aug 2013
#77
You can call it self serving if you will and I would agree with you but perception is everything
Uncle Joe
Aug 2013
#79
Russia executes whistleblowers, the US jails them indefinitely, tortures them in custody,
NuclearDem
Aug 2013
#16
Who are the whistleblowers who the US jails "indefinitely" and "tortures" in custody?
ProSense
Aug 2013
#17
Yes, you did. You made a snarky remark as if to imply: So, the U.S. does this....n/t
ProSense
Aug 2013
#29
Oh for God's sake, just tell her/him nyah nyah nyah nyah, nyah, nyah - tag. You're it.
matthews
Aug 2013
#59
He'll come back when the horror that is Rand Paul is elected. Expect confetti and swooning...
freshwest
Aug 2013
#30
The piece in the OP is from today, and the administration position is not new.
ProSense
Aug 2013
#28
the u.s. reaction could have been anything. they made a statement on todays asylum...
allin99
Aug 2013
#31
I'm taking the mickey of you and your cohort's breathless denunciation of books
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2013
#43
OK. So there were murders, but you're just "taking the mickey" on a false equivalency.
ProSense
Aug 2013
#44
'Guardian reporter writes a book'='Guardian reporter writes a book' is a 'false equivalency'?
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2013
#45
Yes, the book has nothing to do with the current report, and the situations aren't remotely similar.
ProSense
Aug 2013
#46
The book is about the title of your thread, and by the man you describe in your title
muriel_volestrangler
Aug 2013
#47
They've gone the free market paradise road. Just what the Libertarians want here. He'll do fine.
freshwest
Aug 2013
#66
Good post. Snowden choosing Russia is equivalent to a person choosing Satan as safe
bluestate10
Aug 2013
#69