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Is Putin a Closet Republican?
August 31, 2008 |
If Putin was an American politician, what would he be? He is conservative, deeply religious, a patriot, and strong partisan for Russian traditions.
Given this, I doubt we would have seen Putin strutting about on the DNC’s American Idol-esque stage, swearing his undying, almost cultic allegiance to Barak Obama. It’s more likely we would find him preparing to jet to St. Paul to rouse the base in support of McCain. For some, Putin’s Republican affinities are all too clear: Putin is a closet neocon and the his real intent of his interview with CNN was to cast a veiled vote for John McCain.
It is this last point that I find interesting. Mostly because the big question has been what Putin was thinking when he asserted that the US might be behind the Georgian War. Bad information? Kooky conspiracy thinking. An age old Russian paranoia? Or was he somehow trapped in the simulacra of his own state media machine where the lines between reality and virtual are erased? An affirmative to the last question wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve witnessed this discursive circle in Soviet archival documents. The central and local Soviet leadership often referenced the press in internal reports. When I do come across this phenomena, I always ask: Don’t they know that the media is controlled? They can’t actually think the press is some reflection of reality? If the documents are any answer, they do and continue to do so. And this belief is not as simple as them “believing their own bullshit.” That is clear. Nor is such a belief unique to Russia. The real question is how and why this happens My short answer is that Putin & Co. are locked in their own rhetoric. There is no outside discourse with enough truth value to break the logic of their dominant discourse. Their belief, rhetoric, and power to control the parameters of acceptable speech reinforces themselves in a dizzying circle signification.
Some, however, are suggesting there is something more sinister at work in Putin’s allegations. Namely, that it is the way that Putin meddles in American elections. This is the thesis of Ilya Milshtein’s article “Coercion to McCain” (Russian verison). As Milshtein writes,
One way or another, our national leader has “voted” for the republicans for at least four years already.
In the fall of 2004, the Russian president sternly spoke out against democrat John Kerry. Literally equating the liberal candidate to Al-Qaeda, Putin said that a defeat of Bush would be “a grandiose victory for international terrorism.” He repeated this thought he had grown fond of at the moment when America was counting the votes collected by the contenders. If George wins, Putin said, this would mean that “the American public did not allow itself to be frightened, and made a wise choice.”
As you know, the American public lived up to his expectation.
Was Putin’s assertion of American meddling in Georgia, though couched in “hypothesis” and “ifs” a similar gesture? Maybe.
Milshtein continues:
Every word here is worth its weight in gold, and each is clear as crystal.
It is hard to accept that Putin, one of the most informed people on the planet, doesn’t know something. And who could strive for “escalation” and win percents over it? Only McCain, which some of our political figures and experts have already spoken out about –as a rule, those who welcome the coming cold war epoch with a joyous song.
Now Putin has joined with them. Taking into account past experience, Vladimir Vladimirovich today acts from the opposite side. It’s as if, in Ukraine four years ago, he had recruited the local people into the ranks of the “Orangists” and twice congratulated Yushchenko with a glorious victory. He accuses the republicans of initiating the war in the Caucasus, knowing full well, that the majority of Americans won’t believe him. Instead, they’ll clearly adopt it: this unpleasant Russian is against our John. That’s why many of those who waver between McCain and Obama, will now vote for the republican candidate. Simply because Putin alluded to him with disapproval.
The time at hand is completely different, after all. It is a very cold time, forcing Americans, with a sigh, to remember the late Ronald Reagan, with his firmness in leading the operation which today can be called “coercion into perestroika.” It is exactly McCain who is conducting his electoral campaign with Reagan’s name on his lips.
In a word, just a couple more of these interviews on American TV channels, and our cunning premier will celebrate a victory with the republicans. Why they are so dear to him is uncertain. But one wants to believe, that coming into power, John McCain won’t forget the efforts of his Russian partner in the cold war, and will reward him with some kind of secret decoration.
The impact of Putin’s “vote” will be revealed in this week’s Republican National Convention. After all the Republican heat on Russia is going up. Dick Cheney was dispatched to Georgia to send Russia a message. Cindy McCain was sent to do some refugee PR. Some are already suggesting that Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin has national security experience just because her state, Alaska, is close to Russia. So maybe Russia will be something the Republicans bang on this week. We shall see.
To think I was half joking when I wrote, “If McCain wins in November he should send Medvedev and Putin a box of chocolates in gratitude.” Maybe I was on to something . . .
Popularity: 6% [?]
Comments
311 Comments so far
This conspiracy theory has actually occured to me. You see, Bush armed and encouraged the Georgians so they would attack, thus allowing Russia to come in, thus allowing McCain to get a boost in the polls.
They’re really, really sneaky.
Putin is just a pragmatic person.
In 2004 Bush was “better” because he was predictable whilst Kerry was “dark donkey”.
“- Выбирай - или я или кот!
- Хм…ну тебя то я давно знаю, а кота первый раз вижу”….
Sean. For better understanding of russkie you should look not in old archive only but old Soviet cartoons as well. Some of them very special. As they were not under same censorship as “regular” movies - some of them were packed with so many jokes and wisdom that they determined (in a way) the way russkie think and speak.
Have you seen the Soviet version of Vinni Pooh?
PS. McCain doesn’t need Putin’s support anymore. He got village girl from Alaska - the land of true Americans
Well, I don’t know whether it was intentional or not, but from the first time I read it I thought that Putin’s statement will be of more help to McCain than to Obama.
Let me also add that it was a very interesting post, Sean.
“was [Putin] somehow trapped in the simulacra of his own state media machine where the lines between reality and virtual are erased? An affirmative to the last question wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve witnessed this discursive circle in Soviet archival documents. … Putin & Co. are locked in their own rhetoric. There is no outside discourse with enough truth value to break the logic of their dominant discourse. Their belief, rhetoric, and power to control the parameters of acceptable speech reinforces themselves in a dizzying circle signification.”
A week ago I probably would have scoffed at such an explanation. Now, after Putin’s CNN interview and the Vesti/Fox affair, I don’t.
”If Putin was an American politician, what would he be? He is conservative, deeply religious, a patriot, and strong partisan for Russian traditions.”
I doubt he is genuinely religious, and think its just populism. Lots of Russians pay lip-service to the ROC and wear crosses but they arent religious at all really. If he attends church every sunday he can, then I’d say he is but if not its just a vote-getter.
Our last PM Bertie Ahern was quite popular for a few reasons, and one of those was that he conned the masses into believing he was an ordinary sort of guy, who liked attending soccer, Gaelic football and hurling matches - basically all the things that replaced Catholicism in Ireland as the main interest for most people. In fairness to him he does actually like sport, but that he used it as a vote-getter is beyond doubt.
“I doubt he is genuinely religious.”
I’m pretty sure he is. Supposedly he had a religious experience after the dacha fire, which is believable to me.
“I doubt he is genuinely religious.”
”I’m pretty sure he is. Supposedly he had a religious experience after the dacha fire, which is believable to me.”
Was that before or after the fire engine arrived?
Funnily enough if Bush said the same thing he’d be laughed out the door!
“Funnily enough if Bush said the same thing he’d be laughed out the door!”
Why do you say that? Bush does say pretty much the same thing, only instead of a fire it was alcohol.
”Funnily enough if Bush said the same thing he’d be laughed out the door!”
Why do you say that? Bush does say pretty much the same thing, only instead of a fire it was alcohol.”
He is laughed at cos of that one! Though if he really was an alcoholic and got off the sauce, then credit is due.
I’m just being cynical and skeptical, and doubt the genuinity of either of these events. I’m sure both events have helped get votes though.
Nor is such a belief unique to Russia. The real question is how and why this happens My short answer is that Putin & Co. are locked in their own rhetoric. There is no outside discourse with enough truth value to break the logic of their dominant discourse. Their belief, rhetoric, and power to control the parameters of acceptable speech reinforces themselves in a dizzying circle signification.
Bravo, Sean, I think this is one of the best passages from you I have read. However unpleasant free media might be it serves a huge purpose of telling leadership that they might be full of it. There is no guarantee that they would get the message, but without the free media telling them, they are guaranteed not to get a clue.
It is hard to accept that Putin, one of the most informed people on the planet, doesn’t know something.
At this point the article you quote becomes meaningless and irrelevant. Putin is not the most informed person. He can’t be because of the vicious circle above you describe.
I have seen people quite high up in the Soviet hierarchy. My first father in law was Gorby’s pal and lieutenant back in Stavropol and then in Moscow. My great uncle has spent most of his life spying in Germany. (He was later Putin’s supervisor at Leningrad University). Neither of them had any clue of what life in the West really was. When you combine ideological filters with filters set by controlled media, no matter how high up the ladder you are, you do not have the full picture.
There is a myth in the West that in the USSR the tops knew everything but lied to the peons.
Nor is such a belief unique to Russia.
That’s true enough. But such a belief does tend to be much stronger in countries where critical enquiry and self-reflection is banned, discouraged, or simply not carried out for any number of reasons. Russia does far better than say, the Middle East on this score, but falls some way behind the US and UK where unrelenting criticism of a sitting government appears to be a national hobby.
“He is laughed at cos of that one!”
I guess in Europe. In the States religiosity gets you respect and votes. That kind of thing is nigh obligatory for a politician.
”I guess in Europe. In the States religiosity gets you respect and votes. That kind of thing is nigh obligatory for a politician.”
I do appreciate that in fairness and perhaps I’m being bit glib about the whole thing. But I find it funny that self-professed religious people are often the worst sinners - in Bush’s case, well, we have Iraq - need I say more? - and in Putin’s case we have the re-levelling of Grozny and the murderous incompetence at Dubrokva.
Sometimes I wish these gobshites would just do the right thing, rather than bullshit on about doing the right thing and having ‘religious’ moments. There are plenty of people in their graves who’d still be alive if they had done so.
”Nor is such a belief unique to Russia. The real question is how and why this happens My short answer is that Putin & Co. are locked in their own rhetoric.”
Not just Putin & Co. Try the whole of Russia.
Not just Putin & Co. Try the whole of Russia.
You’ll find this interesting, Ger. We’ve just had an Irishman seconded into our department, and he arrived about a month ago having never been to Russia in his life before. After a month in the hotel without much to do, meaning a month of attempting to watch the news on TV, he said to me at a party on Friday night: “Are these lot for real? Do they really believe this shite?”
Watching Dayton VP nomination show…
Drunk Yeltsin on the stage doesn’t look that bad for me now.
”Not just Putin & Co. Try the whole of Russia.
You’ll find this interesting, Ger. We’ve just had an Irishman seconded into our department, and he arrived about a month ago having never been to Russia in his life before. After a month in the hotel without much to do, meaning a month of attempting to watch the news on TV, he said to me at a party on Friday night: “Are these lot for real? Do they really believe this shite?””
Tim.
Does your new Irishman in the department speak Russian? I’m also attempting to watch local news - and couldn’t believe in a single word they say (well I don’t know the language but…)
I have a wife who believes every word of it (she of the ”Chechens belong in mountains” attitude) and I dont want this passed on to the kids.
I’m lucky in that respect. My wife is pretty much apolitical, but when asked she is not a fan of Putin and is unimpressed by Russia’s political posturing. She considers the enormous confidence most Russians have to be largely misplaced.
Does your new Irishman in the department speak Russian?
Not a word. But then again, you don’t need to know Russian to get a general impression that the lead news story each night is flattering coverage of the President’s day. Somehow I think if he spoke fluent Russian his opinion would be reinforced rather than reversed.
It reminds me, although to a lesser extent, of the news in Oman. Without fail, the lead story each night was a description of the telegram the Sultan had sent to a head of state that day praising the relationship between the two countries, or something similar. It was a source of much amusement amongst the expats.
Very impressive performance just after one month! Averko is no match to this Irishman
Cyrill.
Somehow I’m not surprised at all that you are “простой советский паренек”
So all your grandpas and inlaws - party bosses or KGB operatives? Very interesting…
Very impressive performance just after one month!
Not really. Most visitors pretty much reach the same conclusion.
So all your grandpas and inlaws - party bosses or KGB operatives? Very interesting…
Not all, just a few party bosses on my first wife’s side. And a couple of KGB on mine. Did not do me much good when they started fighting and snitching.
Are the Republicans and United Russia ’soulmate’ parties? Yes. Consider choice of Sarah Palin and the gymnasts in the Duma as one more way their minds think alike.
Did Putin on CNN help McCain? Yes. He could only influence that sliver of voters that can be influenced. He had some 48% at ‘hello’ - no matter what he said. I’d estimate that more of those ’swingers’ would swing anti-Putin and pro-McCain after the appearance.
Are super-power leaders human? Can they have a change of heart after a major life event? e.g. Putin after fire at dacha. Yes. I submit case of Ronald Reagan after assassination attempt. After this event he began meeting with Suzanne Massie who, according to some, helped reshape policy toward USSR. Apparently she taught him to recognize that Russians are actually people and he should relate to them that way. Hawks in government hated this and felt he had gone soft, but he had the power/courage/dementia? to continue reaching out to Gorbochov with greater human understanding and better results.
How about this question: \”Is Sarah Palin a \’closet\’ United Russia devushka?\” What if McCain/Palin is the winning ticket, then McCain dies. She would win the Russian hearts immediately. It is just as Republicans secretly wish Putin was US head of state. She models the devuska program: have children when you\’re young. Ignore them, counting on the babashka and/or the state to care for them. In your 30s and 40s you can still be focusing on your make-up, fashions, figure and career - in that order, while the kids are shooting heroin on the streets. Whose to notice? You\’re looking good and maybe you’ve learned your job by then.
Putin would be with neither U.S. candidate.
Given your description of him, it is more likely that he would be visiting Ron Paul.
“Are the Republicans and United Russia ’soulmate’ parties? Yes.”
Obviously, some people are easily convinced. Me, otoh, less credulous. You’d have to explain how Saakashvilli fits into all this (remember, without him no escalation). And don’t forget the Jews.
Are the Republicans and United Russia ’soulmate’ parties? Yes.
Completely off the wall. UR has only one driving ideology - being in power. There is hardly and discourse and voting is quite… unanimous.
Republican party in the US consists of two drastically different wings - social conservatives of the like of Huckabee or Ashcroft on one hand and libertarian types like Giuliani.
In short, there is no party in the US that can be compared to UR.
As for Putin, one might argue that he is closer to Democrats: more government, more bread and circ.. err, more social services, price controls, etc. But why compare with US? How about socialists in Europe? Pre-Blair Labour sounds quite close with nationalization. But then again, Mussolini, anyone?
Putin is closest to Salazar.
Apparently the Dems saw through the Putin’s perfidy and summoned hurricane Gustav to dispel the Reps convention. Now what would the Reps do?
Stay tuned…
Very sophisticated stuff Sean. Congratulations. But perhaps you could not bring yourself to admit the ultimate political subtlety of Putin’s “clumsy” intervention? What he said was almost certainly true. Clinton is widely believed to have started war in the Balkans to distract attention from his activities with Monica and impeachment. Very few leaders have the intellectual calibre to combine political manoeuvres with truth. Putin is one of them. A close study of both Churchill and de Gaulle’s wartime speeches reveal that they were highly political but at the same time almost always truthful. That is why they were so convincing.
I believe that the Russians have the long term aim of destroying the West’s strongest card, our reputation for truthful and decent conduct. At the same time in recent years they are being pretty careful not to do anything too dishonest or indecent themselves. They have for instance conducted themselves with astonishing restraint in Georgia in contrast with the US after 9/11. They are perfectly well aware of the post Soviet image burden they carry. It is not for nothing that they employ US PR people. The recent Russian parroting of Western rhetoric from Kosovo and Serbia was comic … and eerie.
In addition there other reasons why the whole Russian governing class would favour McCain. First he is apparently the most likely to keep US and NATO forces bogged down in endless war with the Muslim world. Second it was the Democrats under Clinton who started or at any rate accelerated the post Soviet anti Russian drive and the escalating NATO push East. Do the Russians perhaps consider them a more dangerous enemy? Third they seem the least likely to resolve US financial problems and most likely to carry on pouring money down the drain on defence spending.
Clinton is widely believed to have started war in the Balkans to distract attention from his activities with Monica and impeachment.
Heh! I thought he launched missiles at a Sudanese factory to distract attention from Monicagate.
Путин обездвижил тигрицу, выбравшуюся из ловушки
Like Orpheus, Putin calms the beasts of the field.
Orpheus with his loot?
lyre
Speaking of Ireland, Ger, what is up with all these Irish horror movies? I saw one last night about mutated killer aquatic cow fetuses.
liar?
Lyre. An Ancient Greek stringed instrument. Lutes weren’t invented until much much later.
I love the comments section on this blog.
”Speaking of Ireland, Ger, what is up with all these Irish horror movies? I saw one last night about mutated killer aquatic cow fetuses.”
Do we even have a horror film industry…?:-) I heard we had our own Magic Space Pony film-makers alright, somewhere on the Beara Peninsula, but the rumours were ”untrue”.
If we do have a horror film industry, please let me know. In fact if you know of any Irish industry at all, full stop, that hasnt gone into liquidation I’d be glad to hear it. It’ll probably make the main evening news!
”I’m lucky in that respect. My wife is pretty much apolitical, but when asked she is not a fan of Putin and is unimpressed by Russia’s political posturing. She considers the enormous confidence most Russians have to be largely misplaced.”
She’s a rarity Tim! In fairness my own wife isnt totally nuts, but at the end of the day Russia is right and thats it for her. I suppose in many ways my attitude is a small-country one - with the exception of the IRA campaign (and they didnt represent most of us at all), Ireland is a pretty inoffensive little place and we struggle with the notion of levelling cities (especially our own!)and other brutalities.
“Ireland is a pretty inoffensive little place”
Leprechaun in the Hood isn’t accurate?
“Do we even have a horror film industry…?:-)”
Shrooms and Isolation at least. You do not fuck with those Irish mutant cows!
“Ireland is a pretty inoffensive little place”
That’s because by means of a secret (but brilliant) filtering strategy Ireland populated the rest of the world with the dregs of Irish society (misfits, murderers, rebels, outlaws) while keeping in the little green island those with a more inoffensive DNA. Clever.
“keeping in the little green island those with a more inoffensive DNA.”
Bono?
”Shrooms and Isolation at least. You do not fuck with those Irish mutant cows!”
I’ve heard of Shrooms alright, its from Paddy Breaithnach - were there mutant cows there?? If you want a good laugh, seek out ”Man About Dog” and ”I Went Down”, both from Paddy. There’s a sex scene in ”Man About Dog” where a Russian speaker calls her Irish lover ‘Oi, moya malinkaya loshadka’! The scene in the Traveller(gypsy) encampment is one of the funniest ever produced here. Well worth a look.
”That’s because by means of a secret (but brilliant) filtering strategy Ireland populated the rest of the world with the dregs of Irish society (misfits, murderers, rebels, outlaws) while keeping in the little green island those with a more inoffensive DNA. Clever.”
Ah, darn! We knew someone would discover our nefarious Irish purification scheme, which we told the world was ‘economic emigration’!
”“keeping in the little green island those with a more inoffensive DNA.”
Bono?”
Dont go there, man. Just dont go there:-)
Nah, Shrooms is about evil mushroom that turn you into a psycho killer with magic powers’ Isolation is about mutant cows. Actually it’s very well acted despite the absurdity of its premise.
A native of any country that inflicts Bono upon the world has no business decrying the wrongdoing of others.
”A native of any country that inflicts Bono upon the world has no business decrying the wrongdoing of others.”
That is true, unfortunately. He gets a really hard time here.
Hope you enjoyed those Irish horrors anyway! Isolation sounds like a rip-off of Black Sheep, an NZ horror out 2 years ago about, well…killer sheep. Wasnt too bad actually.
Tired of being regularly abused by horny teenagers and lonely New Zealand farmers, the sheep decide to wreak a terrible, not so New Zealander friendly revenge?
Tim: But such a belief does tend to be much stronger in countries where critical enquiry and self-reflection is banned, discouraged, or simply not carried out for any number of reasons. Russia does far better than say, the Middle East on this score, but falls some way behind the US and UK where unrelenting criticism of a sitting government appears to be a national hobby.
It’s not just criticism of the government among the media and in the public. It is the relative lack of a mentality of questioning authority (though I think we in the US call it “inquiry” and not “enquiry”) or discussing things in order to introduce competing ideas and have the better ones implemented (we can call this absence the “ya nachal’nik, ty durak / ty nachal’nik, ya durak” principle).
Look at the educational system. Last time I checked, “debate club” wasn’t something you would find in many Russian schools, and typically arguing with the teacher or the textbook will get you a bad grade, even if you do it politely and with logic on your side.
Robert: I believe that the Russians have the long term aim of destroying the West’s strongest card, our reputation for truthful and decent conduct.
This is actually one of the more important stars (along with the 1000+% increase in the nominal price of Texas tea) that has aligned for Putin - the West (certainly the US) has been busily destroying its own credibility over the past few years, with little need for any Russian action on this front. VVP has skillfully jumped on the bandwagon by tapping into the resentment of people worldwide for the US by tweaking the eagle’s beak when it suits him.
At the same time in recent years they are being pretty careful not to do anything too dishonest or indecent themselves.
Now this is just comical. Robert, do you ever get the chance to watch the Russian news? Do you see how the government explains/justifies its actions to its own people using manifest falsehoods? Seems rather indecent to me, but I guess it’s all relative - or perhaps those evil genius “US PR people” are responsible for the indecent part. They must somehow be able to simultaneously help the US destroy its own credibility while helping Russia be pure and decent, or perhaps its not the same PR people - can you elaborate? Maybe the US stopped paying its PR people and they’ve decamped for Russia to create a “liberal empire” of decency on TV?
Excuse me for getting carried away, but your suggestion that Russia has been a beacon of truth and restraint in its conduct w/r/t Georgia is simply laughable.
In fact if you know of any Irish industry at all, full stop, that hasnt gone into liquidation…
Is this when one of your companies says: sod it, let’s make beer or whisky instead?
You guys are prattling on about Georgia and the media when there are important subjects like Bono and New Zealand horror movie to discuss? Jesus Christ.
”Tired of being regularly abused by horny teenagers and lonely New Zealand farmers, the sheep decide to wreak a terrible, not so New Zealander friendly revenge?”
Chris Doss trolls on for the deceit of the not so New Zealand Friendlies. Include bogus comments about my grammer. New Zealand sheep arent so Russia Friendly and are hypocritically warped lambs.
”Look at the educational system. Last time I checked, “debate club” wasn’t something you would find in many Russian schools, and typically arguing with the teacher or the textbook will get you a bad grade, even if you do it politely and with logic on your side.”
Lyndon/Chris/Everyone,
can anyone tell me why this is the case? Is it that at school level this vein fo thinking leads to grown ups swallowing the nonsense that passes for news? I’m just baffled by this attitude.
“can anyone tell me why this is the case?”
Isn’t it the norm in schools outside the American tradition, and until recently there too? The Brits supposedly have that debating thing, but it’s not the same as “questioning authority,” the slogan every (white) kid in my high school was obsessed with.
“”Look at the educational system. Last time I checked, “debate club” wasn’t something you would find in many Russian schools, and typically arguing with the teacher or the textbook will get you a bad grade,”
Not only was this the case when I was in high school, this was the case when I was an undergrad and a grad student.
”In fact if you know of any Irish industry at all, full stop, that hasnt gone into liquidation…
Is this when one of your companies says: sod it, let’s make beer or whisky instead?”
Its heading that way!! Ireland is falling to bits. I’m seriously thinking of bailing back to Moscow. Everything costs a fortune here and no-one has any money. By the way Tim how’s the Mick getting on? Where’s he from?
”You guys are prattling on about Georgia and the media when there are important subjects like Bono and New Zealand horror movie to discuss? Jesus Christ.”
There’s another NZ horror (or rather thriller) you might seek out - its called ‘Out of The Blue’, a true story (genuine, happened about ten years ago) about a guy who went nuts on the South Island and basically hunted and shot a load of locals in his village. No gore but scary stuff. My favourite horror from that end of the world has to be Wolf Creek - its Aussie - its genuinely scary, in a ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ sort of style. Am terrified of horrors and cannot bear any type of gore at all, but Wolf Creek was well worth the discomfort. Funny how cheap horrors are usually the scariest.
“My favourite horror from that end of the world has to be Wolf Creek”
I saw this movie the other day! I was bummed wheh the main girl got shot.
”Isn’t it the norm in schools outside the American tradition, and until recently there too? The Brits supposedly have that debating thing, but it’s not the same as “questioning authority,” the slogan every (white) kid in my high school was obsessed with.”
Ireland doesnt have a continuous assesment system - in secondary (high school) all exams(two major ones, at age 15 and 17) worth anything are examined externally so you can argue with your teacher till Kingdom Come, and quite literally it will be all academic, to use a football phrase. In abstract subjects like history you are given essay titles and you can make arguments with your evidence. For example I remember from my own history paper in 1992(!) the question:
”Discuss the Struggle for Power in the USSR (1921-1933?)” In answering you have to of course present facts but if it suits you you could argue for example that Stalin was correct to bump off everyone to get the ‘house in order’. However, in the sciences, engineering, foreign languages etc the answers are very concise wih no scope for opinion at all.
Irish has to be the funniest though. We cant even use it properly at 17 and yet have to write critical essays in Irish about Irish language literature. Talk about a waste of time, and its killing the language.
“In abstract subjects like history you are given essay titles and you can make arguments with your evidence.”
I went in and out of AP (advanced) and “normal” classes throughout high school, largely because I was an absolutely shit student except when it came to writing. In fact, I barely graduated. The AP classes were pretty good, but the rest were mostly “fill in this multiple choice test.”
”My favourite horror from that end of the world has to be Wolf Creek”
I saw this movie the other day! I was bummed wheh the main girl got shot. ”
It was heartbreaking but in keeping with the tone. It was very Russian in style - no happy ending there at all. She was so close to getting away! The bad guy was pure genius though. The scene at the campfire, when the kids are smirking at him, thinking he hasnt a clue, but he smiles wryly, is totally creepy. And the bit where the dark-haired girl finds the Lonely Planet books and video cameras is freaky too. I had to walk a kilometer in the dark down an Irish country lane to meet my mate at the pub after watching it and I was almost shitting myself.
Saw Midnight Express the other nite for the 2oth time. Looked it up on Wiki. Seemingly most of it is a total fraud. He got a few hidings but was never raped or tortured.
”In abstract subjects like history you are given essay titles and you can make arguments with your evidence.”
I went in and out of AP (advanced) and “normal” classes throughout high school, largely because I was an absolutely shit student except when it came to writing. In fact, I barely graduated. The AP classes were pretty good, but the rest were mostly “fill in this multiple choice test.””
I agree totally with the essay style - its not right that scientists and mathematicians get everything their way. In fairness the Irish system, though brutal in many ways, does give all talents a chance. We have no multiple choice though, at any level, ever. The Irish make you write till your hand breaks.
By the way Tim how’s the Mick getting on? Where’s he from?
He’s Dublin born, to Belgian parents. A Shell engineer who’s been seconded to Sakhalin for a year. He’s doing okay, a good lad. A bit older than me, hence a bit more sensible. Not sensible enough to have not volunteered for a month offshore though!
Am terrified of horrors and cannot bear any type of gore at all, but Wolf Creek was well worth the discomfort. Funny how cheap horrors are usually the scariest.
I think that was loosely based on the Peter Falconio case.
Descent was one of the best low-budget horror flicks I’ve seen, knee deep in blood almost from the beginning.
The only film that has actually scared me in my adult life was Blaire Witch Project.
I was unable to watch the end of the remake of Freaks, but out of revulsion, not fear.
BS if anybody is a fan of classic forror films, Romero’s 1969 Night of the Living Dead is on youtube in its entirety: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhgVHTVi_h4
Beware Irishman! Zombies ahead!
The only film that has actually scared me in my adult life was Blaire Witch Project.
I was unable to watch the end of the remake of Freaks, but out of revulsion, not fear.
BS if anybody is a fan of classic forror films, Romero’s 1969 Night of the Living Dead is on youtube in its entirety. I tried linking to it but the spam filter won’t let me.
Beware Irishman! Zombies ahead!
What conclusion, Tim?
That TV is broadcasting BS?
That stupid Russians believe in their stupid TV broadcasting?
As I said - very impressive…
I’m very much doubt she would. I haven’t heard such speeches as hers for 30 years…
What conclusion, Tim?
I’ve already told you:
[A] general impression that the lead news story each night is flattering coverage of the President’s day.
As I said - very impressive…
And as I’ve already told you: no it isn’t. Most visitors reach pretty much the same conclusion.
The only film that has actually scared me in my adult life was Blaire Witch Project.
A great film, with the most frightening final scene in cinema history.
““My favourite horror from that end of the world has to be Wolf Creek”
I saw this movie the other day! I was bummed wheh the main girl got shot.”
Oh, great! Thanks, Chris. If I ever find out about a thriller/spooky movie you want to see, I’ll make sure to SPOIL it for you.
Tim.
have you read what you said?
“he said to me at a party on Friday night: “Are these lot for real? Do they really believe this shite?””
These are not conclusions. These are QUESTIONS? But if he came to the conclusion - with minus zero knowledge of Russians and their language - that they believe…wow! Averko отдыхает
“Oh, great! Thanks, Chris. If I ever find out about a thriller/spooky movie you want to see, I’ll make sure to SPOIL it for you.”
I wouldn’t want you to be scared, Kolya!
You know Alien? In the end, the alien gets flushed into space, and Ripley and the cat live.
About TV in the most free country
Ombudsman: National TVs Under Government’s Firm Control
Civil Georgia, Tbilisi / 4 Jul.’08 / 21:06
Georgia has been left without an independent nationwide television station, as a result of the authorities’ “purposeful efforts,” Sozar Subari, the Georgian public defender, said on July 4.
He was speaking at a conference in Batumi, dedicated to implementation of Georgia’s European Neighborhood Policy action plan.
“The Georgian government boasts of one of the most liberal laws [on media and freedom of speech],” Subari said in his address. “But at the same time there is an extremely grave situation in this field [of freedom of media], which is getting closer and closer to the situation similar to one that once was during the Soviet times.”
“As a result of the authorities’ purposeful efforts there actually is no independent television station in the country, except Kavkasia TV, which covers only Tbilisi,” Subari continued. “The other television stations are operating under the strictest censorship of the authorities. News coverage by those television stations is carried out upon dictation and orders of state officials.”
He also said that some businesses advertising on Kavkasia TV were being pressured by the authorities to withdraw their ads from the station.
“Against the background of this situation, a liberal law remains only as a facade, behind which freedom of speech is being stifled,” Subari added.
Hey, I wonder what would happen if instead of three kids out in the woods shooting a documentary, it was Mike Averko.
“Legends say that long ago a Russophobic pundit lived in these woods, writing op-eds and non fact based analysis in a dank and dark wooden shack. According to some, his ghost still haunts these tree-enshrouded paths, still maintaining the parallel biases from beyond the grave.”
Fast forward. Averko is lost in the woods.
“I want to say I’m very sorry to Mike’s mom. And Josh’s moom. And my mom. I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t. I was so naive.” (Averko gasps, shudders, and glances with wild eyes to one side.) “There’s something out there in the woods. It, it, I think it’s Ethan Burger. And we’re all going to die here.”
”I think that was loosely based on the Peter Falconio case.
Descent was one of the best low-budget horror flicks I’ve seen, knee deep in blood almost from the beginning.”
I think it was, or at least it was a play on the frequent enough disappearances in the Outback. When I flew home from NZ, via Sydney from Singapore, the plane trip splits the Aussie continent from South to North through the desert, and as usual I spent the whole flight looking at the map showing where the plane is, and it struck me, wow, this place is (a) huge and (b) largely uninhabited. Quite apart from loonies, get lost or in car trouble there and death will find you very quickly. Creepy. There’s a brilliant Aussie dramatisation of the Falconio case with Bryan Brown and an equally brilliant young Brit actress who did her time in above all places Coronation Street. Again, Outback = scary.
”The only film that has actually scared me in my adult life was Blaire Witch Project.
A great film, with the most frightening final scene in cinema history.”
I dunno if you’re taking the piss, but if you arent, I do agree. I nearly shit myself at the end of that one. I thought it was one of the cleverest films ever made, though most people wrote it off as shite. The dawning realisation that they are lost and fucked is freaky as well. I hate forests.
”BS if anybody is a fan of classic forror films, Romero’s 1969 Night of the Living Dead is on youtube in its entirety. I tried linking to it but the spam filter won’t let me.
Beware Irishman! Zombies ahead!”
I think Dawn is on there too Chris. I thought all three films were terrific, but Dawn did something to my head and I cant watch it since. The music, the cheapness, the utter bleakness and of course the gore. I’ve read since that at the time it was the one the most successful horror films ever -made for nothing and made a fortune. When the helicopter guy turns blue and tears down the barrier to the rest of them….for me the scariest, most nightmarish scene ever. Brought myself to watch Land of the Dead recently and thought that was a disgrace of a film. Night is an all-time great though - absolutely terrific, very clever movie.
”These are not conclusions. These are QUESTIONS? But if he came to the conclusion - with minus zero knowledge of Russians and their language - that they believe…wow! Averko отдыхает ”
ivanov, in western countries tv channels generally do not show leaders holding court. It would be laughed at, hence the Mick’s reaction. Its not even about censorship -its just SHITE TV!:-)
“Outback = scary.”
What about Outback + Zombies?
Ivanov, I don’t think anybody here falls for the “Georgia is a young democracy” bullshit.
”Fast forward. Averko is lost in the woods.
“I want to say I’m very sorry to Mike’s mom. And Josh’s moom. And my mom. I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t. I was so naive.” (Averko gasps, shudders, and glances with wild eyes to one side.) “There’s something out there in the woods. It, it, I think it’s Ethan Burger. And we’re all going to die here.””
Maybe he needs the ROC Holy Man Father Johnson to save him from EB??
Funny no sign of MAA lately. And come to think of it, I visited SL the other day and there hasnt been a post from Andy for ages.
“Funny no sign of MAA lately.”
His face was turned to the wall.
”“Outback = scary.”
What about Outback + Zombies?”
Dont even go there. My ultimate nightmare. Or worse, a shopping mall in the Outback with zombies and those creepy Pennsylvanian forests thrown in. And mad SWAT teams. BRRRRR.
”“Funny no sign of MAA lately.”
His face was turned to the wall.”
There is no denying the utter freakiness of that scene. Is there any definitive version of what happened? Why was the guys face to the wall?
And chainsaws.
“There is no denying the utter freakiness of that scene. Is there any definitive version of what happened? Why was the guys face to the wall?”
See the movie again. It’s foreshadowed earlier.
“To think I was half joking when I wrote, “If McCain wins in November he should send Medvedev and Putin a box of chocolates in gratitude.” Maybe I was on to something . . .\”
Too much conspiracy here - why is it that there is always some neo-con controlling your world? Putin laid the bait, got the response he wanted, and took what he came for. It wasn\’t McCain\’s fault, or FOX news gearing up for a ratings race. The simplest reason suffices - Putin pulled his hand out from Medvedev\’s ass and made his move. Now he\’s gonna work hard to keep what he killed for (with the help of useful idiots everywhere).
Nothing changes but the characters…
”There is no denying the utter freakiness of that scene. Is there any definitive version of what happened? Why was the guys face to the wall?”
See the movie again. It’s foreshadowed earlier.”
I’m blind as a bat and miss stuff all the time. What happened??!!:-)
What counts as a simplest reason depends on the frame of mind of the observer.
“I’m blind as a bat and miss stuff all the time. What happened??!!:-)”
Sorry Kolya.
Previously, a townsperson told the doomed kids a story about the guy who lived in the woods who was killing children back in the 50s. He murdered them in pairs in the cellar, but said he couldn’t stand the eyes on him. So he made one stand in the corner while he killed the other.
Exactly the kind of thing a not so Russia friendly pundit would do, I might add.
”What counts as a simplest reason depends on the frame of mind of the observer.”
The only conclusion I could draw was that he had just one nuts and turned to face the wall in a kind of freaked-out trance. Then looks around for a second. I just cannot figure out what did happened though really.
I can tell you my frame of mind was ”totally shitting bricks”.
I was refering to the comment by that Shane person.
”Previously, a townsperson told the doomed kids a story about the guy who lived in the woods who was killing children back in the 50s. He murdered them in pairs in the cellar, but said he couldn’t stand the eyes on him. So he made one stand in the corner while he killed the other.”
Chris I’m sorry for having dragged it out, but thanks for telling me. I had forgotten that detail totally, and in fairness its well observed by you.
And its freakier than I’d imagined actually. BRRR.
These are not conclusions.
I never said they were. For the third time, the conclusion reached is:
[A] general impression that the lead news story each night is flattering coverage of the President’s day.
That is the conclusion reached.
Right. He turned Mike to the wall while he was killing Heather.
and it struck me, wow, this place is (a) huge and (b) largely uninhabited.
You’ve not flown from Moscow to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
I dunno if you’re taking the piss, but if you arent, I do agree
I’m not: I genuinely thought that scene, just before the camera falls to the ground, brought the film to a terrifying conclusion.
”I dunno if you’re taking the piss, but if you arent, I do agree
I’m not: I genuinely thought that scene, just before the camera falls to the ground, brought the film to a terrifying conclusion.”
I’ve been annoying Chris about it. Its a brilliant piece of work - it has to be said.
The only conclusion I could draw was that he had just one nuts and turned to face the wall in a kind of freaked-out trance.
For me, it brought home the incredible fear that the witch induced to anyone who encountered her: here we have a grown man, seemingly unharmed (teeth and tongue notwithstanding) obediently stood in a corner awaiting his death. I connected it with the story told earlier, which made me realise the relevance of him standing in the corner.
True Chris - Perhaps a more skeptical frame of mind in defense of simple liberty for Russians?
I came by Sean’s blog looking for his reaction to the murder of Magomed Yevloyev, an anti-Kremlin blogger who was executed and dumped in the street. Reuters reports:
“A preliminary investigation is being carried out into the incident as a result of which M.Yevloyev was killed,” said Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the investigations unit of the Prosecutor General’s Office in Moscow.
Markin said police had tried to bring Yevloyev in for questioning but that an incident occurred in which he received a gunshot wound that led to his death.
Interfax news agency cited an unnamed law enforcement source as saying Yevloyev was shot by accident and said prosecutors had opened a criminal case for causing the death by carelessness.”
What frame of mind do you think the Kremlin thugs who kidnapped Magomed was? It seems a nuanced frame that can explain the murdering of minds…
I’ve been too busy today to write something about Magomed. I think the Kommersant article (Russian only, unfortunately) gives an interesting account of events.
My first impression is that he was executed. I don’t buy that he tried to grab a weapon from one of the police and he was accidentally shot. But I still need to read more on it.
Hopefully I can address it tomorrow. Though I can’t promise anything.
Oh lordy lordy.
Ger, maybe Averko has been made into a zombie and is wandering around the Outback looking for you in a shopping mall.
“My first impression is that he was executed.”
Sean.
When you write about Yevloyev, could you answer some question?
Like what would US policemen do if
“на помощь к господину Евлоеву, расталкивая аэропортовскую охрану и выламывая стеклянные двери, бросились родственники и друзья… При этом милицейский кортеж поехал не к парадным воротам, которые снаружи уже заблокировали сторонники оппозиции, а по запасному маршруту.”
“они сумели догнать милицейскую колонну и тараном отсечь от нее две “Волги”. Но господина Евлоева в них не оказалось. Оппозиционеры выволокли из машин милиционеров, избили их и отобрали табельное оружие и удостоверения. ”
“”Мы уже собирались штурмом брать ГУВД,— вспоминает господин Хазбиев,”
PS. The more and the sooner such оппозиционеров are “isolated” - the more people’s lives will be saved (nothing personal - just my personal opinion). BTW the group that killed children in Beslan came from Ingushetia.
He is not fucking “blogger”. He is terrorist (if we use PATRIOT Act definitions).
And before dumping you BS here, please check the facts. He was brought to hospital BY “executers”.
I think you’re confusing your Magomeds, Ivanov. This guy is different from the mujaheed of the same name.
Like what would US policemen do if..
That’s easy - American cops would park a bullet in his brain-pan and drop him on the side of the road.
Oooh, I get it … just like the Russian cops did! Golly, you’re so smart and wordly.
No, Chris, I’M NOT CONFUSING TARGETS…
Smart joke, Shedd.
But usually they shit their pants or shoot anyone around with all armo they have or both
“American cops would park a bullet in his brain-pan and drop him on the side of the road.”
Unless I missed something in the article, and assuming it is accurate, he wasn’t dropped by the side of the road but taken to the hospital in the cop shop.
I think it’s telling how people of various parallel biases
are reacting to this Magomed shooting with so little information to go on either way.
”I think it’s telling how people of various parallel biases are reacting to this Magomed shooting with so little information to go on either way.”
I saw the article in yesterdays Moscow Times but havent seen anything about it since. In fairness if he went to restrain someone who had a gun pointing at him then it could easily end in tears. But the trigger would surely have to have been pulled, in any case…?
“But the trigger would surely have to have been pulled, in any case…?”
I was thinking that both versions of the event might be true. Maybe this Magomed guy believed that he was going to be shot, so he tried to wrestle away the guy’s gun. Maybe he was wrong and overreacted; maybe he was right and would have been shot anyway. Who knows?
”I connected it with the story told earlier, which made me realise the relevance of him standing in the corner.”
I didnt cop it at all. I think I was so frightened at that point all my thoughts had gone out the window. Thanks again lads for the clarification.
”Ger, maybe Averko has been made into a zombie and is wandering around the Outback looking for you in a shopping mall.”
Adit it Ger — you thought he just had to take a leak really bad.
“Where is Andy though? No action at SL at all for a while now.”
That’s easy. He went into the woods to make a documentary with Averko. Averko had his face turned to the wall, and then BLAMMO! a wave of ectoplasmic Russophobic punditry did its ev