Barack Obama

Cha

(307,312 posts)

15. That sounds awful, fresh! Compulsory Military Service in Russia.. the

Sun Sep 15, 2013, 12:41 AM

Sep 2013

chickenhawks will eat that up.. not!

"Like many countries in the world, Russia has compulsory military service for males of 18 to 27 years of age. The required length of service was 2 years, but by the time I turned 18 it was reduced to 18 months, and eventually down to 1 year in (I believe) 2008.

Russia has the second biggest army in the world with 1.5 million personnel (behind China, and just ahead of the United States). And yet, only about 10% of eligible males report for duty. Everyone else uses any legal and illegal means to dodge the draft. There are two reasons for this:

First, the conditions in the Army are reportedly horrible (bullying, torture, rape, malnutrition, etc). Five to ten thousand conscripts die every year due to suicide, medical negligence, avoidable diseases, etc.

Second, there is no overwhelming national pride in Russia associated with this compulsory military service. I think in order for it to work, people need to believe that you are giving something to your country for the benefit of your fellow citizens."

http://lexfridman.com/blogs/thoughts/2012/12/27/mandatory-military-service/

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Maddow Deflates GOP ‘Man Crush’ on Putin: ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ TY Rachel!~ [View all] Cha Sep 2013 OP

I wish she didn't say that. I think all those right wing anti-gay folks SHOULD move to Russia. Squinch Sep 2013 #1

Well, if they love Putin so much.. and he's such a badass.. Cha Sep 2013 #2

I agree tazkcmo Sep 2013 #29

way to go Maddow! gopiscrap Sep 2013 #3

Well, damn, Rachel really nailed that one! sheshe2 Sep 2013 #4

Good point, she.. if Snowden Cha Sep 2013 #5

Okay~ sheshe2 Sep 2013 #6

Great analysis of body language, she.. Cha Sep 2013 #7

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #26

very good! Obama has got that 'it's your move' look Whisp Sep 2013 #39

Whoa, Putin looks crushed there. This must be where the body language critiques started. freshwest Sep 2013 #10

Yeah, from she! Cha Sep 2013 #11

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #27

Putin is a homophobic hack, a dope, and an opportunist. K/R nt NYC_SKP Sep 2013 #8

Yeah, but somehow a Cha Sep 2013 #9

Stalin, Hitler and Mussolini are more favored by conservatives than Obama. freshwest Sep 2013 #14

That sounds awful, fresh! Compulsory Military Service in Russia.. the Cha Sep 2013 #15

Interesting link. Are Snowden or Greenwald ready to serve? Free-dumb!!111!!!! freshwest Sep 2013 #17

Rachel hits it out of the park again. William769 Sep 2013 #12

Well, imo.. being accused of being a part of the BOG is a Cha Sep 2013 #13

I see Skinner got him - DURHAM D Sep 2013 #30

Yes he did. William769 Sep 2013 #32

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Thanks for the visit - don't be a stranger, I mean it. IrishAyes Sep 2013 #34

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Followed by the Rand Paul, etc. After all, pretty much the same fan base. freshwest Sep 2013 #20

There's a great article on GG and this very topic. It seems he's just not... Tarheel_Dem Sep 2013 #24

Because they are only interested in the first, second, fourth and tenth amendments? freshwest Sep 2013 #19

That's just sad. But the muted response is even sadder. Tarheel_Dem Sep 2013 #22

Snowden Is Pretty Lonely In Russia DallasNE Sep 2013 #21

Maybe we can raise funds to send over the Oathkeepers to keep him company? Tarheel_Dem Sep 2013 #23

The psychology behind the behavior of repubs can't be hidden King_Klonopin Sep 2013 #25

All good; last paragraph the most telling. I hoped they would respect him. I was afraid after seeing freshwest Sep 2013 #38

I think they 'love' Putin because they invest in Russia war profit sales that are banned in America. Sunlei Sep 2013 #28

Morning Kick! sheshe2 Sep 2013 #31

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Holy shit. I didn't know this was going on. Hekate Sep 2013 #36

Yes, I found it quite by chance, Hekate.. and Cha Sep 2013 #37