I didn't mean to sound as if I am lecturing. The mention of the other diary was to explain why I think that it's useful to say something more focused than "the European elites." If only because, it is theoretically plausible that if you are "elite enough/the right kind of European elite" (e.g. the very rich kind) then a society like Russia seems to be more to your benefit than one like the "USA at it's best" or "Europe at it's best."