Hey, Mikhail Fishman looks pretty good without clothes. As editor of the Russian Newsweek, you normally wouldn't expect videos of yourself doing cocaine with hookers to be all over the Internet. But the critics of the current regime in Moscow are experiencing this all the time these days.
But maybe "hey I'm naked and on YouTube because I criticized the Russian President" should become a trend. Of course they are being set up. You'd expect that, seeing what's happening to the other guys, they'd be a little more careful. Alas, that is not to be.
The best inoculation for this is indifference. So what? He did a little recreational use of drugs and cavorted with hookers. Be more careful next time, Mikhail. Better yet, get a girlfriend.
I believe the Mikhail Fishman could really make something of this incident. He should go to popular magazines and offer to pose half-dressed for the cover. Maybe start a web site for his fans, or a Facebook page. The sky is the limit and we are allowed to define ourselves in the digital media age.
I guess the final roundup is that hookers and cocaine isn't that shocking anymore, not with the Vatican accused of covering up for child-molesting priests. And Mikhail Fishman still looks good without clothes.
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
12.29.2008
Russia Today - Fabulous PR Gimmick
Russia Today is a publication borne of necessity. The public image of Russia has been getting rightfully hammered what with the assassinated journalists (Anna Politkovskaya), murdered Russians living in the UK (watch out for that sushi) who were asking questions about assassinated Russian journalists, threatening to cut off heating oil to Eastern Europe in winter, and invading a neighboring country when they don't like their internal policies.
What better than a fake news source to pretend there's anything like real news coming out of Russia?
I'm waiting for the story on the assassination of Anna Politkovskaya. Or the story on Russia's use of torture in Chechnya. Or the murder of the the Fortune magazine editor in Moscow.
It'll be a long wait, I know.
What better than a fake news source to pretend there's anything like real news coming out of Russia?
I'm waiting for the story on the assassination of Anna Politkovskaya. Or the story on Russia's use of torture in Chechnya. Or the murder of the the Fortune magazine editor in Moscow.
It'll be a long wait, I know.
9.15.2008
I Like Russian Salad Dressing, and Can Be Your Next Secretary of State
So, our Ms. Palin lives next to Russia. She could see it from her state if she wanted to! I can't think of any better qualificaton for being Vice President myself. And I'll bet she has those Russian dolls that hide inside one another, too. Talk about credentials.
She's looked Russians in the eyes and thought about ordering vodka. Talk about vision.
Gov. Pain is scary. She doesn't choose to think about things. She could if she wanted, I'm sure. As could our current President. They just don't want to. And that's the scary part. This sort of deliberate non-thinking is appealing to many of our citizens.
Let us not underestimate Gov. Pain. After all, we are a nation that chose George W. Bush to be President. Twice.
But let's take a moment to barf on the newsman who didn't follow up on any of her absurd remarks. Note: ask for details on how living near another country prepares one for international negotiation.
She's looked Russians in the eyes and thought about ordering vodka. Talk about vision.
Gov. Pain is scary. She doesn't choose to think about things. She could if she wanted, I'm sure. As could our current President. They just don't want to. And that's the scary part. This sort of deliberate non-thinking is appealing to many of our citizens.
Let us not underestimate Gov. Pain. After all, we are a nation that chose George W. Bush to be President. Twice.
But let's take a moment to barf on the newsman who didn't follow up on any of her absurd remarks. Note: ask for details on how living near another country prepares one for international negotiation.
8.18.2008
Georgia On My Mind
Russia's assault on the sovereignty of Georgia is a major challenge to the influence and credibility of the United States. If we can't, or won't, stand up for an ally then an alliance with the U.S. won't be worth much.
And if an alliance with the United States isn't worth much, our opinion on international matters won't be worth much, either. In a very real sense, the Georgian conflict will determine the power of the United States for many years.
Europe is continuing their spineless ways, just as they were content to allow mass slaughter in the former Yugoslavia, they are content to remain passive in the face of Russia's direct threat to their neighbor and themselves.
Anything other than harsh response will lead Russia to invade another country. Why not? If we don't do anything but talk, there is nothing to stop them. Of course, we cannot ignore the role of our Iraq war in all this maneuvering. Russia is betting, accurately, that the United States does not want another major conflict simultaneous with two full-scale wars.
This is the time for Germany and other nations to place troops in Georgia to protect their democracy, as well as Georgia's. And any alternate energy plans should be made top national security priority. Without oil, Russia is just another has-been on the world stage.
And if an alliance with the United States isn't worth much, our opinion on international matters won't be worth much, either. In a very real sense, the Georgian conflict will determine the power of the United States for many years.
Europe is continuing their spineless ways, just as they were content to allow mass slaughter in the former Yugoslavia, they are content to remain passive in the face of Russia's direct threat to their neighbor and themselves.
Anything other than harsh response will lead Russia to invade another country. Why not? If we don't do anything but talk, there is nothing to stop them. Of course, we cannot ignore the role of our Iraq war in all this maneuvering. Russia is betting, accurately, that the United States does not want another major conflict simultaneous with two full-scale wars.
This is the time for Germany and other nations to place troops in Georgia to protect their democracy, as well as Georgia's. And any alternate energy plans should be made top national security priority. Without oil, Russia is just another has-been on the world stage.
3.10.2008
Russia Travel: An American in Moscow
Don't think being an American will protect you in Russia.
Paul Klebnikov, an American editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, was shot to death outside of his offices. Forbes had been working on publishing a series of articles, including a list of the richest Russians. Klebnikov also had articles published exposing organized crime.
After he was shot, he was left to bleed to death in the lobby of the hospital. No one was ever arrested for the crime.
That's the New Russia for you.
Paul Klebnikov, an American editor of the Russian edition of Forbes magazine, was shot to death outside of his offices. Forbes had been working on publishing a series of articles, including a list of the richest Russians. Klebnikov also had articles published exposing organized crime.
After he was shot, he was left to bleed to death in the lobby of the hospital. No one was ever arrested for the crime.
That's the New Russia for you.
3.07.2008
Travel to Mother Russia!
So Russia is spending big bucks, according to the Washington Post, to improve its image abroad. And it might even work.
Forget Anna Politkovskaya, the journalist who was killed for reporting about the use of torture by the Russian government. Or the Russian editor of Fortune magazine who was gunned down in the lobby of his office building and then help was delayed until after he was dead. Forget the Russian expat who was murdered in London.
And that's what will happen. No one will remember or care that good, decent people who spoke out for basic human rights were killed by the Russian state. They won't think about the implications of that for their own lives, either.
Forget Anna Politkovskaya, the journalist who was killed for reporting about the use of torture by the Russian government. Or the Russian editor of Fortune magazine who was gunned down in the lobby of his office building and then help was delayed until after he was dead. Forget the Russian expat who was murdered in London.
And that's what will happen. No one will remember or care that good, decent people who spoke out for basic human rights were killed by the Russian state. They won't think about the implications of that for their own lives, either.
6.09.2007
The Paris Hilton Index
It's nice to know that not just Americans are pathetic celebrity watchers.
Pravda, yes that Pravda, has her return to jail at the top of the page with a photo of her wearing very little. This being just days from Russia threatening to turn Europe into a pancake. You'd think people missing their old Cold War charms would have something more serious to talk about. But then, look at me. I'm writing about this stuff.
The Frankfurter Allegemeine at least puts Paris Hilton stories right next to George Michael ones, and a little bit above how handwriting has gone downhill since computers. Now that shows a proper sense of perspective. But only Germans would worry about the quality of their national handwriting.
The Belfast Telegraph puts the news of Paris Hilton's jail experiences right after Putin's latest insult to Tony Blair. Let me see, so Putin allegedly orders the killing of a person on British soil and won't give up the guy indicted for the crime. Russia and Britain are in a major struggle about this, and Britain is threatening to cut all business ties with Russia "if they don't conform to international standards." This is a big deal. And right next to that is Paris Hilton! Because if you want to know about impending economic war in Europe, you will definitely want to know what Paris Hilton is doing RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
The Sydney Morning Herald has Ms. Hilton at the top of its video news on its front page. At least they title it "Paris Hilton Media Circus" and outright admit that what is important is not where she is or what she is doing, but that so many idiot news outlets consider any of that important. A little ironic reflection is needed, perhaps, since all they post is a straight Reuters film clip.
The Lithuanian ELTA ignores our poor Paris, but is excited that Playboy will now be published in Lithuanian.
All in all, poor Paris might be regretting her notoriety right now.
Pravda, yes that Pravda, has her return to jail at the top of the page with a photo of her wearing very little. This being just days from Russia threatening to turn Europe into a pancake. You'd think people missing their old Cold War charms would have something more serious to talk about. But then, look at me. I'm writing about this stuff.
The Frankfurter Allegemeine at least puts Paris Hilton stories right next to George Michael ones, and a little bit above how handwriting has gone downhill since computers. Now that shows a proper sense of perspective. But only Germans would worry about the quality of their national handwriting.
The Belfast Telegraph puts the news of Paris Hilton's jail experiences right after Putin's latest insult to Tony Blair. Let me see, so Putin allegedly orders the killing of a person on British soil and won't give up the guy indicted for the crime. Russia and Britain are in a major struggle about this, and Britain is threatening to cut all business ties with Russia "if they don't conform to international standards." This is a big deal. And right next to that is Paris Hilton! Because if you want to know about impending economic war in Europe, you will definitely want to know what Paris Hilton is doing RIGHT THIS MINUTE.
The Sydney Morning Herald has Ms. Hilton at the top of its video news on its front page. At least they title it "Paris Hilton Media Circus" and outright admit that what is important is not where she is or what she is doing, but that so many idiot news outlets consider any of that important. A little ironic reflection is needed, perhaps, since all they post is a straight Reuters film clip.
The Lithuanian ELTA ignores our poor Paris, but is excited that Playboy will now be published in Lithuanian.
All in all, poor Paris might be regretting her notoriety right now.
5.30.2007
Putin and the Balance of Power
Putin is back in the 20th Century on this one: "We think it would be harmful and dangerous to turn Europe into a tinderbox and fill it with new types of armaments," Mr Putin said.
Russia has test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile and claims to have fired it almost entirely across its northern air space to eastern Siberia. That means they could hit Europe if they wanted to.
So if Eastern Europe gets a missile shield, Russia will up the ante with showing off its new missiles. Whee! Haven't we been here before? It's a new arms race.
Remember Kissinger's balance of power politics that got us into Vietnam? That's where Putin's head is at. He is threatening Europe with fire if they install missile defense shields in Eastern Europe. Why would Russia feel threatened by that anyway? It's not as if they are planning on sending missiles into Europe, right? Or do they just want the option?
Putin should instead worry about the other rising powers of the 21st century: Brazil, China, India-Pakistan, Indonesia. He's fighting some kind of self-esteem war over the losses of the Soviet Empire. Get over it, dude. Europe won't be cowed so easily again.
Click on the title to this post for the story in the The Sydney Morning Herald.
Russia has test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile and claims to have fired it almost entirely across its northern air space to eastern Siberia. That means they could hit Europe if they wanted to.
So if Eastern Europe gets a missile shield, Russia will up the ante with showing off its new missiles. Whee! Haven't we been here before? It's a new arms race.
Remember Kissinger's balance of power politics that got us into Vietnam? That's where Putin's head is at. He is threatening Europe with fire if they install missile defense shields in Eastern Europe. Why would Russia feel threatened by that anyway? It's not as if they are planning on sending missiles into Europe, right? Or do they just want the option?
Putin should instead worry about the other rising powers of the 21st century: Brazil, China, India-Pakistan, Indonesia. He's fighting some kind of self-esteem war over the losses of the Soviet Empire. Get over it, dude. Europe won't be cowed so easily again.
Click on the title to this post for the story in the The Sydney Morning Herald.
5.29.2007
Litvinenko Will Never Die
So Putin thought, "Hey, if Britain won't hand over Litvinenko, we'll just kill him in Britain!" Of course Britain is understandably outraged and now wants former Federal Security Service officer Lugovoi back in Britain to answer charges of murder. Russia is dragging its feet and is talking about a trial in Russia instead.
What were you thinking, Vladimir? What would you do if Russia was offering protection to someone and another country came in and killed him on your soil? You were supposed to learn this kind of thinking as a child. Remember? If you don't like being hit, don't hit others.
What were you thinking, Vladimir? What would you do if Russia was offering protection to someone and another country came in and killed him on your soil? You were supposed to learn this kind of thinking as a child. Remember? If you don't like being hit, don't hit others.
4.21.2007
50% Good News In Russia
The Russian government has just ordered the Russian News Service to make half of what it says about Russia "positive." That means if a nuclear bomb was set off in Moscow, it would have to be balanced with how global warming is making the weather so nice.
Seriously, don't you see wildly ample opportunity for satire? I mean, "Today the sun shone. In other news, you won't have any electricity this winter." Of course any journalist tempted to do that would be gunned down like the rest of them.
Seriously, don't you see wildly ample opportunity for satire? I mean, "Today the sun shone. In other news, you won't have any electricity this winter." Of course any journalist tempted to do that would be gunned down like the rest of them.
1.16.2007
Litvinenko Will Never Die
Scotland Yard wants to continue its investigation into the murder of Litvinenko by going to Russia again, but this time asking the questions themselves. The Russians aren't too hot about this idea. But surely they couldn't expect that the British were going to let this one go. No one would.
After all, when Italy suspected the CIA of kidnapping people on its soil, not even killing them, didn't they convene a court to look at it? No nation is going to tolerate a foreign assassination on their soil.
Litvinenko will never die.
After all, when Italy suspected the CIA of kidnapping people on its soil, not even killing them, didn't they convene a court to look at it? No nation is going to tolerate a foreign assassination on their soil.
Litvinenko will never die.
1.09.2007
Russia, Belarus and Oil
Russia is accusing Belarus of diverting some of the oil flowing through its pipelines. It seems that the pressure in the oil pipeline going through Belarus had dropped noticeably. Russia is blaming Belarus for this because they think Belarus is siphoning off oil from the pipeline going through their country.
Germany and Poland are reliant on Russia's oil as well as other European countries, so this is a big deal. The Polish Economy Ministry assured everyone publicly that Poland had enough reserves right now and there was no need for worry.
The keyword here is PANIC. There needs not to be a PANIC about OIL in EUROPE. It is that panic that Russia is playing with.
So what can be done? What would really happen if Russia cut its oil supplies to Europe? Would they honestly sit by and let thousands of people freeze to death? Perhaps. One thing that would definitely happen is that Europe would find an alternative to oil as fast as possible. Russia would become an international pariah. I doubt Putin really cares about that. He just misses seeing the fear in their eyes.
Germany and Poland are reliant on Russia's oil as well as other European countries, so this is a big deal. The Polish Economy Ministry assured everyone publicly that Poland had enough reserves right now and there was no need for worry.
The keyword here is PANIC. There needs not to be a PANIC about OIL in EUROPE. It is that panic that Russia is playing with.
So what can be done? What would really happen if Russia cut its oil supplies to Europe? Would they honestly sit by and let thousands of people freeze to death? Perhaps. One thing that would definitely happen is that Europe would find an alternative to oil as fast as possible. Russia would become an international pariah. I doubt Putin really cares about that. He just misses seeing the fear in their eyes.
10.09.2006
Anna Politkovskaya
So who in their right mind will put their money in Russia now? Like it wasn't bad enough when the Russian editor of Forbes magazine was gunned down and left to bleed to death in an elevator.
Anna's death will not be in vain. Her personal sacrifice moved many people, including Econo-Girl.
What U.S. companies are invested in Russia now? Which have a financial interest in the success of the current regime? Let's find out. Then let's harass them. We shouldn't stay quiet on this topic. Big business flourishes in the U.S. because of people like us. We don't riot, for the most part, we pay taxes, we are stable. It our stability that big business stands on. They need it. All over the world, the U.S. dollar and equities are seen as safe havens for wealth. So let's use that. Let's make a vow to shake up Mother Russia.
Anna's death will not be in vain. Her personal sacrifice moved many people, including Econo-Girl.
What U.S. companies are invested in Russia now? Which have a financial interest in the success of the current regime? Let's find out. Then let's harass them. We shouldn't stay quiet on this topic. Big business flourishes in the U.S. because of people like us. We don't riot, for the most part, we pay taxes, we are stable. It our stability that big business stands on. They need it. All over the world, the U.S. dollar and equities are seen as safe havens for wealth. So let's use that. Let's make a vow to shake up Mother Russia.
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