World, Writing, Wealth discussion
World & Current Events
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If you're not in the U.S., what's up in your part of the world?
They real danger are kangaroos. They can box too.
Just a few minutes ago the Ukrainian president went live to announce that he has intel and records of a prospective coup d'état slated for Dec 1 and that the richest oligarch is mentioned in this context... Hope it's PR and we aren't looking at something bloody :(
Nik wrote: "They real danger are kangaroos. They can box too."I've heard that koala sex is so violent that Australian children who witness it are often scarred for life.
It would be interesting to see what a group of experienced psychologists thought about the current crop of Australian politicians.
Just with my amateur psychologist hat on, I wonder, after everything they have done and got away with over the last year, if they now consider themselves omnipotent.
It would be interesting to know if people like Dan Andrews and that Gunner chap think they can alter the weather, control the Earth's orbit of the sun, etc, etc., or if they simply consider themselves the natural successors to Uncle Joe, Hitler and Pol Pot. I think the international community needs to find out.
Just with my amateur psychologist hat on, I wonder, after everything they have done and got away with over the last year, if they now consider themselves omnipotent.
It would be interesting to know if people like Dan Andrews and that Gunner chap think they can alter the weather, control the Earth's orbit of the sun, etc, etc., or if they simply consider themselves the natural successors to Uncle Joe, Hitler and Pol Pot. I think the international community needs to find out.
Beau wrote: "I know Nik and J will be aware of it, but in case anybody else isn't, the story of the original Uncle Joe's death is fascinating. Apparently, reporting of it was delayed for quite a while because political associates, doctors, etc. were too frightened to report it in case it wasn't true. Now that is a warning against the fear instilled by a totalitarian state."A very loosely based comedy:
The Death of Stalin
https://youtu.be/E9eAshaPvYw
Putin's reaction:
https://youtu.be/fUaVRJhViRE
The more things change...
Film trailer looked good and point taken about Putin's response.
Unless we have any very, very senior members of the group, all the Westerners on here have grown up relatively free. I genuinely believe that has made us complacent about the dangers of totalitarianism.
The unholy trinity of you know what, man-made carbon emissions, and woke cancel culture, coupled with the new age of technology, are a very real danger (not paranoia - a very real danger) to the life we have so far known, and relative freedoms we have enjoyed. You have been warned.
Unless we have any very, very senior members of the group, all the Westerners on here have grown up relatively free. I genuinely believe that has made us complacent about the dangers of totalitarianism.
The unholy trinity of you know what, man-made carbon emissions, and woke cancel culture, coupled with the new age of technology, are a very real danger (not paranoia - a very real danger) to the life we have so far known, and relative freedoms we have enjoyed. You have been warned.
☘Misericordia☘ wrote: "Well, it might be a good question to ask whatever the hell the US was thinking invading half the Arab countries for the last, what, 2 decades at least?..."It was not the invasion, but the rebuilding that was done wrong. It is the lack of understanding of a culture that is not ours. The invasion worked. The rebuilding not so much.
Beau wrote: "I am an unashamed monarchist and fully support Her Majesty The Queen, but I would swap Putin for our politicians like a shot."Be careful for what you wish.
The Russian media has shown evidence that Putin's popularity has fallen seriously, which indicates there is some form of criticism, but from what i understand Russians are less concerned with freedom and rights than the West and more concerned with their lives. There is a joke running around the web about literature. We have an American saying he will die for freedom, someone else will say he will die for love. The Russian says, "I will die." A slightly different attitude :-)Beau would fit in there like the proverbial square peg offered a round hole.
I won’t doubt Beau’s fitness)Has anyone seen Philip? Hope he’s well, just tired of us
Ian wrote: "The Russian media has shown evidence that Putin's popularity has fallen seriously, which indicates there is some form of criticism, but from what i understand Russians are less concerned with freed..."
Then the Russian media lies. I'm lucky enough to count myself a personal friend of the President and wouldn't have any problems towing the line in a pragmatically-run country.
Discipline, unlike hypocrisy, has never been a problem for me. And the hypocrisy of many Western leaders makes me take a contrarain view on their policies.
Then the Russian media lies. I'm lucky enough to count myself a personal friend of the President and wouldn't have any problems towing the line in a pragmatically-run country.
Discipline, unlike hypocrisy, has never been a problem for me. And the hypocrisy of many Western leaders makes me take a contrarain view on their policies.
Beau wrote: "...I'm lucky enough to count myself a personal friend of the President and wouldn't have any problems towing the line in a pragmatically-run country."Yeah, you hang onto that.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/201...
Looks like 2016 article, besides Beau is a new friend
Nik wrote: "Looks like 2016 article, besides Beau is a new friend"Yep, do you think that Putin's found Jesus in the last five years?
Going back 10 years+, The Guardian was our best national newspaper by a country mile.
Unfortunately, since then, it's been radicalised by the unholy trinity of covid cultism, CO2 and woke cancel culture. Take everything in its news section over the last 5 or 6 years with a huge pinch of salt.
Their sports and culture sections are still superb though.
The President and I have an unbreakable bond.
Unfortunately, since then, it's been radicalised by the unholy trinity of covid cultism, CO2 and woke cancel culture. Take everything in its news section over the last 5 or 6 years with a huge pinch of salt.
Their sports and culture sections are still superb though.
The President and I have an unbreakable bond.
Nik wrote: "Didn't know modern Russia disowns the revolution. Surprise." Modern Russia consists of people who have most random views. Like people elsewhere. As for the revolution, it hasn't been celebrated since about 90s so your views are dated, like, by 30 years. Welcome to contemporaneity.
Nik wrote: "Putin is just the latest Russian "Man of Steel". I invite you to study Russian history. When you do, give due consideration to the fact that your social status would grant you a spot against the wall." Man of Steel are not Russian invention and has nothing to do with Russia, frankly.
On the other hand, let's also not forget the Russian proverbial woman who enters a burning house (to save lives and possessions, presumably) and stops a horse at full gallop.
You could just save yourself some breath, say that Russia is populated by people with titanium characters and be done with it.
Nik wrote: "Sure, people can express and sometimes pay for it too. Go find a critical article about Putin in major Russian media outlets be they TV, internet or print.." Lots of them. Just log in to VK or Odnoklassniki or maybe try Google.Ian wrote: "The Russian media has shown evidence that Putin's popularity has fallen seriously, which indicates there is some form of criticism, " Russians are critical. Always and of everything. It's part of the national culture I'd say.
You can't make Russians happy, they will always find stuff to criticise not just Putin but me, you and everyone else about.
Like I said, the only more critical people than the Russians are Israelis. In Russia it's a national pastime to be critical: of politicians, businessmen, presidents, etc. It's a national hobby, if you like it. And had they been punishing anyone about it, all the country would've been imprisoned now.
Also, no one cares what they are critical about and most people just do it like the English discuss weather. So, it's not about dying or bad politicians or Putin being liked or disliked. It's about people generally being very fond of themselves and lovingly treating their personal opinions.
So whenever you hear someone saying just how Putin is disliked, you should remember the following:
1. There are lots of people who like Putin and 2. lots who don't.
Those who don't include those who really don't (like that Navalny crook) and those who
2.1 Don't really mean it.
2.2 Just like criticising everyone, incl. their moms, dads, cops, bosses, traffic, etc
2.3 Are commies and/or want USSR reborn instead of Putin
2.4 Want paganism, flat earth, etc.
2.5 Have no idea what they want: the want some change and interesting times and to become bosses and to become wealthy and not have to work/study and don't want market economy since it isn't fair and they want some really good new president that would renew magically each term and make their lives into a fairy tale and they want....
2.5 Are from Georgia/Kazakhstan/Ukraine/Poland and work in Russia and make sure to whine at every possible opportunity about how horrible Russia and Putin are. Yet, for some reason, they stay in Russia and work in Russia. Interesting, huh?
So, I don't think foreigners interpret any of this remotely right. They just come in, see some people behaving critically and immediately assign importance to where there isn't any.
Beau wrote: "I'm not going to argue with Nik about Russia and her neighbours because I completely accept his superior knowledge on the subject." His knowledge is dated by about 30 years so feel free to argue, he's nowhere close to spot on.J. wrote: "Yep, do you think that Putin's found Jesus in the last five years?"Did he lose it?
Papaphilly wrote: "It was not the invasion, but the rebuilding that was done wrong. It is the lack of understanding of a culture that is not ours. The invasion worked. The rebuilding not so much." That's a weird way to rebuild: by rockets. Maybe they should've practiced around New York first.
Ian wrote: "American saying he will die for freedom, someone else will say he will die for love. The Russian says, "I will die." A slightly different attitude :-)"Well, I'd imagine it like this:
The Russian of 1900 would've said 'I'll die for my country/motherland/love/tsar/faith'.
The Russian of 1945 would've said 'I'll die for Stalin, USSR, my motherland, my party, my family, my love'.
Today, the people are way too dispersed in what motivates them. So, no, I would say they would die each for different stuff. But... faith, love, money, freedom,family, happiness, etc would top the rating of things to die for.
I’ll second Mis, “feel free to argue”. Although I haven’t personally been to Russia for 6 years, I keep my finger on the pulse, no worries 😎
Nik wrote: "Just a few minutes ago the Ukrainian president went live to announce that he has intel and records of a prospective coup d'état slated for Dec 1 and that the richest oligarch is mentioned in this context... Hope it's PR and we aren't looking at something bloody :(."Of course we are. It's Ukraine! I'm whipping up lots of popcorn!
Maybe they'll have a unicorn-themed revolution with purple stripes and green hedgehogs finally?
Nik wrote: "I’ll second Mis, “feel free to argue”. Although I haven’t personally been to Russia for 6 years, I keep my finger on the pulse, no worries 😎"Well, you're saying stuff that's been secondhand for about 30 years at least.
Was Vlad still stationed in Germany 🇩🇪 30 years ago, or Sobchak’s deputy already?
Nik wrote: "Was Vlad still stationed in Germany 🇩🇪 30 years ago, or Sobchak’s deputy already?"if you are referring to Putin, let's start that he's Vladimir which is Volodya or Vova and not Vlad. And Vlad is short for Vladislav. So, kindly forgive me but I'm not sure you're really from Ukraine or have actually been to Russia or you would've known that. It's tiny details like that that don't check out.
Spasibo for a precise answer. Vlad is equally perfect for Vladimir and Vladislav. We don’t have to be Russian to choose a less obvious Vovan
Nik wrote: "Spasibo for a precise answer. Vlad is equally perfect for Vladimir and Vladislav. We don’t have to be Russian to choose a less obvious Vovan" Well, you didn't choose Vovan. You chose the 300% inappropriate Vlad.Also, Vovan is not a something you say about a person you haven't really met and are not fond of. That's how you could say about a friend you ate a pound of salt with and not someone you dislike.
'Spasibo' is a bit flimsy: I'm sure you haven't been banned by Google. It's the non-Googleable stuff that's telling.
You got me. I’ve spent all my life on the shores of Mississippi
Nik wrote: "You got me. I’ve spent all my life on the shores of Mississippi" I sort of doubt that as well. Or you might have considered doubting 'Beau's fitness' here:Ian wrote: "Beau would fit in there like the proverbial square peg offered a round hole"
Nik wrote: "I won’t doubt Beau’s fitness)"
But anyway, in English your cultural profile fits better than in Ukrainian/Russian cultures.
Come on, Mis, everybody calls Putin Vlad, except for Russians in Russia, who are obliged for Vladimir Vladimirovich the Emperor
Nik wrote: "Come on, Mis, everybody calls Putin Vlad, except for Russians in Russia, who are obliged for Vladimir Vladimirovich the Emperor" Also, Ukrainians don't. Belorussians don't. *eyeroll* Which means that your sources about Russia are the largely misinformed and obviously biased western ones. And about Ukraine and 'Russian aggression' as well.
All the while you're trying to make it sound like you are basing on what's actually going on not what everyone in Palau can read on the net.
My views are western ones, no doubt. Sorry, I don’t subscribe to Russia’s propaganda of aggrandizing Vlad, Russian world and how everybody’s bent to hurt Russia
Nik wrote: "My views are western ones, no doubt. Sorry, I don’t subscribe to Russia’s propaganda of aggrandizing Vlad, Russian world and how everybody’s bent to hurt Russia"It's sources that count.
You're regurgitating the western stuff you heard somewhere on Youtube or read on the web and are making it sound like you're actually from Russia/Ukraine/have been there/know what stuff goes on. Which you don't, obviously.
for instance, the easiest way to check if it's okay to be critical of Putin in Russia is to come to Moscow and try criticising him in the middle of a busy street. Trust me: nothing would happen. Had you been to Russia you could just test it.
Not regurgitating anything, Mis, just share my thoughts and observations. And I rarely watch utube except to catch a new Vitalya albatross video. I don’t like Moscow, but I miss Piter a bit and hope to pay a visit there or do the trans sib upon a close occasion
Nik wrote: "Not regurgitating anything, Mis, just share my thoughts and observations. And I rarely watch utube except to catch a new Vitalya albatross video. I don’t like Moscow, but I miss Piter a bit and hop..." What observations, Nik? What can you observe about a place never having been to it, not getting the culture (even names from it and how they are used) and probably most of the language?Transsib to Piter? Better teleport to Orion. But then you wouldn't have to do that or even use any telescopes: you could just observe it staying on Earth and making stuff up about it.
You can doubt my credentials, Mis, it’s ok 😎
Nik wrote: "You can doubt my credentials, Mis, it’s ok 😎"What creds?
Nik wrote: "Mastercreds or maybe - visa"What creds or what doubts? I'm pretty sure right now about the degree of embellishments in whatever you say.
Relate to the essence, Mis. I’m pretty sure in what I’m saying too. Some members will believe you and maybe a few followers
☘Misericordia☘ wrote: That's a weird way to rebuild: by rockets. Maybe they should've practiced around New York first...."Maybe a better way to say it was they won the war and lost the peace. They crushed the Taliban, but then failed to develop a country due to the lack of understanding the culture.
Who crushed the Taliban? Last I saw they were rather uncrushed.
Ian wrote: "Who crushed the Taliban? Last I saw they were rather uncrushed."Crushed, but not eradicated. The survivors had a generation to rebuild.
Moved, perhaps, but I think crushed is a little excessive.
Nik wrote: "Relate to the essence, Mis. I’m pretty sure in what I’m saying too. Some members will believe you and maybe a few followers" What essense, Nik? You don't know pretty much anything of just how corrupted Ukraine is or to what depths its economy has sunk and how it all could be good but only to some of its people since many of the rest struggle to pay for basic stuff, like running water or electricity. Yet you go on about how great Ukraine has become under the tender mercies of its row of crook presidents? And just how that is preferable to what's in Russia where things are ways better than that. Mind it, I'm not saying Russia's an island of luxury and fairness and everyone being well off or anything like that: there are lots of problems of course, like everywhere else. But it's definitely not the level of destruction of Ukraine (even though in the 90s they were in about the same place economywise).
A following? God forbid. I just find it strange when people pass what they read on the net for firsthand knowledge.
Mis, I have a profound knowledge of Ukraine and know personally enough top echelon politicians and executives to speak from first hand experience unlike maybe your own comments 🤪 I visit there regularly and do biz there. Corruption ? I even happened to write a book or two, where it’s kinda main theme. There is a lot.However, and that’s the essence - it’s none of Russia’s biz. They can build a paradise in Russia first to talk down to others. Many similarities in their corrupt ways and establishments and if you know a thing or two about Russia - you must be aware of it, however in my eyes - Ukraine has a clear advantage - it’s a free country, where people are not afraid of the government. I love this freedom, sometimes borderline anarchy, but I’m aware that some prefer discipline and a heavy handed leadership. Not many Ukrainians.
Not idealizing Ukraine and it has a lot where to improve. Wouldn’t look at Russia for an example though. Hope the air will get lighter there too, that people will start to smile, especially in Moscow 😎
Nik wrote: "Mis, I have a profound knowledge of Ukraine and know personally enough top echelon politicians and executives to speak from first hand experience unlike maybe your own comments 🤪 I visit there regu..."Nik, I think it's the Dunning-Kruger effect. I've met lots of people whose knowledge of the region is less than profound but who are aware that 'Vladimir' isn't 'Vlad'. That's basics: you can't read English before you know the letters, you don't get culture if you can't even distinguish names. You may have a feeling of profoundity and serendipity and lots of other nice and fuzzy feelings and go write lots of books of course, but none of those are proof of quality or depth of understanding or even informedness. People write great books about places like Mars and Venus as well.
That's what I've been trying to share here, not who's stellar or whatnot.
Mis, you are too engaged in analyzing me (I’m flattered by the way) - that’s what I meant about essence. Sorry, absence thereof. Everyone here refers to him as Vlad and I see no reason to educate people otherwise. Alexanders and Alexeys for most westerners will remain Alexs and few would go into Sasha and Lyosha😜 Not a big deal.Anyhow, returning to the essence. I’m sure some in the States don’t like how emigrants come from Mexican direction, and maybe some don’t like how Canada 🇨🇦 runs things. They even had those NAFTA talks disagreements. Yet, I’d be really surprised if they started to chop territories of these neighboring countries. You get the analogue, I believe
Extraordinary revelations from Misericordia! Who'd have thought Nik Krasno was really Chuck Callaghan Junior, a door-to-door insurance salesman and big Steelers fan, from downtown Pittsburgh? I still love you, Chuck ;)
Mis, never doubt my fitness or willingness to insert my peg into differently-shaped holes.
Mis, never doubt my fitness or willingness to insert my peg into differently-shaped holes.
Chuck Palahniuk to keep it more Ukrainian 🤣
World, Writing, Wealth
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Not content with locking down humans on a regular basis, an area of Melbourne, Australia has now imposed a curfew on pussy cats :|
The old saying that those the gods want to destroy they first make mad doesn't bode well for the Aussies.