re: #28 goddamnedfrank

Vladimir’s gov’t accuses the Maidan protesters of being fascist while his United Russia goons march around in unison wearing identical quasi-militaristic dress uniforms with epaulettes and watch caps.

It’s pretty clear which group is trying over hard to create an image of strict conformity. It’s pretty clear which group isn’t interested in individual expression. This is the most pathetic, nakedly nationalistic bullshit I’ve seen in a long time. Say what you will about certain elements within Maidan, those people never presented anything close to this level of fucked up Orwellian groupthink. Do they even understand how visceral, how gut wrenchingly offensive this kind of imagery is to most of the world?

Putin may well know and is doing it because its offensive, as a way of enraging the West and thereby daring them to stop him. Putin’s betting they won’t try and that the impotence of their rage will then yield to demoralization.