[MTVN]

The Times named him their man of the year for 2013 lol

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/w...cle3960759.ece

[Z]

Originally Posted by Novo

Putin is the best leader this world has seen in recent times, he has made Russia a gold mine with the Oil business him and Roman should be honored for their work together, took Russia's military miles forward, stopped America ruthlessly bombing other countries for their gain, the russians want him and love him as a leader and thats really all that matters.

who are we to judge a man who has changed the fortunes of a great country.

I completely agree. Before Putin came into power, Russia was a floundering country that was trying desperately to cling onto its great power status without a clue about how to go about doing it. Putin revolutionised Russia and turned its fortunes around. He is so loved by the Russians because he's turned things around so dramatically. I'm so fascinated by Russian geopolitics, I would love to meet Putin one day, he's a brilliant politician. I might not agree with some of his politics but I think he's one of the most important figures of this century.

[CaudleHalbard]

Whatever Putin thinks of gays, Mr Google suggests that the capital of Russia does not lack gay facilities :

http://www.nighttours.com/moscow/gayguide/

[Novo]

It's really interesting watching the body language of Putin and Obama at meetings, i think Putin respects Obama more then he did Bush by some margin but Obama is always looks like the false one putting on that cheesy smile for the camera and trying to convince the people he has made the right decisions but Putin has always been the same, true to his word since the days of the KGB, a realist and a just man, when he speaks you know he means business you don't get that with Obama everything just feels like bs

[Z]

Putin is the kind of strong leader that I wish we had in the UK. Sometimes they make questionable decisions but they get things done.

[CaudleHalbard]

Originally Posted by Zee

Putin is the kind of strong leader that I wish we had in the UK. Sometimes they make questionable decisions but they get things done.

Margaret Thatcher was, arguably, the last one - and she ruffled a few feathers!

[Z]

Originally Posted by CaudleHalbard

Margaret Thatcher was, arguably, the last one - and she ruffled a few feathers!

I was gonna bring her up but decided against it I wasn't born when she was in power so while I find her interesting to read about, I don't know what it was like to live through her time in power.

[Novo]

exactly Zee, the ammount of risks putin has took over the years that have paid off for him is nothing short of legendary, it was amazing last year when we voted against action in Syria, Putin must have felt godlike knowng the british people see it from his side more then Cameron's

[Z]

Originally Posted by Novo

exactly Zee, the ammount of risks putin has took over the years that have paid off for him is nothing short of legendary, it was amazing last year when we voted against action in Syria, Putin must have felt godlike knowng the british people see it from his side more then Cameron's

It's quite entertaining watching Russia and China veto the USA's agenda in the UN; as much as the USA likes to play the role of World Police, there is such a thing as war fatigue and I'm surprised they even thought it was a good idea trying to get involved in Syria considering the public backlash against the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, I'm glad Britain voted against action in Syria, it doesn't look good being involved in so many conflicts regardless of the reasoning behind it.

Originally Posted by MTVN

"Putin also added that Russia was more liberal than some other countries, claiming that in certain US states homosexuality was still punishable by law"

Which ones

I know there are 29 states in which you can still be fired from your job for being gay. The republicans refuse to allow a federal vote outlawing this practice on the state level.

[MeMyselfAndI]

He's been misusing his power & support to brainwash & push his views onto others, awful human

[Shaun]

As much as I find him questionable the hatred of homosexuals is at much more of a grassroots level than just "well Putin told them so".

There's not going to be a "strong leader like him" over here because the press is much more free and is going to tear everyone to pieces on every account possible. I daresay if a Russian journalist tried the kind of character assassination people over at the Guardian and Independent are free to do, they'd be out of a job or conveniently disappearing soon. They rank 148th out of 179 countries on the Press Freedom Index, and the government owns about 60% of newspapers.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Shaun

As much as I find him questionable the hatred of homosexuals is at much more of a grassroots level than just "well Putin told them so".

There's not going to be a "strong leader like him" over here because the press is much more free and is going to tear everyone to pieces on every account possible. I daresay if a Russian journalist tried the kind of character assassination people over at the Guardian and Independent are free to do, they'd be out of a job or conveniently disappearing soon. They rank 148th out of 179 countries on the Press Freedom Index, and the government owns about 60% of newspapers.

I agree, homosexuality just hasn't taken any kind of hold in Russian culture - it exists as it does everywhere, but there's never been any kind of popular support for it ever. No positive exposure in the media, nothing. Putin isn't the reason why people hate gays, he himself has barely said anything on the matter but I think it's useful for his administration if there are scapegoats they can make use of when they need one.

When I said "strong leader" I meant a decisive one who gets things done; Margaret Thatcher being the last leader the UK had to really decisively lead the country. The Russian government controls so much of Russia's infrastructure - Gazprom is more or less a branch of the Russian government, for example. When countries deal with Gazprom, they're dealing with the Russian government. It's a fascinating country.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Livia

I can't understand how the Winter Olympics hasn't been withdrawn from Russia. Once again they show themselves as an uneducated backwater. How embarrassing for them.

Also, the world cup is gonna be in Russia in 2018 and the 2022 world cup was given to Qatar... Both have appalling human rights records.

The Olympics and the World Cup are businesses, they only care about money.

The truth is if you really tried to find a country to host these that doesn't have some kind of human rights issues, you'd have a pretty difficult task.

Britain itself was attacked for being chosen for 2012 because of the war in Iraq. Sydney 2000 was attacked for Aboriginal treatment, etc... every country has it's skeletons.

As abhorrent as Russia's anti-gay laws are, if we only gave sporting events to perfect countries, we'd have no sporting events.

[arista]

On BBC1 Marr
a new Interview out there
he has said he has mates who are gay.

[Apple202]

why hasn't this been boycotted smh

[Apple202]

and novo will just support anyone seemingly macho

[arista]

Originally Posted by Apple202

and novo will just support anyone seemingly macho

Sadly True

[Z]

Originally Posted by arista

On BBC1 Marr
a new Interview out there
he has said he has mates who are gay.

Who, Putin or Marr?

[CaudleHalbard]

It is often the case the worst homopbobes have repressed sexuality issues.

[MeMyselfAndI]

Originally Posted by Apple202

and novo will just support anyone seemingly macho

I'd hardly say macho! Putin looks like a cross between the three eyed alliens off Toy Story and an elf

[arista]

Originally Posted by Zee

Who, Putin or Marr?

Putin
of course

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by Munchkins

And to think there were members on here praising Putin as some legend, even if it was a joke -.-

I'm sorry , but this particular situation I agree is very distasteful and probably politically motivated. But don't be fooled Vladimir Putin is an exceptional leader and strategist he has galvanised Russia and put them back on the world map. He is an inspirational President as has been seen over the last decade or so.

Anybody who thinks the man is stupid or weak or a fool clearly has not any grasp on reality and probably gets their news from the Sun or Daily Mail.