Thread: Edward Snowden and his stay in Russia

Originally Posted by Eric C.

I would also put it this way: there are really a lot of countries across the world where people are being spied on, and have no basic human rights; that dude, however, chose the U.S. for his "great mission" which makes him... well, an idiot

Didn't he want to open compatriots' eyes ? If we had such "dude" here in Russia, I would be sooooo happy.

Originally Posted by maxmixiv

Didn't he want to open compatriots' eyes ? If we had such "dude" here in Russia, I would be sooooo happy.

The difference is that nobody has any illusions about Russia. Russia doesn't make itself out to be the perfect paragon for "freedom", liberty, democracy and all the rest.
America does! But the reality is the opposite.

I'd say all of Russia's "dirty laundry" is already out!
Regarding the past: All the dirt from the USSR came out during glasnost and in the 90s.

Perhaps there were people in the USSR before glasnost, who really believed propaganda and thought that the USSR was the most perfect country, more fair and righteous than all other. That's where most Americans are today, I think. They really believe their country is the best, when the truth is the opposite. They believe that the USA has the right to start any war it wants, and spy on anyone it wants.)

Regarding the present:

• All the modern day corruption in Russia and any conspiracies are discussed in the blogosphere, and reported in media in other countries.
• Russia is constantly accused in international media of starting wars it didn't start, discriminating against free speech, homosexuals and what not.
  Putin allegedly, has money in Switzerland etc. Many officials are corrupt.

So what is the big dirty secret about Russia that nobody knows? Everyone there is really an alien?

The difference is that the USA is claiming to speak for freedom, democracy and free speech. Russia isn't making any claims like that.

If anything, it seems to me, that many Russians are MORE suspicious and unhappy with their country than what's really called for. The 1990s just killed any drop of love they had for their country and now many are practically self-hating and imagine that anywhere else is better. You almost never see that with Americans, even though it wouldn't hurt if they got some perspective.

That's how it seems to ME from the outside. Maybe I'm wrong.