Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets

by Svetlana Alexievich

Life is better now, but it’s also more revolting.

Good summary

“Putin the Democrat” is our shortest joke.

Funny

—I was watching a talk show…“Are you worth a billion?” asked Mr. Polonsky.*5 “No?! Then go fuck yourself!” I’m one of the people whom the honorable oligarch told to go fuck himself. I come from a normal family: My father’s an alcoholic, my mother breaks her back for kopecks at a nursery school. To them, we’re just shit; we’re nothing but manure. I go to various political meetings. I sit in with the patriots, the nationalists…I listen to their speeches. The day will come when somebody will hand me a rifle. And I’ll take it.

Deplorables inequality

The Russian man isn’t rational or mercantile, he’ll give you the shirt off his back, but sometimes he’ll steal.

Not a nation of shopkeepers

You’ll sooner find a saint here than an honest and successful man.

Jnana yogi rather than karma ?

“With an Iron Fist, We Will Chase Humanity into Happiness.” That’s

Motto

“I didn’t vote for these bastards, I voted for other bastards!

Funny

What’s the point of changing governments if we don’t change ourselves?

Truth. That’s where religion fits in?