Point is, they didn't have enough people like you willing to execute their orders and plans. Top generals are powerless unless they have an army who is willing to follow their orders and impose their will.
I think it was missteps on the part of the coup plotters, as well as the destruction that Gorbachev had wrought on the bureaucracy and the party. You are correct in the general statement, but wrong about the specifics.
The coup plotters were sweating profusely and never looked like they were going to succeed. That is not a situation where your orders are going to be obeyed. It is different for the established order.
Will Russian government officials really support cracking down on the Russian people when babushkas are screaming and crying at them to not send her sons to die when they show up to arrest them?
Absolutely. What illusions you have about Russian government officials, and any government officials. It's touching, sort of a fairy tale Disney view of the world that is common in the West. But they are mercenaries. They will shoot you in the neck if told to do so.
Enforcing orders like that is walking a tightrope. Too gentle and too harsh and both fail states.
Correct.
All it takes is one rifle butt to the babushka to go viral on telegram and start a revolution.
Revolutions do not start over babushkas. The people are powerless. You and I are powerless. No unified ruling order has ever fallen to a revolution. If you hope for a revolution, you should look to Russian elites, who are the only ones who will make it happen - and even then, Putin will be replaced by someone who is more firm, not more obsequious to the EOL.
I think it was missteps on the part of the coup plotters, as well as the destruction that Gorbachev had wrought on the bureaucracy and the party. You are correct in the general statement, but wrong about the specifics.
The coup plotters were sweating profusely and never looked like they were going to succeed. That is not a situation where your orders are going to be obeyed. It is different for the established order.
Absolutely. What illusions you have about Russian government officials, and any government officials. It's touching, sort of a fairy tale Disney view of the world that is common in the West. But they are mercenaries. They will shoot you in the neck if told to do so.
Correct.
Revolutions do not start over babushkas. The people are powerless. You and I are powerless. No unified ruling order has ever fallen to a revolution. If you hope for a revolution, you should look to Russian elites, who are the only ones who will make it happen - and even then, Putin will be replaced by someone who is more firm, not more obsequious to the EOL.
Idk man the balkans started genociding each other over a dude putting a bottle up his ass.
Dude, you're smart enough to distinguish between causes and triggers.
You don't actually think that Germany was intent on going to war against Russia because some douchebag assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, right?
It's like a straw that broke the camel's back scenario.
So yes I am describing the babushka as a trigger/catalyst to an already-built-up level of dissent.
I don't see discontent spreading that much. I think nearly all Russians would be pleased to see a union.