LAT: Stalin Has Foot Back on the Pedestal

[NoPasaran]

MOSCOW — The last public statue of Josef Stalin in Moscow stands forlornly in a postmodern graveyard of Communist-era monuments here, missing part of his nose.

But more than 500 miles away, in the city once known as Stalingrad, the infamous Soviet leader is getting more respect.

Authorities in Volgograd are planning to unveil a statue of Stalin next week as Russia celebrates the 60th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany. The dictator's supporters see it simply as proper recognition of the key role he played in World War II.

To critics, however, the move reflects an ominous and growing infatuation with a tyrant many Russians revere as a symbol of strength — never mind that he killed millions of his own citizens.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-stalin1may01.story

[onehandle]

1. Hopefully the Bush administration will send Condi for the occasion.

After all, we're the new "evil empire". We should show respect for our political ancestors.

[bleedingheart]

2. the Russians must love be tortured...

Stalin killed tens of millions of them and yet they want to honor him?

I am so sorry, it was the Russian people who held back the Nazis not Stalin...he was just the sicko at the head of the government.

[Joebert]

3. The country's pride is hurt.

They ruled the world in the space program with Sputnik and Gagarin.

They were way ahead of us in military might. Maybe not technology, but certainly in might.

After the the Soviet Union fell and broke up, nobody else has. It shows the Russians are weak for letting it happen. I mean, the USA didn't have states leave.

Since things have begun to privatize, you see zillionaires running the show.

Russia has too many bright, hard working people to be in the condtion they are right now. If their government ever pulls its head out of its ass, or there is a revolt, things could improve.

Unfortunately, I don't see a revolt, but the opposite, an implosion, where they put back in many of the Soviet ideals to bolster their power and pride.

While Putin and other secret service people run the government with Mafia assistance, they're screwed.

And you think that *we* have it bad with Bush!