I read this line about Stalin
on this web page, Despots Aloft, that Kai had posted in another thread.

I was not aware that Stalin had a problem with his arm. Is this new to anyone else and does anyone have any further sources that also claim the same ailment? Which arm was it and what caused the problem?

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Best Regards,
JW

Some sources say it was during childhood he got it due to accident, some say during birth.

If it was birth it could be Erb´s palsy, also something William II ( German emperor ) suffered.

William II, German Emperor - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Erb's palsy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kids health info for parents : Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (Erb's palsy)

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Browsing through the Internet one discovers that Stalin's left-arm problem was caused by smallpox, beatings from prison guards in Siberia, beatings from his own father in childhood, blood-poisoning, accident, take your pick.

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

Come on guys, dont you think ya'll are exagerating a bit?

I have always thought he resembled.......

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The war against Russia will be such that it cannot be conducted in a knightly fashion. This struggle is one of ideologies and racial differences and will have to be conducted with unprecedented, unmerciful and unrelenting harshness. -Adolf Hitler

well, there is the lack of a mustache, which does throw us off a bit.

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Best Regards,
JW

If it were a broad I'd understand, but who's he?

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

I read the first half of Young Stalin, by Simon Sebag Montefiore, and the origins of Stalin's injury are unclear. It is most commonly believed to come from a carriage accident.

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Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of their leaders. All you have to do is tell them that they are in danger of being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger.
--Hermann Goering

Brad Pitt

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Best Regards,
JW

Ah, the guy from Eyes Wide Shut'!

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

I knew Hitler had parkinson's disease and syphillis but I never heard too much about Stalin's health...intersting subject though.

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"Live as brave men; and if fortune is adverse, front its blows with brave hearts." - Cicero

Ah the troll within.

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942

General Juin had also a problem with his right arm, he couldn't sue it because of an injury in world war I.

William II seemed to have problems with his arm because of his birth,and some people sys he had mental problem because of this.

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Stalin's arms were apparently of significantly different length. He adopted a variety of strategies to hide this fact, often tucking one hand into a pocket, keeping one hand inside his vest or keeping both arms folded on his lap, he was almost never seen walking with ar, down by his sides. Photos and drawing would of course be edited to show a perfect version of him. I'd imagine anyone that drew/photographed/painted Stalin with a shortened arm wold be sent to a gulag along with his family.

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"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

That's correct, you can hardly find a photo of Stalin with the pockmarked skin showing.

It was he same with Gorbachev, until Glasnost all pics of this benign character's forehead birthmark were airbrushed, now imagine Stalin.

I'd say in the Soviet Union, well, over the entire Iron Curtain airbrush artists had an assured job.

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Everly Brothers - What I Have To Do Is Dream
"Never wrestle with pigs, you both end up getting dirty and the pig likes it."

I always knew Uncle Joe was a wanker....

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'We march. The enemy is retreating in transport. We follow on foot.' Lt.Neil McCallum 5/7 Gordons 19th November 1942