“Mr. Devine,” replied Adeline, blushing faintly, “is going to be a great man. Already he has achieved much. The critics say that he is more Russian than any other young English writer.”
“And is that good?”
“Of course it’s good.”
“I should have thought the wheeze would be to be more English than any other young English writer.”
“Nonsense ! Who wants an English writer to be English ? You’ve got to be Russian or Spanish or something to be a real success. The mantle of the great Russians has descended on Mr. Devine.”
“From what I’ve heard of Russians, I should hate to have that happen to me.” — PG Wodehouse, The Clicking of Cuthbert
Belarus today told the US embassy that 10 of its 15 remaining diplomats must leave the country within 72 hours. The latest step in an increasing escalation of diplomatic tensions in recent months, expelling diplomats is a very significant move. In march, the United States stopped issuing visas to Belorussians, after being told by the Belorussian government to reduce its number of personnel.
According to the official explanation, the root cause is a series of travel sanctions placed on certain top Belorussian officials, and economic santions on Belneftikhim, the government owned oil company. Enacted last year, after the hilariously rigged presidential elections in 2006, the sanctions keep 30 officials from traveling the EU or US. Lukashenko threatened to kick out US diplomats if the sanctions were expanded, which he claims they have been. The US won’t take off the sanctions unless Alexander Kozulin, an anti-government activist, is released from prison.
Lukashenko explains:
They have picked some putrid oppositionist who got 1.5 percent in the election and picture him as a political prisoner
Mr. Day relayed to me one of the stories Americans should hear. It involves what happened to him after escaping from a North Vietnamese prison during the war. When he was recaptured, a Vietnamese captor broke his arm and said, “I told you I would make you a cripple.”
The break was designed to shatter Mr. Day’s will. He had survived in prison on the hope that one day he would return to the United States and be able to fly again. To kill that hope, the Vietnamese left part of a bone sticking out of his arm, and put him in a misshapen cast. This was done so that the arm would heal at “a goofy angle,” as Mr. Day explained. Had it done so, he never would have flown again.
But it didn’t heal that way because of John McCain. Risking severe punishment, Messrs. McCain and Day collected pieces of bamboo in the prison courtyard to use as a splint. Mr. McCain put Mr. Day on the floor of their cell and, using his foot, jerked the broken bone into place. Then, using strips from the bandage on his own wounded leg and the bamboo, he put Mr. Day’s splint in place.
Years later, Air Force surgeons examined Mr. Day and complimented the treatment he’d gotten from his captors. Mr. Day corrected them. It was Dr. McCain who deserved the credit. Mr. Day went on to fly again.
Mr. McCain serving as one of the three chaplains for his fellow prisoners. He remembered the Episcopal liturgy,” Mr. Day says, “and sounded like a bona fide preacher.” One of Mr. McCain’s first sermons took as its text Luke 20:25 and Matthew 22:21, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.” Mr. McCain said he and his fellow prisoners shouldn’t ask God to free them, but to help them become the best people they could be while serving as POWs. It was Caesar who put them in prison and Caesar who would get them out. Their task was to act with honor.
In 1991 Cindy McCain was visiting Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Bangladesh when a dying infant was thrust into her hands. The orphanage could not provide the medical care needed to save her life, so Mrs. McCain brought the child home to America with her. She was met at the airport by her husband, who asked what all this was about.
Mrs. McCain replied that the child desperately needed surgery and years of rehabilitation. “I hope she can stay with us,” she told her husband. Mr. McCain agreed. Today that child is their teenage daughter Bridget.
I was aware of this story. What I did not know, and what I learned from Doris, is that there was a second infant Mrs. McCain brought back. She ended up being adopted by a young McCain aide and his wife.
“We were called at midnight by Cindy,” Wes Gullett remembers, and “five days later we met our new daughter Nicki at the L.A. airport wearing the only clothing Cindy could find on the trip back, a 7-Up T-shirt she bought in the Bangkok airport.” Today, Nicki is a high school sophomore. Mr. Gullett told me, “I never saw a hospital bill” for her care.
Azerbaijan is holding up part of a shipment of nuclear equipment into Iran. The shipment from Russia has been stopped at the border town of Astara, while the Azeri government attempts to determine if the “heat-isolating equipment” violates current UN sanctions against Iran.
From the article, it seems that Iran is pretty peeved:
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in his weekly briefing that his country has asked the Azerbaijani ambassador in Iran to get his government “to deliver the shipment as soon as possible.” The blocked nuclear equipment “is in the framework of Iran-Russia cooperation” and there should be “no ban on it.”
Russia, however, doesn’t seem to be making too big of an issue out of it. Which is good news for the US.
Today the Orthodox Church celebrates Easter. As a traditional greeting, someone says “Christ is risen!” and the other person responds “Risen indeed!” It can be said as a normal greeting between people, or as a form of call and answer, usually repeated three times. In the protestant churches I have been too, the pastor will call out “Христос воскрес!” and the congregation responds “Воистину воскрес!”
Wikipedia has compiled the greeting in myriad different languages, here are just a few:
* Russian - Христос воскресе! Воистину воскресе! (Christos voskres! Voistinu voskres!)
* Belarusian - Хрыстос уваскрос! Сапраўды ўваскрос! (Chrystos uvaskros! Sapraŭdy ŭvaskros!)
* Ukrainian - Христос воскрес! Воістину воскрес! (Chrystos voskres! Voistynu voskres!)
* Bulgarian - Христос възкресе! Наистина възкресе! (Hristos vyzkrese! Naistina vyzkrese!)
* Croatian - Krist uskrsnu! Uistinu uskrsnu!
* Polish - Chrystus zmartwychwstał! Prawdziwie zmartwychwstał!
* Old Irish - Asréracht Críst! Asréracht Hé-som co dearb!
* Irish - Tá Críost éirithe! Go deimhin, tá sé éirithe!
* Scottish - Tha Crìosd air èiridh! Gu dearbh, tha e air èiridh!
By the way, for any Russian readers, I’ve seen it written both with and without a final “e” - “воскресе” and “воскрес”. What’s the difference? Is “воскресе” Old Church Slavonic? If so, is it pronounced different?
Turkmenistan was a wonderful, magical place, ruled by a god. Originally named Saparmurat Niyazov, he changed his name to Turkmenbashi, or “Father of the Turkmen.” He wrote a book, the Ruhnama, which is a sort of new bible. If you read it, you would automatically get into heaven, Turkmenbashi himself made an agreement with God. He’s got your back.
He also changed the names of all the months of the year, and days of the week. Well, since Turkmenbashi’s passing in 2006, there’s a new president in town. He’s decided to bring the old names back:
Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, who took over after Niyazov’s death in 2006, said he wanted to go back to traditional names, including January. Niyazov had renamed January after himself - calling it “Turkmenbashi” (father of the Turkmen). Other months were named after heroes and poets. “It is necessary to draft a Majlis [parliamentary] resolution by the end of this half of the year after a very thorough analysis,” the president said.
The late dictator renamed the months in 2002 - one of a series of bizarre decrees that earned Turkmenistan the reputation of being one of the world’s most repressive states. Ordinary Turkmen stuck with the old names, but the new forms became mandatory for officials and state television.
An American pastor, who has been to Russia 12 times and contributed much to society there has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. Phillip H. Miles brought into the country a $25 box of hunting bullets as a gift for a fellow pastor. Apparently, he had to declare it at customs, but that wasn’t written on the customs form, and he had previously asked the airline, who told him there would be no problem. Even stranger, he was initially stopped at the border entering the country and told that he violated the law by not declaring the bullets, but then he was set free. He continued on to Perm, where he gave his friend the present. Upon returning to the airport and attempting to leave the country, five days later, he was detained, and has been in jail since February.
This story is shocking on several levels. I have never been stopped upon entering Russia. Never. Not once. That includes the first time, when I must have looked sorely out of place. I’ve even tried to have my bags verified, and they usually just wave me by, as if I’m bothering them.
When you enter the country, you have to fill out a customs declaration, including weapons, drugs, technology, cash, food, etc. I always filled it out, even though the border guards never checked it. In theory, you present the customs form to the Border Patrol who checks it, and inspects your bags if they see fit (after having been put through an x-ray machine). Then they stamp it. A couple of times they actually took the paper and stamped it, but usually not. In theory, you’re supposed to show that same customs declaration when you leave the country, and explain any discrepancies. Again, I don’t think I’ve ever had to actually show my declaration upon leaving the country. Maybe things are a lot tighter these days. Though I doubt it.
Thinking back though, I’m not sure I would have written down “bullets” on the form. If I had weapons, sure, and this is clearly related to weapons, but I might have overlooked it. That he was arrested for such a tiny thing is the most shocking. I would have thought that he could have out of it by explaining that he didn’t know, and then adding it on to the form. Did he not have an interpreter with him?? Barring that, he could have possibly paid a bribe, calling it a “fine” (штраф). Of course, he would have definitely needed an interpreter for that. Maybe being a pastor would have discounted that option…
3 years? For a $25 box of bullets?? And why did they let him through the first time, then decide to pick him up on the way out?? It just doesn’t add up. I think someone must have done something behind the scenes to make this conviction stick. The border guards probably let him go the first time, figuring that he was just a dumb, but innocent and harmless, foreigner. Afterwards, someone decided that it was worth pursuing.
The only thing I can think of is the protestant angle. Protestants aren’t looked on so well in Russia. “Protestant” is pretty much synonymous with “Cult Member” in Russian (протестанты = сектанты). Regular people think they’re weird, and the Orthodox church does a lot to hinder and diminish protestant activity in Russia (and the former Soviet Union). Why? Because unlike the Orthodox church, they’re actually growing and attracting youth. They’re a market competitor, and they’ll use the power of the state to keep their monopoly. Politically, protestants are seen as an alien, outside, culture, and a threat to the Russian identity. Moreover, they’re characterized as a front for “colored revolution” groups and western influence.
The pressures and closures were much worse in the past, and most protestant churches are doing just fine these days. If anything, many in the Russian protestant community speak about the challenges of prosperity. However, that doesn’t mean that the struggle is over, and that protestants are accepted members of Russian society, they’re not.
I don’t know that any of these has any bearing on this pastor’s case, it’s pure speculation. But it’s the only reason I can come up with for such a bizarre event. Seriously, 3 years???
Video of Hillsong Kiev, a huge church in Ukraine, which recently opened a branch in Moscow:
Forbes released its list of the 100 richest Russians, and 10 billionaires failed to make the list. The minimum to make the top 100 was $1.1 billion, which is almost twice as much as was required last year, $660 million. In fact, the number of billionaires almost doubled in the past year, from 60 to 110. Roman Abramovich dropped from the top of the list to number 3.
Russia has the second largest collection of billionaires, behind America’s 469. Collectively, Russia’s richest 100 people are worth $522. After the nationalization of oil and gas companies over the past couple of years, those billionaires have seen their standing decrease in the ratings. The list is now dominated more by metals. My favorite quote:
Asked whether Timchenko’s friendship with Putin may have helped him become a billionaire, he said: “Probably … If you look at the others who are not Putin’s friends they are not as rich.”
UPDATE: Putin denies the relationship with Kabaeva in a press conference in Italy, calling it an “erotic fantasy”
There is not a word of truth in this story. Politicians live in glass houses, everyone wants to know how they live, but there are limits and there is a private life and these limits should be respected.
The first sentence is a pretty clear denial, but the second line seems to mitigate that denial. “Respect the limits around my private life” is usually a line used by politicians when a real scandal erupts . . .
UPDATE 2: The original reporting newspaper has been shut down for “financial reasons.” The website reads:
Disconnected by the administrator and unavailable at the current time
——–
Rumors have been floating around the Russian President Vladimir Putin may have divorced his wife and gotten engaged to 24 year old super-famous gymnast Alina Kabaeva (Алина Кабаева). Details are sketchy, and it is in no way official. None of the major papers or news services have reported it, though since they’re owned by the government, that doesn’t preclude it’s veracity.
Basically, the story is this: Putin secretly divorced his wife, and is planning a wedding with Kabaeva. This was leaked to the press by a company involved in setting up the wedding banquet.
First reported by Moscow Correspondent, the newspapers owner was on vacation at the time of publishing, and claims he only read about it after it had been printed. He has said that the story should now be either proven or withdrawn. Other sources have indicated that it may be a long-running April Fool’s joke by Dmitry Medvedev’s wife, Svetlana.
Moscow Correspondent tried to get an official comment from Alina Kabaeva, but her press-secretary was not very helpful:
We won’t make any comment. You have until this evening (April 16) to let me know if you will or if you will not print a retraction. If this evening I don’t receive from you an answer, or if you tell me that you won’t retract the story, then we’ll start the legal proceedings.
Apparently the newspaper tried several times to get a comment from Kabaeva, and they refuse to say anything. The newspaper has said they will print whatever Kabaeva says. Instead of answering, however, the press secretary told the paper to print a retraction explaining that the source for the article provided false information. The party decoration company in question, “Carnivale-Style” has commented “we did not participate in such a tender” (bid for the wedding contract). Since Kabaeva won’t even deny the story, however, the newspaper doesn’t feel it appropriate at this time to issue a retraction. Though they do end their current reporting by admitting that “we ourselves believed with difficulty that the Olympic champion will marry the Russian president.”
Alina Kabaeva is a talented rhythmic gymnast, and well-known pop culture figure. Here’s the music video for a song written about her:
Here is her ribbon routine from Athens in 2004. She was considered the hands-down best in the world with ribbon. I love the vibrant green color:
Ribbon from Sydney 2000:
I actually saw Kabaeva perform this routine. I was at the European Championships of Rhythmic Gymnastics in 2001, in Geneva, Switzerland. A friend of mine from UCLA, who was studying in Paris when I was in Grenoble, did rhythmic gymnastics as a child. I had never heard of the sport, but tagged along on the trip:
Moreover, she recently became a member of parliament, and there are some pictures out that show her and another gymnast-turned-MP acting liked bored schoolgirls:
If I was that Deputy, I’d be sure not to be any more such pictures!
May seems like themonth for Eastern European Countries to join Western international organizations. Next month, Ukraine is going to join the World Trade Organization.
This is a great for pretty much everyone involved. Especially interesting is that given the deep political (and possibly cultural) divisions between the East and West, Orange and Blue, there’s a solid consensus that integration into the WTO is a good idea. 411 of 450 members of parliament voted in favor. Even the Communists didn’t vote against it, they abstained. Steel, chemical producers, and certain agricultural sectors (wheat, sunflower seeds) will be the big winners. Tariffs and quotas with Europe will be reduced, and more foreign investment will flow into the country. Other agricultural sectors which have benefited from Ukrainian protectionism (dairy, sugar) and small farmers will suffer the most, at least initially. Although consumers will enjoy the results of higher quality and safety standards.
Ukraine’s accession must be an affront for Russia, who is still not a member of the WTO. Other, smaller, and less prosperous ex-Soviet Republics are members (Moldova, Armenia, Georgia), and they will have a say over whether Russia enters or not. Any new country joining must be approved unanimously by the entire membership.
Foreign Policy has a great piece up outlining the top five and bottom five contributors to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. It’s brief, but has an interesting fact or two about each country.
Heavyweights:
1. USA
2. Britain
3. Germany
4. Italy
5. Canada
Lightweights:
1. Singapore
2. Austria
3. Ireland
4. Luxembourg
5. Iceland
Mousetrap Technology has an excellent post up about why we shouldn’t allow cell phones on airplanes:
Public use of mobile phones has proved beyond doubt that the least interesting people have the most to say and the loudest voices with which to say it.
He goes on to define six reasons why we should keep the ban.
Should it be acceptable for people to take drugs to improve cognitive abilities? According to one poll, 20% of scientists are using drugs to “improve concentration.”
Ritalin, a trade name for methylphenidate, is a stimulant normally used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, especially in children. Modafinil — marketed at Provigil — is prescribed to treat sleep disorders, but is also effective against general fatigue and jet lag. [And] beta blockers, prescribed for cardiac arrhythmia and popular among performers due to its anti-anxiety effect.
Apparently, this drug usage is becoming more and more commonplace on college campuses, and even high schools, including students taking them during standardized testing (SAT). Should this be acceptable? Does it give an unfair advantage?
I understand that I may be in the minority on this, but I find it deeply disturbing. Healthy people don’t need these drugs, and I don’t think its worth the possible side-effects.
David Mamet, a famous playwright, recently released an article explaining why he is no longer a liberal. It’s a long piece, but definitely worth the read:
As a child of the ’60s, I accepted as an article of faith that government is corrupt, that business is exploitative, and that people are generally good at heart. These cherished precepts had, over the years, become ingrained as increasingly impracticable prejudices. Why do I say impracticable? Because although I still held these beliefs, I no longer applied them in my life.
How could I have spent decades thinking that I thought everything was always wrong at the same time that I thought I thought that people were basically good at heart? Which was it? I began to question what I actually thought and found that I do not think that people are basically good at heart; indeed, that view of human nature has both prompted and informed my writing for the last 40 years. I think that people, in circumstances of stress, can behave like swine, and that this, indeed, is not only a fit subject, but the only subject, of drama.
The Library of Congress has set up a Flickr account, and it has a lot of neat, old photos. Right now they’re only doing a test run, and have two albums set up, each with over a thousand pictures:
