Quote Originally Posted by 14Russian View Post
"I think his deeds in the long run would only practically benefit the extremists of all kinds." - Huh?
Your skepticism is appreciated, however, let's face it, no power runs in isolation and that what is missing in the bright Hollywood sagas about honorable knights bravely fighting evil dragons systems. It's true, the power feeds on the public, but the public is not homogeneous. There are those who 'put their heads in the sand' using your expression (i.e. don't care who rules them as long as they could live their lives); there are those who support the government either way, because it's their government (i.e. the patriots so to speak); there are those who do not support the government in a belief nobody should tell them what to do at their home, bed, company, city, state, and so on; there are those who want the government replaced because they think they know people who would run the country better; and all the shades in between. In addition, there are other powers who fight the government simply because the nature of the power is to eat or be eaten at all kind of levels within the country as well as outside the country. And the mind of all people (I'm serious, no exceptions) interprets all events in a way which would support their previous beliefs. The perception is the reality. Up to this point I think we have a mutual agreement.

As you might know, the Soviet propaganda used to be one of the most powerful and influential in the world. So, they had a very nice cliche they used to apply to whoever critcized the Party: "What mill do you water?" Meaning, by criticizing the Party you are not improving the situation, but merely helping the enemies of the Party.

Those who 'put their heads in the sand' are the best people actually in a sense they are not power greedy and do not participate in that 'ultimate championship', but rather try to be content with what they have (or maybe wish to have a bit more). And those who do fight seriously are extremists. They would not care what is right or what is wrong, but how could they overturn their opponents.

Does what I said make more sense now?