Alexei Navalny

[Mobius]

Got to respect this fella haven't you? Nearly died from Putin poisoning now he's gone back to Russia and been immediately arrested, standing up for what he believes in.

Seems futile to fight against the Russian Government but fair play to the lad for sticking to his guns.

Probably being tortured as we speak. Poor fucker.

Anyway just reading about this bloke thinking I wish I had that level of bravery or belief in something.

Here's a great video where he phishes his own poisoners into admitting their guilt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibqiet6Bg38

[Pearly-Dewdrops Drops]

He seems like the Pete Buttigieg of Russia.

[bgmnts]

Yeah but people with that level of dignity make everyone else feel shit about themselves and quite complicit in how shit society is dont they? Not good for anyone.

[markburgle]

Yeah but people with that level of dignity make everyone else feel shit about themselves and quite complicit in how shit society is dont they? Not good for anyone.

I think he done some homophobia, if that makes you feel any better.

But yeah, the fight he's fighting outweighs that many times over

[Zetetic]

And some racism and the like.

My understanding is that in terms of espoused politics, Navalny isn't particularly distinguishable from the most prominent figureheads of United Russia.

English language summary of Navalny's "Palace" report: https://twitter.com/KevinRothrock/status/1351540061444202499

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Is Pete Buttigieg an ethnonationalist? What is the transport department's view on Muslim access to laneways?

[Pearly-Dewdrops Drops]

Is Pete Buttigieg an ethnonationalist? What is the transport department's view on Muslim access to laneways?

Nobody said Pete Buttigieg is the Alexei Navalny of America.

[Shoulders?-Stomach!]

Nobody said Pete Buttigieg is the Alexei Navalny of America.

Perhaps it is time to start.

Maybe he is the Juan Guaido of Rhyl

[Mobius]

Done a bit more reading on this bloke and he sounds like a bit of a cunt but probably less of a cunt than the cunts he's having a pop at

Shades of grey

Everything, shades of grey

[Urinal Cake]

I think Nalvany might be less corrupt but more racist than Putin.  But whatever the US and Amnesty has declared Nalvany a hero so Liberals can regime change again.

[evilcommiedictator]

Well, respect him as much when he says all Muslims are cockroaches and hangs out with fascists *shrug*

[MoonDust]

This is the problem and scepticism I have with any "opposition" to ruling autocrats. Whenever our press label people like Navalny as "opposition", without further details like what party they're affiliated too, where on the political spectrum they lie, it begs the important question "but what do they stand for?" Usually the answer is disappointing.

It's the same with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in Belarus. She's leading the opposition against authoritarianism, but beyond new elections, what does she stand for politically? Is she conservative? Liberal? Socialist? Fascist? These are important questions that liberals the world over conveniently ignore or turn a blind eye to.

Belarus doesn't just need free and fair elections, it needs radical change. A free election in and of itself doesn't solve anything: what if a fascist party wins a majority? Do liberals think the battle is over like "well, that's democracy. We got what we wanted."?

Same goes for Navalny. How better off will Russians actually be if he leads the country and not Putin? The Russians deserve better. Fair elections are just the beginning for radical change in these countries, they're not the end goal.

Look what happened to Ukraine: they thought the battle was won with new elections. Now they have/had genuine fascists in government. Great stuff, lads.

[oy vey]

Tsikhanouskaya never claimed to represent a political stance or party. She stood in for her husband and 2 other leading candidates who got booted out of the country or fucked in prison. Her only policy was to hold a proper election along with a constitutional redraft, which is exactly what's needed. She was only allowed to stand because Lukashenko didn't consider women to be a threat.

If Putin had any balls he would have done a deal with one of other candidates, most of which are pro-Russian. Belarusians only want rid of a monumental psychopath of a dumb fuck. They are happy to stay in the Russian sphere of influence. Those sentiments won't last long though. Thanks to Putin.