https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:21:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-read-putins-letter-in-the-ny-times#post-1082825 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 14:06:16 +0000 LovelyPlum 1082825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did read it. I follow foreign policy pretty closely, but I was a little sure of what to do with a major world leader taking out an op-ed in the nation's biggest newspaper.</p> <p>I agree with some of what he said, but I'm not sure of his motives. If he were so concerned about the Syrian people, peace, etc, then why is Russia insisting that anything that goes before the UN be non-binding? And why is he making such a big deal in the letter that Russia was given the veto by the US? I applaud his idea, and I think it's a good one. But my concern is that he doesn't want it to have any teeth. </p> <p>This sentence also bothers me: "Syria is not witnessing a battle for democracy, but an armed conflict between government and opposition in a multireligious country." What's happening in Syria is pretty much a civil war. And I agree that regional militants are taking advantage, which is what makes it so difficult. But I find it hard to take his opinions on what is going on without a grain of salt, because Russia has a pretty poor track record of tolerating any opposition in recent years. The leader of Russia cannot, for his own self interest, seem to support rebels in another country. There's too much risk of it leading to trouble at home. </p> <p>So yeah. If Putin's ideas work, great. I'm willing to hear him out. And I don't think that bombing Syria is necessarily the right thing to do. But a slap on the wrist isn't good enough, either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-read-putins-letter-in-the-ny-times#post-1082796 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:58:15 +0000 mrsjazz 1082796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a fan of Vladimir Putin at all. I think he does have ulterior motives to reach out directly to the American public and I don't know (just like he doesn't know) if it was opposition forces who used chemical weapons. But regardless of his motives I agree with some of the things he says (and it really hurts me to say I agree with something Putin said!).</p> <p>I agree with this statement:<br /> "The potential strike by the United States against Syria, despite strong opposition from many countries and major political and religious leaders, including the pope, will result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria’s borders. A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism."</p> <p>And I agree with his comments in the last paragraph about American exceptionalism. I have long felt that our leaders tout us as the greatest country and that feels wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-read-putins-letter-in-the-ny-times#post-1082742 Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:44:46 +0000 Mrsbells 1082742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm surprised so many people are praising him, with his track record.. And for him to still be insisting that it was not the syrian government that launched the chemical attacks, when all the evidence proves it was them is just ridiculous</p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/12/opinion/putin-plea-for-caution-from-russia-on-syria.html?_r=0</a> </p>