Paul

I think that the reason for Putin's popularity might relate to Milgram's research, which shows that a similar percentage of people will follow direction given by someone perceived as authoritative. With Putin having great control over what information Russians can access there aren't too many alternative authorities for them to listen to, but at least there are some.

Fester,

How many troops is Putin prepared to lose? Who knows. And that brings us to the relativism of the multiculturalists who think everybody thinks the way we do. They do not, so what we think we would do in their situation is meaningless. People smarter than I am say that culture is firmly planted by the age of 3 years.

Shadowminister's biggest problem is his lack of cultural comprehension. He takes too much notice of what our own kind believes totally different 'others' will do, or should do.

Paul,

If you stop calling him Shonky, he might stop calling you Pauliar, which, I have to say, doesn't work as well as Shonky does. You win on imagination.

Yes. What would our politicians give to be so popular! Here, again, the difference between the West and the East is striking.

And yes. Some people seem to forget their previous totally incorrect predictions. The Shadow is no Nostradamus.

ttbn

I ascribe more to the idea of about two thirds of people following the prevailing authority. I think it might be more fundamental to human beings than culture. Not sure how pc/woke Milgram is these days, but I suspect that Putin's regime could be destabilised by giving Russians access to an uncensored internet.

Pauliar,

Once again, you are a liar and a fraud. The reason I call you that is because you continually lie.

You think that repeating the lie about Porter means that it will eventually come true.

I've challenged you to show where I said this and you have yet to do so.

ttbn, I call my friend, SM, on a thread until he calls me Pauliar, then I call him shonky. Vlads the most popular leader since 'Papa' Doc of Haiti, when Papa's popularity hit 247%, or was that 'Baby' Doc, no matter, they were both loveable kinda guys, and very popular with the people, well with those that lived long enough to love them.

Shonky, I gave you that link to your ridiculous claim about Porter, so many times. Fortunately for you it's now well hidden under a mountain of your BS.

Paul

You can call each other whatever you like. I cannot understand why you keep arguing when you know you will always disagree.