The author is reflecting on their hatred and fear, stemming from their experiences in prison and their perception of the Russian government's corruption and authoritarianism. They specifically target their hatred at those who they believe contributed to Russia's current state, including Boris Yeltsin, Anatoly Chubais, and other "reformers" who they claim prioritized personal gain over democratic reforms. The author also criticizes the Russian media and oligarchs, such as Alexei Venediktov and Ksenia Sobchak, for their role in perpetuating corruption and election fraud.
The author's primary concern is that the Russian opposition will repeat the mistakes of the past by compromising on democratic principles and accepting authoritarianism. They emphasize the importance of staying true to oneself and tirelessly promoting democratic values, such as independent judiciary, fair elections, and equality before the law.
The author concludes by expressing their fear that the battle for principles may be lost again under the slogans of "realpolitik" and asks for feedback on how to overcome their hatred and fear. They recommend staying true to oneself and promoting democratic values as the best way to bring about positive change in Russia.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The author is 47 years old.
2. The author was one year old in 1977.
3. The author was 15 years old when Natan Sharansky's book "Fear No Evil" was published in the USSR in 1991.
4. Natan Sharansky was jailed in the USSR for nine years and was exchanged in 1986.
5. Sharansky spent 400 days in punishment cells and SHIZO.
6. Sharansky describes the arrest and investigation in his book.
7. The maximum term in the SHIZO is 15 days.
8. The author was transferred to a PKT for six months as a persistent offender.
9. In 1991, the RSFSR adopted a good concept of judicial reform.
10. In 1993, counter-reforms aimed at building a judicial vertical began.
11. An independent judiciary was not established in Russia.
12. The author was an active supporter of the presidential election of 1996.
13. The author did not like the election fraud but ignored it at the time.
14. The author believes that the fraudulent presidential election of 1996 was a turning point in Russian history.
15. Oligarch Gusinsky hired Bobkov, the deputy head of the KGB, who was responsible for persecuting dissidents.
16. Alexei Venediktov received 550 million rubles from the budget fund, which served as a common fund for the United Russia party.
17. Venediktov was in charge of the observation headquarters and directly organized the theft of votes.
18. The falsifications of the early electronic voting system have been thoroughly proven.
19. Ksenia Sobchak, Alexei Venediktov, Maxim Katz, and Kirill Martynov are mentioned as being part of the "Dream Team".
20. Kirill Martynov is a former Nashi activist and now head of Novaya Gazeta.
21. The author recommends the book "Spin Dictators" by Guriev and Treisman.
22. The author believes that democratic principles such as pragmatism, independent judiciary, fair elections, and equality of all before the law are the best mechanisms for prosperity.