USA and Russia Thread

First off if any Russians or people with experience in Russia see this post I would really like your input on this.

I am an American, born after the cold war. I was not there for the anti-communism that spread through the country. I wasn't there for the nuclear fallout drills. I wasn't there for any of it. But to this day I see it's repercussions everywhere. Media and School especially.

Many of my textbooks in my schools history classes (or Government, Social Studies, etc.) had what seemed to be leftover cold war propaganda, or as some of you may know it "America good - everyone else bad!"

In the media it seems to be even more abundant. Mainly in video games now *cough* MW2, BFBC2 *cough* And in older television shows that are still on the air such as Airwolf and I Spy. Movies do it as well, Iron Man has always been big anti-Russian/communism.

My point is, it always seems that Russia is the default bad guy. The way I see it, our (USA & Russia) Governments have a rivalry, our military's seem to have a smaller rivalry, but our people don't. I met a Russian immigrant that was attending Ohio State University, and we never had any problems. And in one of my old Counter Strike 1.6 clans we had a Russian (who lived in COLORADO of all places lol). It seems to me that everyday American/Russian citizens can get along just fine with no problems, so why can't our Governments? Is it a pride thing? I'm not sure.

I'm also curious, is it the reverse for Russian media? Are Americans often portrayed as the bad guy?

Either way, it seems to me that all people in this world are the same deep down. We all like to spend time with friends, eat, laugh, celebrate. I don't honestly see why we can't at least settle most of our differences, and that goes for everyone!

What do you guys think? And please, keep it mature.

****

Edited by: Flash112

Somewhat relevant: Moddb.com

I never realized that my old school textbooks were biased, and sometimes had outright lies. The people that wrote those textbooks are probably a little older than middle aged and more than likely lived during the cold war. Of course they'll be subjected to bias. I may even make a bet most influential people in your life were somehow impacted by the cold war.

Edited by: JustDaveIsFine

It's the same with everything though, doesn't matter what nation you are. I have a great Russian friend aswell as other nations and I've met Russians during nights out and things like that. At the end of the day people are people and we are all pretty much the same when it comes to human values (such as family and friends) and 99% of the time government beliefs don't represent the majority of peoples opinions.

There are a lot of different beliefs and religions in the world that sometimes hold us back but it's really all about misunderstanding each other. Even during war time you have to remember that each person on that battlefield doesn't necessarily want to be there or believe in what they are fighting for - most of the time the same kind of thoughts are flowing through both peoples heads at the same time; family at home; hoping their friend doesn't die; worrying about seeing there children again and so on. They're just doing there job, doing what they signed up for.

There obviously are a few people who are outright patriotic warmongerers and there are people that do hold grudges against other nations. But there really isn't a need for it and for the world to really move forward as one through the future problems we will face, we really need to believe in each other and respect each other and not draw small conclusions. Many times if our governments make decisions we have to follow them and hold belief they are doing the right thing. In some way most things that happen are going on for a reason that most people don't know about. The military do gather all kinds of intelligence and reasons for things that the general population don't know about that may give more justice to why we do things than what we know of. But then again it's most likely that large government contracts, control over supplies, corporate influences and corporate dominance are what dictates war these days. They do say money is the route of all evil. If its the case of say, the chinese controlling the area (lets say an oil controlled area) with all its chinese oil corporations controlling the contracts, or whether its american corporations controlling the area and its contract, its obvious governments will get involved with that sort of thing. These sorts of things happen on a daily basis on all scales (with many other similar types of 'control), mostly unseen to the eye of the public.

However, unless the world can start bringing itself together and unless the people are outspoken I don't see anything getting better anytime soon. It's great many nations are starting to bond a lot more than in history but when it comes to survival or thick and thin those 'alliances' will go out the window. I don't think the world has learnt anything yet and there will be another major war before this century is over. There are going to be a lot of problems we are faced with in future that will effect world peace and understanding like growing cases of militant islam extremists, controlling oil supplies, controlling mass immigrations, stabalising the middle east, providing enough food and water to growing populations and much much more. We might all be quite peaceful at the moment, but as with anything one chain can snap the tail and everything in it's path gets whipped and brang in to involvement - with all values and understanding going out the window.

Edited by: Tetsuo3

There is no reason for anyone to believe that a group of people is good or bad based on their origin, nationality, race, religion &c. I understand Flash why he sees a lot of Russians as idiots, but this is probably due to specific "shared" history, coexistence and difference in religion nothing else nothing more.

I think in most media portrayals of the 'Russians' are greatly exaggerated, and they're used because developers can use historic notions to their advantage sometimes they address this with the idea that they are Communist Russian Extremists trying to re-ignite the cold war, this is easier to do because than, well, (and this is a hyperbole) we couldn't have the French starting WW3 for Napoleon, and the same with the Nazi's, the USSR is a more recent (and major) party that's all there really is to it.

On another note we can see a similar development with Terrorist groups as bad guys, and this may take over from the Russians being the biggest recent threat in entertainment media.

Нет вражды между НАСЕЛЕНИЕМ России и США!!! Вражду разжигают политики и идиоты, которые верят политикам.

Edited by: 3dmark06

***

Edited by: Flash112

Well, in Hollywood it tends to be the British playing your villains.

Edited by: 8472

Well my friends its easy. People got used to Russia being the villains and lets face it, Russia still is a superpower in some way or the other. And I believe if the Americans switch and make the Chinese the baddies without Jackie Chan saving the world WW3 would break out.

Don't know If you translated what 3dmark06 talk above, but I agree with him. My opinion is that all problems in goverment. Current Russian goverment is the realy bad guys. They just steal moneys and lie to ppls =( And we (Russian ppl) cann't do anything to stop it( The "leader" of this chaus is Vladimir Putin, he was a president for ten years then he understood that president not control to much and become a prime minister. The current president is Dmitry Medvedev who is "friend" of Putin. In someway Medvedev stops Putin, but anyway they are both on one side. And the our party - United Russia the core of evil. Nothing cann't change this. Yes, ppl "vote for them" they always win. Too bad... But we have ppl who spend all time to stop this, they saying to ppls true and I hope they will the our next politicians.

That there were no problems, I will clarify that under the lies and the truth I mean the problems inside Russia and not against other countries*

For example: violation of the constitution and people's rights.
If an official shot down a man he just may pay a bribe and did not go to prison. For the officials large sums of money not a problem.*
We didn't know that 100% but how can we explain that after he killed ppl he didn't go to prison?

Very sorry for my bad english =[
PS: Yes, I'm Russian.

*Google translator

Terrabit, I remeber I was talking to my teammate on my mod, who is also Russian, he was telling me how an official spoke out in front of the president and called him something I think, or he was extremely rude to him. And within a week that man was fired and something else I can't remember, have you heard of that? Also I find it extremely interesting how our countries get along or not so along so I will fly there someday to see for myself.
And also not to get to critical but he said that Putin was the best president you people had in a while and Medveddev is just a "Dictator" in some cases. Or maybe its in reverse, but can you clarify on how you guys "Like your presidents" and what promises they make in order to get votes. Here in America our president pretty much says "We will fix health care, cheapen oil prices, and create clean and natural energy to fit our needs."
Also I almost find it disgusting on how Americans querulous behavior about the president being bad, our country was in a very bad situation before Obama went into office, I am not praising him nor did I think hes our savior but I think hes doing perfectly fine on the lines of our economy. Our economy was complete Sht before he was president now it is just a little crappy, it's a definite improvement so i'm happy.
I'm a upperclassman in highschool so I always wish something would happen so our views are changed about where we live, all I hear from other people in Highschool and College are "Our president is a complete Sht head", or "I gotta get out of this place (City, State, Country)." They are basically complaining about where they live even though people like in Russia have it 100x times worse (But you know they still get on with their lives happily.).
Alright well enough of my complaints anyone have anything else to say? I read everything here because I know they're people in different countries that come on Moddb, and despite all of our different views we get along very well.

Icedecknight wrote: ...And within a week that man was fired and something else I can't remember, have you heard of that?

Mmm... no, sorry I didn't heard of that.

Icedecknight wrote: but can you clarify on how you guys "Like your presidents" and what promises they make in order to get votes. Here in America our president pretty much says "We will fix health care, cheapen oil prices, and create clean and natural energy to fit our needs."

Our presidents promise fix actual problems for to day to get votes, like do apartment/houses prices cheaper and so on. Last two presidents made around 20% that they promised. imo Medvedev little better then Putin.

PS: Cann't say they are "Dictators". Stalin is dictator. They much much better =]

Well the way I see a dictator is someone who wants to stay in power, not really do bad things. Stalin on the other hand was what you would call a "Tyrant". Anyways thanks for your POV.

All you need is love, remember that. As Charlie Sheen said, "Love your neighbor and love your enemy".