Why is NPR only skeptical of governments that don't like privatization?

[AP]

I just heard a story about Putin on NPR. I've noticed that ever since he arrested those crooks who were running the private oil company, NPR has suddenly become really critical of Putin. I remember in fall 2001 they started doing the same thing with Chavez.

Similarly, the week before the Haitian coup they did a week-long series on vodoo (the tone of which was that some people from those more temperate climates are just so unsophisticated, it's amazing that we even let them run their own governments!).

One of the funny things about today's story about Putin was that it was criticizing him for restricting the press. For me, as an American, if you want sympathy for your point of view, don't start from the position that the poor media are the victims (does NPR know how much cable costs?).

I'm much more likely to respond to an argument that the poor people are being ripped off by private corporations and that their governments either don't care or are lending a hand. (Do you know how much cable costs?!)

[Imperialism Inc.]

1. Beats me.

I don't know much about what Putin did. I'd like to though, got a link? In general though, capitalism has devastated large portions of the Russian population. The thing that makes me the most sick is the organized kiddie porn the Russian government seems to turn a blind eye to. That is just about the only pre-911 effort I would have supported Bush/Ashcroft on. But then I'm sure there was some angle involved in it for them. Probably wanted a slice of the kick-backs.