The Uncuts: 2017 political awards (part III)

Global winner of the year – Vladimir Putin

While it must be obvious to the world that, under latter-day Putin Russia is no longer a free-speech democracy – if, indeed, it ever truly was one – there is no denying his effectiveness as a manipulator of world affairs. After convincing Obama to strike an ineffectual nuclear deal with Iran and that Russia should be empowered to mediate a “peace” in Syria; or that no-one should lift a finger to help Ukraine when he invaded; last year it was apparently interfering in US and other Western elections.

This year he has been more audacious than ever: he has managed to nurture a tenant of the White House – the White House – who is actively blocking attempts to curb his informational power, such as propaganda, hacking and social media trolling; let alone any attempts to see Russia as the frighteningly real military threat it has increasingly become.

And if you doubt that last statement, you need only note that Russia spends double what most NATO nations do on defence as a proportion of GDP, while considering that it is hardly defending itself from other, belligerent nations. It can only be for aggressive actions: in old-fashioned terms, empire-building.

Yes, North Korea might be a more immediate threat to the West but, oh, guess who visited Kim Jong Il in May? Stirring up chaos is what Putin delights in.

When in 2012 Mitt Romney described Russia as “our no. 1 geopolitical foe”, Obama and many others laughed haughtily. “The 1980s are calling to ask for their foreign policy back.” They ain’t laughing now.

Straight talking, honest politics awardJeremy Corbyn

A few weeks ago, Jeremy Corbyn’s aides admitted a few weeks ago what we all knew: that he had, in fact, been consciously appealing to both sides of the Brexit debate. Corbyn, a lifelong Eurosceptic, knew that he could not get away with going for an all-out, hard-Brexit position, given the opposite view of most of the parliamentary party and party policy as set by conference. Straight talking, honest politics indeed.


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8 Responses to “The Uncuts: 2017 political awards (part III)”

  1. John Wall says:

    Let’s also remember the promise to “deal with” historic student debt…….

  2. John P Reid says:

    So is the straight talking,

    the Corbyn aides admitting he played both sides,

    or do you say Corbyn is straight talking in that he is saying that although he secretly wants us out he customs union, and like Denis Skinner last month would have voted with the Tories to do so, is that Corbyn is saying he doesn’t really support the customs union, but told the whips, to tell the CLP to abstain

    Because labour stood on a policy “we accept Brexit, and are leaving the single market/Customs union, but want the benefits of the single markets view in immigration”
    Now if labour stood in a manifesto,to leave the single market,and Barry Gardiner said that as little as 5 weeks ago, then he tells the party to abstain ,on the vote in the chamber,
    I can’t see how that’s straight talking, yes parties do change their policy, while in opposition,that way they have a different policy,for the next election, but as labour haven’t officially said it supports the customs union, SM/ I can’t see how it’s straight talking,

    So because Brexit wasn’t debated at cindrerence,and the CLP is mainly pro the EU, unless they twig they may lose their seats ,if they live in Brexit areas, the fact Corbyn ,doesn’t want to upset guardian readers, Corbyn, is fudging the manifesto policy, unless he gets to talk to those working class seats ,where labour voters, voted Brexit .

  3. Vern says:

    Straight talking and honesty is the opposite of what I would suggest for Jeremy Corbyn. He has duped the gullible ones like Anne who will mo doubt kick their selves one day.
    Let’s not forget the infamous train journey, add to that the promise to pay off student debt, the constant changing of policy on Brexit, the bullshit that Labour has a fully costed manifesto and then the late video of support from the Armed Forces which the kids from Momentum must have dreamt up.
    This cretin is nearing his 70’s and still lying. Enough said!

  4. John Wall says:

    @Vern – methinks Uncut were attempting to extract the Michel!

  5. Anne says:

    As I recall JC voted remain in the referendum and when asked recently how he would vote if
    the vote where held again he said he had heard nothing that would make him change his mind – he would vote remain. Mrs May voted remain, and when asked the same question she refused to answer.
    Also, Boris repeated his lie of the £350 million to the nhs. Now just look at the state of the ohs today – I really feel for those patients whose operations have had to be cancelled – the problem is this has a knock on effect to others on waiting lists.

  6. John Wall says:

    @Anne – there isn’t any extra money, whether it be £350m per week or what, until we’re out of the EU. As we’ve agreed to keep paying until the end of the current budget round (2021) it might not be available until then.

  7. john P Reid says:

    Anne, JC told both John sweeney and His brother he vote brexit

  8. Tony says:

    “And if you doubt that last statement, you need only note that Russia spends double what most NATO nations do on defence as a proportion of GDP, while considering that it is hardly defending itself from other, belligerent nations. It can only be for aggressive actions: in old-fashioned terms, empire-building.”

    Nice bit of scaremongering about Russia here!

    The Russian military budget is actually smaller than that of Britain and ranks sixth in the world against Britain which ranks third. Why does Britain spend so much on the military?

    http://www.banthebomb.org/index.php/news/trident/1901-did-you-know-that-britain-spends-more-than-russia-on-defence

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