The 'vladmir Putin Rocks' Thread

[Colin]

I would believe he see it's more of the natural extension of Czarist Russia had it continued.

[Roman Alymov]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/saudi-arabia-more-of-a-threat-to-britain-than-russia-says-ken-livingstone-a6768646.html

Saudi Arabia more of a threat to UK than Russia, says Ken Livingstone

'We now face a threat from Muslim fundamentalism – most of which has been funded by Saudi Arabia, our principal ally'

[urbanoid]

It's about being a superpower, not a political system. Imperial Russia and USSR were ones, so we have references to both. You can have a theoretically schizophrenic scene of soldiers praying with an Orthodox priest, with a red star showing up here and there.

[Roman Alymov]

It's about being a superpower, not a political system. Imperial Russia and USSR were ones, so we have references to both.

Imperial Russia newer was superpower (actually no country was at that time – it was “multi-polar world” in modern terms). SU was superpower only from late 1960^th when some sort of parity was reached with US while other major powers finally lost their imperial heritage.

 

 

It's about being a superpower, not a political system. Imperial Russia and USSR were ones, so we have references to both. You can have a theoretically schizophrenic scene of soldiers praying with an Orthodox priest, with a red star showing up here and there.

IMHO far less schizophrenic then Poles supporting Ukrainian nationalists with their idols once killed Poles in numbers. Both “red” and “white” movements are part of Russian history – now we got red stars marking coexisting with imperial double-headed eagle and civilian three-colored flag. It is normal in Donbass to have “monarchist” company as part of “communist” brigade, or have “communist” unit under command of monarchist and coexisting with Kossack units. Ukraine events finally ended 100 years of Russian civil war, society is finally more or less united (except hysteric pro-Western liberals, but they are also tolerated until making something exceptionally stupid or illegal)

Popular sleeve badge in Donbass

[Simon Tan]

But the Tsar does not have to try that hard. He has Americans to help him.

[Roman Alymov]

 

 

Besides, its not RUSSIA one should be scared of. Its the corrupt, incompetent and quite possibly deranged oligarchy in charge of it im worried about.

 

From my local point of view Western political and business leaders are no way more competent or uncorrupt then Russian ones. But of course it is not up to me but to their voters.

[urbanoid]

Imperial Russia newer was superpower (actually no country was at that time – it was “multi-polar world” in modern terms). SU was superpower only from late 1960^th when some sort of parity was reached with US while other major powers finally lost their imperial heritage.

 

IMHO far less schizophrenic then Poles supporting Ukrainian nationalists with their idols once killed Poles in numbers. Both “red” and “white” movements are part of Russian history – now we got red stars marking coexisting with imperial double-headed eagle and civilian three-colored flag. It is normal in Donbass to have “monarchist” company as part of “communist” brigade, or have “communist” unit under command of monarchist and coexisting with Kossack units. Ukraine events finally ended 100 years of Russian civil war, society is finally more or less united (except hysteric pro-Western liberals, but they are also tolerated until making something exceptionally stupid or illegal)

 

Ok, then let's say one of the Great Powers™ of the time. One of the 'equals', while today it feels it is not.

 

We support Ukraine because we think it's in our interests to have Ukraine integrated with the West. It's a kinda different thing than self-identification where one part totally contradicts the other (red vs. white). And I assure we do remember about their atrocities very well, but it's not the essence of our relations (and why should it be?). Today's Ukraine is not a threat and we see no scenario where it could become one.

[Roman Alymov]

But the Tsar does not have to try that hard. He has Americans to help him.

Well, existence of “Americans” is, partly, result of Ekaterine II of Russia turning down King’s proposal to send Russian troops to put down uprising in American colonies, as Russia was interested in weakening British Empire influence. So, to some extent, history of British Empire losing its global status to US is story of Russian plan goes wrong after two centuries

[Roman Alymov]

 

 

We support Ukraine because we think it's in our interests to have Ukraine integrated with the West. It's a kinda different thing than self-identification where one part totally contradicts the other (red vs. white). And I assure we do remember about their atrocities very well, but it's not the essence of our relations (and why should it be?). Today's Ukraine is not a threat and we see no scenario where it could become one.

 

No, it is contradiction only for outsiders – for us inside Russia it is just family history. All grand-grand parents generation of my family where “whites” or “exploitations”, all suffered from Revolution to some extent - but grand parents generation where already “Red” (or, to be more correct, Soviet) educated, benefited and awarded by new system. So does my grand-grandfather’s brother, Cossack and colonel in Denikin’s army, contradict my grandfather who reached Berlin as part of Red Army, decorated for bot his mil service and post-war work (his father was killed on WWI in 1915 so not taking part in Civil War)? Does another grand-grandfather, rich merchant stripped off of all his property and working as street cleaner till the end of his life, contradict own son (my another grandfather) who also reached Berlin, served in army till 1970^th reaching LtCol, also decorated etc.?

 

As for Polish\Ukrainian history – well of course it is up to you but UNA\UNSO “is not a threat” only because majority of ethnic Poles from disputed territory fled or killed decades ago. If you are ok with it – well, it is your choice, then surprising is continuing mentioning of “Russia historical guilt” by Poland politicians.

[Roman Alymov]

 

Roman, when you read that the FSB had mobile phones in the 2000s banned so they could get kickbacks from them being sold illegally, and the way they regularly credit farm successful businesses and view a successful business as having have to have done something illegal to have been successful, then one has to look at the point of view that, problems though the west has, they are a wholly different order from the ones Russian businessmen suffer. Americans think they have problems with a statist Government. They have absolutely no idea.

 

As for corruption or competency, fair one. I can point to such problems not least in my own country. But you would be hard pressed to find journalists expiring at the level they do in your own country. And whilst I despair of their competence or bias, at the very least they dont tend to be in the governments pocket. Also, whatever flaws with David Cameron (and dear God there are so very many) one can safely say he doesn't have the imagination or venality to be a Vladimir Putin.

 

Anyone who tells you Europe or America is just like Russia, really should wait till Donald Trump is elected President.

 

Ill leave it there and wish all Russians, and Slavs, a Merry Christmas.

 

Where have you got it from? I have bought my first mobile phone in spring of 1999 (as soon as prices became more or less affordable, because in early 1998 contract price was about $5000 making it symbol of status, not practical thing - in 1999 it was probably tenfold down if not more) – and still own this number. There was never any kind of “mobile phones banned” in Russia – by 2006 mobile penetration reached 100%. (left – no. of users, right - penetration)

 

Re pressure on journalists etc. – looking from outside Western media are far more “single voice” then Russian ones (may be because I am not able to see marginal channels I can see in Russia). I can’t imagine Syrian pro-Asad journalist on Obama press-conference in White house….

And yes, Merry Christmas. (we will have it in Russia on Jan, 7)

[Roman Alymov]

 

Which overlooks a few points.

1 Russia sold Alaska to America, which in light of how much revenue has been generated by that be apparently barren piles seems like epic fail. You even lack the revenue from all those Discovery Channel programmes.

2 Americans are, at heart, British, much as they try to pretend otherwise. Whether its their laws based upon Magna Carta, or the primacy of capitalism and the Market, most of their worldview is an extension of the old British Imperial world-view. Right down to stomping on the middle east when it look at them sideways. That they dont see this is absolutely hilarious, but we dont like to disabuse them of the idea they are doing anything really new.

3 Britain losing America made Britain look to the East. Which in turn blocked Russian expansion into India, which would have paid off considerably better than colonising its western territories or taking the southern, Muslim dominated areas which have created problems right up to the present day.

4 it over time created the America that blocked the USSR at every turn in the Cold War, which defeated the best chance of exporting the Soviet version of Socialism, and left them in the parlous state they found themselves in the 1990s by trying to outspend it.

 

Catherine the Great didnt really do Russia any favours did she.

 

Russia was just unable to keep Alaska (especially with total domination of hostile fleets in high sees), not mentioning developing this territory (even Syberia is still far from being fully developed). So selling it was right decision. The same with India – I do not think we really need it.

Re “Americans are, at heart, British, much as they try to pretend otherwise” – well, may be WASPs are, but hardly those of Hispanic, German, African, Poland, Jewish, Russian etc origin (still, it is up to USians to judge)

[Roman Alymov]

 

Frustratingly I can find the ruddy book it was in, but it was a strange law in that it was legal to OWN mobile phones and use them, but not actually to sell them. So the only way the wholesalers could sell in Russia was to give the FSB or the police kickbacks to ignore it. Im going on memory, but I dont htink it was repealed till 2003 when an American company kicked up about some of their phones being purloined in this fashion.

 

(edit) just looked it up, it was Motorola and Yevroset. The pretext was harmful levels of radiation, which if you lived in Murmansk I suppose would have been less of a concern.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevgeny_Chichvarkin

 

Have a good January 7th BTW.

 

Yevroset (literally “European network”) newer was mobile operator but just electronic devices shops network (not only phones) - known mainly for their owner Chichvarking liberal use of fault language in internal corporate memos (this memos where immediately spreading across Rus INet). Their business was mainly build on bringing in unlimited amounts of “grey” (illegal and uncertified, including no certification of emission level) mobile phones to Russia and selling them without paying due taxes etc. As soon as this gap was closed – whole bubble burst, Chichvarkin himself fled to London and tried different businesses there (including high-end wines shop) but, not surprisingly, without visible success - because, as most of Russian “business people” of that time he is unable to build successful business legally without breeching laws.

Re FSB vs. mobile phones it is long and complicated story of local law not fast enough to adapt to changing technology (on early stages in theory each mobile phone user was legally required to have official radio operator registration as mobile phone was legally considered just another kind of radio transmitter\receiver – of course nobody care) and Gov trying to control telephone conversations (repeated requests to provide ISs for users when buying contracts and to forbid sale without IDs – last attempt as far as I remember this autumn, with as little success as all previous). The only success is installing special equipment allowing law enforcement to intercept calls at network operators hubs, at operator’s expense.

From 2006 I was Research director in Russian advertising agency running, among others, account of biggest Russian mobile network operator, so got some knowledge of this field

[Roman Alymov]

 

 

Thanks btw, that is interesting to hear another perspective on the subject. I think I read about this in a book by the Guardians Moscow correspondent. He kept getting pulled in by the FSB whenever anyone in London wrote anything critical of Putin.

 

By the way “FSB vs. mobile phones” is repeating itself with mobile internet. From one side both central and local governments are doing their best to create iNet as available as possible, with growing mobile cover, free wi-Fi in subway, bus stops, cafes, etc. – and are proud of results (just yesterday Putin paraded latest figures of 80+ mln iNet users in Russia, making it the biggest iNet market in Europe, with 60 mln users using iNet daily http://tass.ru/ekonomika/2549066 ), and leading market expert invited to become “Presiden’t advisor on Internet” (http://tass.ru/politika/2549175 ). From other side, Putin repeatedly named iNet “CIA project “ (http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=1512663 ) and law enforcement agencies are proposing one initiative after another to take it under some degree of control to deal with terror and extrimism , especially mobile access – but nobody get correct plan how to do it without losing freedoms and flexibility of use (especially in Russia where people are not particularly law-obedient)

Edited December 23, 2015 by Roman Alymov

[bd1]

 

[JWB]

I thought Russia has no labor unions?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-22/the-protesters-putin-is-reluctant-to-crush

[Panzermann]

 

That puts a new perspective on Megadeth's Symphony of Destruction ...

 

 

I really like this cover version and especially the video:

 

Edited December 23, 2015 by Panzermann

[Panzermann]

And yes, Merry Christmas. (we will have it in Russia on Jan, 7)

Ded Moros/Father Frost is cooler than this Coca Cola advertising character anyway.

 

 

edit: pun not intended, but funny nontheless

Edited December 23, 2015 by Panzermann

[Roman Alymov]

I thought Russia has no labor unions?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-22/the-protesters-putin-is-reluctant-to-crush

Actually there are trade unions in Russia, mainly of two types:

1. Old “Soviet” trade unions – inherited from SU and in fact not working as trade unions (as they are deeply integrated into state machine or with industry oligarchs) and operating mostly as offices distributing free\subsidized vacation tours to workers and their families.
2. New trade unions (mainly on foreign-owned plants, I think they are sort of “state supported” as measure to limit corporate greed). For example, trade union of Ford Motors plant in Vsevolojsk stopped production several times demanding higher salaries etc.

Re “drivers” - first, strange this story only made way to Western press weeks after ceasing to be main local news. Second, this article describe this “drivers” as “blue-collar workers” indicating complete misunderstanding of the process. In fact this people are small business owners (driving own private truck) and this protest is similar to family farmers protests. Government main aim is to combat “grey” cargo transportation (including fake products, smuggling etc.), stop truck overloading and sleepless driving typical for small cargo companies and individual truck owners – but without it they will not be able to stay in business as big transport firms with thousands of trucks and hired drivers will push them out of market. Computer\internet based electronic control system is adding to the problem as this individuals are mainly not “computer guys” and are facing difficulty with system, while big companies got IT departments etc. to fix this kind of troubles. Tax itself is relatively small (reduced from initially planned 3.7 RUR per km to ~1.5 rubles per kilometer, or about USD 0.02 by current exchange rate) but it is supposed to make road transportation less profitable and convert some cargo traffic back to rail where it should be, plus provide extra money for fixing roads overloaded trucks are damaging.

Additional aspect not mentioned here is anti-oligarch nature protests got some anti-Semitic sense in Russia as most oligarchs are of Jewish origin (in this particular case system is run by Rotenberg family) – liberals are trying not to see it as they initially celebrated this protests as “Now Putin will definitely fall as working class is rising” ignoring the fact they are the first people to be hanged on streetlights if it really happened. Anyway protests quickly lost steam as protestors number is tiny (they are only visible because of their huge trucks and liberal media attention), organization efforts failed despite of radio stations each truck got (fun to listen by the way as I also got CB station), regional authorities managed to prevent “1000 trucks from Dagestan” from going to Moscow (Dagestan is overpopulated, not enough jobs for all men, so some of them live on trucking, often illegal, and are vulnerable to new system) promising participants “zero tolerance” from road police and tax officials.

Regarding support for this drivers, I do not know of any – despite their camp mentioned in this article is only about 2 km from my parents house in Khimki, by the way they stand tight next to memorial marking closest approach of Germans to Moscow (23 km).

By the way on Monday new regulation from Duma excluded military transport from the system and allowed military oversize cargo to be transported without approval prom civilian road administration (it is very good for us here).

[Roman Alymov]

 

'Breaker Breaker, calling Rubber Duck, come in Good Buddy'.

This movie was shown in USSR cinemas in my childhood years and was very popular, but sort of strange for us Sov kids, I still remember asking my father who was truck owner (idea of private truck was new for me), how expensive it is (his answer was “about 30 000” – very close guess I think it was) and why he is so rich (in Soviet Union 30 000 rub was enough to buy about 3 big flats, or 3 “Volga”, of 6regular Lada)

Of course this film was immediately mentioned as soon as this “truck drivers” story started developed.

[Roman Alymov]

[Panzermann]

£57? that is Not that much for a limited Edition smelly water.

[Roman Alymov]

 

Fans of Russia's strongman President Vladimir Putin in search of last-minute Christmas gift inspiration should look no further.

A scent, which an inscription on the bottle proclaims was "inspired by Vladimir Putin", and bears a profile portrait of the Russian leader was unveiled in Moscow on December 24, Sputnik reported.

Created by Belorussian parfumier Vladislav Rikunova, only 1,000 bottles of the limited edition scent are being produced, costing 6,000 rubles, (£57) for a bottle.

Rikunova is keeping the ingredients of the fragrance a mystery, and announced that the scent will be sold until October 20 2016, with a portion of the proceeds donated to Christmas presents for orphans, LifeNews reported.

Its creator described the perfume as having a "soft yet firm" fragrance.

Nice business plan - probably the only chance for Belorussian parfume

[Panzermann]

"Eau de Lukashenko" not even Belorussian patriots would.buy.

[Simon Tan]

Lukashenkeau.....plz.....bitch. Get your marketing on....

[Panzermann]

Lukashenkeau.....plz.....bitch. Get your marketing on....

Yo! For the demokratik playa! :lol: