Breaking : Russia has been barred from the 2018 Winter Games for systematic doping.

[pangaia]

18. It is a complicated issue to which I can not provide a simple answer,

not suggesting that I DO know THE answer.

The Russians I know are almost all highly educated, artistic types, in many cases widely traveled. They are not fooled by Putin et al, but at the same time also see clearly that America is not just the goodie, goodie two-shoes that too many Americans think 'we' are. There IS a .. 'west vs east' battle going on, if I can put it that way.
Any political discussions we have, which are seldom, always are enlightening to me, whether we agree on something or not.
And yes, there are those who think trump might be a good thing for America.. Of course, they have no idea what is really happening here, which surprises me. BUT, how many 'educated' Americans have any idea what is going on with Putin?

I have one close friend who grew up in St. Petersburg, had to leave the country for political reasons, can not go back and now lives in Den Haag.

And then there are the... 'unwashed masses,' just like here, who haven't a clue. Why do they support Putin? Why do our unwashed masses support trump? I think there are many more of theirs than ours..

Anyway-- those are just some thoughts on the matter.