Re: Is Putin Being Unfairly Maligned?
Originally Posted by
twizzle
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I expect we are being misled, that's how propaganda works, isn't it? Set up an enemy to look like a pantomime villain, then let him have it. Having a pop at Putin makes for good audiences and newspaper sales and I doubt if he's as bad or weird as he's being painted.
I agree with you on that.
Except that I think they've got a bloody nerve to waltz into our country and start poisoning people so I'm glad Theresa May has taken a stand, even if it's only posturing and a stupid thing to do. Sometimes you need to do the stupid thing.
I'm not sure I'd call it a bloody nerve to waltz into our country and start poisoning people ...... Skripal was a spy, a double agent, a colonel in Russian military intelligence who sold on secrets to MI6. The US and the Ruskies did a spy swap in 2010 .. and released, he came to live here.
What else do people reasonably expect?
Presumably in the murky world of spying it's the done thing to offer someone a safe, comfy retirement home for services rendered.
Our own government , whilst happy to use such individuals of dubious patriotism/allegiance to protect our own security ought to factor in the longterm future risk to the citizens who live here if they chose to offer them safe harbour.
Of course, how does anyone anticipate or prepare for an attack with a nerve agent?
You can't .. unless you have another double agent spy lined up who will alert you and give you the nod.
Messy business .. takes innocent people down along with those who live their lives like 007 and who try to evade the repercussions themselves.