Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: maceng2 who wrote (38201)	8/10/2008 6:23:03 AM
From: Haim R. Branisteanu	Read Replies (5) \| Respond to of 218037

IN response, I would like to mention that in no one of the former USSR countries there is democracy as we in the US know. The people there just do not understand what we see as free freedom of choice as they never had it not under the Russian communist regime and not under the regimes before that. The only difference between all those regimes are how oppressive they are to those that do not walk the “party line” most countries are managed mafia style with power groups weighting in for power and most important for them access to riches. (as a side comment I developed a warm relationship (so I believe) with one of the higher ups in one of those countries – an academician Prof. of all sorts. When I asked another professor to deliver a message/request, I was told that even that they are both professors at the local academy – the OTHER professor is form the ruling family and traditions are in his country and Asia in general that you do not just call some one from the ruling family to relay a message or request and I should make the contact directly) Some ruling groups are able to satisfy their constituency and keep them happy and the power play is exposed only by the “sudden” illness or death or jailing of this or other oligarch. So in this respect the article even if it sounds horrible is no different from the situation in all other former USSR countries. The only former USSR country which is growing constantly more aggressive and tries to force the others to its rule is Russia under Putin and there is the danger that is exposed now in the conflict in Georgia. After busting many international agreements and destroying companies at will from Yukos to extortion of Shell and most recently BP, Putin and his gang got a taste of invincibility and power and are trying to play the international extortion game by blocking the free flow of resources from Central Asia to the Western Countries including India and China and there where Georgia comes in play. As every Mafioso the Kremlin knows, that restricting the flow of goods trough the regions they control then the Kremlin can charge transition fees at their will and by thus influence who will get what and for how much – this situation is too tempting for power and riches hungry KGB types to let slip away easily. Sealing off the Caspian Basin they secure protection money flowing for ever into their pockets. Few forgot the same tactics were used against Ukraine after their own Yellow revolution when Putin threaten the EU with cutting off NG delivery trough Ukraine – and this is the main reason of the EU in refusing Georgia and Ukraine participation in NATO – cut off of energy supplies from Russia – and this is because EU are a bunch of noisy hypocrites and syssi’s and a$$ kissers. Just think of the fact that Albania was approved to join NATO – what Albania has to offer? Nothing – except a territorial claim on Kosovo, so Russia does not care about Albania same with Kosovo there is only posturing and issue of national pride. But Merkel out of fear of a frigid winter claimed that Georgia did not resolve its territorial issues within its border – leaving the Georgian hanging dry after taking the risk and being a conduit of energy to the Western Energy hungry markets circumventing the Russian monopoly power – there is an old saying in Italy – (in free translation) you do not displease the Mafia Boss by not giving him the “cut” he expects from the protection fees To understand the dynamics one must be familiar with Russian mentality and dogma, regardless of the type of regime. Since the Tzarist times and much more earlier Russia was an imperialistic bended nation dogged by drunkenness and laziness of its citizens, after all their ethnic roots are the Vikings who assimilated with the Slavs and lived mostly form plunder of neighboring territories for hundreds of years. Traveling to Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan and having informal chat with the officials there you will learn of the resentment toward the Russian (who they call Europeans) who posed as their protectors form the expansionist desires of China only to fall victims to the extermination tactics of Stalin who BTW is form Gerogia!! Side remark - There is a joke I learned form those region about Russian husbands –a wife must be very suspicious if her husband does not come home drunk and beats her – as he may lost interest in her and has another woman – very sad indeed but true – also if you do not drink alcohol at business gatherings and in "the obligatory" sauna – your are an outcast and forget about business in Russia - bit exaggerated but true Oh well this is it for today :)