Its great to hear such an incisive and articulate summary of the political genesis and ethos of the Trump autocracy in America. Ms. Gessen is an exceedingly bright and insightful journalist whose opinions and perspectives need to be heard again and again on a broad front.
All of your leftist scum have exposed themselves. They don't need my help. The media have gotten it wrong over and over. From kavanugh to the Covington kids. Russia collusion being the biggest one. For 2 years we were told Muller would bring everything out. WRONG! You fascist baby killers one day will face the wrath of God so you would be wise to reconsider who you serve.
She's been warning Americans for years about the insidious nature of fascist movements, as she pointed out the signs have been glaring. It makes me think of the Sinclair Lewis quote "when fascism comes to America," which gave me chills the first time I saw someone share it in reference to Trump on social media in 2016.
@@Impedancenetwork She is beautiful in her own way, and her intelligence and knowledge are amazingly sexy. You are ugly on the inside and obviously have no level of intelligence, as your words stem from ignorance.
March, 2022- This was five years ago and how well she got it. A shame how so many continue to disrespect the democracies that many of their forefathers died for.
it happens all day long just watch those magats - wearing those blue lives matter shirts - while beating congressional police - with a flagpole - that pretty much summed them up perfectly
What a good analysis also in the hinsight. it's actually interesting to validate the analysts by watching Their contributions 1-2 years after the heat of the moment
A very clever women would be great is MSM interview her more she has a clear and clever analysis of what is happening. MSM must listen this woman learn for her
Why not turn on closed captions??? I think Masha Gessen is amazing. She has such insight it's hard to find another political commentator on Russia who compares. But her manner of speaking and dropping the volume drastically at certain points in her speech makes if very difficult to pick up her words. CC would help enormously. Please, please, please turn them on. And if possible edit them for accuracy.
Very interesting interview. Masha talks about needing "to change the face of the media" because the current form has become archaic. I would like to know what she thinks this new face should look like? What new strategy should the media take to combat all this undermining being done at the highest levels? How can the media restore it's credibility with the general population?
Maria Gessen has delivered the most astute insightful analysis of American politics... Kasparov is just another liberal trepach-bezdelnik however... what could tha armenian ever do for russia ?
this Armenian would not send young Russian men to die in Ucraine or Syria and he would certainly have smarter economic and political solutions that are helping ordinary Russians to improve their life instead of just the top 1% of oligarchs and corrupt politicians.
Acute Intelligence and farsighted brilliance in the intellectual mastery of the formidable intricacies that threaten the upcoming evolution of our flawed democracies. A serene, slightly disillusioned and yet unwavering faith in the societal and moral superiority of democracy as the sole viable model for our modern societies. An irreplaceable moral reference for these troubled times that we have to live through when the frightening shadow of autocracy looms over many parts of our planet. Masha, you must know that all followers and supporters of democracy think of you with admiration and the deepest respect and dedication. We all stand by you in the accomplishment of your work. With my most faithful wishes in the victories to come for democracy.
We need a million more Mashas. Which means all of us watching, who are not fox news, narrow minded imbeciles, need to speak up, write, and fight. It’s coming, so we either fight or accept it. I suggest we fight...
Masha Green has got to one of the most interesting people i have encountered in researching this topic...amazing intellect... somewhat mysterious somehow...maybe it's the topic that has me all CasaBlanca...=\/
Love gessen redefining the election as 2 separate elections: one for autocrat n one for president. Re Obama, I believe gessen should have Nuanced What was Said by saying that Obama had NO choice but to govern by executive order due to Republicans vow to NOT allow him to accomplish anything or pass any legislation. I think that is important should have been stated
It's consoling to read all the positive reaction to Masha Gessen's profound awareness of what's going on in Russia and the US but also (albeit secondarily) in Poland and Hungary. These are exceptionally dangerous times (although in Trump I now see, some five months' later, a man who is drowning in his incompetence, while Putin is there 'til death finally liberates Russia from him).
Masha Gessen is obviously a genius, but I'll take partial issue with one thing they say - 18:40 - I think exposing whatever leverage Putin might have over Trump (compromising info and/or financial debts, whatever) could be very politically useful. It might not be necessary to explain or understand Trump's behavior, but it could help wake up people who are still in denial about his Putinesque qualities - or just not paying attention to them. "Putin's got dirt on Trump!" is more direct and easily understood by average minds than "Here's my analysis of Trump's character and behavior." Still... jesus, this is terrifyingly prescient.
She won the popular vote. The Electoral College changed that. Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 election by approximately 2.87 million votes. According to the certified Federal Election Commission records, Clinton received 65,853,516 votes and Trump got 62.984,825.
At 33:33 I think what she said almost made me puke since she talks about nukes ☢️ This woman sees things like an oracle and seeing this on March 4, 2022, is making me quiver to know what will happen next with Ukraine and Putin 😱
These guys should be comparing Justin Trudeau to Putin. Very similar ways of ruling and dealing with criticism. As well as the high influence on their state owned media.
I really feel, as she said trump doesn't really have an agenda...take him for what you see, that trump is not intellectual enough to think that far ahead, and to think without his ego=emotion. He cannot control himself the way a person with a hidden agenda would have to. He is too reactionary, it is almost child like. A lot of his behaviours are child like, his bullying, his insecurity, instant gratification, name calling. A child doesn't often plan ahead, they are too busy dealing with the emotions of the moment, they can't help but lash out, ie. trump tweets. He acts like a spoiled, insecure little boy, his need to name drop, prove to himself BIG TIME how good he is. He also lies to himself and doesn't see reality as it is, he has no self awareness. He has a lot of serious issues. He may be business savvy, but I do not give trump high marks on intelligence regardless of what degrees he may have. Degrees can be bought.
The case of impending autocracy is personality, diversionary tactics? One argument was the use of language -if I say something you don't like then I am challenging you with 'what are going to do about it?' and that is to show I have power over you? So, free speech is autocratic. However, what would you do about it but suppress my opinion altogether, but wouldn't that autocratic? Although we don't like a lot of things about Putin, you can't he hasn't been good for Russia or a leader and because I said that I must be on the side of autocracy? There's a lot here that is not adding up, I think this more feeds into fears than informing us about an actual concern. What's her talk about media? We need to make it essential to the public? The objective voice of the New York time is archaic? what is she alluding to? Tweeting is a dangerous undermining of the power of media, and we should be concerned by this?
When asked to give a simple example of the kind of 'fragile, 'informal institutions,' norms, and cultural habits that maintains societies" she cites "Trump's relationship to the media." As if Trump's tweets are what has been maintaining American society all these centuries. It's not families, or altruism, or moral character, or civility, or authentic Christian-values. It's Trump's tweets. If we take issue with Trump's "relationship to the media," it is only fair to make the case for the media's relationship to HIM, to US, and to ITSELF, in the age of NEW-media and independent journalism, where the government funded media no longer controls the one and only narrative. If the American mainstream media is what "maintains society" why has our media, in lock-step with political-pogroms completely devastated almost the entire Middle Eastern society, and large parts of the world? She wants it both ways. She condemns conservatives for waxing nostalgic or wanting to "revert" to a simpler "past," and favors "social progress," but also catastrophizes society naturally progressing toward unconventional modes on it's own. What about Obama's tweets? What about Hillary's tweets? Shall we say their tweets are "maintaining society?" For Liberals, it always comes down to what they can control. There can be no good will... no natural affection, universal justice / god's vengeance and righteous vindication. It's all about how they can assume the victim-who-seques-to-persecutor" position. Exercising freedom of expression is better than losing and suppressing it, which is what Hillary and Obama do. "WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US," is that we're getting our freedoms and future back, until proven otherwise.
I wouldn't call the fragmentation of the US media social progress. It is a natural response to pressure/competition in the market. It also reflects a realization about human nature and a willingness to exploit that. When the media was more monolithic mainstream news was really mainstream. Cameras, printing presses and broadcasting bandwidth cost money and the news needed to speak to a broad audience. Now because of the decreased costs of UA-cam and blogs no market is too small. Even the most 'unconventional' can find an outlet that caters to them. It's become normal for people to chase the warm fuzzies associated with being told you were right all along. People are so happy with it that the whole idea of objective, credible media has been brushed aside. I think it's dangerous but it's very convenient for Trump. He never has to be concerned about lying. When the fact checking inevitably kicks in he just says 'FAKE NEWS!!!' and everyone looks the other way.
I love the part at minute 32 where the interviewer who works for Canadian state tv and is fawningly interviewing someone with the standard view of Putin/Russia put forth by our government, who does not challenge any of her views or "facts" and is certainly aware that no one with an opposing view will be given an equal opportunity by CBC says with scorn, "Putin has literally taken over the media in Russia". I am a Canadian who has lived in Russia, USA and Germany and if anyone thinks our media is any less controlled than that of Russia they have been literally brainwashed by our media. Russia is not a dictatorship, it is a tilted democracy (certain parties and viewpoints have more chance of winning than others) but guess what so is Canada, Germany and the USA and the USA is in my experience the most titled and least democratic of the 4. We have a myth in the western countries including Canada of being human rights and freedom loving democracies but when have we not been at war somewhere or overthrowing some democratically elected government that we do not like usually claiming it is due to human rights but in reality because they are doing things that do not benefit our corporations. And if we uphold the rule of law and human rights protections when are we going to prosecute our war criminals for things like the Iraq War? If the rule of law does not apply to us then what moral grounds do we have to criticize others? And no one has started more wars or overthrown more governments than our western democracies but no it is Russia and China who are the bad guys, at least according to our governments and “free” media. There is a lot of money to be made bashing Putin and Russia especially if you have a Russian background like Gessen. This Russia bad, the West good is all we hear continually on our “free” media. The opposite view is never heard and if anyone posts it on a commentary they are accused of being a Putin troll. I will undoubtedly be accused of that myself by a bunch of people who unlike me have never lived under Putin or seen what an amazing transformation he made to Russia after taking it over from the chaotic, economically catastrophic and brutally repressive Yeltsin government (why has everyone forgotten the time Yeltsin mass murdered hundreds of peaceful protesters in front of the Russian parliament?). There is a reason he is still very popular in Russia.
Well if you *are* a Russian troll you are very industrious/ambitious. I get the impression that they get paid on quantity and not quality and rarely post anything beyond a couple of sentences. How long did you live in Russia and in what time period? Who controls the US media? Why is it good for them if no one like Putin?
@Reckless Abandon - When I hear someone express an opinion with so little basis in fact, it makes me believe that they are either a propagandist or a victim of a propagandist. My understanding is that Russian trolls don't write essays so I was actually expressing doubt that the poster was a troll. I was also open to the poster swaying my opinion by answering some questions but after a year that seems unlikely. How is it that you know that people posting from Russia aren't called American trolls?
your comment was 5 years ago - no reason to rub your nose in how ridiculous it was - hopefully another Trumpster who didnt get vaccinated and died - not nearly enough of those
Wow. This is The most astute analysis of current events I have heard. Masha Gessen you are my new hero! Much respect
LOL
totally agree
This guy is a bold face liar.
Yes, she's my new guru!
Its great to hear such an incisive and articulate summary of the political genesis and ethos of the Trump autocracy in America. Ms. Gessen is an exceedingly bright and insightful journalist whose opinions and perspectives need to be heard again and again on a broad front.
Marc Goudreau you can tell, that she wouldn't vote for the orange clown, she's educated
She's Russian, she knows how to recognize an autocrat
She is excellent and her analysis is exceptional.
She is a complete reprobate. That is why the left loves this liar so much
All of your leftist scum have exposed themselves. They don't need my help. The media have gotten it wrong over and over. From kavanugh to the Covington kids. Russia collusion being the biggest one. For 2 years we were told Muller would bring everything out. WRONG! You fascist baby killers one day will face the wrath of God so you would be wise to reconsider who you serve.
You're kidding?
She?... Please don't confuse me🤔
“They lie to assert their authority over reality” ... first time I’ve heard this true analysis.
That was a fantastic interview, thank-you Masha and the 5th estate.
I admire her ability to look at a polarized topic and explain objectively both sides.
Also, she can dismiss the white noise.
A brilliant thinker.
She makes me proud to be an American.
Oh, she's Russian...
makes me proud to be a human being.
мда
Caution, Russian collusion!
Excellent interview. Gessen is full of important insights and thought provoking arguments.
She's been warning Americans for years about the insidious nature of fascist movements, as she pointed out the signs have been glaring. It makes me think of the Sinclair Lewis quote "when fascism comes to America," which gave me chills the first time I saw someone share it in reference to Trump on social media in 2016.
One of the most clever woman I have ever watched and listened
A liar and a reprobate. I see why the left loves this one.
This lady is brilliant.
Too bad that mainstream media doesn’t think more like her.Thank god she is out there
I admire you Masha, thank you for doing all this for us and our children!
"Facts are not enough... You have to have the courage and confidence to tell the story". Well said.
Also must believe the truth and apply it. Stand up for truth. That takes immense courage.
Actually, facts are enough. Just facts, skip the embellishments.
2 years later and this is eerily accurate.
She is intellectually brilliant.
3 and 4 years later even more accurate.
@@jessicafalstein how so
Amazingly intelligent interview. Listening to it a year later, she gave a prophecy here.
"Political Troublemaker" = All people's badge of honour Masha. Thank you for speaking bravely intelligently and articulately against tyrants.
honest, informed and brave. Thank you!
You're kidding????
Masha Gessen is amazing.
and What do you Think of Julie Ioffe?
@@ludmilaturkova1274 hot! and I'm female :) ...and she is also very intelligent like many Russians
Yeah but only if you mean amazingly ugly. Jesus he is perfect for radio. Please stay away from cameras.
@@Impedancenetwork She is beautiful in her own way, and her intelligence and knowledge are amazingly sexy. You are ugly on the inside and obviously have no level of intelligence, as your words stem from ignorance.
I love Masha Gessen's voice
Thank you
brilliant. we need you.
Very smart woman.
Steph the uneducated still won't believe the truth, no matter what smh
Masha is a light unto our nation. Such a voice of wisdom, she gives me hope for humankind.
March, 2022- This was five years ago and how well she got it. A shame how so many continue to disrespect the democracies that many of their forefathers died for.
it happens all day long just watch those magats - wearing those blue lives matter shirts - while beating congressional police - with a flagpole - that pretty much summed them up perfectly
Amazing analysis. Thank you.
This is one intelligent woman !
The interviewer is on one level -- and Gessen way, way above it.
Masha is great. So smart. Fair.
She's great 👍
This interview turns out to be the best reason to have subscribed to The Fifth Estate
You both have a point, but when I noticed her ear I though wtf why is this man wearing dangling earrings?
gean omar
she makes me feel stupid, because she literally destroys what i believed these past few days....
brilliant
Love Masha; love her books and am totally inspired whenever she gives interviews- great mind of this era without being self important.
This is amazing thank you for sharing.
Masha Gessen for president of everything!!!!
What a good analysis also in the hinsight. it's actually interesting to validate the analysts by watching Their contributions 1-2 years after the heat of the moment
She's tremendous, and really helpful.
She is most Proffesional Analytic Jurnalist
and such good Political Taktik.
Thank you!
Watching June 2020. . . WOW!!!
UA-cam should post the date this program was broadcast.
Edward B There is. Down button to the right of the title. That date is probably fairly accurate (2017)
I was wondering how she was still alive before I read the description. Good for her. I hope Trump doesn't deport her at Putin's request.
LGBT are rejected in Russia
Except for Putin and a good bit of his inner circle
What we learn from history is that we don't learn from history! 😒
When people tell you who they are believe them.
Very informative and great depth of knowledge and professional presentation
such a brave woman
I like Masha Gessen!
OMG if this amazing woman is really worried about nuclear war as a real possibility heaven help us!
A very clever women would be great is MSM interview her more she has a clear and clever analysis of what is happening.
MSM must listen this woman learn for her
Wow! How articulate and intelligent. Americans alas have no patience for this kind of thoughtful analysis. Rebecca
Why not turn on closed captions???
I think Masha Gessen is amazing. She has such insight it's hard to find another political commentator on Russia who compares.
But her manner of speaking and dropping the volume drastically at certain points in her speech makes if very difficult to pick up her words. CC would help enormously.
Please, please, please turn them on. And if possible edit them for accuracy.
Very interesting interview. Masha talks about needing "to change the face of the media" because the current form has become archaic. I would like to know what she thinks this new face should look like? What new strategy should the media take to combat all this undermining being done at the highest levels? How can the media restore it's credibility with the general population?
imho, put an immediate end to editorializing PERIOD! and that's just for starters...
Maria Gessen has delivered the most astute insightful analysis of American politics... Kasparov is just another liberal trepach-bezdelnik however... what could tha armenian ever do for russia ?
this Armenian would not send young Russian men to die in Ucraine or Syria and he would certainly have smarter economic and political solutions that are helping ordinary Russians to improve their life instead of just the top 1% of oligarchs and corrupt politicians.
Prophetic!
Interesting interview!
Gessen is a veritable steamroller for truth.
please bring back an interview with Maasha Gessen for an interview on current Russia Ukraine crisis.
Acute Intelligence and farsighted brilliance in the intellectual mastery of the formidable intricacies that threaten the upcoming evolution of our flawed democracies. A serene, slightly disillusioned and yet unwavering faith in the societal and moral superiority of democracy as the sole viable model for our modern societies. An irreplaceable moral reference for these troubled times that we have to live through when the frightening shadow of autocracy looms over many parts of our planet. Masha, you must know that all followers and supporters of democracy think of you with admiration and the deepest respect and dedication. We all stand by you in the accomplishment of your work. With my most faithful wishes in the victories to come for democracy.
So intelligent! Honest !
I love hearing masha talking about Putin
We need a million more Mashas. Which means all of us watching, who are not fox news, narrow minded imbeciles, need to speak up, write, and fight. It’s coming, so we either fight or accept it. I suggest we fight...
She is amazing 😻
Masha Green has got to one of the most interesting people i have encountered in researching this topic...amazing intellect... somewhat mysterious somehow...maybe it's the topic that has me all CasaBlanca...=\/
Love gessen redefining the election as 2 separate elections: one for autocrat n one for president. Re Obama, I believe gessen should have Nuanced What was Said by saying that Obama had NO choice but to govern by executive order due to Republicans vow to NOT allow him to accomplish anything or pass any legislation. I think that is important should have been stated
watching this now after the election. everything rings true.
It's not surprising Trump and Putin have a connection , they both have the same bosses .
Satan?
It's consoling to read all the positive reaction to Masha Gessen's profound awareness of what's going on in Russia and the US but also (albeit secondarily) in Poland and Hungary.
These are exceptionally dangerous times (although in Trump I now see, some five months' later, a man who is drowning in his incompetence, while Putin is there 'til death finally liberates Russia from him).
Masha is rad
Masha Gessen is obviously a genius, but I'll take partial issue with one thing they say - 18:40 - I think exposing whatever leverage Putin might have over Trump (compromising info and/or financial debts, whatever) could be very politically useful. It might not be necessary to explain or understand Trump's behavior, but it could help wake up people who are still in denial about his Putinesque qualities - or just not paying attention to them. "Putin's got dirt on Trump!" is more direct and easily understood by average minds than "Here's my analysis of Trump's character and behavior."
Still... jesus, this is terrifyingly prescient.
What happened to the people who testifies at Mueller report?
She won the popular vote. The Electoral College changed that. Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 election by approximately 2.87 million votes. According to the certified Federal Election Commission records, Clinton received 65,853,516 votes and Trump got 62.984,825.
Jan. 2021. This came true.
At 33:33 I think what she said almost made me puke since she talks about nukes ☢️ This woman sees things like an oracle and seeing this on March 4, 2022, is making me quiver to know what will happen next with Ukraine and Putin 😱
21:50 oof, masha predicted it
Who *is/was* [been] seen as. Where is the proof reading on this video description? Please fix this.
my theory is that they are passing messages thru their kids who are supposedly always innocently holidaying together
Ha !! Four months later I find this comment of mine and Jared Kushner and Don Jnr are now having to give Senate testimony about their ties to Russia
Omg! America is on a knife edge!
This whole "interview" is like a case study in political propaganda.
No closed captioning?
trump 2020
hahahahahhahahahahaha
These guys should be comparing Justin Trudeau to Putin. Very similar ways of ruling and dealing with criticism. As well as the high influence on their state owned media.
Not everyone is on twitter
I really feel, as she said trump doesn't really have an agenda...take him for what you see, that trump is not intellectual enough to think that far ahead, and to think without his ego=emotion. He cannot control himself the way a person with a hidden agenda would have to. He is too reactionary, it is almost child like. A lot of his behaviours are child like, his bullying, his insecurity, instant gratification, name calling. A child doesn't often plan ahead, they are too busy dealing with the emotions of the moment, they can't help but lash out, ie. trump tweets. He acts like a spoiled, insecure little boy, his need to name drop, prove to himself BIG TIME how good he is. He also lies to himself and doesn't see reality as it is, he has no self awareness. He has a lot of serious issues. He may be business savvy, but I do not give trump high marks on intelligence regardless of what degrees he may have. Degrees can be bought.
The case of impending autocracy is personality, diversionary tactics? One argument was the use of language -if I say something you don't like then I am challenging you with 'what are going to do about it?' and that is to show I have power over you? So, free speech is autocratic. However, what would you do about it but suppress my opinion altogether, but wouldn't that autocratic? Although we don't like a lot of things about Putin, you can't he hasn't been good for Russia or a leader and because I said that I must be on the side of autocracy? There's a lot here that is not adding up, I think this more feeds into fears than informing us about an actual concern. What's her talk about media? We need to make it essential to the public? The objective voice of the New York time is archaic? what is she alluding to? Tweeting is a dangerous undermining of the power of media, and we should be concerned by this?
When asked to give a simple example of the kind of 'fragile, 'informal institutions,' norms, and cultural habits that maintains societies" she cites "Trump's relationship to the media." As if Trump's tweets are what has been maintaining American society all these centuries. It's not families, or altruism, or moral character, or civility, or authentic Christian-values. It's Trump's tweets.
If we take issue with Trump's "relationship to the media," it is only fair to make the case for the media's relationship to HIM, to US, and to ITSELF, in the age of NEW-media and independent journalism, where the government funded media no longer controls the one and only narrative. If the American mainstream media is what "maintains society" why has our media, in lock-step with political-pogroms completely devastated almost the entire Middle Eastern society, and large parts of the world? She wants it both ways. She condemns conservatives for waxing nostalgic or wanting to "revert" to a simpler "past," and favors "social progress," but also catastrophizes society naturally progressing toward unconventional modes on it's own. What about Obama's tweets? What about Hillary's tweets? Shall we say their tweets are "maintaining society?" For Liberals, it always comes down to what they can control. There can be no good will... no natural affection, universal justice / god's vengeance and righteous vindication. It's all about how they can assume the victim-who-seques-to-persecutor" position.
Exercising freedom of expression is better than losing and suppressing it, which is what Hillary and Obama do. "WHAT IS HAPPENING TO US," is that we're getting our freedoms and future back, until proven otherwise.
I wouldn't call the fragmentation of the US media social progress. It is a natural response to pressure/competition in the market. It also reflects a realization about human nature and a willingness to exploit that. When the media was more monolithic mainstream news was really mainstream. Cameras, printing presses and broadcasting bandwidth cost money and the news needed to speak to a broad audience. Now because of the decreased costs of UA-cam and blogs no market is too small. Even the most 'unconventional' can find an outlet that caters to them. It's become normal for people to chase the warm fuzzies associated with being told you were right all along. People are so happy with it that the whole idea of objective, credible media has been brushed aside.
I think it's dangerous but it's very convenient for Trump. He never has to be concerned about lying. When the fact checking inevitably kicks in he just says 'FAKE NEWS!!!' and everyone looks the other way.
A great example of generational subconscious social psychological conditioning ,,,
trump ran on fear
Hahahahahahaahhehehehehehehhowhowhowhhohohohohahahahahahahahahah
Why have you disabled comments on the black lives matter & black panther videos?
Why Gessen left Russia? Dollars, dollars, dollars.
EVZYL Check your facts before blurting out such stupid things.
That must be why those other 5m Russians have left since Putin came to power.
Well said but, shes talented enough take the opposing view and sell it to her fans here. Now do you see the problem ?
Throwing Trump , Putin , Orban and PIS into one narrative such a low uneducated tactic ...
The most incredible journalist. Queen of lies and defamation
Definitely talking to the public is what has been missing, at least truthfully....Trump 2020!
really needs those glasses
who is this guy?
I love the part at minute 32 where the interviewer who works for Canadian state tv and is fawningly interviewing someone with the standard view of Putin/Russia put forth by our government, who does not challenge any of her views or "facts" and is certainly aware that no one with an opposing view will be given an equal opportunity by CBC says with scorn, "Putin has literally taken over the media in Russia". I am a Canadian who has lived in Russia, USA and Germany and if anyone thinks our media is any less controlled than that of Russia they have been literally brainwashed by our media. Russia is not a dictatorship, it is a tilted democracy (certain parties and viewpoints have more chance of winning than others) but guess what so is Canada, Germany and the USA and the USA is in my experience the most titled and least democratic of the 4.
We have a myth in the western countries including Canada of being human rights and freedom loving democracies but when have we not been at war somewhere or overthrowing some democratically elected government that we do not like usually claiming it is due to human rights but in reality because they are doing things that do not benefit our corporations. And if we uphold the rule of law and human rights protections when are we going to prosecute our war criminals for things like the Iraq War? If the rule of law does not apply to us then what moral grounds do we have to criticize others? And no one has started more wars or overthrown more governments than our western democracies but no it is Russia and China who are the bad guys, at least according to our governments and “free” media.
There is a lot of money to be made bashing Putin and Russia especially if you have a Russian background like Gessen. This Russia bad, the West good is all we hear continually on our “free” media. The opposite view is never heard and if anyone posts it on a commentary they are accused of being a Putin troll. I will undoubtedly be accused of that myself by a bunch of people who unlike me have never lived under Putin or seen what an amazing transformation he made to Russia after taking it over from the chaotic, economically catastrophic and brutally repressive Yeltsin government (why has everyone forgotten the time Yeltsin mass murdered hundreds of peaceful protesters in front of the Russian parliament?). There is a reason he is still very popular in Russia.
Well if you *are* a Russian troll you are very industrious/ambitious. I get the impression that they get paid on quantity and not quality and rarely post anything beyond a couple of sentences. How long did you live in Russia and in what time period? Who controls the US media? Why is it good for them if no one like Putin?
@Reckless Abandon - When I hear someone express an opinion with so little basis in fact, it makes me believe that they are either a propagandist or a victim of a propagandist. My understanding is that Russian trolls don't write essays so I was actually expressing doubt that the poster was a troll.
I was also open to the poster swaying my opinion by answering some questions but after a year that seems unlikely.
How is it that you know that people posting from Russia aren't called American trolls?
Russia is an AUTOCRACY, under what rock do you reside! Dare we say bureaucratic autocracy...a "titled democracy"!? Are you effing NUTS?
3:05... it doesn't get any more elitist than this folks.
*Highly subjective! This was not a quality, objective piece of work, and ultimately a flop.*
M.Gessen obsessed with Putin and Trump.
you have to be to write award winning books about them.
If you believe this woman, you need help. Do your own research and thinking.
Nika Marie if you don’t then you are probably a Russian troll. Desperate and perpetually unemployed and homeless.
is it even journalism to ask for someone to imagine what someone's views might be???... or is it as far form fact collecting as imaginable...
Sounds good but ship way off course. She has some good points but is out to lunch on the abuses of the last 30 years that Trump has committed to undo.
your comment was 5 years ago - no reason to rub your nose in how ridiculous it was - hopefully another Trumpster who didnt get vaccinated and died - not nearly enough of those
She mumbles, speaks quickly, and has quite an accent. Pity it isn't subtitled, It seems interesting but I can hardly understand her.