PUTIN is TIME's Person of the Year!

[browneyedgirl]

http://news.mobile.msn.com/en-us/articl ... d=22323855


Congrats, Dude!

Who's next? Colonel Khadafi?

Seriously, hasn't Putin done some good things for Russia?
I'd be interested in hearing from Forum members who reside in Russia about the reality of life in Russia today.

[StratoTimo]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

[black death]

Who's next? Colonel Khadafi?

I think Stalin was Time's person of the year, too. It's an "award" for a person who is of the most influence in relevant year. Positive or negative, that's not important. And I'd say Putin meets this criterion very well.

[Dave]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

Well.. Yeah we Bolivians don't like spains because they conquered South America

[Neorave]

Well, it could've been worse...like...Hillary Clinton!

[stratohawk]

It's not the question wether he did something good or bad. But he is definitely one of the most important persons in world politics, and he is making his contentious way, to stay in power even if not being Russian president anymore.

[browneyedgirl]

Well, it could've been worse...like...Hillary Clinton!

Oh, that will be next year.
Hopefully.

Its time the USA stepped into the modern age like the rest of the world, and had a female prez. Of course, alot of people did not bitch when it was Elizabeth Dole running for Commander-in-Chief. No pun intended!

[browneyedgirl]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

Well.. Yeah we Bolivians don't like spains because they conquered South America

Yep. And lots of my Native American relatives still hold a grudge because of the Spanish, French, and English who settled the USA&slaughtered millions of them in the name of World progress&advancement!

[browneyedgirl]

For an old guy, Vlad looks pretty good!




All that KGB training&good 'ol Russian vodka&caviar, I guess!

[CottonCandy]

Lets hope George Bush does not start walking around shirtless! :sick:

[NeonVomit]

Time magazine have stressed that this is not an honour. It is simply a recognition of the person who has made the biggest impact in the year.

And I don't think anyone can deny that Putin has done just that.

[Mormegil]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

I am.
I do.
I do, but I don't care. It was 1939 remember?

[NeonVomit]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

Well the French shouldn't like the Germans if it was like that. But everyone gets along ok now!

[Carcass]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

Yesterday I had a Christmas dinner with people from all around the world, including Russia. Being as unforgiven as you would've resulted in a mess with everybody being at each others throats.

[browneyedgirl]

In all seriousness, I wonder how Putin's reign has changed things in Russia over the years: economically, socially, the educational system, morale of the people, medical system, etc. etc.
I could Google all that stuff to find out, but it would not have the same impact as someone who LIVES there giving their opinions&feelings based on experience.

Morgana? Who else posts here that lives in Russia?

[stratoplayer]

In all seriousness, I wonder how Putin's reign has changed things in Russia over the years: economically, socially, the educational system, morale of the people, medical system, etc. etc.
I could Google all that stuff to find out, but it would not have the same impact as someone who LIVES there giving their opinions&feelings based on experience.

Morgana? Who else posts here that lives in Russia?

I am more interested in the whole situation with Chechnya and the influence in the rest of the Balkans, really sensitive and personal stuff. sort of what Iraq is to the States...

[browneyedgirl]

I remember there was a minor news story in the early 90s about a doctor&his family from Texas giving up their US citizenship to live&work in Russia. 10 years later there was a follow-up&the family were doing quite well. The 2 children were attending college, the family had a nice home in a quiet neigborhood, and both Doc and his wife had steady jobs. Of course, things were different&it took awhile to get used to a different country's customs&all. But, the family were quite content and did not regret their move.

Of course, the argument can be made that this was a professional-oriented family, and going into a new country they were already quite well off, and educated. Naturally, they'd have an easier time making the adjustment than, say, if Joe the Plumber or Jean the Pizza Hut Waitress moved there!

[miditek]

who the hell is interested about that?
We Finns just don't like human of Russian or something like that!
Don't you remember: Winter War in 1939?

Or the Continuation War, which came later. Nevertheless, the Finns gave a very good accounting of themselves in the military sense in both wars. Russia got a bloody nose, and I don't think that there have been any problems with them since. Are you familiar with Simo Hayha, the celebrated Finn sniper? He had at least 500 confirmed kills.

As far as Putin goes, I don't like him, and I don't think that what he is doing is necessarily in Russia's best interests- perhaps it's good for the Kremlin, but perhaps not for the country as a whole.

[Mormegil]

Are you familiar with Simo Hayha, the celebrated Finn sniper? He had at least 500 confirmed kills.

Simo Häyhä, "Valkoinen Kuolema" / "The White Death" is kinda well known national hero. Over 500 confirmed kills and that's just counting the sniper kills. He shot an enemy sniper from 450 meters without scope. Respect.

[miditek]

Are you familiar with Simo Hayha, the celebrated Finn sniper? He had at least 500 confirmed kills.

Simo Häyhä, "Valkoinen Kuolema" / "The White Death" is kinda well known national hero. Over 500 confirmed kills and that's just counting the sniper kills. He shot an enemy sniper from 450 meters without scope. Respect.

Indeed, I can certainly see how Mr. Hayha won the respect of his country. One reason why he did not use telescopes was due to the fact that the glare from the sun reflecting off of his rifle scope would have made him an easier target for Red Army snipers. The fact that he used only iron sights on his Mosin rifle is amazing. Here is an interesting web page that highlights his career.

http://mosinnagant.net/finland/simohayha.asp

Getting back to Putin, some of the reasons that I don't like him certainly includes his alliance with Iran, which I believe will lead to war in the future, as well as how he has political opponents brutally eliminated. I think that Putin's actions are sowing the seeds for the eventual destruction of Russia, or at least her military forces- as outlined in Ezekiel 38, the War of Gog and Magog.

[NeonVomit]

I think that Putin's actions are sowing the seeds for the eventual destruction of Russia, or at least her military forces- as outlined in Ezekiel 38, the War of Gog and Magog.

[browneyedgirl]

A picture says 1000 words. Mr. Trekkie is bored!

But, I believe in the Gog&Magog predict, too. And, I think Putin is a smartass, but most leaders, and folks in authority are smartasses. It comes with the territory.
I still have not heard about how Russia has changed over the years, from one leadership to another. So, I guess Google, here I come!

[Joker]

Its time the USA stepped into the modern age like the rest of the world, and had a female prez.

I have nothing against a female president, but assuming there is something wrong with the US because we don't have a female president, and assuming that if you elect Hillary it will improve US solely on the fact that she is a woman, is (I believe) a sexist attitude.

I think ideally ones gender should not matter at all, and all candidates should be assessed equally based on factors that actually have an influence, such as their positions on certain issues, etc.

Its quite sad that African Americans vote for blacks, women vote for women, and people vote for candidates who are from their home state. I think if people set aside all of these things and were truly "colorblind" or in this case "genderblind", we'd all be a lot better off.

Just my opinion!

[NeonVomit]

Less bored, more exasperated.

I dunno, but for me someone saying something will happen because it says so in the Bible is like someone divining predictions of the future from back issues of The Amazing Spiderman.

The earth is not 3000 years old. "Evolution is just a theory!" they cry, well it makes a hell of a lot more sense and is supported by far more evidence than what the book of Genesis says. Like any theory, it's not perfect and improvement and new thinking is always encouraged if it is supported by evidence. The exact opposite of religion, then.

The world was not populated from the start from a single pair of human beings. It is simply not possible. Ask any geneticist or anthropologist who is not a raving lunatic. (oh, right, forgot... all fossils were put there by God to test our faith. Nevermind then.)

No one ever built a wooden ship and fit 2 of every single land-dwelling species into it. And then he and his family did not repopulate the world. That is again, not possible.

I love how people will insist on taking so many things (usually the most ridiculous) in the bible literally, but then choose which parts to take metaphorically, like the whole Gog Magog thing. It doesn't quite coincide exactly with anything... so it's a metaphor!

But everyone is descended from Adam and Eve, yeah that's exactly how the human race originated.

And anyway, where did Cain find his wife? As a child that always bothered and confused me. When I asked a priest he told me I shouldn't question things. That was the beginning of the end of religion for me.

So no, I don't take the bible at all seriously. Any argument starting with "According to the book of..." and I stop paying attention. It can be good read and has some interesting bits in it, but that's all it is for me.

[Mormegil]

I thought you said you weren't an atheist.
Nah, just kidding. But you did list out some of the most relevant reasons why I no longer am a follower of... anyone but myself.
And Satan, he is almost as cool too.

[CottonCandy]

So........this IS the Anti-Christ Forum. No wonder it's almost dead. We need JC to revive this thing&raise it from the dead. At the rate the downhill race has started, it'll take more than that!

[NeonVomit]

So........this IS the Anti-Christ Forum. No wonder it's almost dead. We need JC to revive this thing&raise it from the dead. At the rate the downhill race has started, it'll take more than that!

Hardly. You just seem to like feeling oppressed

[browneyedgirl]

Thank you NON-believers for Hijacking this topic. Thank you sooooooooo much!

You know its funny. You Anti-Christians don't have a problem with New Agers&Paganists rammng THEIR beliefs down everyone's throat. I wonder why that is?

[Mormegil]

Because the filthy heathens base their opinion in sense and and not in belief?
Ok I'll stop now. I have no problem with anyone believing in christian God or Flying Spaghetti Monster or whatever as long as it has no effect on my life.
Chill out, peace and love and shit...

[NeonVomit]

*points finger* you started the Gog Magog stuff! Nyaa nyaa nyaaa! (well ok miditek)