since when Putin has remained in power.Where's the transition?
You see,people voted against it.Democracy-style.And,of course,illusion of choice was there.We can all go vote for fake old commie!We can't get real one,it has to be fake!Or,better yet,member of moreorless universally hated oligarchy!
Thanks,but no thanks.
And "stealth coup" or not, Putin was groomed to be Yeltsin's successor.
By who?Who said that?
Where's the evidence?How son of navy sailor and worker even get there?We aren't told anything.
The Atraxians won't hesitate to incinerate an entire planet if one of thier escaped felons is hiding on it.
Good thing they are weird space aliens from space.
Oh wait....
A matter of degree. Yes, there is corruption and bribery in all democracies and in fact in all human societies.
But there's a difference between openly donating money to politicians who support your agenda , or even so they will support your agenda, and secretly paying leaders of groups that oppose you to do what you want them to.
Well, I guess the difference is just whether bribery is legal or not? In the US it pretty much is, so they can do it openly, in Russia and Ukraine it may not be so they lie about it.
In Sweden, which is considered "democratic" by most of the western world, the right-wing party (called "the moderates", ironically) takes millions upon millions in secret donations they refuse to declare openly (though everyone knows McDonalds is one of the big donators, and incidentally McDonalds is one of the corporations that benefits most from their politics).
How did he get there? Through the KGB. Then into Yeltsin's adminstration. He was Prime Minister when Yeltsin resigned.
I am well aware of history,thanks)I've actually been there)
And then we were presented in 2000 election with the choice of him and the same fake commie.
I don't know what that means, but I get the feeling that our competing sarcasms may not be translating well.
Point being, no wonder the vote is overwhelmingly in favor of Russia if Ukrainians and Tatars didn't vote.
I believe it goes something like this:
Democracy
WargamesAnd we still have 80%+turnover,which is far more than russian population.
One or another number is impossible. Crimea isn't that Pro-Russian...period.
Either they had something like less than 50% show up and everyone who wasn't Pro-Russian intimidated or refusing to participate in something they consider an illegal referendum....which means 96+% is possible
OR
80% or more participation happened in which case, it pretty much guarantees that there was no 96+% approval.
In Crimea, it's simply impossible to have both. But Russian media won't say that...it's their propaganda...and Western media either don't know that area well enough, or are too foolish to figure out something doesn't add up with those numbers.
One of those numbers is a lie...if not both.
Yeah stop taking someone seriously when they begin to claim the BBC is in the russians pocket.
BBC itself...no.
But if you are in a state under martial law (basically)...and the ONLY information given out or being allowed to be given out is by the Russians in charge...
Who do you actually think the information is coming from?
They can input their opinions...but the actual information they have access to is going to be highly controlled by the Russians in who they can talk to and what they can see.
Plus, much of what I'm talking about doesn't even get brought up by the media? Why is that?
The biggest question on anyone's mind SHOULD BE...how the heck Crimea got such a whooping high percentage. Oh...maybe it's only on the Ukraine's mind...everyone else is paying heed to what Russia is telling them (Legit and everything was on the up and up).
When actual stuff from Ukraine is being ignored, and ONLY the Russian stories are coming out...what is one to actually believe the source for news papers are?
One or another number is impossible. Crimea isn't that Pro-Russian...period.
That's best joke i heard today.Really.West Ukraine isn't that pro-russian,yes.
As we can see,we have something like 10% potential voters who didn't vote.And we know that of Crimean Tatars(primary opposition here) voted 40+%,rest stayed home.Because leaders said so.(gawdsostupid)
These 40+% voted like 10:1 in favor of reunification.
Why?
Because they were promised faaaar more than simple mad dollarz.
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"In a democratic republic, Engels continues, 'wealth exercises its power indirectly, but all the more surely', first, by means of the 'direct corruption of officials' (America); secondly, by means of an 'alliance of the government and the Stock Exchange' (France and America).
"At present, imperialism and the domination of the banks have 'developed' into an exceptional art both these methods of upholding and giving effect to the omnipotence of wealth in democratic republics of all descriptions. Since, for instance, in the very first months of the Russian democratic republic, one might say during the honeymoon of the 'socialist' S.R.s and Mensheviks joined in wedlock to the bourgeoisie, in the coalition government, Mr. Palchinsky obstructed every measure intended for curbing the capitalists and their marauding practices, their plundering of the state by means of war contracts; and since later on Mr. Palchinsky, upon resigning from the Cabinet (and being, of course, replaced by another quite similar Palchinsky), was 'rewarded' by the capitalists with a lucrative job with a salary of 120,000 rubles per annum — what would you call that? Direct or indirect bribery? An alliance of the government and the syndicates, or 'merely' friendly relations? What role do the Chernovs, Tseretelis, Avksentyevs and Skobelevs play? Are they the 'direct' or only the indirect allies of the millionaire treasury-looters?
"Another reason why the omnipotence of 'wealth' is more certain in a democratic republic is that it does not depend on defects in the political machinery or on the faulty political shell of capitalism. A democratic republic is the best possible political shell for capitalism, and, therefore, once capital has gained possession of this very best shell (through the Palchinskys, Chernovs, Tseretelis and Co.), it establishes its power so securely, so firmly, that no change of persons, institutions or parties in the bourgeois-democratic republic can shake it.
"We must also note that Engels is most explicit in calling universal suffrage as well an instrument of bourgeois rule. Universal suffrage, he says, obviously taking account of the long experience of German Social-Democracy, is
"'the gauge of the maturity of the working class. It cannot and never will be anything more in the present-day state.'
"The petty-bourgeois democrats, such as our Socialist-Revolutionaries and Mensheviks, and also their twin brothers, all the social-chauvinists and opportunists of Western Europe, expect just this 'more' from universal suffrage. They themselves share, and instil into the minds of the people, the false notion that universal suffrage 'in the present-day state' is really capable of revealing the will of the majority of the working people and of securing its realization."
Yeah, I don't know, Citizen Koroboff, I always thought Lenin (or, at least, Lenin's translator) was alright.
Speaking of omnipotence of wealth,
Social inequality in Russia reaches record levels
It's good to know we're not alone.
I don't know exactly, but I'd guess when the "middle classes" overthrew the absolutist monarchy in France and abolished feudalism.
But the word has a couple different meanings in a couple different languages. There are some hilariously bad early American translations of Marx.
Speaking of omnipotence of wealth,
Social inequality in Russia reaches record levels
It's good to know we're not alone.
94% of adult population own less than 10k$?
What were they smoking?Lenin
Is not very understandable if you read him as a teenager.
Stalin is much more understandable and distilled IMO.But then,Stalin has always claimed that he is just Lenin's student.
Also,in Soviet Russian(which is substantially different from modern),Citizen is far more formal honorific than Comrade,and was almost never used exept in official circumstances.
What were they smoking?
Something good I hope.
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Huh, according to wikipedia there are four different types of "bourgeoisie" in French. I only knew two.
Also,in Soviet Russian(which is substantially different from modern),Citizen is far more formal honorific than Comrade,and was almost never used exept in official circumstances.
I'm from the Glorious People's Republic of Galt where we use the formal "Citizen" (or "Citoyen") until either a) some basic political agreement has been established; or b) we decide we like you.
-Frankly, the fact is it better to be a part of an energy exporting super-power or a democracy that has rewritten its constitution and jailed one president, and exiled another?
-stability or chaos? the LE Putin may be a better leader than the CG democrats (and calling anybody GOOD is a bit of a stretch.)
Something good I hope.
On the other hand,i'm now one-percenter,if not 0.1!(you see,literally every adult human here owns some kind of estate,with prices normally substantially higher than 10k$ per person.For instance,one of my family reserve apartments in city with 10k population costs upwards from 30k$.
I'm from the Glorious People's Republic of Galt where we use the formal "Citizen" (or "Citoyen") until either a) some basic political agreement has been established; or b) we decide we like you.
Can you even establish political agreements with goblins?Last i heard,they prefer to bite your leg off.
In other news,
Most ineffective sanctions ever?
And that instead of refusing to sell Mistral-class dropships.
Something good I hope.On the other hand,i'm now one-percenter,if not 0.1!(you see,literally every adult human here owns some kind of estate,with prices normally substantially higher than 10k$ per person.For instance,one of my family reserve apartments in city with 10k population costs upwards from 30k$.
Can you even establish political agreements with goblins?Last i heard,they prefer to bite your leg off.
I'm from the Glorious People's Republic of Galt where we use the formal "Citizen" (or "Citoyen") until either a) some basic political agreement has been established; or b) we decide we like you.
I'm glad to see that Russian pinkskin fantasy RPG players are just as racist as their American pinkskin brethren.
Anyway, I obviously have no idea what the average Russian adult owns, but here's more Kremlin-funded propaganda.
And The Moscow Times on the same report. [Goes off to Google Search The Moscow Times]
---
[Returns] Not Kremlin-funded propaganda, apparently.
=
Anyway, I obviously have no idea what the average Russian adult owns, but here's more Kremlin-funded propaganda.
Well,he owns SOMETHING.And estate here is not cheap(
Seriously,something like 100$ per square feet even in city with 10k population(Well,maybe it's cheaper closer to Siberia...but somehow i doubt it)
Either that or i am one of 0.1%
And i play roleplaying games.
That makes no sense!
I'm glad to see that Russian pinkskin fantasy RPG players are just as racist as their American pinkskin brethren.
Blame Jacobs,not me)
[Returns] Not Kremlin-funded propaganda, apparently.
I had....somewhere....analysis of that report,which,apparently,IS Kremlin-funded propaganda)
Unfortunately it is not translated from russian.
Which? The Credit Suisse report or The Moscow Times? Cuz I was talking about the latter which apparently is owned by Finns or something.
---
[Clicks on link]
Nevermind.
Which? The Credit Suisse report or The Moscow Times? Cuz I was talking about the latter which apparently is owned by Finns or something.
Both of them use Credit Suisse report as basis.
Which is strange for reasons i explained earlier.You see,we have 12m population in Moscow(11?%total pop),with average of 190 square feet per user,with price of one square feet UPWARDS from 500$
And i'm pretty sure that Moscow is not the only city in country.
In not-so-news:
Is new Crimean prosecutor hottest prosecutor in history of humanity or what?
Talking about Sexy Putin...
Both of them use Credit Suisse report as basis.
Which is strange for reasons i explained earlier.
You see,we have 12m population in Moscow(11?%total pop),with average of 190 square feet per user,with price of one square feet UPWARDS from 500$
And i'm pretty sure that Moscow is not the only city in country.
To clarify: I know both (all three, actually) use the Credit Suisse report as the basis. The "Not Kremlin-funded propaganda" was in reference to The Moscow Times.
--
As to the report itself, RT's article doesn't repeat the 94% stat but does say "Russia, however, shone amidst the global gloom, with wealth per adult having recovered from the post – crisis lows to reach about $12,000 in 2012." And then goes on to say "Household wealth is calculated as a sum of financial and non – financial assets of people, where the latter includes mostly housing."
I, again, wouldn't know, but if it was so easily disproved as Swiss banker lies, you'd think Putin TV would say something about it. What does the Russian wiki page you linked say?
In not-so-news:
Is new Crimean prosecutor hottest prosecutor in history of humanity or what?
Talking about Sexy Putin...
I suddenly want to go to Crimea and commit crimes.
OHWFA!
What does the Russian wiki page you linked say?
Something that LOOKS like detailed analysis of creditsuisse report.
But i'm too lazy to crosscheck,so i label it as Kremlin propaganda,which doesn't prevent it from possibly being true.I know it is true in my case!)Also,maybe Putin TV already said something.I don't know,because i don't own a TV.One percenter,yeah,right.
YES,THERE IS A FANART OF HER.
I suddenly want to go to Crimea and commit crimes.
How awesome is that?!
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In not-so-news:
Is new Crimean prosecutor hottest prosecutor in history of humanity or what?
Talking about Sexy Putin...I suddenly want to go to Crimea and commit crimes.
OHWFA!
OOoohhhh! I wonder if I can shed a criminal amount of fur. After all, it is shedding season. Maybe if I got it all over her uniform....
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Which? The Credit Suisse report or The Moscow Times? Cuz I was talking about the latter which apparently is owned by Finns or something.Both of them use Credit Suisse report as basis.
Which is strange for reasons i explained earlier.
You see,we have 12m population in Moscow(11?%total pop),with average of 190 square feet per user,with price of one square feet UPWARDS from 500$
And i'm pretty sure that Moscow is not the only city in country.
How would it be strange? I don't know that much about how it works in russia, but in eastern and southern europe, generally, the rural populace is far poorer than the city-living one.
Also, averages is quite pointless when the point being made is that inequality has increased, not that total wealth has dropped.I have had collegues who's moved here from eastern europe, who were very poor because they lived in rural areas. Even if the people in the capital weren't nearly as poor on average, I know at least one has told me their familys most valued possession (apart from the house) was a horse.
who were very poor because they lived in rural areas.
First,urbanization 75%.Second,as we already know that at least 10% population own 100k$ each(not 95% own less than 10k already).And,third,you actully can own,say,apartments worth half a million and still be relatively poor because your disposable income will be something like 3-5k$ per year.
I'd also assume that even the average (or at least many of them)
Nope.After dissolution of Soviet Union ownership of apartments was transferred,free of charge,from state property to occupant's.And russia actually lost a little population from 1991.
You are kinda right about the rent in that it technically exist.But no-one can track it because it's almost always done stealthy,for purposes of tax evasion.
]Where do you get "at least 10% population own 100k$ each"?
You see,we have 12m population in Moscow(11?%total pop),with average of 190 square feet per user,with price of one square feet UPWARDS from 500$
This.Admittedly,this is something like 2?years old data,but i don't see how it can be changed.And no,mortgage is not terribly popular in russia because it normally starts with something like at least 20% downpayment and 12.5%+interest.
Speaking of real estate,i heard at least from 4 people i know personally that they are planning a land grab in Crimea,while it's relatively cheap.Hell,i,myself considering it.Apartments in Sevastopol would be awesome.
And all of those people own their own place? No renters?
Yep.Courtesy of Soviet Union.Renters exist but are invisible(like...50k official?).
But essentially you're using anecdote and common sense
Nope.I use statistics.What were smoking people from Credit Suisse i do not know,but looks like somebody-funded propaganda,aimed to reduce morale level of population andor public opinion of Russia.
These numbers would be wrong even in 1993.And things were HORRIBLE back there.In other news,
El Presidente works really fast
Paperwork
Where's signature?
In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire!
Who needs the signature,anyway?
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Sevastopol as a federal city kinda makes sense...
Before,there was two federal cities in Russia.Leningrad Saint-Peterburg and Moscow.And before that,also Sevastopol.I think.
Full disclosure: I'm a Ukrainian National from a largely pro-russia family that lived in Odessa, a slightly pro-russia leaning but largely neutral region, and I currently live in Germany and was "corrupted" by western culture and media into critical neutrality.
This thread really made my day! I'm still sitting here smiling!
Full disclosure: I'm a Ukrainian National from a largely pro-russia family that lived in Odessa, a slightly pro-russia leaning but largely neutral region, and I currently live in Germany and was "corrupted" by western culture and media into critical neutrality.
This thread really made my day! I'm still sitting here smiling!
at all the things we got wrong or the thought that americans picked up a map?
The enjoyment I'm getting out of this thread is not from reading things and thinking "Ha! You dummy!" But from the fact that while sometimes it dips a bit into the absurd it's still enjoyable read compared with the other forum I frequent with a thread about this topic.
PS: my first thought when interacting with an American is not a negative one.
But from the fact that while sometimes it dips a bit into the absurd it's still enjoyable read compared with the other forum I frequent with a thread about this topic.
Paizo.com OTD rulez!!
.
PS: my first thought when interacting with an American is not a negative one.
Have you met many of us? :)
And here we have a signature!
There are some really scary amount of people in Red Square ATM.
Like,more than a hundred thousand,
according to Kremlin-sponsored propaganda
From this point on,things can get real ugly really fast.
Or not.
USA has ukrainian billionaire arrested in Austria because he is a supporter of Ukraine siding with Russia. linkTry at least to get the issue correct. It's about the Crimmea succeeding from the Ukraine to join with the Russian Republic.
"Apparently, Firtash was small fry, 14th on the Ukraine list, worth only $673 million. Being an oligarch is, in itself, no crime in Ukraine. Yulia Tymoshenko is an oligarch (the “Gas Queen); the new Ukrainian government openly appointed oligarchs Igor Kolomoisky and Serhiy Taruta as governors in two western provinces in order to keep a lid on pro-Russian sentiment; and the great white hope of the Maidan activists, the “good oligarch” Petro Poroshenko, a.k.a. “The Chocolate King” is the seventh-richest man in Ukraine, worth about $1 billion.
"Firtash’s problem is that the US identified him with the Yanukovych camp and close to Russia because of his gas dealings. It also looks like Firtash moved into Tymoshenko’s gas interests while she was in prison, which may account for the FBI obligingly dropping the hammer on him.
"More importantly, I expect, Firtash’s arrest is meant to send a message to another oligarch-heavy area, Russia, in anticipation of Western sanctions for the Crimea referendum.
"And, I think, the message is “Work with the US and against Putin if you want your Western assets to be protected and respected.”
"This message is likely to be heeded. After all, most oligarchs are laser focused on their personal wealth and their personal interest. In an era of globalized finance, the dependence of the wealthy on the nation states that spawned their biological integument is less important than the matrix of trans-national institutions that sustain their finances and cater to their need for personal impunity. Personal profit, in other words means more than patriotism or even national prosperity."
I don't know, looks to me like Comrade Dingo was right.
I am still waiting for the much anticipated coronation of Putin the First, "czar of all Russias"
Well, if I recall correctly, Tsarist Russia was on pretty good terms with France so maybe that would lead to a new detente.
I am still waiting for the much anticipated coronation of Putin the First, "czar of all Russias"
I'm pretty sure he's genre savy enough to realize that not quite plausible deniability about how much power you hold lets you live a lot longer than putting on a crowd and shouting "I AM THE KING"
Everything You Know About Ukraine Is Wrong
(Especially if you're an American who doesn't pay attention to the news.)