Vladimir Putin : What Is He?
104 thoughts on “Vladimir Putin : What Is He?”
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Not megalomaniac as he is in reality able to destroy the planet (several times).
Why would he care about normal people being in fear?
He is making controlled strategic moves, those have to do with a very very long history of what’s going on in Ukraine, being one of the home bases of the finance people.
Putin did a lot to fend off wmf, world bank, etc., Belarus was along with Iran one of 3 remaining countries not part.
It is finance, resources – and military warfare on an intelligence and psychological level, , as Russia has uncovered USA and Hunter Biden financed military bioweapon research in the Ukraine. Etc.
Also things about Hillary Clinton.
He stayed pretty cool while nato insanely provoked and provoked.
Ukraine had attacks from within, with weapons sponsored by the west.
Germany etc. delivered weapons and military equipment to Russia and Ukraine – – as always.
Israel a hospital….
It is not about Putin, I mean not only, this is as much due to western psychopaths and delusional narcs playing along.
There was hardly a choice not to keep watching without interfering.
Yes it is possible to have a comparatively small nuclear strike. One bomb on the center of Germany wouldn’t take out the country but well placed, could affect ecb, 2nd largest airport / air freight, military / weapon producing corporations, and hit nuclear energy reactors, central traffic / infrastructure, and reach American military bases, hospital and a little even the storage of their nuclear weapons, all at once.
Of course that would be severe but wouldn’t wipe out Europe.
An atom bomb next to the sea next to England on the other hand……
Stop scaring.
Russian kill children (!) and rape women. They steal and forcibly transport people into the country.
Nothing has changed.
They have huge losses in equipment and people (11-17 thousand men less, not enough yet?!).
Better go buy 10 kilos of sugar. Will be usefull.
WhoCares,
I am good. Nothing earth shattering to report. I’m just here catching up on HGs new stuff. How are you? I read your comment about the indigenous children’s schools. It’s a perfect example of how our moral standards change over time. It also reminded of a podcast I recently listened to. It’s called Finding Cleo. If you haven’t listen to it you should. It’s so good and shows how the schools affected a family a generation later.
Putin seems to be asserting control by bombing Ukrainian cities into oblivion. Just as he did in Aleppo. Only this time, it’s personal. Ukraine dared to challenge him in becoming the tsar of “the greater Russia” and he is determined to assert control and exact revenge. The world leaders need to find a way to let him assert control by starting the peace process. Trying to force him with sanctions and condemnation can lead to WWIII or nuclear war, but is not likely to bring him to the negotiating table, so that he can keep what he captured and stop the slaughter and destruction in the rest of Ukraine. But too many world leaders are narcissist themselves; that what drives them to power.
A very short-sighted opinion.
Only powerful sanctions, total isolation and sacrifice of the countries bordering Russia (we are doing it!) – with the active support of the world – can stop any further Russian invasion.
Peace is not negotiated with a liar, who has repeatedly shown, that he does not keep his word and does not respect anyone.
If someone set fire to your house, killed the mother, child and murdered your neighbors – you are fighting for yourself and for those, who are still alive. You don’t hand over control to the aggressor, hoping that maybe he won’t kill anyone anymore. It will only strengthen him and whet his appetite.
Ukraine has already handed over power and took the money from those responsible for the situation. Nobody knowing the situation would expect Russia to watch and do nothing. He didn’t just invade out of the blue because he wants to rule a bigger country, though resources do play a role and why?!! would he hand those over to others…. , Not even in exchange for the Uranium he received from the USA…. Stop watching western mainstream tv and getting news from censored platforms.
Stop compromising yourself and posting false information.
BTW, what is that actor turned president in military t-shirts of the Ukraine?
Isn’t it safe to assume that most if not all presidents are narcissists and/or psychopaths, as otherwise they and us wouldn’t be in that position.
And how did Trudeau get away with his behaviour recently in Parliament and when turning dictator?
If you were Russia, HG, would you bomb the UK or Ireland first? Because of the one having nuclear weapons and part of NATO (correct?), and the other one not? Some Irish think Ireland is more likely because not part of NATO but would impact UK all the same.
You’re clearly speaking to people who need to step away from the alcohol.
Why wouldn’t it make sense to atrack Ireland – NATO wouldn’t be triggered, same as Ukraine.
Wow! Irish neutrality has generally kept it out of the equation. For Ireland to be the fall guy in a nuclear war directed at other NATO members is unlikely on that basis. Perhaps we need to differentiate between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Either way, a nuclear strike wherever it may occur is likely to set off a chain of events which will decimate the world, and I think there is a need for both Russia and others to step away from this type of rhetoric. No one is a winner in that scenario.
You need to revisit the meaning of decimate.
Given a narcissist/APD leader is driven to win advantage, gain power and control, etc., it would logically follow that decimation would not be Putin’s goal. What advantage is there in total world annihilation? Putin’s use of the term “small nuclear strike,” is a handy turn of phrase. It minimizes his actual intent (assertion of control), it deflects the real effect of any nuclear strike (hence characterization of “small”) and effectively incites fear into the populace. This effectively strikes fear into the general populace, along with media hype of cyber attacks, etc. In reality, his communications thus far have been quite predictable and albeit, surprisingly effective. People the world over are being manipulated by the prevailing narrative of Putin and the Media. (Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that Putin would be unwilling to “make good” on his threats, I am simply stating that his reasons for a “small nuclear strike” are not to annihilate, but to assert control through fear).
HG, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you.
You are welcome, FYC.
Madeline Albright Secretary of State under Clinton who passed away today :
In early 2000, I became the first senior U.S. official to meet with Vladimir Putin in his new capacity as acting president of Russia. We in the Clinton administration did not know much about him at the time — just that he had started his career in the K.G.B. I hoped the meeting would help me take the measure of the man and assess what his sudden elevation might mean for U.S.-Russia relations, which had deteriorated amid the war in Chechnya. Sitting across a small table from him in the Kremlin, I was immediately struck by the contrast between Mr. Putin and his bombastic predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.
Whereas Mr. Yeltsin had cajoled, blustered and flattered, Mr. Putin spoke unemotionally and without notes about his determination to resurrect Russia’s economy and quash Chechen rebels. Flying home, I recorded my impressions. “Putin is small and pale,” I wrote, “so cold as to be almost reptilian.” He claimed to understand why the Berlin Wall had to fall but had not expected the whole Soviet Union to collapse. “Putin is embarrassed by what happened to his country and determined to restore its greatness.”
Although Mr. Putin will, in my experience, never admit to making a mistake, he has shown that he can be both patient and pragmatic. He also is surely conscious that the current confrontation has left him even more dependent on China; he knows that Russia cannot prosper without some ties to the West. “Sure, I like Chinese food. It’s fun to use chopsticks,” he told me in our first meeting. “But this is just trivial stuff. It’s not our mentality, which is European. Russia has to be firmly part of the West.”
But even if the West is somehow able to deter Mr. Putin from all-out war — which is far from assured right now — it’s important to remember that his competition of choice is not chess, as some assume, but rather judo.
He is sure that Americans mirror both his cynicism and his lust for power and that in a world where everyone lies, he is under no obligation to tell the truth.
You identified an important observation about Putin by Albright, a quote I had also unearthed in my research. It is particularly insightful and a very good one to bring to the attention of people.
Dear Mr Tudor,
Just finished reading an article from Unilad regarding Trump and had to share it
While making a speech in early March to Republican donors in New Orleans, Trump explains what he would do to Russia if he was still in office.
As per Washington Post, Trump suggested that the US should label it’s F-22 planes with the Chinese flag and ‘bomb the sh*t out of Russia’. He continued “And then say, China did it, we didn’t do it, China did it , and then they start fighting with each other and we sit back and watch”
This just made my day, classic blame shifting coming from a narcissist 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Luv Bubbles xx 😘
Bubbles, maybe Trump blame-sh*ts instead of blame-shifting? 😉
Asp Emp,
“💩” I’m inclined to agree with you
Haha
RAOFLMFAO, Bubbles 🙂
“Trump explains what he would do to Russia if he was still in office.” Thank goodness he’s not!
Dearest Sweet Pea,
The frightening part is ….I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like that if he were still in office and the fact an “ex President” even says that, shows his mentality 🤯
Luv Bubbles xx 😘
If he still were President he would be licking Putin’s ass like he used to do. He says that now for two reasons 1) to pretend to be the brave military macho man (oh, how I love when HG uses this expression) his supporters want and 2) to create a contrast with Biden, implying he is being weak in not having an immediate response. But he’s not the president so he knows he can say shit like that because no one is gonna force him to demonstrate anything. What a clown.
Dearest Sweet Pea,
Trump, a clown who performs and entertains by playing tricks ……sounds about right 🤡
🤣😂
Thank you Sweet Pea
Luv Bubbles xx 😘
A terribly primitive idea. Used many times in history. “Manipulation” appropriate for a boy aged 6-8 years, without much panache and craftsmanship.
Very interesting video on Putin’s background, HG. Thank you for consistently providing up to the minute information and delivering it in your customar y outstanding way.
I have heard Putin described as a megalomaniac in the media. This made me wonder if megalomania is a separate condition or ‘disorder’ distinct from narcissism, or perhaps more accurately, a condition that may or may not be present alongside NPD? Is megalomania considered a diagnosable condition? I don’t think I have heard of it described that way.
I also said here he’s a magalonaniac, WN. I’m gonna change my Ukrainian flag because some commenter said yesterday that she’s getting really confused with people using the same avatar (I actually did too with the chicken proliferation). But my sentiments remain the same.
Hi SP,
When I wrote the comment above, I had not seen your comment where you said Putin was a megalomaniac. Since then though, I recall you mentioning it while reading different threads here.
I have seen the word used for Putin on social media and in the news a few times. It made me wonder what HG’s views are about megalomania in relation to narcissism. It seems to me that all narcissists operate under a delusion of being superior and omnipotent, however, the presence of ‘megalomania’ adds the extra layer of a persistent need to ‘rule the world’. To me, it sounds like narcissism on steroids.
With regard to the Ukrainian flag, my use of it here as an avatar was a gesture of solidarity with the innocent people of Ukraine at the moment. I didn’t mean to cause confusion. To prevent confusion, I have changed my avatar too.
I used it for the same reason, WN. I like your new one now, we are basically choosing the same message…
Thanks SP. I like your new one too. It co-ordinates with your other avis that are also black and white.
Yes, the message is peace. I hope peace comes soon to people in Ukraine and Russia – and all other countries experiencing conflict.
WN I think all megalomaniacs are narcs probably only greaters? And upper lesser type Bs?
Megalomania is a manifestation of narcissism although it’s not seen in relation to all sub schools.
HG,
Thank you, that makes more sense to me now.
The way you classify narcissists into schools and sub-schools makes it easier and clearer to see how megalomania relates to narcissism.
Yes, I agree AS2016. There are aspects of megalomania – like grandiosity, boldness, haughtiness – that align with certain schools and sub-schools more than others (as HG mentions in his comment below).
The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word megalomania with two definitions as follows:
1 : a mania (see mania sense 2a) for great or grandiose performance, eg. “an outburst of wildly extravagant commercial megalomania” (as per ‘The Times Literary Supplement (London)’).
– the definition of ‘mania sense 2a’ is: excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm – often used in combination eg. “a mania for saving things”.
2 : a delusional mental illness that is marked by feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur.
The way I interpret the definitions above is that the word can be used in an ad-hoc way as a descriptive word about an excessive enthusiasm to be grandiose in a particular way. This doesn’t mean it’s a persistent or manic tendency in general.
Then there’s also the kind of megalomania considered to be a delusional mental illness, which relates to Putin.
HG
Is there going to be a chapter two about Putin’s narcissism and his invasion? Do you care about his invasion?
Yes, it is being worked on. I am rather busy at present.
Your analysis of Putin is excellent, HG. The information and the way you explained it makes him seem more like a disordered man too accustomed to getting his own way, rather than an untouchable dictator. Thank you for educating people.
You’re welcome
I’m waiting to see how/if the handling of this situation by other world leaders (especially Biden) will affect subsequent elections. I can hear someone licking their lips from here.
H.G., I’m not an expert in these matters but I read President Putin’s speech at Munich Security Conference in 2007 and honestly I find that he listed a series of shareable arguments. The NATO isn’t a tennis club, so it seems understandable to me that talking about a climate of mutual trust and détente is not very credible if then we aim to create military alliances with all the countries that border Russia and supply military weapons to Ukraine which is the country perhaps richest in raw materials and also in nuclear power plants in Europe. After his 2007 speech, many things have happened that can be read as a challenge compared to what President Putin had asked for (for example it seems quite proven that the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution which eventually brought today’s political forces instead of pro-Russian ones to government in Ukraine was heavily funded by the West).
Even assuming that in 2007 President Putin made a good speech without having any intention of respecting the principles he first invoked , and assuming also that he was just preparing the ground to find excuses to attack Ukraine or to do whatever would be more convenient for him in the future, it was evident that he did not like NATO’s “advance” towards the borders with Russia. Regardless of who is right or wrong, what immediately catches the eye is that we Westerners have continued to do what we knew would annoy him without in any way preparing for his reaction, even though we knew how powerful he was.
Is it possible that no one has foreseen this scenario and no one has been able to take preventive measures to avoid the massacre of Ukraine and the risk of economic collapse of allied countries like mine? Is President Putin that much smarter than all Western Intelligence, diplomacy and politics?
Foreigner, you are very right in offering the other side of the story. The NATO has been provoking and poking on Putin for a long time. He, however, does not seem to me so incredibly smart. His impulsive offensive reveals very little control of the façade and is causing a reversed effect which is making the whole Western public opinion paint Putin as a monster without a soul, something that of course the narcissist leaders of other countries are capitalizing on. Nobody is innocent in this conflict, as in many other, because all these countries that own nuclear arms and sell weapons are involved. To me it’s all a big show off of toxic masculinity. But he is causing millions to seek refuge and abandon their country, in a military action that reminds Europe of WWII. Therefore, whether his plan is justified or not, he’s the devil to the public opinion. When we discuss this type of information, I carefully avoid to include myself in the decisions the mandates make about war. “We Westeners have continued to do…” I am a poor girl teaching for a living; I haven’t done any of this. And neither have any of us here. Yes, we vote, but there’s absolutely no single political platform that reveals beforehand any war plans in its electoral campaign. It infuriates me that we have to go through these horrors because of the tantrums of one person who decides to endanger the lives of millions. I do not believe war has ever solved anything. I don’t believe it is necessary, and I don’t believe in the fascist idea that it is the hygiene of the world (I am not calling you or anyone here a fascist, I’m just quoting Italian fascist artist Marinetti). I think most of us want to live in peace. So he can have all the reasons to do what he’s doing, but as long as he is bombarding innocent people, to me, he’s wrong.
Sweetest Perfection, I do agree with you. I wasn’t suggesting that Putin is right to destroy Ukraine for one reason or for another. I hope this is clear. I was simply asking HG why nothing has been done by Westerners to avoid this disaster, although it has been clear since at least 2007 how President Putin felt on this and other important issues. I believe that our diplomacy and politicians must defend us. They should not create problems and then leave the world in trouble, blaming the big bad wolf. Their narrative now sounds to me like a great manipulation, full of lies and hypocrisy. None of them makes the mea culpa. They fill their filthy mouths with big words, as if their conscience is clear, treating us like fools. So, I wonder: is this war the result of a very serious error of assessment by the Western powers (that didn’t consider that President Putin would react in this way despite their challenging behaviours) or did they do nothing to avoid this because this war is convenient for (some of) them? Or are there any other explanations? The fact that there is an obvious culprit does not exclude that there can be also others as culpable as him.They must all be held accountable for what they have done. Pointing the finger blaming only one (as it’s happening) does not help solve the problems of now or those of the future.
As for President Putin’s façade, I don’t know if what we are told is true or if it is part of the Western propaganda against him. We have been told that the Russian army had nothing left to eat two days after the invasion but it seems they are not starving yet, it has been said that our sanctions would quickly crush Russia and now we have to buy gas supplies in rubles. I don’t rule out that President Putin’s facade will be ruined in the long run by this war. But people are dying now. Now an entire country is devastated.
Are the Western powers doing what they are doing to save Ukraine in the present or to undermine Russia in the future for their own economic and political interests?
Does it make sense to continue to give weapons to Ukraine? Is it really believed that President Putin can wake up tomorrow and withdraw his army with a simple “Sorry, you’re too strong for me. Goodbye”? Isn’t it more likely that if he ever sees himself cornered he will use nuclear weapons? Do they want to challenge him to see if he has the courage to do it? And if he does, then will it be said that the “ugly villain” is only Putin?
Foreigner, HG is about to go live in a short while on YouTube to talk about Putin. I won’t miss it!!!
Thanks SP. I followed the first two episodes live. Now I have to catch up with the others. I was looking forward to following them live last Saturday, but as soon as my UMRN saw that I was putting on headphones to listen, he immediately started talking to me in bursts, even though I asked him to shut up. In the end we had a fight, I lost focus and even a whole video, so I let it go. Now I’m making up for lost time and learning a lot of information that I didn’t have. Thank you so much HG for the great job you have done
Foreign, in my opinion, no, no, yes, maybe? Yes.
Foreigner74, great comment and great questions. too.
I’d recommend watching a video on YT – “Why is Ukraine the West’s Fault?”, a lecture given by John J. Mearsheimer, the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor in Political Science, titled “Uncommon Core: The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine Crisis”, given at the University of Chicago in 2015. It predicts the current crisis and also what underlies it.
LET, thanks for the video you reported to me. I’ll watch it as soon as possible!!!
And while we keep all talking about the Western powers, Kim Jung On is starring a video Top Gun-style in which he brags about the new missile launch. I just can’t. https://youtu.be/QzZKIN4TuDA
“Does it make sense to continue to give weapons to Ukraine?”
And this sentence clearly shows, who writes, why writes, and for what reasons.
Certainly not on behalf of the people of Ukraine, who want and defend their land, their homes and their lives. Defend with great enthusiasm and bravery. Defend with great determination and faith.
Because there is no other way.
Thank you to all the soldiers (from many countries!), thank you to all the people who support. Not looking at their own comforts, that they don’t want to lose.
I exclude myself from this discussion. The disappointment is too great.
Joa,
it seems to me that no one here has justified the invasion of Ukraine. No one has claimed that President Putin is a victim. We are just trying to look at the situation from different perspectives to try to understand why we have come to this point. And understanding doesn’t mean justifying or approving.
Anyway, it doesn’t matter who you think I am and why you think I write.
President Zelensky himself has said that Ukraine needs another kind of military aid. He has explained that our military aid (as conceived so far) has become useless because the Ukrainians cannot fight warplanes with machine guns.
He has also said that Ukraine’s defeat seems inevitable without more substantial military intervention by Western countries (which do not intend to intervene). When I wrote that comment, I was not denying the rights, courage and valor of the Ukrainian people. I was wondering if exacerbating the situation by sending useless weapons (which President Putin considers a further threat to Russia and to his control) could stave off a peace agreement without helping the Ukrainians and at the same time endangering many more people. It may be a strategically wrong consideration, I don’t know. But it was not made against the Ukrainian people I was just reflecting on what may now be the most painless solution for Ukraine.
I don’t know what you would do now if it depended on you. Perhaps you would attack Russia by all means.
But evidently no one now wants to take on this responsibility because the risk of an even greater catastrophe is there for all to see
Eventually, I want to point out that the sacrifices my people and many others are making because of this war cannot be qualified as a simple loss of comfort.
The poverty that could affect my country if this war continues puts the lives of many people at risk because in a scenario where you have no job, no salary, no or little possibility of receiving hospital or medical care, etc., the prospect of dying is absolutely realistic. Not to mention the effects of a possible nuclear war.
If I have to starve or die under bombs, I will die. But if it can be avoided with dignity, I prefer to avoid it.
And I imagine that many others think like me and it is only for this purpose that we are reasoning here, certainly not to defend the indefensible.
The words about useless weapons are your misinterpretation. This weapons does a great job! Many thanks to all countries, that donate all kinds of weapons, equipment, vehicles officially and unofficially.
It is impossible to defend it? Russia will lose this conflict. Sooner or later.
“The NATO has been provoking and poking on Putin for a long time.”
Oh, how loathsome and ungrateful we are. How dare we want to live in peace on our own land ?!
How is it possible that we are such rascals, that we dared to upset our beloved Putin with this?!
Joa, I detest Putin in case it’s not been made clear enough.
I know, I emphasized the meaning of this sentence on purpose.
If you have definite views on who is the victim and who is the aggressor, why do you wonder, what provoked the aggressor? It could be anything, and if nothing is found, it will be prepared.
If you expect an attack to occur, you protect yourself. I do not agree with the claim, that joining (or wanting to join) the EU or being a NATO member could provoke Putin. By what right does he want to decide about it? It is a pro-Russian narrative, intended to question.
Doubt, ridicule, information chaos – the favorite tools of the Russians.
Have you noticed, how much talk about Zelenskiy being an actor and comedian? Does anyone mention, that he graduated from a very good university in law and came from a very educated family, that heroically fought against Nazism?
I maliciously add – he really graduated from the law, unlike Putin, who “graduated from the law.” Ah, how many “doctors” and “professors” I know, who obtained their titles in the previous system, before the political transformation…
I do not have definite views of anything related to politics but Putin is a psychopath as I always defended. I have seen those comments about Zelenskiy being an actor and comedian. Funny if you think that a few former presidents in the US were actors, not to mention that many of them ended up being comedians. I don’t hold anyone’s past accountable. And yes, those forged titles are very abundant within European politics… if I could talk more without revealing much about myself I would give you a few more examples. As HG very accurately explains in his series, it’s like those performative elections and re-elections: all for the people, without the actual people.
Zelenskyy. I misspelled it too.
SP, for me, the sentence: “I detest Putin” or the inclusion of the Ukrainian flag in the profile means a very precise view.
Apparently I was wrong.
Maybe I am too simple a human.
All presidents are actors and comedians.
**Correction.
All politicians are actors and comedians.
Oh, I also forgot that, while the rest of countries in the NATO seem to be watching everything without active intervention, the tactic of withdrawal of financial support may have a great impact, albeit, not so immediate. Many studies have proven that scarcity not only has obvious physical effects on the population, but it can also impact their cognitive resources, producing counter-productive cognitive and behavioral responses. In other words, Russian people -even the ones that support Putin’s decision right now- may turn against him when they see themselves confronted with poverty and scarce resources, which is exactly what has happened recently in Cuba. Putin may get Ukraine, but he’s gonna pay a huge price for it. That’s my opinion. I am not an expert at all, just a dreamer.
The sanctioning of countries is done to affect them, not inflict suffering on your own people. What we now have is a situation where Westerners are being told they are going to suffer for the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Petrol/gas prices are going up, inflation is set to soar, food chains will be affected – especially in countries most egregiously affected by poverty already – and we are basically being told “Let them eat cake” by those in power (e.g. buy an electric car, it’s cheaper to run and better for the environment). I never thought I’d see the day where I had contempt for Western government, or where I would see myself nodding in agreement with the likes of Bernie Sanders, but that day has come.
We are all going to pay a huge price for Western interference in Ukraine. If you’re a dreamer, SP, I’m a realist when it comes to this situation. And the people who will pay the highest price are those already living in poverty around the globe.
I said I’m a dreamer because the things I believe in most times conservatives call being a snowflake. Bernie Sanders was the only honest person I wanted to support and the one whose campaign I worked with. You don’t need to tell me about people suffering oil prices and food supplies being scarce. My own family is paying the price of this fucking mess. It’s easy to talk.
SP, I’m sorry to hear your own family is suffering and it is a fucking mess, as you say. Both President Orban of Hungary and Erdogan of Turkey are refusing to impose certain sanctions due to the level of suffering it would impose on their own populations. This is also what leadership calls for and it makes sense to me to weigh up the pros and cons of a situation in order to reduce the general suffering imposed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It does not make sense to me to ‘ramp it up’ in order to make Putin pay. We are all being made to pay, and some of the poorest will be made to pay the most. I can’t support the notion of sanctions which will induce far reaching suffering due to the possible short sightedness of Zelensky in pursuing membership of NATO and the EU.
In spite of your efforts, your candidate for President didn’t make the grade and instead we have the “Weekend at Bernie’s” President who is attempting to start WWIII with his gaffs in numerous arenas. He was never up to the job and neither was Kamala.
Let me repeat your words “this fucking mess” … now who is going to clean it up?
My candidate withdrew from the election to donate the money of his campaign to fight covid. When he was running, he was insulted for being too old, for being too liberal, and for being a dreamer who believed in universal health care and justice. I don’t like Biden much, but I can tell you that if he decides to attack Russia, Republicans would criticize him too for leading us all to war. The question is why do we always believe we are so powerful that we are the ones that can stop everybody else’s conflicts? This is not 1945. It’s not enough with the USA arriving suddenly like the Angel of justice and restoring world order…
I doubt Bernie would have withdrawn if he was in with a chance, but that is neither here nor there now. He was insulted when he was running, and by other Democrats. It’s the way politics works, and the sought after more ‘middle of the road’ candidate was chosen, obviously to appeal to more voters – over 80 million apparently.
Interestingly, it’s one time I find myself disagreeing with Republican politicians who seem all in for war, It hasn’t even taken much stepping outside of the box for me on this one, which is what I also find intriguing. I think you will find many conservative minded people are not seeking to encourage it, even if politicians are, and one has to question where our politicians are leading us on either side of this political divide.
We are also coming at this from two different perspectives which I’d also like to acknowledge. I’ve believed in many ways in the hegemony of the West and what it could possibly bring to other countries and people around the world – things like peace, justice, greater prosperity, etc. Perhaps I’ve become cynical as I’ve grown older, but I also understand better now that governments will sometimes act in their own interests while portraying they have other’s interests at heart. Ha! probably should have woken up to that one a while ago, but in many ways in the past we did provide what was needed, and many lives were sacrificed in order to do that as well. We can’t forget the valiant efforts of the military in evacuating people from Afghanistan more recently, nor the incompetence with which that withdrawal was managed at the very top level of government.
A lot rests on having the right people in power and lately it feels a little like Russian Roulette as to whether that happens or not. We don’t know what we are getting until it’s too late.
SP, it’s not about being an Angel of Justice.
Rather, stopping the growth of this fast-growing plant, that has its roots all over the world.
And the US Is gonna do it. Goody luck with that! What Biden should do is to refrain from speaking, in light of recent remarks.
LET, SP, if the price of maintaining peace and stopping a dictator is worsening my economic status, I’m ready!
It’s already happening, I’m just wondering how we are going to survive another week with an empty wallet? Bread with mustard or maybe… bread with mustard and maybe… bread with mustard, ha ha ha 😊
I’m also ready for much more, than just that.
And I am happy to see Ukrainian children with us, with a smile on my face (sometimes so sad…) and with full bellies 😊
Joa, I hear you! You are right on the border of this conflict. I fully respect your position, and I don’t doubt for one second you are ready, willing and able. Bread with mustard can be quite tasty, but not something you can survive on for very long without some of the other essentials. I hope everyone can continue with full bellies, especially the children, and they are fortunate to have such willing neighbours to support them in their time of need.
I have already spoken about my differing perspective coming from the West, and it isn’t that I want to see innocent people suffer. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of politicians who make decisions that ultimately affect us, which goes for Vladimir Putin, as well as Zelensky, and various other leaders around the world who are currently standing on the sidelines of this conflict. I wish I had the kind of confidence in our leaders that you seem to have, and I have my reasons for doubting them. That being said, I am far from the suffering being endured and which for now has not been stopped.
It seems room has been made for further negotiations to take place and that is some good news. What will come out of them is uncertain. The world is watching and waiting. The conflict very quickly dropped out of our news services, or took second place, after the Will Smith/Chris Rock incident. That will tell you about the fickleness of the Western media in some respects, that a slap at the Oscars reverberated around the world to the detriment of the war in Ukraine. Perhaps it is a deflection, perhaps it is that our more privileged societies count that as more newsworthy, or even that we all needed a distraction. Either way, it’s violence that is being portrayed on our screens and in our media. This is not good for anyone’s soul. For so long we thought an end had been put to such things in Europe. We don’t see the ‘mini’ wars going on in the background which have also been brought to our attention again. Those are the ones on the borders of Ukraine where Russian identity has remained strong.
It is complex, and disheartening to feel we are powerless in so many respects, both with regard to our own leaders and those who represent the countries involved (Ukraine and Russia). For many others in the world to go hungry and cold, and for multiple important industries to be affected, brings us into an even worse situation than with the Corona virus. We will be reduced to being unable to help others because we can hardly help ourselves. This is not ideal, and I don’t believe will help the Ukranian people. Sanctions will be ineffective if they disrupt essential items and services across the world. We have heard several times now that sanctions are not supposed to be a deterrent to war. The war must start first and then sanctions can be applied. All good until we realize sanctions bite hard not just on the Russians.
I see the point in saying that we should be prepared to suffer for the sake of right (i.e. Ukranian freedom from Russian influence), and the Saviour in me would generally be all in to do so, but that is not taking into account how our own politicians have let us down and likely also interfered in Ukraine in a way to exacerbate this crisis. Some people will believe they are right. I’m from the school that considers our governments have their own interests at heart and not those of the Ukrainian people. They don’t even have our interests at heart anymore. This, I know, is a very cynical take on where the world, especially the Western world, is at right now. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me, but Covid has made us take a long hard look at what is going on in the world and where it might all end up.
“the people who will pay the highest price are those already living in poverty around the globe.”
Absolutely agree.
As in any conflict. What a surprise.
SP, I would have to disagree. Many conflicts around the world don’t have these kinds of global implications in terms of sanctions now being imposed. At this point in time, people are going to discover for themselves the impacts and fallout from that.
For those of us who are more privileged, I thought this bore repeating. It’s obvious and logical but easily forgotten when I complain about paying $4.00 a gallon to fill my tank so I can drive to buy a new sweater. Also, I generally agreed with LET’s comment and wanted to encourage her.
I know. I sounded like a cynical bitch. Sorry, AV.
No problem SP, these are all hair trigger topics, highly emotional, I understand.
For all of us. 🙂
I don’t believe, what I’m reading!
NATO did not move towards the borders with Russia. NATO did not threaten Russia.
We, the countries bordering Russia, have been asking for help for years, fully aware that sooner or later an attack will come. For many years we have felt the growing tension and looming danger.
“Upset Putin.” Wow… I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…
Putin’s plans have been known for a long time. The satellite countries are like ex-mistresses of a narcissist, who must bring order, control, and possess when he pleases. The farther they move away and become independent, the more it must suppress them and destroy what they have achieved on their way to freedom.
“Mighty Putin” is an blown egg. The extreme wealth of the few and the ubiquitous poverty and the subordination of citizens. But the propaganda has been perfect – for decades!
Indeed, the actions of the Westerners were too slow and naive (ah, a disastrous hope, ah, turning a blind eye to what is too visible and bright, ah, omitting all the red flags, because maybe we will tame a bear with a spoon of honey and a scratching behind the ears).
Wake up finally people. STOP.
It’s time to lock this bear in a solid cage. His own cage.
I was hoping you would do something on Putin or the ‘special military operation’. Thank you for the background. I hope there is more to come soon!
Mercy!
How have you been?
WC, I replied to your comment but apparently in the wrong spot. I’m like an amateur in WordPress these days
News reporting on tv – 14/03/2022
A doctor talking about the transferral of 21 children with cancer from Ukraine to London said to the effect of “these children have two ‘cancers’”, one being the physical illness they have and the second being the war situation.
I thought to myself, as I read those words on the tv screen, that is potentially PTSD and that is without the consideration of the creation of future ACONs (if GPD present, narcissists / empaths) being taken into account.
Another news reporter says that the war is making the residents of Ukraine more ‘Ukranian’, aka being ‘revolutionised’ even more than they had been prior to the war started.
HG, I have just watched Channel 4’s ‘What If Putin Goes Nuclear?’, it was very interesting in what interviewees had to say. Last night, Ben Fogle’s ‘Inside Chernobyl’ was also very insightful.
That was an interesting rundown on Putin’s past and his experiences, HG, some of them kept hidden in the circumstances. The shadowy KGB, like other intelligence services and one the West has been opposed to due to the nature of global politics, has kept us on our guard against Putin. As has the nature of the Communist state which no longer exists in Russia. It is a very complex political situation and one where numerous narcissists are involved in terms of what is playing out on the world stage at the moment. The people of the Ukraine appear to be ‘piggy in the middle’ of this global political crisis and Russians are being demonized the world over. I have concerns for both. Ordinary people are not the enemy. Push them into a corner and they become one. This is what troubles me. There are no winners. Certainly not the Ukrainian people. When you have people like Bernie Sanders and AOC speaking from a different perspective with regard to Ukraine then that opens up a whole can of worms for me. There is really so much to know and understand, and while Zelensky calls out governments around the world, and they supply him with more weaponry, and other countries take in refugees, what is really the answer for the Ukranian people? I can see the country being carved up and Putin and other world leaders getting their way to a certain extent. Russia wants to protect its borders, but how far do you go to do that? Ukraine is doing all it can to maintain its borders. What we have is two massive geopolitical powers facing off in Ukraine, with only Ukranians to defend their country (though sanctions will be biting hard), and Russia is understandably the ‘bad guy’ due its use of force in the current circumstances. It is distressing to see the images of war and Ukrainians are putting up an almighty battle to keep the wolf from their door. Those are my thoughts and Ukrainians are being sacrificed for a much larger political prize in my opinion.
As to Putin, certainly may be classified a narcissist, due to a somatic element could be an Upper Lesser variety, lacks charm so probably not a Greater, and doubtful he’s a Mid Ranger.
Putin’s on a list.
AV, he is? I’ll have to go back to the lists I already have. I was just answering HG’s question here, but now I know I don’t have to wait for an answer.
I’ve got six lists and he’s not on any of them. How many are there?
A Further 50 Famous Narcissists
(Including school and cadre)
Thanks, AV. The only one I haven’t got!
I bet you do now. 😁
LET, what do you mean by: “Russia wants to protect its borders”?
Don’t be so sure about Russian society. There is a two-way conflict, led by people indoctrinated with the vision of a powerful and glorious power. Triumph of form over content.
Joa, I’m coming from a Western perspective (as opposed to Eastern European) and my comment relates to a self critical view of Western government, and powerful people who align themselves with the same, which impacts on other countries. When I said “Russia want to protect its borders” I am saying that there has been Western involvement, and perhaps even interference, in Urkaine which has ‘poked the bear’. It is a self reflection combined with an element of self blame for the situation that has arisen in Ukraine. I’ve read comments comparing the situation to the Cuban Missile Crisis when American deployments of missiles in Italy and Turkey were matched by Soviet deployments of similar ballistic missiles in Cuba. This is geopolitics and Ukraine’s desire to join NATO could be seen in a similar vein. It could be perceived as a threat by Russia which leads it to want to “protect its borders”.
The German people were also indoctrinated with “the vision of a powerful and glorious power”. Poland has suffered under both. Ukraine paid a heavy price under Russian rule after WWII. I am in no way suggesting that “might is right” or that Ukraine should be taken over by Russia. What I am saying is that Western powers need to be mindful of their own interference which can lead to either creating or intensifying these conflicts. Where are the Western powers now that Ukraine is on its knees?
I’m increasingly critical of Western government and prepared to laugh in the face of anyone who wants to accuse Putin of being authoritarian after what the world has experienced during the Corona virus epidemic. From my perspective, we have all been living under the boots of dictators of one form or another, and in that sense Putin is no worse than multiple other world leaders whose hypocrisy has been noted, especially during this crisis.
LET, wow, fantastic comment.
Let, I understand your perspective and agree mostly with it but comparing the enforcement of vaccinations and the use of masks with bombarding hospitals, hospices, schools, and basically destroying cities creating a refugee crisis of millions of refugees in two weeks is not exactly the same.
SP, thank you for your comment, and I agree.
You’ve taken my reference to authoritarianism and correlated it with the invasion of Ukraine. That is not what I said, though I understand how the thought of one can lead to the other and often does.
My reference was in relation to how authoritarianism has stretched across the globe under the guise of the pandemic and is not only to be seen in countries like Russia and China. Although China hasn’t invaded Taiwan yet, that is definitely on the cards. Geopolitics involves the cosying up to governments or invasion of countries depending on what suits a powerful entity at any given time. There are obviously layers upon layers upon layers as to how these things happen and how they play out, but play out they will, and in some respects we have to make sure we are looking at the forest and not just the trees. A chess player must look at the whole board and not just the most recent move made by the other player. We can’t put the Ukranian conflict into a nutshell and blame the Russians. Yes, the Russians are invading Ukraine, it’s terrible to see, and we want it to end. It’s a major crisis and the suffering is immense. Many want Ukrainians to endure, but at what cost? There must have been an awareness prior to this as to what a request to join NATO and the EU would entail. Zelensky is only now admitting that there is no chance of Ukraine joining NATO. These things are the predicators for war, whether we like it or not. Now the two parties must be brought to the negotiating table to sort out their differences. It is a fact when war ensues the innocent suffer the most, but powerful interests are not concerned about the little people. That is left to us, the empaths of the world. Narcissists will align themselves on either side of this conflict, too.
When it comes to the Corona virus, I’ve lived long enough to be able to say I never thought I’d see what has happened in formerly democratic countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, UK, Ireland, Europe in general. Emergency legislation gets passed, renewed, embedded and you have to wonder if there will ever be an end in sight. Two weeks to “flatten the curve” becomes major lockdowns and ultimately a vaccine mandate. Two initially, then a booster shot, now another booster is on the cards. I don’t find it difficult to make a comparison between these things in the sense of their salami slicing effects and how it has now become hypocritical to call Putin authoritarian. That actions of governments around the world have shown them to be hungry for power, at times ignoring the will of the people or even their own rules, hypocritically applying one set of rules to one group and a different set of rules to another.
I am not opposed to vaccines themselves, but I am opposed to vaccine mandates and the authoritarians who try to push them on their populations.
“A chess player must look at the whole board and not just the most recent move made by the other player.” This is not chess, LET. I am not naïve and shortsighted (in actuality I am shortsighted, I mean, metaphorically speaking). I know this situation is not simply a question of blaming Putin as the big bad guy. As I have mentioned in another comment, all Western countries are involved in this and all of our leaders are full of hypocrisy, but such is the life of a politician. I still do not find an equal comparison between enforcing a vaccine and creating a global refugee emergency. We are very privileged we can be complaining about whether we should take a booster shot or not, when there are countries that still did not get enough vaccines for their whole population. And we are even more privilege that we can be chatting here deciding whether it is fair or not, without having lost our homes and having to look for asylum in another country.
SP, I’ll refer you again to the notion of ‘salami slicing’ and how one thing can lead to another. I am not making an equal comparison, but highlighting how authoritarianism in any form can lead to crises which can eventually lead to things like a refugee crisis.
We are very privileged and now is the time to complain when we see such authoritarian leadership taking hold. We cannot be ‘saviours’ of the rest of the world, or the ‘unfree’ world, if we are hypocrites ourselves in terms of “do as we say and not as we do.” The Western world was one I always saw as leading by example and upholding values that were worth championing. Personally, I believe our values have gone to shit and I wouldn’t champion any Western government right now in terms of how they have behaved in during the pandemic and what that has meant for the people living under them.
Unfortunately, we also live in a world where some people fare better than others due to their circumstances and war is a bitter thing that creates wholesale suffering. Many people do what they can to alleviate that, but to conflate their position (supposedly one of privilege) with the position of fleeing Ukrainians should not mean an inability to discuss the issues at hand. It is emotional rhetoric at an emotional time, but it cannot replace the logic of how we ended up here and what to do about it next.
LET, I typed my earlier comment super fast because I knew HG was about to go live and I don’t even know if it makes sense. I meant in real life I have been shortsighted (myopic) since I was little, but not metaphorically. I have a very acute synthetic thinking so I do not usually stick to the tree; I see the whole picture before many people do, which has been very beneficial in being appointed in administrative and leading jobs. I totally agree this crap is not a punctual problem due due to Putin’s fury, and I agree that authoritarian decisions have been increased because of the pandemic. Anyway I’m running for part 2. HG is doing an excellent job here!!!
I am following closely everything related to Russian propaganda. Unfortunately, still very strong in many countries of the world.
The latest news from Russian trolls is that the tunnels of the Zionists, Nazis, pedophiles and organ traders lead not only from Ukraine to the USA (narrative for about 2 years), but also – and this is new – through Poland to UK.
Mr. P. expanded the list of “sinners”.
An asshole!
Ok, ok, ok, I’ll be more specific, shall I?
This was very interesting to read, HG. Thank you so much for this ‘introduction’ to who he is.
I really look forward to reading your analysis on Putin, HG 🙂
I reckon Putin is a primarily psychopath high levels of the dark tetrad traits. In my opinion, possibly lacks cognitive empathy too.
I had an interesting conversation about him today with a good man and his wife. There was a nod or two when I was talking narcissism and him, his “role” as President of Russia. It led to further conversations about other narcissists, ie Joe, Boris and so on, (including the fkers at work). It was so very good to discuss this ‘freely’. No holds barred. Absolutely fabulous ‘liberation’.
I had listed HG’s videos The Ultra : An Introduction; The Ultra Framework; Why Am I Doing This? and What Is Narcissism? As ‘starter’ videos for my friend to peruse. My friend’s eye brows raise in genuine interest and some excitement. Knowing him, he will listen to these and also ‘sign-post’ if appropriate with clients in the future. I had wanted to leave it until he and I had a face-to-face conversation. Maybe another couple of new ‘fans’ of HG’s work, leading to more word-of-mouth discussions = reaching more people. What I did tell my friend that I looked past HG’s “labels” and he agreed (understood) because he is that type of person to do as I do. He does not judge people, he looks at their behaviours.
Exciting times! 🙂
Asp Emp, I always appreciate your contributions. I haven’t participated in a long time for a specific reason but wanted to try again & just say hi & thank you. A HUGE thank you especially to Mr Tudor for all the work on this site. I love drinking from my narcsite mug every morning 🙂
Summer, hello 🙂 So good to see you ‘popping in’, thank you for your response 🙂 I hope all is ok with you. So nice of you to thank HG for his work too. Yes, when I have my first cup of coffee in the morning, I am reading HG too 🙂
An asshole is right! Seriously now, I agree with your verdict, AE.
SP, thank you. I read a news article earlier today and it was very interesting. He is still an asshole 🙂