Should Western Leaders show up for Russia's celebration of the Great Patriotic war?

How many did Western Nations show up for during the Cold War? None of course becuase at the end of that war those Russian troops occupied the Baltic states along with grabbing half of Europe. I would be very suprised to many Western leaders show up while Russian forces have annex territory for the first time in Europe since WW2. Not to mention the occupation of Eastern Ukraine. Obama would get blasted for going by the right, the left and the center in the US.

a reply to: anonentity

He should remember, the West has a history of going to war with Dictators.

Um,yeah.

1953

Iran – CIA overthrows the democratically elected Mohammed Mossadegh in a military coup, after he threatened to nationalize British oil. The CIA replaces him with a dictator, the Shah of Iran, whose secret police, SAVAK, is as brutal as the Gestapo.1954

Guatemala — CIA overthrows the democratically elected Jacob Arbenz in a military coup. Arbenz has threatened to nationalize the Rockefeller-owned United Fruit Company, in which CIA Director Allen Dulles also owns stock. Arbenz is replaced with a series of right-wing dictators whose bloodthirsty policies will kill over 100,000 Guatemalans in the next 40 years.Ecuador — The CIA-backed military forces the democratically elected President Jose Velasco to resign. Vice President Carlos Arosemana replaces him; the CIA fills the now vacant vice presidency with its own man.Congo (Zaire) — The CIA assassinates the democratically elected Patrice Lumumba. However, public support for Lumumba’s politics runs so high that the CIA cannot clearly install his opponents in power. Four years of political turmoil follow.1963

Dominican Republic — The CIA overthrows the democratically elected Juan Bosch in a military coup. The CIA installs a repressive, right-wing junta.1964

Brazil — A CIA-backed military coup overthrows the democratically elected government of Joao Goulart. The junta that replaces it will, in the next two decades, become one of the most bloodthirsty in history. General Castelo Branco will create Latin America’s first death squads, or bands of secret police who hunt down "communists" for torture, interrogation and murder. Often these "communists" are no more than Branco’s political opponents. Later it is revealed that the CIA trains the death squads.1965

www.huppi.com...

These are just the ones that were democratically elected. There are many others and cases where we put in the dictators. You might want to rethink that one.

originally posted by: Nikola014
...who fought for the world's freedom.

Now that sounds ironic. I feel WWII was nothing more than an exchange of one sh*tty future for another. We're not any better off today than what we would have been. We still have leaders that wage war, don't give a crap about it's people, police forces with their boots on our necks, militarized police forces, stupid laws that do more harm than good...

Is there really any point in "celebrating" it at all?

(My apologies if this sounds harsh. I'm just sick to my stomach at the state of the world as a whole.)

More on topic though: Granted we're not exactly buddy buddy with Russia, couldn't we extend a peaceful hand and attend? Russia may not be innocent in the world arena, but neither are we, the U.S. and many other nations. So despite my feelings above, go and show that despite bickering that like real friends, we're there.

a reply to: noeltrotsky

Your attitude in this thread towards the those who gave their lives is atrocious, every nation that fought in WWII pays their respects to the brave souls who gave their lives. You degrading this to politics and having a pop at Putin is low. Why don't you jump on a bus to Washington and take a big steaming dump on the National WWII Memorial because that is what you are trying to do to the Russians that gave their lives. I'd like to say I am shocked at your behaviour but I really am not at all.

originally posted by: noeltrotsky

originally posted by: Dimithae
a reply to: noeltrotsky

This ceremony is ONLY about those that fought and/or died in WW2.
PERIOD

So why did Putin invite Kim Jong-un??? I don't remember N.Korea fighting in Europe, but maybe you can tell me why.

www.kmbc.com...

No they fought the japanese.

Pick up a history book.


Korea was literally raped by Japan. Women hauled of to be sex slaves and the country's way of life destroyed.

a reply to: Dimithae

I don't think western leaders are happy that nazis lost ww2

Western governments are now the Neocon hail hydra types

originally posted by: sosobad
Your attitude in this thread towards the those who gave their lives is atrocious,

Unsurprisingly you attack me for an attitude I never have had or stated in this thread.

Post quotes where I disparage solders that fought in the war, or retract your attack.

originally posted by: noeltrotsky

originally posted by: sosobad
Your attitude in this thread towards the those who gave their lives is atrocious,

Unsurprisingly you attack me for an attitude I never have had or stated in this thread.

Post quotes where I disparage solders that fought in the war, or retract your attack.

Your reading comprehension isn't up to scratch either. I said in my post exactly how you are degrading their memory, here it is again....

You degrading this to politics and having a pop at Putin is low.

Unsurprisingly you won't acknowledge your behaviour.

originally posted by: noeltrotsky

originally posted by: Dimithae
a reply to: noeltrotsky

I would hate to think,that we in this day and age are so small minded,that we would let those 50-80 million people who died on both sides of that war,died in vain.

And which country has used military force to conquer territory since WWII? Which country has spit on the lessons from WWII?

Without a doubt only one country has done that israel

originally posted by: Dimithae
I would just like to feel out ATS and see how people feel about our leaders not going.

I will give mine to start. What is happening in the here and now is not what this celebration is about. This celebration is about the Allies winning the war against fascists in WW2. I feel at this point that Putin has shown he is the better man ,by attending our celebrations in France,and for our leaders to do less shows that we have no class,morals,or maturity. I understand that Western Leaders want Putin to know they aren't happy with him,though I would argue the point of their happiness. But there is a time and place for everything,and this is not it. Lets here YOUR opinions now.

Completely agree and well said. What have today's issues got to do with remembering and commemorating the sacrifice of previous generations? Personally, for me a boycott of events leaves a very bad taste in the mouth. And once again demonstrates that thanks to modern media our current leaders are all about the here and now and have absolutely no concept or understanding of history. Which is a shame because history shows us that such thinking usually ends badly.....

a reply to: PrettyPlease1

Honestly, I know it sounds like I'm crazy,but I have to wonder if the Nazis really did lose WW2. When I look at the state of affairs right now,and how our world leaders act and the things they do,I'm not so sure.

a reply to: noeltrotsky

And you think the Red Square parades of tanks, missiles and military men are simply a commemoration without any politics going on?

Sure...

Yeah but they do such a parade every year. It's not something they've just decided to begin following the events with Ukraine.

a reply to: MrSpad

The way American policy has looked the whole time, if they had been neighbours with everyone there they would have annexed EVERYTHING, and they are just mad they cannot do it so easily.

I grow increasingly sick of hearing about USA being somehow the nicer guy out there.

Everyone knows that Russia also stopped the American Empire from taking over Europe, and those who rule the Empire still want it now....too bad Russia actually has the capability to stand up and get STRONGER the more you mess with it.

GO AHEAD, MAKE THEIR DAY!!

originally posted by: Kram09
a reply to: noeltrotsky

And you think the Red Square parades of tanks, missiles and military men are simply a commemoration without any politics going on?

Sure...

Yeah but they do such a parade every year. It's not something they've just decided to begin following the events with Ukraine.

And how often do they invite the leader of N. Korea?

a reply to: Dimithae

Yes you are right. Sadly I have to concede on that one. maybe all those Nazis they enlisted into the C.I.A. Got out of control, and took over. Klaus Barbie, Von Braun, and all the rest, plus the UFO's sighted in 1947 look a lot like Hortons.It might go deep.

Absolutely they should.

Those young men, and women fought and died defending their homeland. There's naught dishonorable in that.

We can set aside politics for a day, or so, to remember those who died, and who are leaving us at such a rate everyday.

originally posted by: Dimithae
a reply to: noeltrotsky

This ceremony is ONLY about those that fought and/or died in WW2.
PERIOD

Not, it isn't. It's not about WW2 which lasted from 1939-1945, but from as Russians call it Great Patriotic War 1941-1945.

They work hard not to remember years 1939-1941 - during which Russians (and other citizens of the SU) laid their lives while they were conquering eastern Europe in alliance with Germans.


Anyway - different question - approximately in the same time Poland organizes its celebration in Gdańsk, treating it as a place where WW2 started in morning of 1st Septmeber 1939. Why not go there? Most of EU leaders would celebrate there.