For anyone interested you can go to: PBS.org then in their search engine type in FRONTLINE, then click on the WATCH caption and then google "Putin's Way". It's about an hour long, interesting insight into the LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.
PBS is state-run propaganda when it comes to foreign policy. By the way, what did they allege? That Putin was a "killer?" That's nonsense and has never been documented. When PBS or any other state-run media outlet says that "Putin is bad" what they are really saying is that Putin stands in their way. Poo-pooh.
No Richard67, but it does explain his rise to power from zero to hero. Watch it, find out for yourself. It's very interesting if you like biography type shows.
Putin was a nobody that decided to so something. His father survived WWII by hiding in a swamp, breathing through a straw as Nazis walked by. The Russian people know more than any other people what it is to see a great civilization come tumbling down. They persevered nonetheless. It is a great lesson for all of us. A lesson Our Lady had in mind when she laid out Heaven's Peace Plan in 1917.
I don't know what side to come down on. I am from the USA so there is a natural prejudice there. However when I look at the laws that Russia is enacting vs. the laws that we are passing I have to say it would seem to me God would be much more in favor of them than us. I don't mean to speak for God.... He is above politics but he will use whatever instruments are available to Him by men cooperating with Him and the laws He gave us. If Russia is presenting a vehicle to stop the expansion of pro-gay laws, abortion, the destruction of the family, etc. maybe God will favor them with more grace. One thing I do know is that Russia has a special place in God's heart because the people there have always had a special devotion to Mary. Even the blue in their flag is in honor of her. Probably the only nation on Earth that can claim something like that.
Of course people are quite right to be cynical about the US/EU involvement in Syria, it is Machievellian to the nth degree. All this talk about Assad killing his own people when obviously it was an uprising against the govt and what else could he do? But there are no heroes among modern day big political leaders I don't think, I wouldn't hero worship Putin either.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here. So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”r Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me
It is very debatable whether Russia has been the prime aggressor in the Ukraine. Regardless, major powers are always liable to interfere with neighbouring sovereignties within their sphere of influence and the frequent invocation of its Monroe Doctrine by the U.S. is another example. This is not particularly sinister. The background to this entire civil war is European ambition for an oil pipe-line from Saudi Arabia, but Syria stands in the way. Assad, as was his right, chose to act in the interests of his long-time ally, Russia, who would of course prefer to be the ones to sell oil to Europe. It is all the "great game" between the powers and I support Russia marginally because they seem by far the more competent and primarily because it looks the better option for the Christians whom Obama was selling out to the wolves. It is definitely a very risky situation that could very easily spin out of control and I would be very wary of Obama in an acute crisis. His golfing obsession will do him no good if nukes get launched. I'm not Russian, but Irish, by the way.[/quote] Would you "support Russia marginally" if they came knocking at your back door? Real live people are dying in these conflicts. At least they have laid off of Ukraine for the time being, too busy in Syria now. Russia is more competent at what? killing people? That's what they were doing in Georgia, in Ukraine, to the people of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. It doesn't make it ok just because it's not Ireland where their killing people. By the way, I never ask you if you were Russian.
The Russian people are not Valdimir Putin, Praetorian. In his interview with Charlie Rose he explained his position as favorable to the pro-gay agenda in Russia. Lets not forget many were in favor of Adolf Hitler when he came to power. It's rhetoric, that's what Putin is presenting, good ole fashioned rhetoric. And before you know it, it'll be too late. Where's the peace? All I see with my eyes is Russia spreading her errors throughout the world. Valdimir Putin could care less about Christians in the Middle East, he's after the oil, Iran is after Israel and now their all there together, how convenient for Iran and now America has just handed them a zillion dollars to get the party started. That's how i see it with my eyes and hear it with my ears, I could be wrong, I pray I am. If my wishes are fulfilled, Russia will be converted and there will be peace; if not, then Russia will spread her errors throughout the world, bringing new wars and persecution of the Church; the good will be martyred and the Holy Father will have much to suffer; certain nations will be annihilated. But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she will be converted, and the world will enjoy a period of peace....– The Blessed Virgin Mary to the children-seers at Fatima in 1917
Lily, You are right it is all talking points. The US was always good in its arguments because we always said...what we believed. Since the Clinton administration words began to have two meanings. The Russians learned that and are using our on words against us. Its hard to explain but i guess its about P.R. Departments and not truths. Brother al
I am afraid we cannot bomb our way out of this but only pray our way out. Though that I easy for me to write, I am not a Christian living out there and they have not murdered in Ireland...yet The Vatican supports military action, I know
I'm not sure what your point is. I never said the Russian people are Putin. In fact I never mentioned Putin. I went out of my way to make a point of speaking about the Russian people as distinct from Putin. and my post did not back Putin in any way. I have no illusions that Putin is altruistic. He is a politician. Nuff said.
I Would you "support Russia marginally" if they came knocking at your back door? Real live people are dying in these conflicts. At least they have laid off of Ukraine for the time being, too busy in Syria now. Russia is more competent at what? killing people? That's what they were doing in Georgia, in Ukraine, to the people of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. It doesn't make it ok just because it's not Ireland where their killing people. By the way, I never ask you if you were Russian.[/quote] I stressed I wasn't Russian in order to forestall being accused like MMM of being one (MMM might well be Russian, but it would be beside the point).. I would remind you that the balance of evidence indicates that the U.S. initiated the nationalist rebellion in Ukraine. American intervention has been accompanied by death, destruction and defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and now Syria. Perhaps a return to isolationism might be in order. Why do you believe that it is moral for America to interfere far beyond its borders with such catastrophic results but object to Russia intervening in its own historical sphere of interests, and which will hopefully lead to a peaceful conclusion? Finally, nobody here wants anyone killed, but it is happening, particularly horrifically in the case of ISIS and what is hoped for is a sequence of events that will lead to a just settlement with the least loss of life. We must agree to differ on which is the preferable sequence.
The Syrian Catholic authorities have been saying from day one of this conflict that the so-called Syrian rebels were nothing more than terrorists. Recently Syrian Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo commented on Russia's involvement as well as CIA-support for the so-called "moderate opposition:" "US Senator John McCain protested saying that the Russians are not bombing the positions of the Islamic State, but rather the anti-Assad rebels trained by the CIA. I find these words are disturbing. They represent a blatant admission that behind the war against Assad there is also the CIA.” In an interview with Fides, Archbishop Hindo said that with Russian forces now engaging jihadist militias, “western propaganda” continues to “talk about moderate rebels who do not exist.” "There is something very disturbing about all this: there is a superpower that since September 11 protests because the Russians hit the militias of al-Qaeda in Syria. What does it mean? Al-Qaeda is now a US ally, just because in Syria it has a different name? But do they really despise our intelligence and our memory?”, Archbishop Hindo said. Archbishop Hindo also stressed that it is up to Syrians, not the so-called Islamic State or Western nations to decide if Bashir Al-Assad should go. However, he said that in the current conflict, removing Al-Assad will risk becoming another Libya. "We have received terrible news from the city of Deir al Zor, which has been besieged by Daesh (Islamic State) for a long time. There is no more food in town, and the population is literally starving. We need to do something immediately, before it is too late". http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/syrian-archbishop-disturbed-by-cia-involvement-in-conflict
No evidence that Russia downed MH17. In fact, there is plenty of evidence that Kiev downed MH17. The Russian Military even narrowed down the type of air-to-air missile that was used. But that's a topic for another thread. As is the discussion of Ukraine, where the illegitimate President Poroshenko is waging an unjust war of aggression and genocide against the ethnic Russians of the Donbass, with full Western support.
