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A Conspiracy Behind the Rumor?
May 1, 2008 |
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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RIA Novosti- Global Voices: Russia
Somewhat coincidentally: right after reading the above post, I received this note:
http://www.acdemocracy.org/article/invent_index.php?id=582
Excerpt:
“Also known as Rachel’s Law, the bill sponsored by Assemblyman Rory Lancman (D-Queens) and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) will protect American journalists and authors from foreign lawsuits that infringe on First Amendment rights. The bill also received unprecedented support from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
‘New Yorkers must be able to speak out on issues of public concern without living in fear that they will be sued outside the United States, under legal standards inconsistent with our First Amendment rights,’ said Governor Paterson. ‘This legislation will help ensure of the freedoms enjoyed by New York authors.’
Reflecting the New York legislation’s importance, U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) on April 16 introduced a similar bill, the Freedom of Speech Protection Act (H.R. 5814), in the House of Represenatives.
In Ehrenfeld v. Mahfouz, New York State’s highest court held that it was unable to protect Dr. Ehrenfeld from a British lawsuit filed by Saudi billionaire Khalid Salim Bin Mahfouz. Britain’s High Court ordered her to pay over $225,000 in damages and legal fees to Bin Mahfouz, apologize and destroy copies of her books.”
Sean:Nashi’s logo is at the bottom of the page.
Then again, the logo could have been put there in order to make it seem that Nashi was behind the leaflet, while it actually was produced by Kasparov so that he could sue Nashi…
Only I happened to be in Moscow the day after the Duma elections, and a girl in a large group of nashists on their way to the big rally at the Kremlin wall put this leaflet in my hand. But maybe she was not a real nashist at all?
By the way, I forgot that I actually do have one blog post in English, too.
”Two warnings in twelve months allows Justice to shut the media outlet down pending trial.”
Well, looks like the whole thing has worked out nicely for the Kremlin then. Any media outlet not practising self-censorship can now officially be shut down within the letter of the law. And to think the likes of Petro believe Russia has free media:-)
Without quoting him verbatim: what he more precisely said is that Russian media isn’t quite as restricted as some believe. He gave a number of examples. He’s not alone with that assesment. On the other hand, some make casual assumptions about American mass media being more free than it actually is.
http://www.fair.org
The above post indicates that more is at play with this latest incident.
There’s also the matter of how some interpret freedom. Kolesnikov releasing a story about Putin’s rape remark hasn’t (at least to my knowledge) put him in trouble. On the other hand, many find it troubling to release what could be a bogus story that involves the personal lives of people.
I posted that other matter because of my receiving it right after reading the above post. It very much relates to the issue of saying something about a prominent individual. Statements which can be perceived as negative and in conflict with the law. In that instance, the venue in question is the UK.
Not only Kolesnikov reported the rape remark. And the Kremlin confirmed what had been said. So Kolesnikov could hardly be hold responsible for reporting what Putin said in a public venue, even though the microphone was turned off. And what would be the bogus thing here?
Absolutely nothing. Kolesnikov wasn’t penalized for noting a not so positive instance involving the Russian president.
We should be more concerned about the reporting of clear matter of fact issues. Especially those pertaining to government policies.
Among other Russian venues, Inosmi.ru seems to carry a good share of critical commentary about Russia. Someone told me that it averages in the range of 80,000 hits a day.
First sesentence in second paragraph relating to the Putin rape remarks, unlike the Putin-Kabaeva story.
”Kolesnikov releasing a story about Putin’s rape remark hasn’t (at least to my knowledge) put him in trouble”
Mike you miss the point as usual -comes from lack of experience in Russia and not speaking Russian. Kolesnikov was not punished cos Putin was likely PROUD of that stupid remark. You have to remember we are dealing with Putin, who was a military officer, and thinks and speaks like one, not like a western leader who must be careful what he says. That incident does nothing to prove media freedom in Russia, it merely exposed the toilet-humour mentality of the Russian leadership. Personally i think Putin looked like an asshole after that remark.
No you miss the point as usual. This comes from your false percpetion of thinking that you know best.
BTW, it’s my understanding that Sean Guillory, David Johnson, Ira Straus and (until recently) Peter Lavelle aren’t fluent in Russian. As many have proven, knowledge of a foreign language doesn’t make them expert on any number of topics related to the country in question.
Your selective harping on language proficiency makes you the asshole. When it comes to analyzing the former Communist bloc, you’ve yet to come close to matching these results:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=“Ukraine+and+”Russophobia”+Uncensored”&btnG=Google+Search
http://wwwgoogle.com/search?hl=en&q=“Serb+Politics,+Kosovo+and+the+Moscow-Washington+Divide”&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Chechnya%2C+EU-Serbia+and+a+Disputed+Lands+Update%22&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=%22Contradictions+to+the+%22New+Cold+War%22+Theme%22&spell=1
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Missives+About+Russian+Ice+Hockey%22&btnG=Google+Search
There’re other examples as well, with more on the way.
Besides posting troll like remarks at blogs, what have you done on the subject?
To my knowledge Putin hasn’t raped anyone. His rape comments reagrded someone accused of rape. Note that the Israeli delegation laughed at his remarks which were meant to be off record. I’m sure Putin is aware that such remarks are inappropriate as stated on the record material.
The first two links can be cut and pasted to enter into.
No need to take horseshit from a cyber troll, whose clear intent is to dissuade a contributor.
The miserable SOB is a practitioner of a form of censorship.
One more try:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Ukraine+and+%22Russophobia%22+Uncensored%22&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Serb+Politics%2C+Kosovo+and+the+Moscow-Washington+Divide%22&btnG=Google+Search
If not: they can each be individually cut and pasted and then clicked into.
”BTW, it’s my understanding that Sean Guillory, David Johnson, Ira Straus and (until recently) Peter Lavelle aren’t fluent in Russian.”
Mike, all of these people speak some Russian, you speak NONE. As I said before, time to call Berlitz.
” When it comes to analyzing the former Communist bloc, you’ve yet to come close to matching these results:”
And thank goodness indeed for that. I dont have to:
(1) Deny Srebrenica occurred
(2) Pat the Russians on the back for mass murder in Chechnya 1994-1996
(3) Say Russia has a freer media than the USA, simply cos US media wont publish your lies about Russia
(4) Defend the likes of Slobodan Milosevic and his thugs and their ethnic cleansing in Kosovo
”No need to take horseshit from a cyber troll, whose clear intent is to dissuade a contributor.”
As long as you spout bullshit (see above) then I will question your views. You are a fraud, and I dont think you should be allowed get away with it.
On a more positive note, Zenit disembowelled a full-strength Bayern Munich in the UEFA cup last nite and are now through to the final, where Dick Advocaat’s men will face Glasgow Rangers. Vperyod Zenit!
Mike,
since when has other people’s blogs become a place for you to sell your wares? Is that not trolling?:-)
Keep lying troll, as you’ve in this latest set of lies you post.
“IRISHMAN on May 2, 2008 12:45 pm Mike,
since when has other people’s blogs become a place for you to sell your wares? Is that not trolling?:-)”
****
No troll. it’s to further show that you’re substatively zilch in comparison to myself.
At this and other threads, the record clearly shows you to be the troll.
On the other hand, I try to keep it on topic with non-repsoanl insults.
This doesn’t preclude me from rightfully replying to slimeball remarks.
Alright, I went too far with the ‘fraud’ remark. But the points I made above actually appear to be your views, and I find them untrue and propogandistic.
Michael’s reference to Ehrenfeld v. Mahfouz is interesting in that is shows that freedom of speech isn’t all that protected outside the borders of the US. If I remember correctly, the British courts were actively trying to get American businesses like Amazon.com to pulp all there copies of Ehrenfeld’s book, after she lost the libel suit brought against her in Britain.
In Canada this last year, you had an conservative author Mark Steyn being dragged into court by the government for supposed “hate speech” against muslims.
In Germany, you can’t write anything supportive of Nazism (not that you would want to).
I’m not trying to make the point that the US is totally bitchin’ or anything, but it does indicate that outside of America, there isn’t all that much support for truly free speech.
Despite your backing off, you still prove to be less than truthful, in addition to being a propagandist. The latter having to do with the repeated select barbs at me.
No need for me to back off from such punk ass remarks.
My views on Srebrenica and Chechnya are far less propagandistic than yours.
Calling Kadyrov an animal is relative. Thaci, Ceku and Haridnaj aren’t much better. It can perhaps be argued that they’re on par if not worse.
Bottom line is that there’s no need for me to take troll like shit. This conforms with my not sucking up to the predominating biases.
I don’t give much of a flying fuck as to who doesn’t like that.
Great points Jason.
Note that I’m not always in political agreement with those individuals.
I value the idea of having as level a playing field as possible.
”Despite your backing off..”
Ah, no. That wasnt backing off. That’s politeness, a word you may have heard of some 30 years ago when you were at school. Whilst it has fitted into most of our lives, clearly it hasnt fitted in yours. No, backing off would be withdrawing what I’ve said about your shitty opinions. I havent done that, not one inch.
”The latter having to do with the repeated select barbs at me.’
If the four points I made above misrepresent your opinions, then please specify. Otherwise you are an apologist for MURDER in both Chechnya and Srebrenica and spend most of your time kissing the arse of the Russian government. Which makes you not only thick as pigshit but heartless as well.
”My views on Srebrenica and Chechnya are far less propagandistic than yours.”
No Mike I am not an apologist for murder, unlike you. I have no axe to grind, no butt to kiss.
”I don’t give much of a flying fuck as to who doesn’t like that.”
Then why do you moan like a bitch when someone questions your hopelessly skewed opinions?
”If I remember correctly, the British courts were actively trying to get American businesses like Amazon.com to pulp all there copies of Ehrenfeld’s book, after she lost the libel suit brought against her in Britain.”
I have no doubt censorship of sorts occurs in the west, but often it will be an attempt to avoid offending various ethnic groups. But that is Political Correctness, not censorship. In Russia there is endemic self-censorship (on fear of very real reprisals by the state) that prevents any legitamite criticism of the Putin government(regime?). And whilst we’re on the subject, the main reason the Eng. Lang. Mass media does not publish paens to the Russian state is that, quite rightly, it sees it for what it is -totalitarian. It would also help certain Russo-arse-kisser-philes no end if they could actually write properly. Being ditched cos you’re a shite writer isnt censorship; its called ‘Quality Control’.
Excellent post, Sean. This and the one about the cartoons.
I’m not trying to make the point that the US is totally bitchin’ or anything, but it does indicate that outside of America, there isn’t all that much support for truly free speech.
If the Mo-Toons debacle proved anything, it’s that western governments - almost without exception, including the US and (shamefully for me) the UK - are quite prepared to abandon freedom of speech when threatened with violence. One of the main reasons I let my subscription to The Economist expire was their failure to defend the freedom of expression of their fellow publishers.
In Canada this last year, you had an conservative author Mark Steyn being dragged into court by the government for supposed “hate speech” against muslims.
Equally worrying is the case brought against Ezra Levant. Freedom without the freedom to offend is no freedom at all.
Regarding the latest series of troll comments made about me by a lying p—-k.
There’s nothing “polite” about his incessant LIES about me at this and other blogs.
He lies when he suggests I glory in murder. If anything that gutless coward expresses such views. Like how he advocated shooting down a plane at SL. You don’t see me making remarks like that in jest.
I’m on record for factuallly stating what’s known to have happened at Srebrenica.
My analytical work has been well accepted in a way that the LIAR hasn’t come close to matching. I’m honored to see the venues and individuals who have positively acknowledged my work. Such efforts will continue whether that lying p—k and some others like it or not.
The troll’s excuses for Western media faults and pious rants against Russia further reveal his warped state.
There’s a social conservative aspect that could be brought up relative to the post and intelligent discussion following it.
A true social conservative (not the George Will BS type) loathes p—-s, who write things that aren’t true and can be seen as embarrassing to one’s family. This isn’t to be confused with someone writing generically lame anti-Ptuin diatribes. The latter should be tolerated. Of course, a truly open media gives a good amount of time to other perfectly valid views.
Another example comes to mind which befits the responsible social conservative category (for lack of a better characterization). It’s wrong to fine Zenit St. Petersburg because some of its fans carry banners saying that Kosovo is Serbia. Soviet teams played before anti-Soviet banners in North America. On the other hand, I’m not sympathetic to fans making brazenly bigoted comments during a sporting event.
“He lies when he suggests I glory in murder.”
Mike sits atop a throne of skulls.
“Mass media does not publish paens to the Russian state is that, quite rightly, it sees it for what it is -totalitarian”
You know what the word “totalitarian” means, right?
”You know what the word “totalitarian” means, right?”
Alright, alright I went too far with that one:-) Its not quite ‘1984′:-) I had a few pints taken writing the last comment. And now I’m dying with a hangover:-( Are you back in Moskva? Am definitely going in August. S7 have started a cheap flight from Dublin direct.
”It’s wrong to fine Zenit St. Petersburg because some of its fans carry banners saying that Kosovo is Serbia.”
Who fined them? UEFA? You must be joking. Cos of banners? Good grief!
Yeah I am back in Moscow. I am jetlagged as hell. Jesus Christ. I woke up yesterday at 8 pm and stayed up all night. This madness must end.
I had coffee with Sean BTW. Nice guy. And he has a cool blog.
You MUST look me up when you’re in Mocow.
I will definitely. Great that you met Sean. Are you missing the USA at all? Did being home after such a long time change your view of it at all? You seem quite settled in Moscow.
Good God, the US is so CHEAP. Southern California is anyway. Not counting obsecnely expensive cigarettes, utilities and public transportation. ($2.10 to take the bus oneway in San Diego? This is wrong.) Coffee at Starbucks costs a third what it does at Shokoladnitsa. Sure wasn’t that way 8 years ago.
Ich bin ein Muscovite.
Stay in the US? No way. What would I so? My marketable skills are speaking Russian English and knowing a lot about Heidegger, I mean my marketable skills are speaking Russian and English.
Actually I have an idea. What about a pan-international SRB meeting in Moscow?;-) Mike Averko, Tim Newman, Sean Guillory, Andy, Chrisius Maximus, all meet up in Moscow? There’s more -Kolya,fh, MAB…a high powered conference (drinking session). Bet we’d make tthe front cover of the MT:-)We could even get ivanov in from Colombia:-) Mike could probably even get us an audience with Putin:-)
Who’s paying?
Isn’t Ivanov in Iceland?
Ich leibe Moskau. But I’m not able for it anymore:-) Have gotten cranky and miss hurling matches when abroad. Great city though.
”Who’s paying?
Isn’t Ivanov in Iceland?”
I’m sure Mike could get something sorted for us with Alexei Kudrin:-) I though ivanov was in Colombia. Maybe I’m totally wrong.
He lives on the Magic Island, which I was pretty sure was otherwise known as Iceland.
If Kudrin were to finance Mike, all my faith in the Russian government would quickly vanish as my head exploded. After mopping up the bits of brainy gunk, I would have to join a monastery or something.
And Chrisius is a nice guy too. Don’t let his online snarkiness fool you. Better looking than I imagined too.
My only regret is that our time was too short (My fault).
I plan on calling the courier about the books today. Thanks again for them.
I conference in Moscow would be wonderful! Maybe I can get Nashi to fund my trip.
“If Kudrin were to finance Mike, all my faith in the Russian government would quickly vanish as my head exploded.”
****
That would be so great to see.
Kudrin wouldn’t be a likely source.
Perhaps there’s hope, seeing how one TV show is apparently gone.
Heard some interesting inside scoop on that.
———————————————-
As reported in media (RIAN and other sources), Zenit St. Pete was fined for the rowdy behavior of some of its fans. Racial epithets and “Kosovo is Serbia” chants and banners were the stated reasons.
While condemning the first mentioned instance, I’m not sure if the team should be penalized for what some idiot fans expressed. There’s nothing wrong with the other matter.
UEFA has been doing this in other parts of Europe.
As for pure sport, good luck CSKA hoopsters:
http://www.eurobasket.com
Ovechkin at Worlds:
http://www.iihf.com
Off to Brighton Beach.
“That would be so great to see.”
I’d still be cleverer than you though.
”As reported in media (RIAN and other sources), Zenit St. Pete was fined for the rowdy behavior of some of its fans. Racial epithets and “Kosovo is Serbia” chants and banners were the stated reasons.”
Mike I dont think you can be fined for banners, but maybe it was thrown in as a reason alongside hooliganism(love your played down ‘rowdy behaviour’). Players can certainly be fined for political statements on undergarments, but fans with banners….ya ne znayu. Fans shouldnt be penalised for chants etc unless the stuff is racist in nature. Kosovo is Serb? Hardly racism. Mike, I think you’ll find the official reason for the fine was hooliganism. Dont get upset; its not exclusively a Russian problem by any means.
On the subject of football, I’m seriously wondering if Moscow should have been awarded the Champions League Final. Before anyone jumps down my throat, Moscow doesnt have enough hotel rooms, the visa red-tape is brain numbing for the average fan but far more seriously Luzhniki is not even a good stadium - we have a far better one here in Limerick! I just hope that the cops do their job this time, not like then Irish fans got thumped in 2002 and England fans last year. Our fans have won loads of best fan awards including Best Supporters at Italia ‘90. If the Russians cannot within reason grant some bit of safety to fans then they shouldnt be hosting the match.
“I conference in Moscow would be wonderful! Maybe I can get Nashi to fund my trip.”
More likely to get invitation from Medvedev
PS. If we talk about summer - Iceland is better place for any kind of “conference”.
“Chrisius Maximus on May 3, 2008 11:57 pm ‘That would be so great to see.’
I’d still be cleverer than you though.”
****
On some (stress some) matters.
———————————————-
Here’s the RIAN disaptch on the UEFA fining of Zenit:
http://en.rian.ru/sports/20080417/105339037.html
Done!
http://live.euroleague.net/games.aspx?ig=euro_231&st=20&dp=EBPC3FF6F2NB1B9SC11467175&z=1
Second year in a row.
… I think you’ll find the official reason for the fine was hooliganism.
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/news/kind=1/newsid=685145.html
The fireworks reference omitted in the RIAN and other dispatches.
All the more reason to have followup.
Regardless, the matter of racial epithets is universally mentioned as one of the reasons.
“On some (stress some) matters.”
Not only would my headless body still be wittier than you, it would have better grammar and vocabulary, kick your ass in Monopoly, and quite likely be more popular with the ladies. It would also not live at home with its mom.
You debunked yourself.
If you’re to be believed (which isn’t wise), you’ve seen your mom more recently than I’ve seen mine.
On your supposed strong grammar point, you’ve shown yourself to be wrong in more than one instance.
Ladies? How do you explain the amount of time you spend posting here?
Needless to say, I can kick bus yo ass.
“Ladies? How do you explain the amount of time you spend posting here?”
I often do it during sex.
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.