So, lovers of autocracy and anti-Constitutionalist, haters of peaceful transfers of power in government, here is what happens when the economy cools, disillusionment sets in and there is no way to oust a dictator/autocrat. except to take to the streets. Protest events in Russia are a warning. Careful what you wish, aiders and abetters of Trumpism. What you support now, may come back and bite you where it hurts later This is kind of regime change attempts we see in Russia is particularly difficult to accomplish when the dictator controls media and lies through his teeth about election outcomes, Trump wanted to take us there.
Even in April, 51% of Republicans were sure the Jan.6 riots in DC were mostly peaceful. Their attitudes represent the greatest threat to democracy. Half of Republicans believe false narratives about the Capitol riot, poll says | Business Insider India
Trump made a beginning down that path with lies about election fraud and convincing a major part of the country that all reports except FOX and Murdoch funded media were fake news. His and his attorney's stated goal post-November 3 was to overturn the election so he could have a second term. He tried to reverse the election first through court action (losing all but one court case), and then through violent intimidation with the help of what the FBI called domestic terrorists, organizations which he had often called "patriots" and "some fine people". He urged those actors on January 6 to march on the Capitol and" fight" at the very moment Congress was voting on validating certification of the election. His election fraud lies gave fuel, rationale, or pretense to " stop the steal" for the violent insurgents to act as they did. Letting him off the hook without any significant repercussions will only encourage future, more clever wannabe dictators to try it again. Democracy just survived a close call. If we have learned anything from January 6 and the Russian experience, we cannot just assume it will go on automatically forever. Once lost, it is hard to get back.
The protests in Russia are more than about "free Navalny", but wider issues are also sparking the demonstrators. Russia’s Economic Slump Erodes Consensus That Shielded Putin - The New York Times (nytimes.com While the Russian constitution permits peaceful protests, and it appears this was, the police crackdown on them was violent. Without an independent judiciary to enforce the provisions of a constitution, rights have little meaning in a dictatorship. Without investigative reporters and a media controlled by Putin and friends, Navalny assumed that role of investigation and exposed epic corruption. The Putin palace was documented on film by Navalny's associates. That is the kind of sin that nearly got him killed by poison and now has landed him in jail, sparking the demonstrations. Demonstrators waved toilet bowl brushes as a symbol of Putin's corruption since Navalny's expose of the extravagant lifestyle of oligarchs and Putin per Navalny was the ultra-expensive brushes Navalny pictured. .. Without the Navalny's in this world, the absolute power of a dictator corrupts absolutely and the people governed would have no idea.
Russia | Country Page | World | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
The Inside Story of How Alexey Navalny Uncovered Putin's $1.3 Billion Palace (msn.com)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, After 20 Years of Rule (foreignpolicy.com)
Protests in Russia - United States Department of State
Navalny protests: Kremlin meets Russian demonstrators with fiercest crackdown in years - CNN
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