I am European and I think Western Civilisation in America has come to and End. It is evident.

After reading Trostnikov's piece, my only reaction is: Are you kidding. This is no more an alternative point of view than Intelligent Design. Trostnikov seems to lack even minimal understanding of either American politics or American culture. I've read other pieces by this fellow and have generally had the same reaction.

Isn't he the one who predicts that the U.S. will be split into 4 or 5 nations by 2012?

It's important that we see ourselves as others see us, but, for pity's sake, please insure that the “others” are looking through clear lenses.

Richard York

dr.e

It's so obvious and apparent to onlookers outside their country.

I've met a few russians in recent years. They all share a common bond in their personaities: the women are timid, timid and fearful of authority in any form, even in one on one with other people they almost always see as dominant. The men are also timid but express it in latent anger and chronic complaining…the type of thing you'd expect from a passive-aggressive man. They've done no service by their country pressuring their populace this way.

The idea of communism is a good one, as long as morality accompanies it. The idea of capitalism is a good one, as long as morality accompanies it. But either type of government without morality is doomed to failure because of the inevitable and nearly irresistable lure of people aspiring to tyrannical positions of power and influence.

The thing about Obama is that he isn't a tyrant. He's not a perfect person. No one is. He's made some real blunders and stepped on some toes on the way up. But where Putin and Bush seem utterly recalcitrant in the pursuit of self-reflection, introspection and self-improvement, Obama is thoughtful, repentant and open to new ways of doing things that improve the common condition of mankind as a whole and not just himself (as maybe he started out doing).

The russians underestimate the inner core of Americans. We will return to morality. Perhaps not puritan, protestant, christian or other religious dogmatic professed-but-not-actualized morality, but instead a real and actualized one…more practical…realizing we must all get along to make things flow smoothly. An elective communism so-to-speak.

I'd like to see Russia back off it's people and allow the same thing to blossom.

dr.e