In the last article I drew attention to a paradox: the nearest major event – elections to its own Parliament, its lower house. But the basic background information we like, the main thing – not within their own country, and with Ukraine, Turkey, EU, USA, NATO… And got a lot of feedback, among which the main one was in different wording repeated saying, of course, the war did not see, not understand?
This is my article appears today in the “Free press”.
The calendar, of course, may be wrong. The exact date of the sudden treacherous attack of the enemy to enter, it does and could not. And if the calendar is wrong, and inform our propagandists, opposite, right, that is, the exact date of the attack of the enemy is not yet know, but expect that this will happen before the September elections, or, alternatively, the war is already in full swing, it’s just “other forms”, then of course any criticism of commanders by soldiers at war is completely irrelevant.
Then all together solely fasten our General morale. And do not pay the slightest attention to anything more. No new difficulties when trying to obtain medical care. Neither here and there arise again the protests of employees in connection with non-payment of their salaries for six months. No noticeable fall in living standards of most people. Neither, at the same time, entire floors, according to the media (not the official media, and those with bad who are neither in the superiority of “Almaty was” neither the genius of our intentions and the greatness of the current wins do not believe), we buy it now Stalin skyscrapers, existing members of the government. Neither regular early exits from the colonies of the members of the team Serdyukov Vasilyeva – all as on selection, with ideal characteristics for good behavior and even diplomas from the administration of the colonies… despite the fact that these terrible criminals, four who wanted a referendum on the authorities ‘ responsibility, sitting without any court sentence for a whole year… No matter what it do not pay attention, with the hope that that defeat of an external enemy, but even then it’s inside with all sorts of dragons will understand.
However, in a more or less civilized world in such cases it is customary to declare martial law – like situation, when the government officially and soundly for some time is beyond criticism. And then, indeed, no referendum on the authorities ‘ responsibility (which was offered being a year in prison foursome), or elections in this period, of course, is not carried out. But then the authorities themselves must meet certain requirements. At least, not to luxuriate. And the more excuse for rigidity, with looters, including high-level, not to stand on ceremony, not to encourage them, but rather to the wall on the spot.
Or we agree with our specific special situation, incidentally, not provided even the current authoritarian Constitution when the Supreme power to criticize inappropriate (external enemy!), but all the marauders, including closest to the power – untouchable?
Insist: this is not a formality, not a passing, but very important question. And a backstory.
Let me remind you, during the First Chechen war, which began just over two decades ago for the New year with a failed attack on Grozny, it is believed that our society had supporters and opponents of the war. But there was another category, to which belonged and I: are not supporters or opponents of certain induced actions, but insisted that if the war war. That is, with the introduction of a proper constitutional regime of martial law or state of emergency, making the fighting a legal and rights of citizens, including the military, including, if you remember, thrown then by the power after you “throw in the terrible” – more protected. And, accordingly, as required by the Constitution, with public (albeit in secrecy, but before admitted to the state secret members of society – then the elected members of the Council of Federation) the rationale for conducting such a war.
But the then President Yeltsin, as you know, chose not to go to the Federation Council (which, I repeat, was then directly elected by the people of his representatives) to justify their actions. I understand why – I would have to answer uncomfortable questions, bringing to light the dirty work. In particular, sources of weapons from the Chechen side, the so-called “Chechen avizo”. Anyway we’d have to discuss the scale of corruption his entire team in which every war – like “humorous”, not real, but with rivers of blood – seriously… Instead, the then-President chose to wage war on their country as totally illegal.
Other times – other manners and problems. Now, if the intention of the President to enter in the country state of emergency or martial law, no embarrassing questions from the upper house of Parliament, and even impossible to imagine (how did we get here and why put up with such upper house of Parliament, designed with you on our behalf to resolve primarily issues of war and peace – a separate conversation). And then, with the introduction of such a provision, absolutely officially and legally any criticism of the authorities is limited, more two not collected, not awkward questions to ask the team to perform without a shadow of a doubt.
That is, if it is necessary, moreover, not only objectively, but even just a specific ruling team in its tactical interests, today it is quite possible. Not harder than to consent to the introduction of troops to Ukraine, and then, to cancel this agreement. But if not, if this is not done, if a special mode is entered, if the elections are not cancelled, then, sorry, there can not be the slightest reason for self-censorship type, unite in time of war.”
As long as emergency or martial law is not introduced, indeed, as long as there are free elections, on the contrary: any attempt, including informal, to limit the critical gaze of society on the power is just inappropriate.
Thus, not deny that we are at war. Just wars are different. Sometimes, especially with an external enemy. But sometimes, especially with the enemy internal.
Now the closest battle, not to say that the most fateful, however, elections to the State Duma.
To if any to consciously make the choice, citizens need not propaganda of stunning victories and dizziness from the unprecedented success, but objective information.
In the election citizens should, first of all, to answer one question: whether they agree with all what the authorities do on their behalf, or they are against it. Including, by the way (I emphasize this especially for the loyalists – patriots), and in terms of long-term consolidation of all of its total activities (including the ongoing socio-economic policies) or, alternatively, weakening our defense. If you agree, including the fact that the team Serdyukov Vasilyeva, almost freed from proper accountability for, indeed, socially dangerous and large-scale crimes, and only four critics of the government (group Mukhina-Barabash-Parfenov-Sokolova) is already a year in jail without trial, there is no reason to change something: who rules – they let the rule continue.
If you do not agree, if you see that the scientific and industrial-technological lag of the country from a potential enemy is growing every day, as well as tyranny against those who so the fate of the country does not agree, then only then there are options: to replace the current one, the other or the third.
But to be intelligently agree or disagree, you need to be informed. Not one-sided – having heard only the self-report of government about the tremendous victories, but objectively – hearing alternative opinions.
In these conditions is to recall the role and responsibility of journalists and media in different times, at different stages.
Yes, in the war period the war with the external enemy, before the battle is inappropriate to publicly expose shortcomings in the organization of their defense. Doing this at the moment, be the culprit.
But during the military, and a formal peace (and if on the eve of a serious battle with an external enemy, especially), when to make a choice: to vote for one or the other, to give the country one direction of development or the other, deliberately carefully hushed up and retouch the actions of those who now find themselves in power, to give people the illusion of unprecedented success and thereby not allow them to objectively assess the situation – is not exactly the same or maybe even more dangerous and serious crime?
