A watershed moment
No independent thought allowed.
Russia’s supreme court has ordered the closure of Memorial International, the country’s oldest human rights group, in a watershed moment in Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on independent thought.
The court ruled Memorial must be closed under Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” legislation, which has targeted dozens of NGOs and media outlets seen as critical of the government.
Just define “critical” as “foreign” and your work is done.
Memorial International’s closure marks an inflection point in Russia’s modern history, as efforts to publicise crimes under Soviet leaders such as Joseph Stalin have become taboo 30 years after the secret government archives were opened after the end of the Soviet Union. While not quite seeking a return to the Soviet past, Putin has become deeply sensitive to any criticism of it by groups including Memorial.
Gee I wonder why that might be.
The decision also follows a sustained assault on Russian civil society this year that has led to opposition leaders such as Alexei Navalny being imprisoned, prominent activists and journalists fleeing the country, and NGOs and media outlets hit with fines and closures under Russia’s “foreign agents” and “undesirable” laws.
…
The Russian prosecutor portrayed the organisation as a geopolitical weapon used by foreign governments to deprive modern Russians of taking pride in the achievements of the Soviet Union. Those arguments dovetail closely with the Kremlin’s use of Soviet history as a rallying point for society and reinterpretation of key historical moments in its confrontations with European countries.
Huh. Does that sound familiar at all? The uproar about “Critical Race Theory” along with the sweeping of all exploration of race and racism into the “CRT” box? It sounds way too familiar to me.
I’m guessing trans cult activism hasn’t gained much of a foothold there yet. :P
Thinking Soviet women’s athletics isn’t very trans friendly either. Willy Thomas would probably end up in Gulagville if he tried that shit there. :P
I don’t know… I’d bet cash that they’ll happily send males as part of any sport team they can. They’re not exactly known for playing fair *shrug*
If Trump is re-elected, this is what’s in store.
If a Republican is elected President, this is what they’ll use as the Bad Example as they attempt to institute a less obvious version.
Sastra, I think you’re at least partly right. Yes that’s what Trump would do. Some of the potential Republican candidates would also do as you suggest. Some of the more fringe future contenders would go straight for work camps or defenestration.
Good example of 3D chess. This sort of thing will be very effective against the Democrats in 2022, no matter how much BS it is.
It’s wonderful, isn’t it? Soviet Russia without the sugar frosting of communism… just pure toadstools and nightshade.