Happy birthday!

[mendeleyev]

Happy birthday, Mikhail Khodorkovsky! The most popular prison inmate in Russia celebrates a birthday today as on this day, 26 June 1963 Михаил Борисович Ходорковский was born and we wish him the best day possible in spite of being a political prisoner.



Free "mbx" or Mikhail Boris Khodorkovsky. Unfortunately he will not be allowed to enjoy such a cake.

С Днем рождения, Михаил Борисович.



Здоровья, терпения, выдержки! Помним и переживаем за тебя. Держись!



С Юбилеем, Михаил Борисович! (26 июня 1963)

http://www.khodorkovsky.ru

[Boethius]

I dispute the assertion Khodorkovsky is a political prisoner.  He is a thief who deserves jail.

[mendeleyev]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. 

[Boethius]

How do you explain Khodorkhovsky claiming he had no money, yet his family were caught accessing Swiss bank accounts fairly recently?

[Gator]

I dispute the assertion Khodorkovsky is a political prisoner.  He is a thief who deserves jail.

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. 

Was Khodorkobvsky's business practices any worse than the other oligarchs?   I understand that he was more of a philanthropist than the other select few made wealthy by the privatization of Soviet assets. 
 
Khodorkobvsky had political ambitions and this seems to be his undoing.  It seems to the outsider  that Putin said, "If any of you fat cats have political ambitions counter to my plans, just watch what happens to  Khodorkobvsky."
 
The Soviet wealth has been transferred to a relatively few politically connected individuals.  It ain't coming back to the people as long as the autocracy survives, and survive it will. 

[Boethius]

Khodorkovsky was being investigated before those political "donations".  They were intended to make the investigation go away.  He created no wealth.  He didn't earn it.  He stole it.  Defending him is like defending Al Capone, who also engaged in philanthropy.

[Boethius]

On second thought, Capone at least created his own wealth.  Illegally, yes.  Violently, of course.  But he didn't steal it from the American people.

[Gator]

He created no wealth.  He didn't earn it.  He stole it.

Again, how does he differ from any of the other fat cats made ultra-rich in the largest transfer of wealth in history?  How does he differ from Putin?

[Boethius]

Most of the others fled.  Putin is serving the state.  Khodorkovsky did zero for the Russian state.

[mendeleyev]

Khodorkobvsky had political ambitions and this seems to be his undoing. It seems to the outsider  that Putin said, "If any of you fat cats have political ambitions counter to my plans, just watch what happens to Khodorkobvsky."

Precisely.

His political contributions and alliances are what irked Mr. Putin. The record is clear that those who oppose either were forced to flee or stayed around to face time in prison. Mikhail had the guts to stay and try to effect change.

Whether or not we agree, a recent poll showed that is the most trusted individual in Russia and that will fuel the drive to bring new charges. He is scheduled to be released in 2014 and Putin simply cannot allow that to happen. There will be new charges.

[Boethius]

Why is it, mendy, he only tried to "effect change" once his criminal activity was put under a microscope?


His whole history, back to Soviet times, is one of self service.  He is not a Russian Gandhi or Mandela.

[Muzh]

Why is it, mendy, he only tried to "effect change" once his criminal activity was put under a microscope?


His whole history, back to Soviet times, is one of self service.  He is not a Russian Gandhi or Mandela.

LOL

Wow, you are tuff. 

[mendeleyev]

Bo, you and I will apparently never agree on Yulia nor Mikhail. That is okay, I'm happy to respect your opinion although I see it far differently. 

[Gator]

Most of the others fled. 

For wealth-preservation if not self-preservation reasons.  Mikhail stayed knowing the risk.  I admire that. 
 

Putin is serving the state. 

Or does the state serve Putin?  I would never consider Putin a noble statesman.
 

Khodorkovsky did zero for the Russian state.

He tried to make a difference.   New ideas are always important in a democratic society unless, of course, Russia is an ideal state and not needing change.   Maybe Mikhail is an idiot for thinking he could voice dissent and stay whole.  Maybe he is a megalomaniac.   However, it seems that he at least tried to make a positive difference.   

[Gator]

He is not a Russian Gandhi or Mandela.

 
 
You are correct.  Is there any such leader waiting in the wings of the Russian political house?
 
Evidently Putin thinks Mikhail has the potential to attract a large following or otherwise Putin  would allow Mikhail to spend his vast fortune in an attempt to make a difference.

[Boethius]

Bo, you and I will apparently never agree on Yulia nor Mikhail. That is okay, I'm happy to respect your opinion although I see it far differently. 

Yes, we will never agree. but that's ok with me as well.

[Boethius]

For wealth-preservation if not self-preservation reasons.  Mikhail stayed knowing the risk.  I admire that. 

How do you think he gained his wealth?  He was a small piece in a bigger game.  He lived in an artificial environment, created for him.  He was too stupid to understand the risk.  Not unlike Gorbachev, actually.
 

Or does the state serve Putin?  I would never consider Putin a noble statesman.

No, I don't think the state serves Putin.  Say what you will, Russia is far better ruled than its FSU neighbours.
 

He tried to make a difference.   New ideas are always important in a democratic society unless, of course, Russia is an ideal state and not needing change.   Maybe Mikhail is an idiot for thinking he could voice dissent and stay whole.  Maybe he is a megalomaniac.   However, it seems that he at least tried to make a positive difference.   

No, he was not trying to make a difference.  He was trying to bribe his way out of criminal charges. 

[Gator]

 Say what you will, Russia is far better ruled than its FSU neighbours.
 
 

The tallest midget?