View Full Version : RIP Gorbachev
The last of the significant figures from the end of the Cold War is gone. While he couldn’t have prevented the unraveling of the Soviet Empire, it might have been more violent were it not for him. He didn’t “take down this wall”, but he didn’t take vicious parting shots at those who did.
I have lots of respect for Mikhail Gorbachev; he must have felt his efforts were all in vain considering what Russia has become under Putin.
littlebittybobby
8-31-22, 10:38am
Okay---back in 1988, I read a paperback book about Gorbachev, that basically put him in a favorable light, though I read it quickly and don't recall too much else about it. But yeah---he seemed to have a likeability factor that Putin does not. Though each might(have) been on either side of the line of reasonable attitudes toward The Good Guys, as we like to think of ourselves. The late Rush Limbaugh made a huge point of don't let Gorbachevs' cordiality lull "us" into complacency toward those Russians. But Rush was always too much, in my opinion. Anyway----Gorbachev lived a long life, and didn't end up in front of a firing squad or some other terrible fate, though his stylish wife(by ComBlok standards)passed away at a young age of natural causes. History will probably treat him well, unlike other Russian leaders. Hope that eulogy helps you some. Thankk Mee.
gimmethesimplelife
8-31-22, 8:11pm
I cried a bit when I heard of his passing. I have to believe he's on another plane now and reunited with Raisa. So so so I much respect I have for this man and always will. A true statesman and humanitarian. Rob
I’m not sure a “true humanitarian” could claw his way to the top of Kremlin politics under any circumstances. I think it’s a mistake to glamorize the guy just for recognizing his system was collapsing.
If you want a “hero” in that period, I think Boris Yeltsin would be a better choice. I still remember him roaring drunk on top of a tank.
I’m not sure a “true humanitarian” could claw his way to the top of Kremlin politics under any circumstances. I think it’s a mistake to glamorize the guy just for recognizing his system was collapsing.
If you want a “hero” in that period, I think Boris Yeltsin would be a better choice. I still remember him roaring drunk on top of a tank.
But was he as dreadful of a human being as jimmy carter is? I mean at least he hasn’t spent the entirety of his post political life building houses for poor people or some other thing just to demonstrate how he’s a good human being. Right?
But was he as dreadful of a human being as jimmy carter is? I mean at least he hasn’t spent the entirety of his post political life building houses for poor people or some other thing just to demonstrate how he’s a good human being. Right?
One failed to preserve a crumbling empire, and subsequently made a career shaking hands at Davos. The other left a failed presidency and then set up in the moral compass business.
Which of the two you find most irritating is a matter of taste.
One failed to preserve a crumbling empire, and subsequently made a career shaking hands at Davos. The other left a failed presidency and then set up in the moral compass business.
Which of the two you find most irritating is a matter of taste.
It seems that you have been heavily influenced by Ayn Rand's utter disdain for people who put others first.
It seems that you have been heavily influenced by Ayn Rand's utter disdain for people who put others first.
That’s an oddly specific conclusion you’re leaping to.
I guess I just have a thing about insufferable prigs.
iris lilies
9-2-22, 7:35pm
That’s an oddly specific conclusion you’re leaping to.
I guess I just have a thing about insufferable prigs.
Didn’t you have some sort of personal run in with him in the Habitat for Humanity program? That might be informing your opinion.
One failed to preserve a crumbling empire, and subsequently made a career shaking hands at Davos. The other left a failed presidency and then set up in the moral compass business.
Which of the two you find most irritating is a matter of taste.
I suppose it could be a matter of taste. And since I’ve never understood Republican ‘taste’ I won’t worry too much about it.
But I do have to admit curiosity as to how many decades one has to dedicate to helping poor people before you’ll admit that they might actually be a decent person? Or is it ****ing centuries that are required for you to be impressed?
I suppose it could be a matter of taste. And since I’ve never understood Republican ‘taste’ I won’t worry too much about it.
But I do have to admit curiosity as to how many decades one has to dedicate to helping poor people before you’ll admit that they might actually be a decent person? Or is it ****ing centuries that are required for you to be impressed?
“Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.”
- Alexander Pope
I see ordinary people working hard to do good things every day. They impress me more than any number of celebrities.
Didn’t you have some sort of personal run in with him in the Habitat for Humanity program? That might be informing your opinion.
I’ve been on the Board of Directors of a couple of local affiliates for the past fifteen or so years, but I never met him. The volunteers I work with are of much humbler stature.
“Do good by stealth and blush to find it fame.”
- Alexander Pope
I see ordinary people working hard to do good things every day. They impress me more than any number of celebrities.
So just by dint of being famous it's impossible for someone who has spent 40 years building houses for lower income folks to be a good person?
So just by dint of being famous it's impossible for someone who has spent 40 years building houses for lower income folks to be a good person?
No, but I don’t think it rates them any special praise over thousands of others. And good works don’t make a person any less annoying when they self-righteous lecture you.
One person's lecturing is another person's encouragement to consider being a better person. It all depends on the mindset of the listener.
gimmethesimplelife
9-3-22, 9:42pm
I've been watching YouTube videos of the meeetngs between the Reagan's and the Gorbachev's in the late 80's and I have to say that I wish could time travel back to that time - but with SO. It was such hopeful time for humanity and world peace. I have always had much respect for the Gorbachev's and especially for Mikhail publicly admitting that the Soviet Union indeed did have problems.
I can remember April 25th, 1987. I was in downtown Flagstaff AZ during my college days and found $5 on the street. I used it to buy a People magazine featuring US reporters being allowed into the lives of likely cherry picked Soviet citizens. The stories and photos were amazing as half my blood is Russian and my grandparents on my Father's side were from Minsk, now in Belarus. It was a time of great hope - something that to me at least seems severely lacking these days. And Raisa was just cool.....I loved her intellect AND her ability to take Nancy Reagan down a peg or two.
I fear we shall not see such hopeful times again in my lifetime. Rob
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.