Moscow Times creates interesting reading - on line thoughtful journalism from behind Putin's ego shadow

Just found an interesting source of information in The Moscow Times.  Indeed, as in Moscow, Russia and the news is surprisingly objective, even critical, of President Putin's ego trip in "leadership".  http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/

The Moscow Times

Many Americans believe ours is the only nation where freedom of the press is practiced. Yet, we tolerate "entertainment" news like it's objective journalism and too many accept the bias of right wing Fox News as factual. Unfortunately, Americans aren't routinely hearing real news, because so much of what's reported gets filtered through the sieve of commercialism. 

News media aims to please advertisers.

Thankfully, on line real news is accessible from British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Al Jazeera America and our own steadfastly reliable Christian Science Monitor. Indeed, real news is reported in some media, if people want to seek truth behind the headlines.

Added to the list I find to be reliable for cutting edge information is The Moscow Times. In fact, news reported in The Moscow Times comes from around the world, but with the political commentary focused on Russia. What I'm reading in this reporting should have Putin worried. Given Putin's enormous ego, which inflates his stubby chest like a parade balloon, it's likely the Russian president prefers watching pictures of himself playing like he's a world leader, than to face up to criticism from his country's media.

It seems like The Moscow Times sees beyond Putin's ego. Brave reporters like Fyodor Lukyanov (editor) reports the long term international consequences Russia will experience as the western nations tighten economic sanctions against the Ukrainian aggression. Right now, Putin isn't blinking in the face off with the West about economic sanctions, because, frankly, he'll loose his egotistical position as Russia's leader if he backs down. Therefore, he's putting Russia into a terrible economic vice - continue with sanctions, regardless of the hardships ordinary Russians experience, just because he has no alternative if he's going to keep his power base content.  

But, The Moscow Times reports on how the world will be unforgiving of Russia, as a result of Putin's inability to behave like a world leader, rather than a delusional Napoleonic Stalin.

Here's how The Moscow Times sees it:

"Current events could be compared to another of Russia's breaking points, 1917 — the point at which the Russian Empire was gone forever and its successor state became an international pariah. Hit by sanctions that fundamentally changed its status in the international system, Soviet Russia was placing its bets on autarchy, or creating a closed and self-sufficient economy."

(Moreover, writes The Moscow Times) "I'm in no way suggesting that post-Crimea Russia is analogous to the country that emerged from the flames of the 1917 revolution. I am saying that once the ruling authorities in a country have been deemed unfit by foreign partners, they can never fully repair relations with them."

(Well, there you have it, directly from The Moscow Times.)

Although Putin is pulling the strings with the puppets who are fighting as rebels in the Ukraine, while desperately trying to forge an avenue to the Crimea, his aggression has created long term consequences. Just as the Russians were participating in a free market economy, they're now thrust backwards, just because Putin wants his own private road to the Crimea through the Ukraine, regardless of how many people die as a result. 

Meanwhile, I doubt the roads to Sochi, in Russia, the site of the expensive summer Olympics, are being maintained since all the international tourists went home. Putin simply can't afford to fund wars, pay a military, build roads and prop up the destructive Assad regime in Syria, too. Maybe, Putin doesn't look, but he should - the price of oil is dropping, so there's not so much money in those Syrian oil fields he's trying to control. Even worse, today's Ruble is worth a measly $0.25 (that's twenty five cents); or to put it another way, the Russian Ruble is worth a humiliating "two bits".

Although I've been blogging about President Putin's out of control ego for several months, it's now validating to find a media source within Russia, with whom I agree. The Moscow Times reports from behind Putin's egotistical shadow.

It's interesting to note, The Moscow Times has been publishing since 1992!  I think all Americans should be reading it on line, because it could become the only media where Putin's ego gets challenged and his bare chest images are re-sized.