[Saurreg]

From an outsider's point of view (i.e. neither from the western or eastern orthodox civilizations) I tend to find the dividing the line between capitalism and stalinism into "us or them" or the "good vs evil" sides amusing.

I try not to stereotype but from my impression, people living between both sides of the iron curtain during the cold war years tend to be indoctrinated and influenced into thinking that the other side is really bad. They are exposed to so much propaganda that any little aspect which, resembles a characteristic (factual or not) of the other another side is automatically deemed associated with that other side. In short its allegorical inquisition gone amok (which, incidently is a Malay word).

It's easy to understand why such paranoia can exist during the heady years but for it to find expression now is trully incredible. Perhaps the deep fear and distain for "the other side" are so strong that it has become part of the antagonists' cultural identity.