Every state that romanticizes warriors, soldiers, shows that they need public support for a war. The second tag on Hubski is apt, jF: it's nothing but misleading the public into believing soldiers are brave because what they're fighting is evil — therefore, war is good because the soldiers are getting rid of evil.

It was... "surprising", perhaps not, but confusing at first to find that other countries don't celebrate the Great Fatherland War (which, for some reason, is being translated as "Great Patriotic"). Why wouldn't they? We defeated fascism, right?..

It was around that time that I started figuring out just how militaristic — and undesirable overall in its internal politics — Russia is. We praise men for passing their conscription service — and the incidents of abuse, violence and murder that keep happening on the service (which is only hanging out around the barracks between the training)? "That's just the way it is". Sure: lock up a few dozen young men with their blood still boiling and hormones pumping and see how many limbs you are getting away with.

Russia needs soldiers.

Someone asked me about military service in Russia. I explained how Russia thinks every other country is against it, so it has to prepare for assault at any time. "But that's insane!" — the person replied. Exactly. None of that is on paper: it's all in the air. Most of y'all reading this are my supposed enemies — or, at least, my country describes you as such. I said earlier on Hubski that the mainstream media and the "discussion" around it doesn't distinguish between the state and the people. "That's ridiculous", some of you replied. "Nobody thinks the people are a threat".

Yes. Yes, they do — and that is terrifying to think about: being swayed from one direction to another by a whim of the people governing the people. "Them Americans are stupid! Fighting against Trump with them false accusations, the media attacking him" — arguing so while conveniently (or blatantly, right in front of your face) forgetting every counterargument.

Are military parades a thing in the US? 'cause they're a thing there. The 9th of May. Come visit. Every screen in the country turns into a high-resolution streaming device for the Red Square's Mighty Parade of Power.

Instead here, nobody mourns the dead soldiers much. Technically, we're not at war.

Meanwhile:

March 18th, 2018 [presidential election in Russia]

Strong President — Strong Russia!