The fact that we are comparing apples with oranges is not really helping. In 1981 of course we would (lazily) talk of Russia when we meant The Soviet Union. When we talk of Russia today, we tend to mean Russia and not the many others countries that were then under that Soviet umbrella. The whole current situation is a result of the methods used to keep that Soviet ( but largely Russian) Empire together. It is all a little confusing.

Given the lessons of The Battle of Stalingrad, what the Russian military are currently trying to achieve is difficult for me to understand?

The song also reminds me, to a small extent only, of some of the simplistic attitudes adopted toward the Soviet Union. I am always struck by the reluctance of those, of my father's generation, who believed in the principles of Socialism, to accept that some elements of the Soviet and Chinese models of Socialist government were as bad (in practice) as the Fascist systems they fought against in World War 2. I had little difficulty in agreeing with my father's view of Hitler but whilst myself, readily supporting those same Socialist principles, I was puzzled for some time with the view of Stalin that he tried to convey to me.

The more information I later received about Stalin, the more in horror I became of him and his influence and the more puzzled I became by those who attempted to minimise or apologise for his terrible legacy. I note too how artists like Woody Guthrie were also slow to adjust to the realities of this Communism, as practised, after supporting it most of their lives.

The following is a quote from Dick himself on his updated website, on a link to The Mudcat. "Superb site, in every way. Some members only areas but membership is free"