Russian Acts of Kindness

[Rylkova,Galina S]

Dear Professor Moss,

I was not comparing my circle of friends to any other circle of 
friends. I was offering my own informed opinion of someone who is fluent 
in both languages (who can watch political debates, etc. for hours 
non-stop in both languages), who lived in both countries for extended 
periods of time and who also has analytical skills to analyze and 
compare. And as someone who watches CNN, PBS, FOX and MSNBC coverages on 
a daily basis (unlike most Russians that I know) I can competently 
compare the variety being offered in both countries.

Yes, most of my Russian friends and relatives also believe that they 
don't have freedom of speech and many other freedoms. But they don't 
read American newspapers or watch American TV.

I also don't believe that current discussions of abortion and gay and 
lesbian rights in America are very reassuring.

Galina Rylkova

On Mon, 6 May 2013 00:32:26 +0000, Moss, Kevin M. wrote:
> On May 5, 2013, at 5:30 PM, Rylkova,Galina S wrote:
>
> Russian people enjoy the same amount of freedom (freedom of speech
> and expression) as any Americans do in the United States.
>
> Seriously?
>
> That must be why they are introducing a law to fine anyone who
> suggests that gay relationships are equivalent to straight
> relationships.
>
> Because Lord knows Americans could never do that.
>
> I'm sorry, but if anything is ill-informed it is this statement. I
> have heard of many people, especially in the LGBT community AND
> JOURNALISTS who are seriously talking about leaving because of the 
> new
> laws. Most of MY Russian friends and relatives are appalled at the
> current situation, but perhaps we know completely different circles?
> Let's see what happens tomorrow.
>
> There WAS variety in the 90s, but that was already ending in Putin's
> first term, and now it is simply absurd to talk about variety, unless
> you mean independent internet media.
>
> I am increasingly reluctant to return. I was more eager to visit in
> the days of Brezhnev than I am with the new anti-American and 
> anti-gay
> policies of Putin.
>
> Kevin Moss
> Middlebury College
>
> 
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