Touched by the Hand of Putin
By Sean at 5 December, 2008, 9:29 am
Prime Minister Putin continued his annual Q&A with the Russian people on Thursday. A full English transcript is now available on Putin’s website. Russia watchers have already began combing through his words, interpreting their significance, and assessing their political resonance. As most reports emphasize, Putin spoke at length about the economic crisis assuring Russians that things will get bad but the nation will weather the storm. It’s not surprising that the PM’s comments focused on the economy. Issues like unemployment, inflation, benefits and pensions were naturally what concerned most people.
Russians were eager to pose questions to the PM, or as a caller named Dasha Varfolomeeva called him, “Uncle Volodya.” About 2.2 million flooded in via phones, text messages, and the Internet. At times it appeared the studio was barely handling the deluge. At one point, Maria Sittel, the event’s co-host said, “The load is tremendous, Mr Mackevicius. No time for rest. I think we have crossed an important psychological barrier: 2.2 million communications, including 1.5 million telephone calls and just over 600,000 text messages. The rest is from the Internet.” Putin may not be president, but he certainly is “the father of the nation.”
This idea of Putin as “father” or even “uncle” to the masses is certainly not a new political idea for Russia. Direct communication with the Father, whether it be the Tsar, General Secretary, President or Prime Minister has been a dynamic between leader and people for centuries. Normally, the distance between leader and led is vast, giving the opportunity to be in the leader’s proximity a momentary but significant symbiotic relation. Here I find myself in agreement with Masha Lipman’s explanation of this event:
“[It] emphasizes the paternalistic nature of the regime. It is a style of government in which the most important thing is the rapport between the top decision-taker and the people. Many of those questions were local or even individual. And people have their own legislators. They have federal legislators they voted for, they have their own governors and yet there is this sense that maybe the only way to get a problem solved is to get through to the supreme authority.”
Putin’s Q&A does say a lot of about the personalized nature of the regime, but it also says that Russians themselves recognize this as an effective means to get problems solved. For example, the Financial Times notes,
From the southern city of Nizhny Novgorod, a mother called to complain that a subsidised baby food clinic had been closed. Half an hour after the show, the governor of the province announced the miraculous resolution of the problem.
The Tsar + people against the boyars dynamic continues to function. The interests of the leader are sublimated into the people so that for one brief moment they embody the sovereign body of Putin. When looked at closely, the whole exercise exerts an air of the carnivalesque.
The notion of proximity between leader and lead is further seen in how so many Russians crafted their questions. Not only did they address subjects as wide ranging as Christmas trees and pedophiles, how callers crafted their questions says volumes about the language of appeal. The questions were often personal and callers were quick to give Putin a short autobiographical note mixed with a political statement. For example,
Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Oksana Klimova. I’d like to express the pain of many people who live in the Far East. We feel detached from central Russia, since many families cannot buy train or air tickets, because air tickets cost around 30,000 rubles or even more. My kid asked me if we could go to St Petersburg for winter holidays, but I said No.
What will be done for the healthcare and education professionals to help them afford such luxury?
or,
Good afternoon, Mr Putin. My name is Olga Savelyeva.
I am a single mother. My daughter is 16. She studies in the 11th grade, this is her final year. I work at the radio-electronics plant, the Kontakt plant with billions in sales. These days, they have announced layoffs because of the crisis. Out of its 4,000 workers, 1,500 will be dismissed. I have worked as a production engineer for more than 20 years, and my salary grew from 6,000 to 8,000 rubles, but now it is being reduced. I am afraid I may lose my job.
Mr Putin, how will you deal with massive unemployment?
As someone who has read a number of appeals to leaders during the Soviet period, I’m struck by their narratological similarities. Often letters to power began with an autobiographical introduction of some sort. Since those appeals were written, the authors tended detail their life in greater depth than those fielded by Putin. Citizens’ requests from the early Soviet period also had a similar individual tone. I have letters to Komsomol General Secretary N. Chaplin asking for advice on marriage, employment, money, and other forms of assistance. Sometimes people got results. On some letters to Stalin, one can see his marginal notes directing the appeal to the appropriate authority. In other cases, letters of complaint and denunciation opened up investigations of local officials.
Finally, I think the most interesting part of the Q&A was the final part when Putin took short questions and at many points took personal responsibility for their resolution. Here are a few examples:
“I have eight children, my eldest daughter is 20. I have not received the Order of Maternal Glory, and, hence, I don’t get the benefits.”
It goes without saying I will check on this. I can’t comment on this particular case now, but this mistake should be corrected. I hope you’ve left your address here. We will find you.
“Dear Mr Putin, I found my father’s grave killed during WWII on the Internet.” The man asks to help with restoring the monument, which the local budget cannot afford.
We shall contact you. This is a sacred duty of local and regional authorities alike. If they do not have enough money, I would stress that the matter implies not only money but also morals. We shall help if they cannot afford such things, but I don’t think this is a matter where thrift should come in to play.
“We have no school and no art or knitting classes near our home. The children hope you will help.”
This is also a matter of regional scope, but we shall help, as the message has reached me. We shall certainly help.
“My request concerns my son, who will be conscripted next autumn. He dreams of serving in the Kremlin Regiment.”
Good boy! It’s great that he wants to go into the army. As for the Kremlin Regiment, it has certain qualifications. I will pass your message along to the Federal Guard Service, and I believe its chiefs will do something for you.
Whether Putin actually comes through on these is immaterial. What is important is that he acknowledged people’s individual voices in a very public forum. In the big political sense, that recognition is more important as any results.
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“Often letters to power began with an autobiographical introduction of some sort.”
When you write a letter to a stranger, don’t you normally tell him/her who you are?
In fairness to Putin at least he says ”I will do something”. Politicians and civil servants in this part of the world are atrociously non-committal, and our last Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern – I dont think anybody got a straight answer out of him in ten years in charge. Putin says what people want to hear – its not often leaders are as clued in to their audience as he is.
Are we going to open a book yet on Putin back in the Kremlin in 2012? I’ll give you evens, 100R a bet:-)
Excellent post, Sean.
As someone who has read a number of appeals to leaders during the Soviet period, I’m struck by their narratological similarities.
Spot on.
I’d like to express the pain of many people who live in the Far East.
Go girrrl!!
I bet Poemless wishes she’d been touched by the hand of Putin.
Why? This is just a human nature. I would never appeal to the “father” – as I used to solve my problems by myself. But there are lot of people around who always appeal to someone for something. I’m sure if Bush runs such show – he’ll get even more appeals and biographies. But I think Obama will do something like this.
What really struck me – the way Big Three bosses appealed to the US government (in a way – to US people). Sounds very close to the “single mother” style plea to the Tsar.
Putin reassured that life will get worse and said how he gonna fix it. Good way to prevent mass protests in the nearest future. Though I didn’t watch the show more than 15 min.
I think several of you (those most entrenched in a biased pro-Russian viewpoint) are missing Sean’s points and replying in a somewhat defensive manner.
The style of these appeals and the narration is very specific and it is NOT how most English speakers would write to a mayor, a state senator, a US senator, or US President.
Further, some of these appeals are simply ludicrous to direct at one of (if not the highest) elected political official in the land. We don’t have knitting classes in school? Are you shitting me? Here such a question would be handled by local parents involved directly with the school board. Schools answer to the parents in that community. I can say, for example, that many parents here in the US would volunteer to offer either day or night classes at the local school to address such things.
And this goes for many of the other requests as well. Americans (at least) feel much more able to make appeals and expect results from their local government. They can vote the bastards out office if they don’t respond. I won’t delve into the problems this can create in our system, simple demonstrate there is a fundamental difference in how citizens may direct their appeals to local government and expect results.
So what you have here is a very specific and unique aspect of Russian culture – the personal appeal to the highest official in the land, to have them intervene on your behalf, on details ranging from the tragic to the mundane.
I’m reminded of appeals to the Pope that begin, “Holy Father, please grant me …” These appeals have an aspect of prayer to them. Instead of working towards your own local solution, they are praying to a power on-high to solve it for them.
Katja responds: “These people are just naive”
From The Guardian:
“On Thursday, armed and masked men from the investigative committee of the Russian general prosecutor’s office burst into Memorial’s St Petersburg office.
After a search of several hours, they confiscated its entire archive – memoirs, photographs, interviews, and other unique documents detailing the history of the gulag and the names of many of its victims.”
Armed masked agents (why masked?) confiscate the archives of a human rights/historical records organization. Was there much commentary about it in the Russian media? Are people concerned or outraged by such conduct? I imagine that ten or fifteen years ago there would have been a lot of noise about it. I wonder how it is now.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/07/russian-police-seize-archive-repression
The Memorial raid is being widely reported in the Russian press. Even NTV did a story on it: http://news.ntv.ru/spb/145762/
Man, Figes is so full of himself.
Figes who?
From the Guardian article Kolya gave the link for. Since Figes thinks the Memorial raid “is part of a campaign to rewrite Soviet history and rehabilitate the Stalinist regime,” I wonder how he would explain this conference?
“The Memorial raid is being widely reported in the Russian press.”
That’s good to know. It’s a relief, actually. (Unless they are giving it a pro masked raid spin.)
Figes certainly sells books. I have not read any of them, though. Several years ago I was browsing one of his thick works. I’m no historian, but I decided to check if he covered some particular things I knew very well (not too central to whole narrative). Of the couple of things I did find, I noticed that although I could not take much issue with the facts, I was bothered by a certain tendentiousness that flavored things quite differently. I know we are subjective beings and have our angles, but I found it a bit too much with him. That’s why I didn’t buy that book and have not read any of other of his books. (And I’m saying that as someone who has enjoyed the work, as well as trusted the professional integrity, of historians who have political views I don’t share.)
Putin reassured that life will get worse and said how he gonna fix it. Good way to prevent mass protests in the nearest future. Though I didn’t watch the show more than 15 min.
————————————————
At least Putin honest about the life getting worst. In the USA the life is getting worse by day, and it will be much worse in the near future. However, nobody has the guts to honestly say this.
Nobody has the guts to air such a show for three years now…
First, you have to run such a show at least once.
Then we’ll see who is more naive
Kolya.
The raid to Memorial was no secret in Russia. The noise? Yes, among “liberal opposition”.
None of my contact really care about Memorial. Originally it was a kind of “club” to cover history questions (well – related to political events). But no it’s pure political crap.
I really liked Natasha’s Dance. Of course, I also really liked all Montefiore’s books, and his commentary on the South Ossetia comment was bat-shit crazy.
Why would one have to try to rehabilitate the Soviet regime anyway? It’s already rehabilitated in the minds of the majority of the population.
“First, you have to run such a show at least once.”
Good point!
ivanov,
The whole US existence is one continuous wild show, going non-stop and full blast, with the whole world watching in amazement (and that includes you too). So don’t interrupt, please.
“Why would one have to try to rehabilitate the Soviet regime anyway? It’s already rehabilitated in the minds of the majority of the population.”
___________________
Which population seems curiously reluctant to vote the Komparty back in and entrust it with a rewnewed dictatorship.
Candide.
First logical mistake – you extrapolate last 50 years of US history to its whole “existence”. More exactly – period after WWII.
Second logical mistake – you extrapolate your amazement on the world as a whole. From my experience – big chunk of the world either hates or watching in fear. Me personally? Very concerned.
Third – I’m sure Obama will run such show. Them we’ll discuss who is more naive again. OK?
”I really liked Natasha’s Dance. Of course, I also really liked all Montefiore’s books, and his commentary on the South Ossetia comment was bat-shit crazy.”
I got Natasha’s Dance as a Christmas present and forgot to read it. Must have a look though.
”The style of these appeals and the narration is very specific and it is NOT how most English speakers would write to a mayor, a state senator, a US senator, or US President.”
Its funny you should say that, and I think you might be onto something. In Ireland when people want something from local politicians etc they dont introduce themselves like the Russians, and in fact their tone may be of indignance and irritation e.g. ”I cant get seen by the hospital consultant even though I’ve been sick for two years, come on”! or ”those clowns in the Department of Education have cut our funding for special needs teachers”. The Russians however seem to prostrate themselves in front of Putin, etc. I wonder is that borne of fear of politicians and the knowledge that they truly control everything in Russia in a way that they simply do not here. Admittedly Putin is the Boss totally and people may be simply blown away by them, but the Russian attitude certainly strikes me as one of fear of a permanent leader, rather than some clown that can be ditched in 4 years time, as is the case here.
Of course I could be totally wrong in this, as is often the case.
I would suspect the Irish have more responsive local governments. The reason Russians and various other peoples look to the top is IMO because the top is the only thing that has the power to whip the lower levels of government into line. And of course the lower levels of government are what concerns the average person.
ivanov,
I see you admitted you are followAmerican show. That means you are aware the show is going on. Now let’s look at the details.
You must be aware that new US Prez. had to go through more than 20 public debates during 2 years of grueling campaigning to attain office (yet at least 40 % of US population still think he got there too easy). How many public election debates Putin and Medvedev appeared at. Yes, the total number is big fat 0 (zero, also nool’).
On top of that, once in office US prez. conducts weekly regular meetings with the press; besides the Prez. has to answer all sorts of questions when he appears with visiting foreign dignitary the Press doesn’t care a fig about (like Iceland head of state, for example).
You compare that with one annual press meeting by Putin? In old Russia serfs had one day per year (Iuriev day) to move about, and in modern Russia people get one day per year to ask Leader questions, that’s what you call progress?
You know, in America when someone reaches that kind of level of deliberate obtuseness, like you just demonstrated, the common advice is to pull one’s head out of one’s rear. That’s the advice I offer you now and I hope you follow it.
“On top of that, once in office US prez. conducts weekly regular meetings with the press”
The press is not the people.
”I would suspect the Irish have more responsive local governments. The reason Russians and various other peoples look to the top is IMO because the top is the only thing that has the power to whip the lower levels of government into line. And of course the lower levels of government are what concerns the average person.”
Yeah, for sure. I forgot that aspect of Russia – that local officials likely couldnt give a shit 99% of the time. In Ireland they do have some level of accountability but its by no means perfect. Our civil servants are generally shite too.
”On top of that, once in office US prez. conducts weekly regular meetings with the press;”
He certainly does, with journalists who frequently travel with him on Air Force One and ask easy questions most of the time. And often I hear the spokesman or President actually use the journalists name in answering ”well, Nancy, yes, we’re gonna fix that” etc. How very cushy and friendly.
”besides the Prez. has to answer all sorts of questions when he appears with visiting foreign dignitary the Press doesn’t care a fig about (like Iceland head of state, for example).”
The press in the US it seems doesnt really care about a lot of things eg the presence of WMDs in Iraq before the invasion etc. Whilst I have no doubt that the Russian leadership gets off pretty easy when it comes to grillings, to be honest so did Bush until the whole shithouse went up in flames. I think the Brits have the best system – continual harrassment of politicians by the press and the terrific Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, which is just fantastic entertainment.
The reason Russians and various other peoples look to the top is IMO because the top is the only thing that has the power to whip the lower levels of government into line. And of course the lower levels of government are what concerns the average person.
I agree. Which makes me wonder how much power those at the top really have. Sure they can make these individual gestures, but I wonder just how much control the top really has over the system on a day to day basis. After all, the audience for Putin’s Q&A is not just the narod, but the middle layer. It tells them that the people have proximity to power.
My impression this need to demonstrate proximity is quite rare because it’s not necessary. Americans don’t have a deep paternal relationship to their leaders. I would love to see an American politician try and do something like this. If anything just to see how it would work.
I have to say that even though I recognize Putin’s Q&A as both theater and genuine populism, I can’t help but be impressed with the performance.
On the language of appeals, I wonder what Americans write to Presidents. I’ve never read any.
“I have to say that even though I recognize Putin’s Q&A as both theater and genuine populism, I can’t help but be impressed with the performance.”
He’s very good at it.
“On the language of appeals, I wonder what Americans write to Presidents. I’ve never read any.”
Doesn’t the White House have a special department to handle this stuff?
“Americans don’t have a deep paternal relationship to their leaders. I would love to see an American politician try and do something like this.”
Fireside chats?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Obama starting his own version of Fireside chats.
“The press is not the people.”
Bravo, Doom, you made a statement that contains more faulty clauses than it has words (including articles).
Do you know what a clause is, you hebephrenic jackass?
Ivanov, Memorial did some very good and useful work. In the early 90s I met some people involved in it.
If it’s true what you are saying, too bad Russians are so nonchalant about armed masked agents raiding Memorial’s offices and confiscating their archives. I would certainly be very pissed off if the equivalent happens in the US: say, armed and masked FBI agents (I don’t think they use such masks, but I’m not sure) raid and confiscate the archives of a nonprofit organization that keeps historical records, even if I’m not particularly sympathetic to the politics of the raided organization.
Chris, someone gave Natasha’s Dance to my wife. Maybe I was already too negatively predisposed, but after browsing through it I decided not to read it.
Kolya, it’s not entirely impossible that Memorial is in fact in violation of something or other. I wouldn’t be surprised.
“…with journalists who frequently travel with him on Air Force One and ask easy questions most of the time. And often I hear the spokesman or President actually use the journalists name in answering ”well, Nancy, yes, we’re gonna fix that” etc. How very cushy and friendly.”
Thanks, Irishman, that’s exactly what I meant. That kind of unctious show is going non-stop in US politics, except that no one is swooning.
Doom,
Any oligophrene would know that when I said ‘clauses’ I really meant ‘premises’.
And there is no need to be rude.
Ho aner ho ekhon oligon kephalon phainetai zoon einai.
“Kolya, it’s not entirely impossible that Memorial is in fact in violation of something or other.”
Yes, it is possible. But an armed raid with masked agents? Also, archival evidence can be easily copied without having to confiscate the whole shebang–I know they do such things in the US.
“Yes, it is possible. But an armed raid with masked agents?”
Isn’t that SOP in Russia? That’s how the tax police used to raid places if my fuzzy memory serves.
Candide.
I’m trying, I’m trying. But it’s not my fault that your head has been stuck so deep…
PS. Don’t give me your sovet – and I won’t give you mine:)
Candide.
I’m trying, I’m trying. But it’s not my fault that your head has been stuck so deep…
PS. Don’t give me your sovet – and I won’t give you mine:)
—————————————–
Ivanov, you are right – unsolicited advice are the worst, but that’s what Russia has been getting at all levels. Even here everyone knows what is best for Russia and what crimes Putin has committed.
Kolya.
The raid to Memorial was no secret in Russia. The noise? Yes, among “liberal opposition”.
None of my contact really care about Memorial. Originally it was a kind of “club” to cover history questions (well – related to political events). But no it’s pure political crap.
———————————————–
“Liberal opposition” = Kasparov, Novodvorskaya and the 15 supporters that they manage to hire to join their street protest with an American grant they got in support of “democracy” in Russia.
What’s so special in armed raid? They didn’t use tanks – only their regular weapons. Do you think US police comes with roses?
Masks are used by special units. I think this common practice everywhere now. Both identity protection and extra fear tactics.
Why investigators called for special unit’s support – I have no idea.
Yes, Memorial did a lot of good things – but one big mistake by entering political games (at least by part of Memorial activists).
To copy stuff at sport? You kidding or watching to much C.S.I. Miami
The main “equipment” over there – paper and pencil.
What did happen there? I have no idea (nor interested). But I wouldn’t trust a single word in the press.
“To copy stuff at the spot? You kidding or watching to much C.S.I.”
For what is worth, I had never watched a single episode of any of the C.S.I shows. Actually, I watch very little TV. I use it primarily for dvds. For better or for worse, I’m definitely not a good source on current US pop culture.
In any event, maybe it’s not common in Russia, but it’s neither too complicated nor too sophisticated to copy computer drives on the spot.
As to raiding parties wearing masks, I may be behind the times but I don’t think they are common at all in the US. You don’t see masked SWAT police officers raiding the offices of corporations or nonprofits under investigation. Such things are usually done by FBI types in business suits.
Dear ‘Russian President’,
My web moniker is Candide, I was born in the USSR, now I live in the US and I think your silly act is a stupid joke.
Please explain why pathetic wankers like you and ‘ivanov’ never miss a chance to declare they regard American affairs with ‘great concern’, but also insist that others are not allowed to express ‘concern’ about Russia?
Indecently yours,
Kolya, it’s not entirely impossible that Memorial is in fact in violation of something or other. I wouldn’t be surprised.
It’s an organisation in Russia. Of course it’s violating some law or other. It’s impossible not to.
Looks like Russian President is not answering. That must be one of those 364 days when Russian President only talks to people. Guess I have to wait another year to get an answer.
“As to raiding parties wearing masks, I may be behind the times but I don’t think they are common at all in the US.”
I meant in Russia.
“It’s an organisation in Russia. Of course it’s violating some law or other. It’s impossible not to.”
Well yeah. I meant something serious. Who knows? Not me.
“My web moniker is Candide, I was born in the USSR, now I live in the US and I think your silly act is a stupid joke.”
Must be a bummer now that your president is a Marxist dictator. What are you going to do, defect to Bali? You’re going to run out of countries to betray pretty soon at this rate.
Hard-hitting American media in action, speaking Truth to Power!: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081207/pl_nm/us_usa_obama_smoking_3
Chris’s link reminds me of Mark Twain’s quip:
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times. “
Mr. Clemens spoke truth!
Speaking of historians (Figes etc.) I just pocked up Chang and Halliday’s book on Mao. JEEE-SUS! This book is truly awful, without a doubt the worst book of purported history I have ever read. If Dean Koontz wrote nonfiction, he would write books like this. This book really is that bad.
Putin didn’t publicly answer all the letters adressed to him; some letters remained out of public view. Here but the two of such letters (some explicit expressions of personal affection had to be expunged):
1. Most Adorable Vladimir,
I lived in many countries, I speak a smattering of languages and I have many names (call me Chris) and I am your bi*ch.
Vladimir, I dream of you constantly. Your visage (censored)… your physique (censored)… your dreamy toes (censored)… There is nothing I refuse to do for you (censored)… I will be putty in your arms. When you have your way with me, I’ll speak to you tenderly in many tongues (for I lived in many lands and speak many languages)…
Yours always, Chris.
______________
2. Vovka!
VO!!!!!!!
(big sketch of thumb-up gesture)
Signed, ivanov
I bet Poemless wishes she’d been touched by the hand of Putin.
Chris: So true… In the mean time I will have to settle for you imagining me in the nude. Check it out: my boyfriend totally does not mind that I have a portrait of Putin in my bedroom!
As someone who has read a number of appeals to leaders during the Soviet period, I’m struck by their narratological similarities.
Sean: Whatever. And all the questions the People posed to Obama and McCain didn’t have the same stupid format?
At least Putin honest about the life getting worst. In the USA the life is getting worse by day, and it will be much worse in the near future. However, nobody has the guts to honestly say this.
Dimochka: Actually, Obama assured the nation on Sunday that things are def. going to get worse.
Americans (at least) feel much more able to make appeals and expect results from their local government.
Wally: I think I basically agree with you on the difference between the way Americans and Russians conceptualize their relationships with their leaders. However, I truly think that in the past decade, many Americans have become more like Russians with their combo of leaderworship and feeling totally cynical and helpless to change anything, and many Russians have become more like Americans with their sense of entitlement to things as citizens, and their willingness to at least try to get results from their leaders. This is something I have been following for the past … 15 yrs or so. American mentality is becoming more like that of many Russians, and vice versa.
BTW, I think that these little Q&A’s, however theatrical, are good things. Can you imagine Bush ever doing such a thing? On an annual basis? Hell, 90% of politics is theater. At least give a convincing performance, ya know?
Also, for those who think this paternalistic cult of personality is peculiar to Russia, you should pay more attention to Obama. His style is different, but the effect is the same.
Is the portrait of Putin nude?
Er, no.
You could photoshop his head onto a picture of your boyfriend.
I think things are fine the way they are.
Now someone is going to post that I’ve gone and destroyed the intellectual tone of this conversation…
No, no, the tome-lowering was all my doing.
Seriously, good point about Obama. Though it is to be expected given that he is a budding Marxist dictator and all.
“…you should pay more attention to Obama. His style is different, but the effect is the same.”
Obama can bullshit Putin into the ground in 3 minutes flat.
However, Putin can slam Obama into the ground in 3 minutes flat with his mad judo skillz.
Obama could puff second-hand smoke in Putin’s face, run away, and wait for Putin to die of lung cancer in 30 years or so.
Dear ‘Russian President’,
My web moniker is Candide, I was born in the USSR, now I live in the US and I think your silly act is a stupid joke.
Please explain why pathetic wankers like you and ‘ivanov’ never miss a chance to declare they regard American affairs with ‘great concern’, but also insist that others are not allowed to express ‘concern’ about Russia?
Indecently yours,
——————————————
Dear Candide,
You are right the Russian President and his many proxies are very busy and sometimes cannot reply to every unpleasant remark about Russia, its government and the people.
We express “concern” about America because everything that is being said about Russia by you and the people like you, can be said about America. You surely don’t have double standards, right? Both America and Russia should be evaluated from the viewpoint of the same values (i.e., “democracy”, “market economy”, “human rights”, …)?
I appreciate that you immigrated from the USSR and now live in the US, however sometimes people like you to justify their decision to immigrate, want to see Russia in a bad light. You assert yourself on Russia’s expense. However, in reality you should have forgotten about Russia and concentrated your attention about your life in the USA, which is a very wealthy and democratic country. Did I mention the USA has a strong economy? So, stay focused. Think what’s your life in the USA is going to be in the coming years. Blaming Russia will not solve your problems. Surely, Kasparov, Novodvorskaya think like you, but still they are but two people with 15 supporters in Russia whom their hire to “protest” on the streets of Moscow.
Cheers, RP.
”Chris: So true… In the mean time I will have to settle for you imagining me in the nude. Check it out: my boyfriend totally does not mind that I have a portrait of Putin in my bedroom!”
I tried to put up a portrait of Roise de Burca on our bedroom wall (she’s on the left, with the Ros na Run sign)
http://www.tg4.ie/clar/rnr/rnr.asp
Sadly the wife was having none of it. The bloody Putin portrait remains though. Doh!
”Speaking of historians (Figes etc.) I just pocked up Chang and Halliday’s book on Mao. JEEE-SUS!”
Whats wrong with it, precisely? Are you saying the style of writing was bad, or that the Cultural Revolution and the millions who died didnt happen, or that they are inflating figures? I dont know a whole lot about China – An tSin – but I thought the book wasnt bad, and if half of it is true, its utterly shocking. I have no doubt Halliday and Cheung have books to sell, but that doesnt mean what they’ve said isnt true.
Here’s the book’s pattern of reasoning in a nutshell.
“When Mao was 5 years old, babies began disappearing from his province. From what we know of Mao’s later psychology, it is probable that these babies were killed and eaten by the little Mao. From the fact that he killed and ate these babies, we can determine what we need to know about Mao’s later psychology.”
They also do a lot of blatant fucking around with figures. E.g. at one point they state that the number of missing persons in one event contains an undetermined number of deaths. Then later in the same paragraph (!!) this undetermined number becomes all of them. Completely clumsy. Plus, they seem to have certain knowledge of Mao’s mental state at every point in his life. How do they know this? Did they hold a seance? If people tried to write this way about Hitler, they would be laughed at.
I am simply astonished this book ever got published.
”Masks are used by special units. I think this common practice everywhere now. Both identity protection and extra fear tactics.”
I think in mid-90s Russia it was entirely appropriate to wear masks. Anyone calling on gangsters demanding cash or ‘delicate’ documents – especially calling on Chechen gangsters – could at least expect pot-shots from Oxhrani or worse retribution later. Reminds me a bit of Russian pilots wiping their names from their cockpits for fear of reprisals later.
”When Mao was 5 years old, babies began disappearing from his province. From what we know of Mao’s later psychology, it is probable that these babies were killed and eaten by the little Mao.”
WHERE in the book was that?:-) I cant even remember it! I’ll have a look when I get back to Limerick.
”They also do a lot of blatant fucking around with figures. E.g. at one point they state that the number of missing persons in one event contains an undetermined number of deaths. Then later in the same paragraph (!!) this undetermined number becomes all of them. Completely clumsy”
This is true. They did seem to pull numbers out of their arse a lot of the time, I’ll grant that. But who is counting, really? The fact is many millions did die. I have no doubt these are major faux-pas, but the book is hardly meant to be a reference for academia. Surely? The sad thing is they didnt need to inflate/distort at all. He did actually kill millions of people.
”Plus, they seem to have certain knowledge of Mao’s mental state at every point in his life.”
Yeah that was more bullshit. His approach to personal hygiene was unique though:-)The book was also painted with utter hatred throughout, and all objectivity was lost very early on. Still though much of what was written is probably true. He was fucked up, no doubt about it.
“This is true. They did seem to pull numbers out of their arse a lot of the time, I’ll grant that. But who is counting, really? The fact is many millions did die. I have no doubt these are major faux-pas, but the book is hardly meant to be a reference for academia. Surely? The sad thing is they didnt need to inflate/distort at all.”
I think truth is important. I’m old-fashioned that way.
What really shocking is half “historical” book of bullshit and lie.
‘I think truth is important. I’m old-fashioned that way. ”
It sure is. And is true that Mao did kill millions, is it not? So mistakes with a few numbers is hardly reason to write off the whole book, is it? What a pretentious little git you are this morning. The baby eating shite aside, are you actually certain they inflated or distorted figures? Or are you simply saying the boom should be written off cos you dont like it? Is your Mandarin that good -spent any time in the Beijing archives?
”What really shocking is half “historical” book of bullshit and lie.”
Have you actually read it? I didnt think you lot could afford books in Iceland anymore.
“It sure is. And is true that Mao did kill millions, is it not? So mistakes with a few numbers is hardly reason to write off the whole book, is it?”
Well then the book could have been reduced to a single sentence now, couldn’t it? “Mao Killed Millions!” That would have been the whole book.
C’mon Ger, what would you think about a history of Ireland written in a similar fashion? “We see that the population of the village of X reduced by 50% from 1960-1980. It is almost certain that these people were all murdered by the IRA.”
”C’mon Ger, what would you think about a history of Ireland written in a similar fashion? “We see that the population of the village of X reduced by 50% from 1960-1980. It is almost certain that these people were all murdered by the IRA.””
True enough, and sorry. I’m like a bear all day after getting a threatening pismo from Bank Irlandii re. my credit card.
The party is very definitely over in Ireland.
Sorry to hear it.
You can blame it on Mao, if it will help you feel better!
”Sorry to hear it.
You can blame it on Mao, if it will help you feel better!”
Cheers Mate. I was just like a cnut this morning. The cheek of Banc na hEireann to disturb me whilst I live the Irish language dream!
Its funny, actually, the linguistics up here. Some of the native Irish speakers, especially the old guys, dont have perfect English. They understand everything I say, but when they speak, they have stress on the wrong syllables and vowels and their accent is kind of weird. I guess English is their second language.
By the way I can say with certainty that Irish is more difficult than Russian, especially pronounciation, which has no logical system to it at all. Russian is a t least friendly on the ears. Still, its great to go home and show up all the lads with my few words learned.
“Irish is more difficult than Russian”
Mao’s fault.
Actually I really like how Irish sounds.
It’s either censorship descended upon Sean’s Russia Blog and some of my posts have been deleted (which is very likely because if one criticizes Stalin or Putin for to long, one becomes just like them – hence the censorship), or there’s a glitch and they don’t get posted for some computer-problem reason.
”Actually I really like how Irish sounds.”
Its cool sometimes, and much like Russian it has its own long list of insults and sayings that are almost untranslatable.
I must send you that book and cd. I’d just be afraid it wont get to you. I think if you DHL stuff to Russia and mark it as ‘documents’ its gets thru OK. Otherwise customs can stop it and will charge you three million Euro in import duties for something that costs 20 Euro. I love Russia but I wish they’d get their act together about shit like this. You should watch Ros na Run, especially the super-hot Roise who actually lives 1km up the road from me here and serves in her father’s pub. Its at
http://www.tg4.tv/
click on Drama-Cartlann then click on any of the Ros na Run shows. They’re all subtitled.
”It’s either censorship descended upon Sean’s Russia Blog and some of my posts have been deleted (which is very likely because if one criticizes Stalin or Putin for to long, one becomes just like them – hence the censorship), or there’s a glitch and they don’t get posted for some computer-problem reason.”
President Medvedev, as Tom Jones would say ”Its not unusual”. Sometimes comments get blocked and stuck in the spam filter. I’m sure Sean will fix it.
President Medvedev, as Tom Jones would say ”Its not unusual”. Sometimes comments get blocked and stuck in the spam filter. I’m sure Sean will fix it.
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Thank you, Irishman.
By the was here’s an interview with Yulia Zhukova whom you may remember from an earlier discussion:
http://thepresidentofrussia.blogspot.com/2008/10/interview-with-yulia-zhukova.html
What’s the problem with mailing?
Incidentally, John Dolan wrote a review of the Mao book in the eXile when it came out: http://exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=7816&IBLOCK_ID=35