Show off your presence

Leonid Radzikhovsky's article takes the form of a “personal letter” to M.M. Kasyanov. Like Leonid Aleksandrovich, I also know Mikhail Mikhailovich. But, of course, he is not familiar under the name B. Souvarine. Therefore, I cannot write him a personal letter. But I think it is necessary to discuss the topic.

My position is directly opposite to the point of view of the respected L.R.

The democratic opposition has no right to commit suicide under any pretext. It is clear that public capitulation - no matter how it is framed - is a step towards suicide. Political suicide is, after all, “dividing oneself into parts,” a gradual process. But running away from elections is an important step in self-destruction.

You don't need to do this.

The motives given by Mr. Radzikhovsky are both witty and, what is much more important, quite real.

Yes, in the comedy “False Dmitry and the Bears,” composed in the Kremlin, there is a role for “internal enemies.” The role is the most important, no doubt. The Kremlin does not know how to solve real problems, but it loves to launch counterattacks against designated opponents. Having lost their point of repulsion, Kremlin directors can freeze with their mouths open - there is nowhere to swear, and the Lord has not vouchsafed them any other words. If all the actors who were cast for the role of the Villain-Liberal disappear on the opening day, then the play will tilt. Yes, stories about “who is to blame” replace - according to the approved text of the comedy - the search for answers to the much more nasty question “what to do?” And if these last questions, nevertheless, suddenly sound on stage, then the Kremlin can only blow bubbles in response. All this is true. Let's say so.

But this is not a reason to accept the logic of the Kremlin writers and simply try, within the framework of this logic, to pour sand (falling from the opposition) onto the rails in front of the victorious steam locomotive "ER". The opposition must have its own logic, because the opposition - unlike Zyuganov and Co. - must, must be an independent political force, and not an obedient (or disobedient) pawn in someone else’s hand.

The logic of the opposition is extremely simple - we will leave complex games to professional Kremlin scammers. “We are telling the truth. We say it as loud as we can. We always say it. This is our mission. God is with us." All.

If you don’t have this faith, you need to join United Russia. In the opposition in today's Russia, without such faith, without such Don Quixote pathos, without such internal intensity, there is simply nothing to do. Today there is no place in the opposition for diplomats, intriguers, or rockers. There is only room left for fighters. When the fighters win, according to the law of nature, they will be supplanted by the “eagles of the second convoy,” but before that, oh, how far away... Storm the wall with your forehead - this is the most practical thing today.

Only for this you need to believe in yourself and your mission. Does the wall seem rotten? She is rotten. And if you don’t believe in it, then really leave. (In advance, to calm the ardor of gentlemen provocateurs: by “attack the wall” I mean only, uniquely, exclusively strictly legal actions in the elections of the President of the Russian Federation.)

“Theory has no right to set a limit to daring.” People break out of the circle of logical flags through a living effort of will.

“I tell you sincerely and in a friendly manner. Judge. Where and why will you go now that you can stay here? One of two things awaits you (he gathered the skin above his left temple): either you don’t reach the army and peace will be concluded, or defeat and disgrace with the entire Kutuzov army.” Here is L.R.’s “sincere and friendly” (I have no doubt!) and capitulating judgment.

And here is the answer of Prince Andrei, to whom this speech is addressed: “I am going in order to save the army.”

Yes, “be realistic, demand the impossible.”

Now from heaven to earth.

Does the Kremlin benefit from the participation of the opposition in the elections? Yes. But their capitulation is also beneficial to the Kremlin. “You see, there is nothing to object to. Well, there is no alternative - except for the hoarse muttering of Zyuganov, with his 15% of grandmothers.” Yes, their play needs a bad guy. But “the shadow of the bad guy will also replace him” - well, they’ll rewrite the play, just think.

Is it unprofitable for the Kremlin to not have Kasyanov for whipping? Yes, it's not profitable. But if the match is not fixed, then Kasyanov’s presence may also turn out to be, oh, how unprofitable, and what’s more - downright dangerous for the Kremlin!

This is the case if the whipping boy “rises from his knees” or does not stand on them at all, but begins to beat him. “Whipping boy” - only in the opposite sense!

And there is room to hit.

These are absolutely specific, feasible, and quite popular proposals from the opposition candidate.

First. Immediate (from the fall of 2008) abolition of conscription slavery. To do this, if necessary, reformat the 2008 budget. Simultaneous introduction of social benefits for those who served in the army: admission to universities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, etc.

Second. A firm statement that there will be no compulsory study of religion in schools. Russia remains a secular state. No one dares to touch the Constitution, which prohibits “compulsory ideology,” under any false pretexts.

Third. A law on the Presidential Administration will be developed and submitted to the Duma, which will once and for all outline the range of rights and responsibilities of this mysterious department.

Fourth. Live broadcasts are being restored on all TV channels.

Fifth. The Duma is asked to revise the election laws, in terms of restoring the election of deputies in majoritarian districts.

These are the simplest demands, without the slightest demagoguery, but very popular among a considerable part of voters. Neither Zyuganov, nor even the “others” will demand anything like that.

And try to answer these proposals “you are a fool yourself, 2%, what did you do before 2000, an agent of Berezovsky and the CIA...”. Try it - you yourself will be a fool and you will find yourself in the eyes of all non-fools. But there are still enough of them in Russia. Certainly more than 2%!

And after this, against the background of such proposals, there is already a general assessment that Russia is steadily and vigorously riding on two pipes towards economic and socio-political collapse, if it does not change its course - such an assessment becomes significant. May inspire confidence. Or at least make you not just scold, but think.

“One word of truth will conquer the whole world.” The fight between the opposition and the authorities is just a direct experiment to test the one and only saying: “God is not in power, but in truth.” The authorities have perverted themselves so stupidly, brazenly, pathetically, especially in the last year, that a simple, clear, honest conversation can have almost the same effect as it had in 1989. Then, too, it suddenly became clear that there was no need to lie. And the people believed - and the walls of Jericho began to shake and collapse.

“Not your time,” says L.R. May be. Or maybe not - time will tell. But time without us is empty. Make time, “rotate the Earth” - and don’t be afraid.

Perhaps Kasyanov simply will not collect 2 million signatures. It may not be registered. Anything is possible.

But capitulation is impossible. “Don’t lose heart, Lieutenant Golitsyn, cornet Obolensky put on your medals.”

We must break the inertia of defeat at any cost.

It won't work? Well, there's nothing to lose. And this feeling of pressing your shoulder blades against the wall is the key to success. Now it’s just forward, there’s nowhere to go back, it’s a shame to ask for pardon.

And success is possible - if you believe in it. Then others will believe it too. Kasyanov must “show off” with his presence. Otherwise, it’s really better not to go.