I get the sentiment that the Russian people are responsible for their government. But repression in Russia goes far beyond “a couple of arrests and beatdowns” - they are openly killing people, torturing them, putting them in labor camps and throwing them behind bars for years or decades for very minor stuff.
Yes, it’s not easy being a dissident in Russia and many chose the easy way out by leaving the country. No judgement there. But if you stayed and you kept quiet you are responsible for what is happening.
Let me be absolutely clear: Putin is allowed to be a dictator because people chose to be “uninterested in politics”. Those who chose to not get involved politically are not the result of the oppression but the cause. Ask anybody who knows anything about the Russian people.
And yes I know repression is hard. But as I was saying, when Ukrainians faced a similar problem they went to the street and rallied, staring at death in the face. They fought for freedom ten years ago and are still doing it. Russians did nothing of the sort.
As an Italian I have no problem admitting that all those who did not side with the partisans - my family included - were responsible for the atrocities that my country committed. I don’t see why I should hold Russians to a higher standard.
I get the sentiment that the Russian people are responsible for their government. But repression in Russia goes far beyond “a couple of arrests and beatdowns” - they are openly killing people, torturing them, putting them in labor camps and throwing them behind bars for years or decades for very minor stuff.
I would guess most of them being shipped out also don’t have many of the facts about the invasion, the reason for it, or how it’s been going.
You are right, and that is part of the problem.
Yes, it’s not easy being a dissident in Russia and many chose the easy way out by leaving the country. No judgement there. But if you stayed and you kept quiet you are responsible for what is happening.
Let me be absolutely clear: Putin is allowed to be a dictator because people chose to be “uninterested in politics”. Those who chose to not get involved politically are not the result of the oppression but the cause. Ask anybody who knows anything about the Russian people.
And yes I know repression is hard. But as I was saying, when Ukrainians faced a similar problem they went to the street and rallied, staring at death in the face. They fought for freedom ten years ago and are still doing it. Russians did nothing of the sort.
As an Italian I have no problem admitting that all those who did not side with the partisans - my family included - were responsible for the atrocities that my country committed. I don’t see why I should hold Russians to a higher standard.
It could happen here too, oh, wait.