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Damn. I just actually understood the syllogism driving Putin's obsession :

the special operation revealed that not only the political leadership in Ukraine is Nazi, but also the majority of the population. All Ukrainians who have taken up arms must be eliminated - because they are responsible for the genocide of the Russian people

Putin, before the "special military operation", spoke of the necessary denazification of Ukraine, but also of Ukrainian genocide against Russians. Apparently the logic works like this :

  • The nation of Ukraine fundamentally does not exist
  • They worship Bandera (arguably, but he was named Hero of the Nation in 2010), who was a Nazi
  • THEREFORE they are Nazis, and inherit the moral responsability for the genocide against Russians in the Great Patriotic War.

It all makes sense, finally. For a while, I was worried that Putin was clinically insane.

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
by eurogreen on Sat Apr 9th, 2022 at 02:12:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Polonius: Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.
Hamlet
by Bernard (bernard) on Sat Apr 9th, 2022 at 08:05:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]
in political debate:

"Nazism" in current Russian political debate, performs the same function as "Communism" used to perform in US political debate.

All you had to do was successfully label someone, some group, or some country as communist, and it was open season to eliminate them by all means available.

The more unstable the state, the greater the need to define external enemies as a threat and a focus for national unity.

Only mature and secure societies can avoid "othering" some groups. Inclusion is an act of strength as well as of love.

Index of Frank's Diaries

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Sat Apr 9th, 2022 at 09:31:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Which are these?

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Sun Apr 10th, 2022 at 01:26:17 PM EST
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[thinking hard...]

Ireland? Scotland?

ummm New Zealand?

[Other candidates may be suggested by more knowledgeable people]

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II

by eurogreen on Sun Apr 10th, 2022 at 09:55:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Belgium? Holland used to be good, Germany has tried hard to overcome its history, Portugal? Australia? Canada?

Index of Frank's Diaries
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Apr 11th, 2022 at 05:40:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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