Sad! In a sign of, collapsing social order and burgeoning paranoia brought on by Putin's military failures in Ukraine, Russians are ratting out fellow Russians in increasing numbers:
All over Russia, it’s open season on anyone. All it takes is a quick suggestion that they said something against Putin, the war, or the Russian military. Or a claim that they were caught saying anything favorable about Ukraine. No evidence required. Rat Season has only been boosted by new legislation that has upped penalties and added even more restrictions about what it’s permissible to say.
Russians are ratting Russians out in such numbers that even attorneys are fed up over dealing with the cases. Those who have long harbored a grudge are using this as an opportunity to get back at the guy they didn’t think was respectful enough in the local bar, or the neighbor who played his music too loud.
And the worse things get in Ukraine, the more “traitors” they’re going to find.
That sounds like the definition of a downward spiral.
The author offers some anecdotal evidence of the betrayals, based on more expansive reporting from an independent Russian news organization, Verstka Media.
It's something of a cultural and political tradition in Russia to spy and inform on your neighbors or anyone you screw for, as the author puts it, "fun, profit and pure spite." Having never had a "democracy" for more than a blink in their long history, generally speaking Russians have become paranoid both in their personal orbits and in their national policies. Just as their neighbor is out to report them, the West is surely out to "get" Russia. Better to do unto others before they do unto you.
Make no mistake: we have a conspiracy and grievance culture in this country that could rival any other, including Russia. The same broken people who demonize others for their misfortunes, harbor racist or anti- Semitic feelings, etc., and believe a strong authoritarian (who alone can "fix" it) is the answer, exist in both countries and elsewhere around the world. But the big difference is that in Putin's Russia it's a behavior encouraged and facilitated by the regime, something that we could easily see in this country should the unhinged Malignant Loser or a fascist clone be empowered to seek "retribution" on his opponents.
(Photo: No paranoia here! Chief rat meets with military advisors/ Aleksey Nikolskyi, Sputnik, Kremlin, Shutterstock)
