August 25, 2007

Russia: "At least it's patriotic"

The year 2007 may well be best remembered in future as the year Russia completed its transition to Fascism. All the pieces are now in place. Critics of the government have been imprisoned or murdered; there is virtually no independent media left; homosexuals are persecuted; the major industries are once again under government control; military muscle is being flexed with resumed bomber patrols around the world and -- as we see here -- the Vladimir Putin personality cult is ratcheting up. And I have posted previously on the "Nashi" youth movement -- pic below.



As a Libertarian, I regard Fascism as thoroughly antithetical to what I would like to see but I do see one redeeming feature of Russian Fascism: At least it's patriotic.

The Left in the Western world have slimed their way into power across the board. Whether or not right-of-centre politicians are elected, the Left still controls most of academe, the media and the bureaucracy. And the Left do their best to squash the feelings of love of country that come naturally to those of us blessed enough to live in the advanced societies of the world. Patriotism may even be legally suppressed as "hate speech" on occasions. "Hate" is so broadly defined by the Left that any belief in the superiority of Western civilization can qualify as "hate".

And yet we live in a world where cultural self-confidence is badly needed. The Islamics have plenty of confidence in their culture and are quite determined to shove it down our necks any way they can. We could squash them like bugs if we wanted to (nuke Mecca, for instance) but the Left have created a climate in which any defence of our own values is disallowed. So we let the Islamists continue with their depredations and killings. We seem unable to say that our culture is superior and that those who attack it will live to regret it.

I see no such self-doubt in modern Russia. They will not allow the Islamics to browbeat them in any way and will squash them like bugs if they try. It could be that Russian Fascism ends up as the only remaining alternative to Islam outside of Asia. I don't really think that is likely but if it should, I would be emigrating to Russia. Russian scientific and cultural achievements are of the first rank, even if their political leadership has always left much to be desired -- and with my blue eyes and fair skin I would look right there.

And let it be noted that Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a strong supporter of the Church. As a Russian, he may even be a believer. The Russians are a very religious people, despite all that the Communists could do. So Russia will undoubtedly continue to be a transmitter of the great heritage of Christian thought.

I am an atheist but sitting in a great stone cathedral and reflecting on the wonderful words of the wise men of the Bible while listening to (say) the Twofold Litany of St. John Chrysostom would be a great pleasure to me. If you have not seen an Orthodox church service, you aint seen nothin'. They do all the stuff that we in the West have long forgotten: Rude screens, golden crowns, the lot. There is a sound file of the Twofold Litany here -- sung by the great Russian bass, Feodor Chaliapin. I find it heart-stopping.

There is of course the unhappy possibility that Putin's Russia will be expansionist -- like Hitler and Mussolini -- but a comparison with Franco and Peron -- Fascists who kept out of international involvements -- would be equally defensible. Only time will tell.





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