Making the world at better informed place, one small link at a time.
Generally, Apple users show all the symptoms of being in a cult. They are sold an image of a company and who they are is defined by this image. They pay a premium for this image, to feel connected to the company. I've yet to see an Apple product that was everything the company made it out to be. (Jan 30, 2008 | post #4)
Aide Helped Controversial Russian Meet McCain
There is always a chance, although Romney currently holds the lead in the Republican primary race. McCain is not friendly towards the current Russian government. Oleg Deripaska needs to watch his step, or he'll end up like Khordokovsky. (Jan 25, 2008 | post #2)
U.S. Releases Dramatic Iran Boat Video
Hardly similar to the USS Cole incident, as the Cole was in harbor refueling and the craft wasn't a speed boat. At no time were the US Navy ships under threat by those speedboats. I'm sure they were trying to provoke something, test US Navy response to their craft. They almost got the answer in a most dramatic fashion. (Jan 8, 2008 | post #39)
Nigerian Energy Security, Russian-Style
You could not cite another example of a state-run energy corporation with so much governmental clout or its strategy so closed tied to international politics, as Gazprom is to the Kremlin. Chairman of the Board Medvedev is the likely next President of the Russian Federation, is just one example of how comparison to other situations falls short. So a comparison to other nationalized corporations falls very very short. Russia cares about its image, but not in the soft way that you seem to perceive. They don't particular care about being perceived as nice guys. These days, to Russia, dealing from a position of strength means respect. The Kremlin, Gazprom, Neftegaz, etc. have launched an "Energy Security" program to control as many assets and their methods of transfer to market as is possible, so that they may control the market and command the highest prices in the future. This does not bode well for any consumer of those products. For various reasons, Russia is extremely unlikely to be as compliant as OPEC has been over the last 30 years. (Jan 6, 2008 | post #4)
Nigerian Energy Security, Russian-Style
I think the problem is - Gazprom is a Russian government owned company and is run almost as an extension of the Russian government. The Russian government has shown a willingness to mix international politics with business as a means to extort profit or implement foreign policy objectives. (Jan 6, 2008 | post #2)
Is Oil-Lust Making us Paranoid?
No, paranoia causes us to have an oil lust. (Jan 5, 2008 | post #4)
Hidden Message in Louis Vuitton Ad?
Yes - these ads ran this past August. (Nov 8, 2007 | post #2)
Putin honors Stalin victims 70 years after terror
It is possible that it is just pre-election politics, but this isn't the first time that he or his allied party has faced elections. When he says things like "These were people with their own ideas which they were unafraid of speaking out about. They were the cream of the nation.", I question if he feels that way about people whose ideas are suppressed (or worse) in Russia these days. He might cite people such as Kirill Formanchuk as being criminals, but I believe Russia needs more such people in order to become a truly modern nation. (Oct 31, 2007 | post #2)
How to get along with the bear
I guess that is sort of like, never ever ever trust an FBI or CIA man? You know, like George H. W. Bush. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #6)
Russia's hold on eastern Europe
Russia has nationalized as much of their strategic businesses as possible and does use them for political gain in a rather overt fashion compared to most nations. This does create a bit of "let the buyer beware" apprehension when dealing with certain Russian businesses. Further, the Russian government has shown a propensity for taking control of domestic businesses or renegotiating with foreign businesses in a very aggressive fashion. So they aren't exactly the same as those other nations that you cite, due to these behaviors. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #13)
Welcome or Not, Orthodoxy Is Back in Russia and #x2019;s Public...
Indoctrination is indoctrination, whether the idealogy being shoved down your throat is communism or christian. The article says that parents believe their children should be taught Orthodoxy. That's great and their choice. So take the kids to church. They are everywhere, everywhere, everywhere in Russia. However, anyone who has been to Russia can tell you, Russians simply are not generally church-going people. They wear crosses, have icons in their homes, in their cars, cross themselves when something bad happens - but generally don't go to church. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #3)
Russia's hold on eastern Europe
Wow - you really don't know anything at all. Did you know that many of Putin's top government officials and friends are Jewish? Rougly 1/3 of the Russian government is Jewish. Obviously you didn't know this. Further, did you know that both Bush and Putin are reformed alcoholics? Putin has admitted to his alcohol abuse while living in Germany at the end of the USSR. Lastly, Russia has some economic growth and stability, but it is far from what you describe. The country is far from content, but they are happy for stability of recent years. That stability has been almost exclusively due to high oil and gas prices, however. History has shown us that won't last forever - so Putin is to be commended for trying to increase development of his country in other ways. However, inflation is still great problem for Russia and the country's infrastructure is grossly underdeveloped. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #12)
That must have been hell for the Avon lady or electric meter reader ... (Sep 26, 2007 | post #7)
Jo jo's "poor oppressed Chechens"
I've said that many times. I've also said that if Russia is attempting to murder every Chechen they are doing a really bad job of it. Ramzan Kadyrov would be toasted in a large gas oven, for example. "What? Holy sh*t, he's a Chechen? And we made him Governor? We better correct that mistake immediately! Don't you know we're committed genocide of all Chechens! ::evil laugh::" I had also read about Chechen snipers in Iraq, that they are generally the most skilled and troublesome for US coalition troops. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #4)
How to get along with the bear
I'm wondering what the objection is to such programs? You wouldn't learn anything, obviously. But anyone with more than half a brain would. The American perspective on events over the past 5, 10, or 15 years in Russia is rather non-existent, and what people do know is ridiculously skewed. Either by design or by clumsiness, US foreign policy towards Russia has made them reluctant to wary of trusting us and made them realized they need to be armed to the teeth to gain any respect. The Russian government didn't learn that lesson in a vacuum - they are keen observers of our actions. (Sep 26, 2007 | post #4)
