The best part about Russia is that Putin has to die of old age at some point.

[cdnmatt]

The best part about Russia is that Putin has to die of old age at some point.

[frequent]

The best part about Russia is that Putin has to die of old age at some point.

Russia's GDP is smaller than a number of US States - New York and California to name but two. It's only slightly larger than Australia's FFS. It's a gangster state with nuclear weapons and a rapidly ageing population. Alcoholism affects a substantial proportion of the population and according to Wikipedia might be described as a humanitarian disaster. It will be interesting to see what happens next. However, assuming Putin's death will be a good thing is questionable. The kleptocracy he's built up around him will have strong motivation to survive with whatever remains of the nation state

[Moses]

Alcoholism affects a substantial proportion of the population and according to Wikipedia might be described as a humanitarian disaster.

It's urban legend...
Look at real studies https://www.thelancet.com/journals/l...36(18)31310-2/

Russians drink less than in Europe nowadays (data: 2016)

gr1.jpg

[frequent]

Russians drink less than in Europe nowadays (data: 2016)

What a relief. And the falling GDP, state-sponsored gangsterism, and kleptocracy?

[Moses]

And the falling GDP?

Ok, one more legend should be destructed

Since 2000 Russia had 4 years when GDP was falling : 2009 (result of World crisis), 2014, 2015 and 2016 (results of oil prices). At 2017 and 2018 GDP is growing again. For comp. UK had 6 years of falling GDP since 2000, EU - 5 years.

Source: World bank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator...D?locations=RU

but if we will talk about GDP PPP (what is more fair since 3/4 of GDP been consumed internal within Russia) - then only 2 years: 2009 and 2015 were with falling GDP

Source: World bank https://data.worldbank.org/indicator...=RU&start=1990

[frequent]

Since 2000 Russia had 4 years when GDP was falling : 2009 (result of World crisis), 2014, 2015 and 2016 (results of oil prices). At 2017 and 2018 GDP is growing again. For comp. UK had 6 years of falling GDP since 2000, EU - 5 years.

Fabulous. When will you start organising gay tours? All those blond Russian boys

[arsenal]

You got a right pasting on that one Frequent. The neutral observer would get the native/non native English speaker mixed up. Oh well. At leaet Russia gave us the best Fifa World Cup ever.

[frequent]

You got a right pasting on that one Frequent. The neutral observer would get the native/non native English speaker mixed up. Oh well. At leaet Russia gave us the best Fifa World Cup ever.

Clearly you don't understand the lessons of modern psychology, arsenal. Most people don't infer opinions from facts; they select facts that buttress their prejudices. Moses is no different and there's therefore no point in presenting counter arguments, merely irony. I was waiting for him to trot out the trickle-down argument in support of low taxation for entrepreneurs but I guess he got bored before I did

Have you got your New Year's ball gown sorted out? I know a highly recommended fashion designer