Russians have given up on reading my blogs---really---or blocked!

The past month as seen no Russians reading my blogs. Am KI surprised? NO! I have been quite hard  re my ideas about him and how I see Putin's role in the Ukrainian crisis and about his increasingly anti-democratic moves plus his trying to close down all criticism of him within Russia. I have also said on several occasions that the present government in Ukraine is not representative of Ukraine as a whole. At best they are an 'interim' Government and the West must keep that position to the fore before committing recourses, military and economic, to that Government. I accept that Russia has historical sensitivity re the 'border' regions of Russia, but I do not accept Putin's response to the problem.
He regularly accuses the USA for its role in world affairs and how the latter acts on its own, often in  he face of world opinion. He is correct to stand against that action but he is doing exactly the same, with the added action of repressing his own people when they take umbrage at his governance. Putin is an enigma in some ways. Without a doubt he appeals to many Russians. Perhaps he links into that desire Russians are assumed to have about having an need for 'strong leadership.' That is part of their history and so is the 'state apparatus' that responds to  any moves against the ruling regime. Russian Governments are not 'relaxed about taking criticism, from abroad or within the nation.
My blogs are not anti-Russian, but they are asking the question about the direction Russia is being taken by their 'colourful leader.' Still, he has a way to go before he reaches the status of the 'Dear Leader' from The 'Democratic' Republic of North Korea. At least we do not laugh when we hear Putin's name.
I would love to see Russians reading my blogs and books again. I mean----I am not related to Google!

China starts to exert its historical role in the region. Is that so bad?

For decades now, the USA has acted as the 'World Police.' under the guise of 'defending democracy'. I think most of us equate that to meaning 'looking after America's interests,' or to fine tune that a little more, the interests of the few at the top of the feeding chain in then world. Allied to the aspirations of the USA are those of the world's elite, nothing more or less. The links between big business and the oligarchs of Russia and even the newly rich companies in China are well and truly a fact. The games they play out as struggles between nations are nothing more than a ruse--to keep those in  power above and beyond then law. It is the ordinary people in all nations who suffer while the 'big boys' play their games. The latter benefit from 'small regional wars;' and any boiling over into a world-wide conflagration is out of the question, because that and only that would affect the bottom line-- that of hurting the pockets of those at the top. That is the way of the world as it always has been.

Sit ins outside 'legal high' shops---Do it!

The time has come for us to line up and sit down outside 'Legal High' shops because we can not wait for more young lives to be damaged and for these creeps who so smugly sell this crap in our communities. There is a safe way to do this---make sure there are large numbers and have a few 'local rugby or league big boys' sitting with you for the 'presence'' they have. Most of the sellers are just low life cowards and leeches n the community anyway. Peter Dunne and his 'lovely' son are not going to help so it's time to take back our streets. While we are at it, turn on those criminals who 'cook' 'P' in our communities too. The answer to these problems in in our hands---the people.

Putin is lacking, in his reactions to the Ukraine crisis.

One wonders at the psyche of Putin. His sense of grievance to the 'West' is now seriously affecting the Russian economy. The Rouble is lower (Down by 8% this year) and interest rates are going up whilst he plays some sort of larger than life boys game of 'brinkmanship' with the EU and the USA. His approach screams of the old polices of the Soviet Union, a time in history that does not fit well in this new century. Listening to the Russian spokespersons on TV takes me back to the bad old days in the UN when one of their famous leaders thumped the desk. Mr Putin, do you not see that the only real loser in this situation are your beloved Russian people as your economy nose-dives? Is it worth it? You threaten to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and the EU. Do you not understand that in the long term you are doing them a favour? The vast scientific and economic resources will finally deliver policies that lead the EU towards a place where they do not depend on Russia or the Middle East for energy supplies. They will seek alternative sources and even though that will take time, the end result will be that you no longer hold the trump card you think you possess now.
Of course there may be a more sinister plan: As you gradually whittle away the freedoms of Russians (I note your latest rantings re Google and asking Russians not to use this 'CIA sponsored world control mechanism!') and prepare to take your nation back to the iron-fisted policies of your predecessors, you are of course cementing in the power you already hold.
Ordinary Russians, especially the older ones, remember the 'bad old times,' but in their minds, the certainty that a 'strong (bullying) leader and the promise of jobs, health care, age care, all tend to equip them with a tolerance of such a leadership style. Russia has never known 'democracy' and all that that represents in their history, apart from a brief period after the fall of the old Communist Party. I am not saying that democracy in its Western form is without faults, but the increasingly obvious plans you have for Russia point to a very tense time in  the future, both for Russia and the world. It seems that you are prepared to head for this chasm, caring little for your people or those around the world who will suffer with you as you leap into the 'unknown.' Ordinary Russians are fast losing their 'voice.' Indeed it is only a very short time, before they will not be able to read blogs like mine or communicate on FB. Luckily the resilience and spirit of the Russian people will win through in the end.