Shevchuk Exchange With Putin

The introduction to this video is biased, and unworthy of ethical journalistic standards. Report the facts, and people can come to their own conclusions.

The You Tube video is labeled "the full version." It isn't. The full transcript is available on the Russian government's own website.

In my own opinion, it was a lively exchange, and I think that Putin responded rather well. (Read the transcript.) Shevchuk was somewhat insolent and irreverent, even somewhat disrespectful, in my opinion. He interrupted Putin several times, whereas Putin never interrupted him. A certain level of decorum is the norm, and one can get one's point across just fine by without breaking with "protocol."

"Protocol" is followed when dealing with heads of state (presidents, and ex-presidents [Putin is also a former 2-term president!]), heads of government (prime ministers), royalty (Queen of England, King of Spain, etc.). There is nothing bad or improper about following certain "rules of etiquette." Considering the tone and implications Shevchuk was making, I think Putin kept his cool quite well. Putin had been a lot more brusque and even perhaps "raunchy" at some press conferences in the past, for example.

Shevchuk made some good points, and Putin agreed with most of them. But I think to call Shevchuk's exchange with Putin a "heroic stand" is an exaggeration. Did it take guts? Perhaps, and good for him at those times when he was right and on track. But let's not overdo it. The fact that this meeting took place is a big plus to begin with, and one must give Putin credit for this.

Concerning the 31st Protest Movement, even the "liberal" Vladimir Posner mentioned on his show not too long ago that there is a difference between the right to protest, and the right to protest wherever you want. It is normal in democratic countries the world over for demonstrators to obtain permission for their venue. Chances are you would not get a permit to demonstrate in Times Square, for example. But some people in TOR flout the law and demonstrate wherever they want to, instead of where they got permission to demonstrate. Naturally, the authorities don't take kindly to these breaches of the law, which are sometimes outright provocations. Ever see Eduard Llimonov's red/brown National Bolsheviks (a member party of TOR, if I am not mistaken) in action?

So one must put everything in context, and not jump to conclusions with knee-jerk reactions all the time. I for one am amazed how Putin is held personally responsible for corruption and other abuses by the authorities, when he himself has condemned the same, and is trying to right many wrongs. He is reportedly the most powerful man in Russia, but even he cannot change the heart and soul of each and every corrupt bureaucrat, militiaman (policeman), government functionary, etc., etc. Shapka Monomakha tyazhela.

"The comment by Slava from Russia was written by someone who is employed by the Russian government. Wow, a great job, although a slight Russian accent still shows through occasionally."

Where do you get your information from, Rena? Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups. Your statement as a fact is actually a false assumption on your part. It just so happens that I am a native born American citizen who happens to be currently visiting Russia. I am most definitely not employed by the Russian government, which probably doesn't even know I exist. [Why do so many Russophobes automatically accuse anyone of supporting a Russian leader to be a government stooge? Remember, assumption is ....] I am also a die-hard anti-communist, a US military (combat arms) veteran, and a "Reagan" Conservative Republican (ever hear Sean Hannity use that term?).

This just goes to show how people can perceive and interpret the same events from different perspectives. I tried to think of a similar situation that one might compare with in the US. What came to mind is a leftist liberal "do-gooder" criticizing a conservative Republican president. I also thought of certain Democrats blaming Bush2 for every evil under the sun. That's the type of attitude you seem to have against Putin. (BTW, I criticize Bush2 from the right, a la Peggy Noonan, Pat Buchanan, etc.)

Russians know there is plenty wrong in their country. How to right those wrongs is another topic. To assume that Putin or Medvedev have the power to wave a magic wand to make bad things go away instantly is ludicrous. As in any country, leaders try to reach a balance. What I disagree with is hyperbolic negative statements made about a Putin, Bush, Reagan, Nixon, etc., that are simply knee-jerk reactions, usually made on unproved assumptions. I may be wrong, but that's my point of view.

BTW, just because I'm a Christian right winger, it doesn't mean I'm not a compassionate conservative who also hates injustice and violations of human rights, and appreciates the correct points that Shevchuk was making. In fact, Putin and Medvedev are both practicing Christians!

Shevchuk is a loser: he didn't shave, he interrupted Putin several times, he didn't even bother putting on a shirt, let alone a tie and a suit to meet the Prime Minister at a public event. Shevchuk presented himself like a disrespectful prick, whose attitude could only be emulated by empty-headed idiots like himself.

Wow! I can't believe these people. Paul and Rena, are you neo-cons by any chance? Rather than address my comments intelligently, it appears you prefer to try to besmirch my reputation, and dismiss my comments out of hand by labeling me as a fake and being on the RF government payroll. That is called character assassination.

Hmmm. Writing style, expressions and choice of words…. Stop trying to read into something that you have no idea about. Stop over-analyzing. I say again, I am an American-born American citizen, and I am not on any government payroll, not the Russian Federation government payroll, and not on the US government payroll. I’m just a private citizen with my own opinions.

Haven’t you ever heard of knowledgeable Americans who have left the Cold War behind? My hero Ronald Reagan was anti-Soviet and anti-Communist, but never anti-Russian! Have you ever heard of Amb. Jack Matlock? How about George Kennan. These are just two American patriots, and true experts on Russia and the Soviet Union, who expressed “outside the box” thinking about Russia that differs from the knee-jerk Cold War neo-cons. I mention Pat Buchanan again, another stalwart American patriot who has criticized US foreign policy from the right. My general views and thinking align with these great Americans. They also align with Alexander Solzhenitsyn, another hero of mine since 1968, and very misunderstood by liberals and neo-cons alike. So why do you insist on assuming that I’m some kind of stooge for the Russian government?