The political fallout from Moskovskii Korrespondent‘s rumor about Putin dumping his wife Liudmila for contortionist extraordinaire and Olympic medalist Alina Kabaeva is taking political shape. Last Friday, the Duma passed an amendment to the mass media law that adds slander to the list of unmentionables such as revealing state secrets, supporting terrorism, advocating pornography, and promoting violence. The law doesn’t use the word “slander” but redefined it with “intentionally false information,” which, of course, is just about anything. Perhaps more important than the vague, elastic language is the fact that the amendment gives the Ministry of Justice the power to issue warnings to media outlets for publishing slanderous and libelous material. Two warnings in twelve months allows Justice to shut the media outlet down pending trial.
The amendment’s introduction came from an interesting source. Former Nashi commissar, youngest Duma rep, and Putin loyalist Robert Schlegel introduced it. Ironically, Nashi was recently saved from a $1.2 million libel suit filed by Garry Kasparov. Kasparov claimed that Nashi literature slandered him by claiming that he was an American citizen. The court threw out the suit because, as Nashi lawyer Sergei Shorin argued, “there is no proof that the pamphlet was produced by Nashi.” Well, in reality, Nashi did produce the pamphlet and claims that Kasparov is a American citizen have been a mainstay of its propaganda. Granted, I’m no Kasparov fan, but any claim of Nashi’s innocence is completely preposterous. As this Nashi flyer states, “The USA has another plan. They want traitors and thieves to win–the American citizen Kasparov, the fascist Limonov, and the seller of the state Nemtsov.” Nashi’s logo is at the bottom of the page.
But I digress. It takes no brainiac to note that the law is in direct response to the Putin-Kabaeva rumor. After all, Moskovskii Korrespondent suspended publication after the story hit the international press and Putin had to field questions about its veracity in a press conference with Silvio Berlusconi. According to Interfax, Alexander Lebedev the owner of MK’s parent company National MediaComany (Kremlin friendly but also owns a majority stake in anti-Kremlin Novaya gazeta) pulled tabloid’s financial plug.
But Russia being Russia, nothing is assumed to happen by accident. And the Putin-Kabaeva story is no different. The reigning conspiracy theory is that the story is nothing more than black PR in the ongoing political battle between Kremlin factions. As Mark Ames explains on Radar Online, “It looks more and more likely that someone from the FSB planted it knowing it would make Lebedev and his paper look foolish. That would be a clear retaliation for Lebedev’s attempts to exonerate Storchak, the FSB’s most valuable captured chess piece in its battle against Putin and the liberals he’s propped up. The FSB’s message is simple: If you fuck with us, we’ll fuck with you, your paper, and Putin—in more ways than you know.” Lebedev’s explanation in Novaya gazeta for closing Moskovskii Korresondent seems to confirm this. “I now know,” he writes, “that one of the most controversial pieces of gossip was custom-made and was printed in Moskovskii Korrespondent as part of a personal vendetta against me.” That or he’s falling on his sword.
Boris Kagarlitsky also suggests that the story was a “dirty trick” different sort. Namely, to keep the state bureaucracy and ruling factions guessing. Will Putin stay or will he go? The answer to this seems simple. There is no evidence that Putin is going to step aside in the near future. He’s already implementing measures to subordinate regional leaders to the prime minister’s office. His call to purge United Russia of its “useless members” seems to be gathering steam. Local party organizations have already started their proverka to clean out their “dead souls.” All of this, and more, have some already predicting Medvedev’s future as the next “False Dmitry.”
How false Medvеdev’s role will be ultimately boils down to how he will deal with the siloviki. They, not Putin, pose the most serious challenge to his legitimacy. They have the political and police connections and control Russia’s state assets. They are the only real potent force to undermine a president.
If the conspiracy theories are true and the Putin-Kabaeva story is merely another “dirty trick,” then increased restrictions on “slander” is another arrow in their quiver for Putin loyalists to lob against their rivals lurking looking to stir up trouble in the press. The rules of the game demand that Kremlin infighting remains in house and out of the public eye. And if keeping this rule enforced means more control over the media, then so be it. It’s not like these people want a free press anyway.
In his interview with Argumenty i Fakty, Medvedev assured the public that there won’t be any surprises with the transfer of power. Judging from the way Kremlin elites and their clients are continuing their pot shots against each other, I don’t foresee any surprises either.
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The self type.
Gross!
You know, posting junior-high-level masturbation jokes in public fora just may impair your ability to get a lucrative Russia punditry position (and thus move out of your mom’s house). I’m just sayin’.
Nah!
Things are free wheeling enough in this day and age.
At least in some instances.
Besides, it wasn’t meant as a joke.
Meantime, how about breaking out of the exclusive blog comments category?
As you say, you’re “cleverer” than me.
Interesting site to learn Russian:
http://narochnitskaia.ru/
”Interesting site to learn Russian:
http://narochnitskaia.ru/'‘
Wow! The Russia expert is learning -wait for it….Russian!
Eto prosto chudo! He has seen the light!
What’s next – an actual visit to Russia?:-)
Averko dont be fooling yourself. You cant read anything on that site except the stuff in English!
I was in Russia before all of you fools.
Spiritually, it’s a part of me.
Can’t be taken away.
“IRISHMAN on May 5, 2008 3:00 am Averko dont be fooling yourself. You cant read anything on that site except the stuff in English!”
****
Silly wabbit.
Regarding Russian language proficiency, you haven’t addressed Timothy Post’s inquiry at the SL thread dealing with a new Russian law.
I could actually read the document – my eyes are terrible and I need glasses -but even if I could, I couldnt have translated most of it.
You, on the other hand, speak no Russian at all. Which is really very funny when you think about it!
Glupii zaiets!:-)
” was in Russia before all of you fools.”
Makes me think of that line from ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ by the Stones
”I stuck around St Petersburg,
When I saw it was a-time
For a change”
Yes, Averko was there:-) His Russo-punditry is immortal.
Sure beats the ignorant shit you spew out here and abroad on a fairly regular basis.
You just lied AGAIN.
Naughty.
“As you say, you’re “cleverer” than me.”
Who isn’t?
“abroad”
France?
”You just lied AGAIN.”
A lie is a willful mistruth. I cant be accused of lying, cos you havent provided one scrap on evidence that you have been to Russia. And nobody was press you about this except you think you’re a Russia expert. Its my view that your opinions give you away as someone who has never been. OK, fair enough, you say you’ve been, I’ll take it at face value- you’ve been to Russia. But what is the status of your Russian language learning efforts? I’m just interested, cos everyone else here has had to wade through Russian and wonder how you’re finding it. Genuinely.
You’re a stinking little liar who has been busted for such in several instances.
I don’t have to prove anything to you “cos’ you’re one stupid little twerp.
”everyone else here has had to wade through Russian and wonder how you’re finding it.”
Except Maximus, who has that most envied of things ”The Gift”. The rest of us are still stuck on the genitive case.
”I don’t have to prove anything to you “cos’ you’re one stupid little twerp.”
OK, you’ve never been to Russia and speak no Russian. You’re a fraud, basically.
Well thanks Ger but it took me years before I could really understand anything and I still have huge gaps in my vocab, plus an accent to wake the dead.
”You’re a stinking little liar who has been busted for such in several instances.”
Links, please? You mean that I’ve pointed out that you’re an apologist for murder and genocide?
“IRISHMAN on May 5, 2008 3:27 am ‘I don’t have to prove anything to you ‘cos’ you’re one stupid little twerp.’
OK, you’ve never been to Russia and speak no Russian. You’re a fraud, basically.”
****
The above quoted troll lied AGAIN.
“IRISHMAN on May 5, 2008 3:29 am ”You’re a stinking little liar who has been busted for such in several instances.”
Links, please? You mean that I’ve pointed out that you’re an apologist for murder and genocide?”
****
As in you blatantly lied about what I’m on record for saying.
The troll patrol is in full force.
Those supporting such behavior can’t be much better than the lying troll.
I don’t think he’s an apologist. I think he means what he says, whereas “apologist” implies a certain about disingenousness. He is an ideologue though.
”As in you blatantly lied about what I’m on record for saying.”
Groan, this becomes tiresome.
”Well thanks Ger but it took me years before I could really understand anything and I still have huge gaps in my vocab, plus an accent to wake the dead.”
No, thoust has the Gift, that which the tongue-less hordes, led by the Maniacal Mike, crave so.
But couldnt be bothered learning. How lazy can someone be?
Troll Patrol ready to do battle! Roll Out!
”I don’t think he’s an apologist”
Fair enough. But anyone who downplays Srebrenica has got to be a low creature. I do appreciate he loves Russia and will defend it to the last. Its just a pity he’s not willing to go there or learn her language. I really find that funny.
The stinking little troll continues his perverse way of cyber stalking.
”The stinking little troll continues his perverse way of cyber stalking.”
Alright, I leave it alone. Its just hard to resist challenging a lot of what you say.
Are you settled back in yet Maximus? Hows the jetlag?
“IRISHMAN on May 5, 2008 3:37 am ”I don’t think he’s an apologist”
Fair enough. But anyone who downplays Srebrenica has got to be a low creature. I do appreciate he loves Russia and will defend it to the last. Its just a pity he’s not willing to go there or learn her language. I really find that funny.”
***
On the other hand, it’s even more pathetic how some know it all ******* actually know little about Russia, despite boasting about knowing the language and living there.
As for Srebrnica, I matter of fact debunked the misinformed MAB/Ekho Moskvy commentary about what happened there.
Something that the lying troll is perfectly aware of.
The “low creature” is the scumbag who calls Kadyrov an “animal”, while being mum on Thaci, Ceku and Haradinij.
“IRISHMAN on May 5, 2008 3:44 am ”The stinking little troll continues his perverse way of cyber stalking.”
Alright, I leave it alone. Its just hard to resist challenging a lot of what you say.
Are you settled back in yet Maximus? Hows the jetlag?”
****
Idiots challenge facts and well established opinions based on facts.
“I do appreciate he loves Russia and will defend it to the last. Its just a pity he’s not willing to go there or learn her language. I really find that funny.”
But he doesn’t love Russia. It’s a means for him to exhalt his own ego.
“Chrisius Maximus on May 5, 2008 3:34 am I don’t think he’s an apologist. I think he means what he says, whereas “apologist” implies a certain about disingenousness. He is an ideologue though.”‘
****
Who? Not me.
I’m also not a phony who tries to monopolize the role of a responsible Russia friendly source.
“Are you settled back in yet Maximus? Hows the jetlag?”
I slept three hours last night — fell asleep at 2:30 and woke up at 5:30. So, no. Fortunately I am leaving the office early, like, now.
By the way, apropos of nothing, I’m playing a really cool computer game called Culpa Innata that, by coincidence, has a great Russia tie-in. And Glukoza’s song Schweine made it to the music track of Grand Theft Auto 4. Go popsa!
“Chrisius Maximus on May 5, 2008 3:49 am “I do appreciate he loves Russia and will defend it to the last. Its just a pity he’s not willing to go there or learn her language. I really find that funny.”
But he doesn’t love Russia. It’s a means for him to exhalt his own ego.”
****
No at all.
You display a limited ability, which explains why you harp on whatever your few perceived strengths are. Ego? Like how you babble on about your life experience.
Russia friendly views are needed in America.
”..while being mum on Thaci, Ceku and Haradinij.”
I dont actually know anything about these gentlemen really:-)
”But he doesn’t love Russia. It’s a means for him to exhalt his own ego.”
I suspect you’re right. He has no interest whatsoever in the nuts and bolts of the thing -and that really is learning the language. I mean, can you imagine a building labourer who cant mix up mortar? It makes no sense.
”I’m also not a phony who tries to monopolize the role of a responsible Russia friendly source.”
And there lies the heart of the matter. He doesnt care really about Russia -he just wants a career change and sees Russocentric punditry as the way forward:-)
“You display a limited ability, which explains why you harp on whatever your few perceived strengths are.”
I love this sentence! Here, I’ll redo it so it makes more sense:
“Your abilities appear to be limited, which is why you harp on those few strengths you believe you possess.”
Even this sentence doesn’t make much sense. Are my abilities limited, or do I perceive myself as having few abilities? Or both? What exactly is the causal relationship here? Clarity is the soul of punditry Mike!
”And Glukoza’s song Schweine made it to the music track of Grand Theft Auto 4. Go popsa!”
Is that the new Grand Theft Auto game, the one featuring Russian criminals in New York? Sorry to hear that you’re not feeling better and sleeping badly. There’s nothing worse.
”Russia friendly views are needed in America.”
So says you, provider of said views (the supplier?). Funny that it seems those views arent actually wanted by the vast majority of Americans. Ever hear of supply&demand?
“I suspect you’re right. He has no interest whatsoever in the nuts and bolts of the thing -and that really is learning the language. I mean, can you imagine a building labourer who cant mix up mortar? It makes no sense.”
Mike obsession is not Russia. It is Mike. He’s a classic narcissicist. Remember all those transparent sockpuppets? How he never tried to modeify his bizarre writing style to make them nonobvious to others? That’s because he was not writing them for others — he was writing them FOR HIMSELF. The way others would perceive them never popped into his mind.
“Is that the new Grand Theft Auto game, the one featuring Russian criminals in New York?”
Yeps.
“Ever hear of supply&demand?”
Well there is a circular relationship between supply and demand…
”That’s because he was not writing them for others — he was writing them FOR HIMSELF. The way others would perceive them never popped into his mind.”
It all makes sense now. Remember ‘Claus’ and ‘Sergei’ appearing at SL, saying how great Pochta Rossii offices were, from the same IP address? Hilarious. And telling Lyndon and db to shove his IP address up their asses? Ah, it was a golden era:-)
“Remember ‘Claus’ and ‘Sergei’ appearing at SL,”
‘Twas before my time, I fear.
Once you realize that what Mike is doing is engaging in propping up his own delusions, not trying to actually communicate, his behavior becomes much more understandable.
Chris Doss’ idiotic comments at this and other blogs reveals his own inner ego problem.
He doesn’t seem to have achieved much of anything else.
The lying troll is an even more extreme case.
That they make common cause with each other is quite telling.
The hypocritically applied “supply and demand” point applies to why the troll’s idiotic comments about Russia aren’t welcomed in much of Russian media.
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