"Now", it's turning into a police state?

He says it like yesteryears were much better than today. Prior to today, Russia was in a sorry shape and had much worse ethical human rights standards than today. Not to mention they weren't that different from either political prisoners or within their own army (seen those Russian army abuse clips?).

So what the heck is Kasparov talking about? After a little research and talking to few Russian friends, none of what he claims are really true. And you guys are just eating this up without proper research.

All I know is that Kasparov is smarter than that. And he's probably just making a 'statement' about the Russian government, warning them not to make the same mistakes that others in history has made by going all out and giving power to one good leader. Kasparov probably agrees that what Putin is doing is good for Russia. But he's probably more worried about what happens AFTER Putin, when some dolt takes over with all the same amount of power Putin was able to wield, but half his brain. If history teaches us anything, it's that after a great leader centralizes power, the state goes into disarray once he is gone, and nobody with equal amount of intelligence and capability is able to take his place. So ultimately it creates a big power vacuum, throwing the nation into yet another chaos.

So in order to prevent that disaster from happening, he's warning people not to give so much power to Putin, even though he's doing a good job right now, and to think ahead for th future of Russia. A true Chess player, thinking way up ahead. That's what I believe personally.

Ya. I wish him luck.

Legacy said it Oh so Well. Plus one should watch out for Fox-style-anti-putin-russia-cold-war crap that seems to be more and more the norm.

I totally disagree with Legacy. Putin is reversing the move to democracy and free market reforms in Russia. He has taken over control of the news media and will likely rubber stamp the next election. Instead of what could have happened....a move to true free elections with a free market system that provides good jobs to people. Its back to a dictator again. Probably another cold war along with it.

Wow legacy, you asked a few russian friends and you have a personal opinion? Wow.

drpawns totally right. i think people can see slight improvements of certain aspects to quality of life and attribute that to a government's total police state control. some things are naturally improving over time for individuals everywhere, but that doesn't stop it being a bad idea to increasingly restrict peoples freedoms.

"If history teaches us anything, it's that after a great leader centralizes power, the state goes into disarray once he is gone, and nobody with equal amount of intelligence and capability is able to take his place." - legacy0100

So... history teaches us that great leaders create a completely unsustainable political system? That's great!

Amazing the differant ideas people have. I didnt know that anyone really favored non free market systems anymore. I didnt think they show up here. Well I guess thats good though.