Remembering Nicholas II, The Greatest Russian in History?
Wednesday July 16, 2008
July 16/17 marks the 90th anniversary of the massacre of Nicholas II and
the Russian royal family. An poll by state-run television in Russia
is asking the people to vote for the greatest Russian in history.
While Nicholas II is currently in first place, Joseph Stalin is a
close second. The FP Passport blog has the story.
Comments
What a fascinating insight into current Russian thinking.
Almost as odd as the US picking Reagan (duck!).
Whatever happened to Peter the Great?
I can’t believe that a mass murderer like Stalin would even be considered in this poll. I guess it all has to do with the definition of the word “great.” He was a great mass murderer. He was a great help to the U.S. in the Second World War. However, I have always agreed with General Patton. He saw the threat of Communism and wanted to nip it in the bud.
I wonder if Hitler would ever be considered the greatest German in history? He actually did some good for the German people. His penchant for power and total destruction of anything or anyone that got in his way, negates any good that he did though.
I do believe that Ronald Reagan is at least one of the greatest Americans in the history of the United States. I wish that we had someone like him running in the current election.
It seems to me that the Russian love of mass murderers like Stalin speaks to some essential difference between Russians and Westerners. Is that a racist statement?