Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., reacts to Gov. Ron Desantis’ calls for students to be taught about totalitarianism, communism in school curriculums A California professor was widely hounded on Twitter for praising the legacy of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, calling him "one of the great leaders" of the 20th century. Asatar Bair, a self-identified "communist," is an economics professor at Riverside City College in Southern California. In multiple Twitter posts, Bair seemed to suggest that discussions on Stalin, who led the U.S.S.R. between 1924 and 1953, have been lacking in nuance. Bair said, contrary to what people say, he does not "idolize" Stalin, but merely holds a "fair and balanced view" of the man.