#19 - JRL 8073
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004
From: Peter Lavelle <plavelle@rol.ru>
Subject: Thoughts on the recent discussion
I want to thank Pete Ekman for his kind remarks in JRL 8071. It certainly has been an interesting past few weeks.
I don't feel that any group has ganged up against me. I stand by my words, but, upon reflection, would take-back a few lines written on the spur of the moment - I tend to think others involved in this discussion probably feel the same.
I have been in contact with some of my detractors and supporters through all of this - both think and care about Russia in similar ways. This is what makes the JRL a very valuable medium to exchange ideas. I can only imagine the kind of messages David receives about his project that encompasses so many very opinioned persons.
This past discussion is a testament how many feel about how Russia is changing. This is most important. Russia is changing (and very fast as of late). There is no doubt that many (Western) values held by the JRL readership are in danger in Russia today. I continue to contend that those same values are not nearly as important to most Russians are we would like - other issues like getting-by far overshadow a normative political discussion. I regret those same values are not seen as important for most of the Russian electorate - though it easy to understand why those same values don't count for much at present.
Most of the discussion that started about three weeks ago basically focused on whether Russia is returning to the bad habits of the Soviet past or evern a 'fascist' past. This is where the discussion turned in to a cul-de-sac. There is too much attention on how Putin's Russia resembles the Soviet past. We need to think about the unique future that is in the making - on the back of popular, even grass-roots support.
I don't think Putin is returning to a horrific and failed past, but his future - for different reasons - may be as disappointing.
The recent JRL discussion has sharpened my sword, no doubt for others as well. But even after the name-calling and less-than-believable accusations, the mission of figuring-out this place continues. After some hard feelings, I hope all we agree at least on this point.