PUTIN AND STONE. THE FINAL EPISODE.

Finally had a chance today to watch the part four of the Oliver Stone, Putin interviews. I’m not sure why Stone arranged the entire production in a way that mixed interviews from 2105 with interviews from 2016 and 17. It may have been along topic lines and I just didn’t pay attention to the format. Having said that, it was interesting to me to see the body language of Putin towards Stone in 2015, compared to their meetings in 17. It seemed over time, the approach didn’t really differ as much as it did over topic. When the issue of the Russian accusation of interference in the 2016 US elections came up, Mr. Putin was completely prepared to give a very convincing opinion from the Russian side of the fence. His mannerisms were very well balanced by his position on the topic.  For Stone, the issue was clear cut, his preferred candidate, Hillary, was defeated and the Russians had something to do with it.  The Russians had done their homework in preparation for this phase of the program. They knew Stone was far more in Clinton’s camp than in Trumps. It was almost as if Stone was looking for answers as to why his candidate was beaten with the help of Mr. Putin. Putin’s response was something that had to cut right to the heart of the whole topic. What the Hackers had exposed was just how corrupt the US political process was! Was that an attempt to favor Trump over Clinton? Was that Putin’s way of saying, “Don’t blame us for someone exposing what is wrong in the US”? As a matter of fact, at one point, that is exactly the point Mr. Putin made! Brilliant!

The Tsar. Ruthless, cunning, willing to bend the rules. Obsessed with power. Willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Is that definition truly any different than Trump, Clinton, Obama, Kennedy, Johnson, ect….ect…ect? Is the very nature of government the quest for power? Gaining power. Keeping power. Preventing others from power? One man’s Terrorist is another man’s Revolutionary, not true but often said. What truly is the difference between Putin and Joe Biden or Hillary or Donald? Is there truly a moral barrier that separates them all? If there is, whose perception sets the standard? When Putin gave his opinion as to why the Russians continue to be blamed for interfering in the 2016 election, something Stone believes, his point struck home with me. It happen to be an opinion I’ve contemplated on my own. The whole issue is nothing more than an attempt to delegitimize Trump’s Presidency. Out of the question? Really? So, US politics is not capable of such an act?

2000 and 2012:

Did the US interfere with the elections in 2012? The answer Stone recived surprised him. 2000 and 2012! Homework was done by the Stone team. Show the US President and Vice President openly stating the US would retaliate and then tying those statements into an attack that impacted the Russian banking system was a great segment of this interview. Did the Russians bring that up for Stone to investigate or did Stone come up with that part on his own? The message was clear. The US openly interfered in Russian politics and yet the US political machine was shocked by what took place in 2016. Just how silly does the US look in the eyes of the rest of the world? Are the Democrats in the US so upset their person lost that they are willing to continue to make the US look like fools to the rest of the world? Yep. I think they are that upset.  This whole segment on actions by the US vs the Russians and actions by the Russians against the US was very well done and I don’t like giving someone like Stone kudos. Putin’s ability to show his viewpoint not only on the US elections, but on cyber activities by the US was very well played. He was ready for this part of the interview and I cannot imagine he was not pleased with the outcome. So much so that at the end of the interview, Putin told stone he was going to get in trouble for making this four part program. Interesting.

Russians Don’t Scare Easy:

Does Stone really understand the Russian people? No! He may have done his homework on Russian history, but he failed to understand the culture that lives within the Russian Nation. At one point in the interview, Stone made the comment the Russian people should be scared of where the whole issue of Cyber warfare may lead. Mr. Putin’s answer was quick and blunt. “The Russian people don’t scare”! Stone laughed and then said, “Sure”! Why would the Tsar make that statement so quickly? Why would that be his response to what Stone said? Why did that response surprise Stone? Because he doesn’t understand the Russian mindset? Because he doesn’t understand the Tsar’s vision of what Russia truly is; a thousand year old country that can endure anything? Stone may have made this documentary, but Putin controlled its outcome.

So why did he do it?

What made Putin spend the amount of time he did on this event? Why did he put up with Stone’s ego trip? Was he worried over what Stone was trying to achieve? Did he think Stone was simply manipulating him for his own bragging rights back in the US? What made putting up with someone like Oliver Stone worth it to the Tsar? More importantly, did he achieve it?

Here is my take and I have followed Mr. Putin’s actions for years. When he gets up in the morning, he doesn’t check on his personal bank account. He doesn’t call his Broker and get an update on his financial wealth. He doesn’t attend dedications to national parks developed in his name. Yes, he has his ego trips, but his drive is not his ego. His drive, his commitment is Russia. Russia must achieve greatness. Russia must be viewed as a world leader that cannot be taken lightly. Russia must be respected by those who have expended so much energy and blood to prevent these goals from being achieved. Russia is not out to control the world, but the Russian people come first. Yes. Putin is a Nationalist! One of the most skilled political leaders to ever have worn the title of “ Nationalist”! This three year dance with Stone had one objective. Move the Russian ball forward. Vladimir Putin is driven! Vladimir Putin is completely committed to his vision of Russia. Everyone in this world who must deal with him needs to understand this. He is not Obama. He is not Clinton. He is not Trump. He is a man the world can learn to work with or be prepared to challenge his vision. Obama and Clinton chose to challenge him. The movement behind that challenge transcends US politics. Putin will not compromise his vision. He will not accept a lesser than Russia. Is the rest of the world as committed as he is? Is the rest of the world willing to see what consequences may come?  I’ve said it for over ten years now. The Tsar is the most dynamic leader in the world. Learning to live and work with him is a not just a challenge, it’s a responsibility. What does the Post Putin Russia look like? Don’t bring that topic up where he can hear it! 

I wonder how this show was viewed in the land of the Dragon?