So...who do you think killed the Russian spy?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 06:16 AM

I can't figure it out...on one hand, polonium 210 is made in a nuclear reactor, so it probably came from a country, and with the string of moscow critics dying, it seems likely it was a hit by moscow. On the other hand, if Putin wanted to silence a critic, then why would he kill the guy slowly, allowing him to talk, and use a method which points back to the russian government?

WTF?

I saw a doctor on the news saying polonium 210 is toxic, but toxic because it causes cancer, not because you ingest it and it kills you.

So here's my new theory: Someone tried to give this guy polonium 210 to cause him cancer, hoping that the origin of the cancer would be assumed natural. They wanted to silence another critic, but because it was starting to look obvious they were offing critics, they needed a more 'natural-looking' method. However, something went wrong and the guy was given a huge overdose which made it obvious he was poisoned with the substance.

OR

The doctor said he thinks the victim may have had some sort of bone marrow problem which aggrivated the polonium, because there's no record of anyone ever being killed by polonium 210 like this. So maybe the guy was given the proper dose normally need to stealthily cause cancer, but because of a preexisting condition, fell critically ill in an obvious way.

6SpeedTA95 · 11-26-2006, 12:32 PM

Vladamir Putin did it, at least thats my take.

RMNIXON · 11-26-2006, 04:20 PM

Russian Intelligence Service. I am impressed with the way they did it. They are sending a message. We wont just shoot you, we will give you a horrible death. And this is also very much the practice of the old KGB. This guy was former Intel so he is probably a turncoat in their view. The KGB were much worse to their own people who they thought were acting against them than American or British Intel!

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

Russian Intelligence Service. I am impressed with the way they did it. They are sending a message. We wont just shoot you, we will give you a horrible death. And this is also very much the practice of the old KGB. This guy was former Intel so he is probably a turncoat in their view. The KGB were much worse to their own people who they thought were acting against them than American or British Intel!

Interesting theory, but in sending him a message, they also sent the rest of the world a message they're silencing their critics. You think Russian Intelligence simply doesn't care if the rest of the world knows? I have no idea, but I'd assume they'd try to be as discrete as possible with silencing criticism, given Putin is at least trying to make Russia's situation appear democratic.

motivez · 11-26-2006, 04:43 PM

Well, why would they care if the rest of the world knows?

If you look at what's been going on in Russia, there has been a string of deaths related to vocal critics of Putin.. including that journalist that's gotten so much press.

We've known for quite awhile that Putin has been reverting Russia into a less free country when it comes to free press, etc.. and these events are just a next step..

The real question is really where do these steps lead?

They've been interfering with regional neighbors and making strategic alliances with countries like Iran to ensure their sphere of influence stays the same (or even increases) in an effort to counter the US

I find it very interesting from a geopolitical standpoint, especially as the US transitions away from a Bush Presidency / foreign policy

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Well, why would they care if the rest of the world knows?

The same reason they don't want the world to know about what goes on in Chechnya-- they want the rest of the world off their backs.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 05:15 PM

motivez · 11-26-2006, 05:19 PM

They've been pretty overt about actions when it comes to Iran, the military games with China, etc.. I think they're done worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about their actions.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

They've been pretty overt about actions when it comes to Iran, the military games with China, etc.. I think they're done worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about their actions.

Then why would they kill that journalist who was criticizing them about Chechnya if they don't care about what the rest of the world thinks?

motivez · 11-26-2006, 05:35 PM

Not caring what the rest of the world thinks doesn't mean they don't want her ideas to start resonating with the rest of the Russian population.

Better to kill her off and silence her ideas in Russia

6SpeedTA95 · 11-26-2006, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

They've been pretty overt about actions when it comes to Iran, the military games with China, etc.. I think they're done worrying about what the rest of the world thinks about their actions.

You are correct on that note, they made that obvious two days ago by selling arms to Iran.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-26-2006, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

Not caring what the rest of the world thinks doesn't mean they don't want her ideas to start resonating with the rest of the Russian population.

Better to kill her off and silence her ideas in Russia

Well if they only care about not looking bad in front of Russians, then that's all the more reason they would've killed the guy quickly instead of slowly poisoning him, allowing him to talk, and making it obvious to all Russians that the president is killing critics. That they did this because they only care about what Russians think doesn't really make sense. It's counter productive, because it'll create a backlash among Russians and the rest of the world to boot.

You know, once you think of it like that, Putin's explanation that it was done to make him look bad starts to sound more credible.