Ukraine

[Мастер]

Or before that, whenever it was that the Soviets made Crimea part of the Ukraine.

1954, under the leadership of Comrade Khrushchev.

I suppose back then, though, they pretty much considered one part of the Union the same as any other.

I think that was supposed to be the idea.

It sure seems like that would have diminished the problem - it may not have eliminated it, though, since other parts of the Ukraine are quite "Russian".

Papa Stalin is often considered the author of many of today's ethnic troubles, for arranging people and boundaries in a way that conflict was likely to erupt if ever they found themselves out from under the Soviet Union. Possibly deliberately.

[Heid the Ba]

It sure seems like that would have diminished the problem - it may not have eliminated it, though, since other parts of the Ukraine are quite "Russian".

Papa Stalin is often considered the author of many of today's ethnic troubles, for arranging people and boundaries in a way that conflict was likely to erupt if ever they found themselves out from under the Soviet Union. Possibly deliberately.

There was a policy of deliberately "Russianising" some areas, like the Baltic States and the number of Russian military personnel around the big bases had that incidental effect in places like the Crimea.

[Heid the Ba]

I now have the old Soviet National Anthem playing in my head.

Which, with new lyrics we don't understand anyway, IS the national anthem of Russia. (Since 2000)

I don't know what the words mean but I know what they sound like. I first remember hearing it during the Munich Olympics where Valeriy Borzov won both sprint medals and his now wife Ludmilla Tourischeva won a couple as well. Borzov is/was a Ukrainian government minister and is ethnic Ukranian while his missus is a Chechnya born ethnic Russian.

[Мастер]

I don't know what the words mean but I know what they sound like.

Read it here in Russian, transliterated Russian, or English.

[Heid the Ba]

Stirring stuff! On to Berlin/Kiev/Tokyo/Your town here!

[tubeswell]

Read it here in Russian, transliterated Russian, or English.

This must be the bit they learn in the army:

"Before the official adoption of the lyrics, the Kremlin released a section of the anthem, which made a reference to the flag and coat of arms:

Its mighty wings spread above us
The Russian eagle is hovering high
The Motherland's tricolor symbol
Is leading Russia's peoples to victory

—Kremlin source"

[Мастер]

So, how was Crimea's first day as a sovereign state?

[Enzo]

They don;t want to Russian to anything...

[Мастер]

Russia is citing the Kosovo precedent.

[tubeswell]

So they're eyeing up Kosovo President now?

[Мастер]

No doubt they have been eyeing up the Kosovo President as they cite the Kosovo Precedent.

[tubeswell]

I know, I know. I take a bow.

[Enzo]

So some so and so is in Kosovo? How prescient.

[Мастер]

Vlad is moving with impressive speed. Will Crimea be part of Russia by Friday?

[tubeswell]

Thursday

[Мастер]

So this place gives the edge to the US in a military conflict.

[Enzo]

So we would do pretty well?


I used to have a T-shirt that said something like:
Viet Nam War Games
USA - second place.

[tubeswell]

Putin is losing the war in Iraq (or somewhere)

-Joe Biden

[Мастер]

Putin is losing the war in Iraq (or somewhere)

-Joe Biden

Yes, Russian forces have been driven out of Iraq completely. That’s why they’re in Syria.

[Richard A]

It really is distressing that the Democrats have not persuaded Biden not to run again. Does anyone know anything about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (other than who his dad was) or Marianne Williamson? The thought of it coming down to a choice between Biden and either a proto-fascist or an outright fascist (depending on who wins the GOP primary) is so depressing.

[Мастер]

It really is distressing that the Democrats have not persuaded Biden not to run again. Does anyone know anything about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (other than who his dad was) or Marianne Williamson? The thought of it coming down to a choice between Biden and either a proto-fascist or an outright fascist (depending on who wins the GOP primary) is so depressing.

Anti-vaxxer. That’s all I know.

[g-one]

And the other one is Oprah's 'spiritual advisor'.