I've never been there ,, heard all the politics of the big threat from Russia during my military years ,,, always wondered if I was fed a line of shit ,,, may never know the truth,, the Clinton's sure seemed to profit from them ,,, and at the same time,, telling us how bad they are ,,, a free thinker can wonder about things like this ,, or ,,, a free thinker can die in a big concrete oven , we're fed so much shit ,, we'll never know the truth ,,,,
I was there in 90 and 91. Doing a bit of work and a bit of teaching. Cant force me to go again. Both them and my OWN country still keeps tabs on me. Along with a few others. Lol. It r what it r so i just let it be.
I thought that we might end up in Russia since the wife has family there but...this Ukraine war changes things a lot. For the most part, the video was spot on; however, understand that he ONLY said the good things, none of the bad things. He spoke about being Christian and etc. but did not say how the Russian Orthodox Pope is basically blessing this war...and is also best buddies with Putin, they were in the military together in the old days. Or, how awful the roads are outside of the Moscow and Saint Peterburg, the major cities. An American wouldn't have any rights, you would be on thin ice all the time and if the police or a magistrate decided to shake you down - well - you'd be screwed. Frankly, I wouldn't even try to live in the big cities for that reason. Anyway, if things go bad come November, we might end up there or at least put some money there as it's about the only damn place the US can't get their hands on it. However, it is not all sunshine and biscuits...and if they decided to pick you up - well - you're gone.
nobody wants to be Ukrainian dog chow or have their kid chopped up and fed into the war - but - they are supporting Putin ..... so - when the Euros get their war - the Russians better not be bitching how the West started it and same bullshit innocence they pulled in WW2 ....
The Russians are nationalists, just like Americans for the most part. Hell, call them patriots! They love their country as much as we love ours. Putin has done a lot of good and made them proud again...but he is at the end of the line now at 71 years, time is getting short so he's taking the short cuts to achieve his goals. He never expected the Ukrainians to fight this hard or long. Frankly, the Europeans should have been in there from the beginning, put a stop to it...they were probably waiting for America to do the heavy lifting - again. Now, they've screwed around and let Russia draft and train a huge army and get it manufacturing in order among other things....stupid. It will cost them lives if they go in now. Yeah, it is. North Siberia is too severe (where all the gas is) but middle and Southern is nice. I was in a little town of about 50,000 called Minusinsk, flew into Krasnoyarsk and took an 8-hour train ride to Minusinsk. It's where we would go. However, I fear now that the State Police would harass the hell out of us due to the war. I got harassed last time entering the country (which is a story!) but once inside I was left alone.
Yeah, it is. North Siberia is too severe (where all the gas is) but middle and Southern is nice. I was in a little town of about 50,000 called Minusinsk, flew into Krasnoyarsk and took an 8-hour train ride to Minusinsk. It's where we would go. However, I fear now that the State Police would harass the hell out of us due to the war. I got harassed last time entering the country (which is a story!) but once inside I was left alone.[/QUOTE] He is in Novosibirsk and has offered free board if I make my way there, but said I should wait being American. He loves his country and it is truly beautiful and so clean.
I spent time working with Russia in the Komi Republic waaay back in the early 90s. Avg person, no problem. The apparatchiks were total assholes. Corruption was massively endemic, even then. I doubt it has gotten any better. Almost as bad as NY. I do enjoy the music. Russian folk dance! (youtube.com)
Corruption still is a major problem. However, unlike here in America, corruption is for all levels of society. For example, you do not need to be an elitist to take advantage of corruption. Get stopped for a traffic violation, slip the cop some money. Need something special done on utilities, slip someone some money. Want your driver license renewed without the hassle - money. @Tempstar "He is in Novosibirsk and has offered free board if I make my way there, but said I should wait being American. He loves his country and it is truly beautiful and so clean." Yes, that is one city I wouldn't mind seeing, heard it is pretty, and I heard it is not like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
Big place, over a million residents. Novosibirsk[a] is the largest city and administrative centre of Novosibirsk Oblast and the Siberian Federal District in Russia. As of the 2021 Census, it had a population of 1,633,595,[19] making it the most populous city in Siberia and the third-most populous city in Russia after Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It is also the most populous city in Asian part of Russia. Novosibirsk is located in southwestern Siberia, on the banks of the Ob River.[20] Official website of the city of Novosibirsk (novo-sibirsk.ru) many nice photos of area.
