Dear friends,
I am about to hit the road and do what I like most: jump in the car with my wife, leave everything behind, and spend a couple of days in the Florida wilderness. God willing, we will be back on Friday.
In the meantime, I want to leave you with a few short notes:
1) Podcast: there definitely was some kind of glitch in the 2nd part of the podcast and I had no time to detect it. Lesson learned: it was a mistake to leave the post with questions open until Friday 18000 GMT and hope to get the podcast ready my Monday. The next time around, I will leave three days to post questions (Monday-Wednesday) and then I will use the remaining time (Wednesday-Sunday) to prepare the podcast for release on Monday. From now on and until the new blog is up, I will release on Soundcloud, Mediafire and Youtube.
2) My “homophobic video“: from a comment posted today I realized that some of you had not realized that the person sitting next to the cop is not a a woman at all but, to quote the official dogma, a person manifesting a “normal and natural variation in human sexuality and is not in and of itself a source of negative psychological effects”.
3) These past couple of weeks I have been bombarded with people accusing me of endorsing Šešelj or of “discrediting” or even “abandoning” Strelkov. What these critics apparently fail to understand is that I can discuss somebody’s views or situation without necessarily endorsing or betraying that person. As it happens, I have no personal opinion whatsoever about Šešelj and I have the utmost respect for Strelkov. My view of the world and of people is not binary, black or white, and I like to freely analyze and discuss ideas, situations and personalities. If you are too stupid to cope with that kind of diversity of approaches, then I suggest you avoid my blog like the plague because I sure intend to continue to do that.
4) The “Putin is weak and beaten” chorus is not letting up. I personally explain that by too much exposure to the corporate media which is constantly presenting Putin as beat, isolated, humiliated and otherwise broken. Since these comments never come with fact based and logically presented arguments, I don’t see the point if trying to refute them.
5) Novorussia: today Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke during a Q&A at the Duma and he also mentioned the possibility that the economic blockade of Novorussia by the Nazi regime in Kiev (which basically stole the money of the people of Novorussia) could be a prelude to a Ukrainian attack. I am personally convinced that the recent statements of Putin and Lavrov about this possibility are designed to prepare the public opinion of Russia and, to some degree, the EU to situation in which Russia might have to intervene to stop such an attack. The situation right now is extremely dangerous, but not hopeless as I am sure that there is a lot of pressure put upon the junta and its US bosses by Russia and other countries not to attack.
6) US elections: I am not a US citizen, so I don’t get to vote anyway. If I did, I still would not vote. The choice of a lesser evil is still a choice for evil. It is also a de-facto endorsement of the legitimacy of the system. Can I recommend to those interested in this issue to read an old post of mine entitled “USSR 1974 – USA 2007: back to the future“?
Okay, that’s it for today. I am off to my beloved wilderness with wifey. See you all in a couple of days!
The Saker
Saker Message:
I also am not allowed to vote in US elections – I have been around a lot and I wanted to put a “Putin For President 2016” bumper sticker on my car but I don’t think the Americans would even begin to understand. God bless Russia and all of us who respect the President need to pray for him to keep calm and be wise. Thank you Saker.
I also am not allowed to vote in US elections – I have been around a lot and I wanted to put a “Putin For President 2016” bumper sticker on my car but I don’t think the Americans would even begin to understand. God bless Russia and all of us who respect the President need to pray for him to keep calm and be wise. Thank you Saker.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/ten-months-after-russian-annexation-crimean-savers-ask-where-is-our-money-/511482.html
I think there is a genuine problem here with people potentially/actually losing savings formerly held in Ukr banks which is not good-a Rus central banker has just stated that Crimean residents loans would/should have to be eventually payed off –but there is no mechanism to do so-probably awaiting Rus new “swift” system but whether it will connect to Ukr banks or not? Or perhaps savings could be “compensated ” for by Rus(open to fraudulent claims of course), and balancing against ukr claiming loss of loans to Crimeans. Maybe Rus compensate lost loans in rapidly falling hnryvas somehow? I know its a small point but not to poor people……..
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49393#.VHRZ2WgWTY0
link to OSCE report 20 Nov—
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49027#.VHRaTWgWTY0
UN report here fails to mention influx of foreign fighters from Poland Germany Sweden etc from Eu and further, only mentioning rus volunteers in DPR LNR for example.
Also intimidations etc against Tatars in Crime, perhaps a worsening situation for them, is this a 1 sided report, that Rus could use to say UN is failing in honest reporting?
nb: Tatar Crimea charitable fund fined 4.5 m roubles could really upset Tatars……
http://qha.com.ua/ukraine-to-buy-1bcm-of-russian-gas-monthly-132679en.html
ukr still says will buy gas……http://qha.com.ua/stoltenberg-confirms-ukraine-could-become-nato-member-132676en.html
could hot things up
Simferopol authorities are reclaiming/taking back land squatted? claimed by Tatars themselves after being permitted back after Stalin had exported them…….at the edge of the city for FSB housing developments etc… again will upset Tatars, but are beginning to build a new mosque soon somewhere, and new tatar representation in Parliament in a new tatar Chamber starting Dec
http://qha.com.ua/russia-loses-140-bln-per-year-due-to-oil-prices-drop-132680en.html
rus minister says
http://qha.com.ua/exchange-offices-in-crimea-to-be-closed-in-2015-132670en.html
http://qha.com.ua/lithuania-to-supply-ukraine-with-military-aid-poroshenko-132674en.html
explains yesterdays border problems Lithuania/rus v President saying russia is terrorist state? Bad translation as “concrete armaments’!
Ukr deliberately targeting energy supplies……
http://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/35728/#.VHSP-GgWTY0
Lithuania proudly announces the first LNG regional storage facility in Europe big enough for 90% demand of Baltic countries, congrats from Kerry on securing their energy policy -just when it becomes uneconomic to produce LNG? until now L. has been purchasing gas from Rus but now can buy elsewheres. Still-proposals for Estonian-Finnish pipeline.
“VILNIUS – Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas, who once clamped down on illegal parking in the city’s cycle lanes by running over a car with a tank……”..proof they like tanks themselves?
“Member of the Council of the Federation Committee for Foreign Affairs Igor Morozov declared that Russia must terminate all relations with Lithuania and impose economic sanctions in response, reports ELTA. “Such statements are intolerable for any head of state and make international relations between Russia and …’ etc
“There is finally consensus that the only way to stop Russian aggression across Europe is not only to show NATO’s capability to defend its members, but willingness to use force. We had finally learned lessons from trying to rationalize Russia’s actions in the past, and now it’s time to take firm steps to stop this aggressive behavior.
“There is still considerable dependence in some NATO countries on Russian weaponry [several CEE countries have considerable numbers of Russian fighter jets, tanks, etc.] and energy.
If NATO is to eliminate these economic links – who will pick up the costs?
“This is a complex issue, and clearly it will hurt NATO countries in the short term. However, reliance on Russian energy and technology is a strategic weakness and will expose us all to imminent threat. We must all bond together and stand firm in face of any military or political aggression. NATO is about collective gain and we stand committed to this cause.
What, in your view, is Putin’s next move?
“It seems clear that his aim is to thwart Western and NATO ideology, democracy and self-determination, even at great economic and political cost to Russia. Where military options are not yet possible, he will pursue a policy of destabilization – using local media, funding local elections, leveraging local ethnic Russian populations – all to create an environment friendly to Russia and which he can eventually control. He is well aware of NATO’s military superiority, but he must be made aware of our willingness to use it. Liam Fox M.P. Uk May 2014
RIGA – Despite the economic benefits, residency permits granted to persons from Russia can increase risks to Latvia’s security, say the Security Police, reports LETA. During a Saeima Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee meeting on Sept. 24, committee members analyzed a report delivered on Sept. 23 from the Interior Ministry on the residency permit process and its results.“However, from the point of view of the security services, we see that there has been an increase in the number of Russian residents granted residency permits, and this is something that must be seriously considered. Individually, these people are not a risk to Latvia’s security; however, taking into account Russia’s rhetoric, that they are prepared to ‘defend’ their citizens abroad, this circumstance can increase risks to Latvia’s security in the future,” Ulmanis emphasized. Latvian news October
baltic Times Oct 1 “TALLINN – The number of asylum applications in Estonia by citizens hailing from war-torn Ukraine has risen sharply this year as they seek refuge and safety within EU borders.
In contrast with application numbers last year – zero – between March this year, when the Russian Federation annexed the Crimean peninsula, and the end of August, this number had risen to 32. A further three applications have been submitted since then, taking the total applications from Ukraine to Estonia to 35 in 8 months.
These figures merely refer to those Ukrainians seeking a permanent home in Estonia, away from the bloodshed and violence that has dogged their home country. Aside from these 35 applications, according to official figures, around 23,000 ethnic Ukrainians already live in Estonia, making this group the third largest ethnicity in the country, behind Estonians and Russian.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, “Ukrainian citizens living in conflict areas, especially in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast, who have relatives or loved ones in Estonia, can now apply for free long-term visas obtained through simplified procedures.”
There are obvious fears that the number of refugees will continue to rise as the situation in Ukraine remains unstable.What is clear, though, is that regardless of political rhetoric, or the brokering of fragile ceasefires, the impact of the current situation in Ukraine will be lasting, and its repercussions will be felt not only by the indigenous population, but will be the concern of all peoples, wherever they call home.”
http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/24454A08D48F695EC3257D9A004BA32E
spoiler alert—-sorry Saker cos you were waiting for it, not wishing to offend you but maybe it helps…..Lavrov’s latest on Nov 22nd
Lavrov’s important bit? “”Our Western partners promote respect for the rule of law, democracy and minority opinion within countries, while failing to stand up for the same values in international affairs. This leaves Russia as a pioneer in promoting democracy, justice and rule of international law. A new world order can only be polycentric and should reflect the diversity of cultures and civilisations in today’s world.
You are aware of Russia’s commitment to ensuring indivisibility of security in international affairs and holding it in international law. I won’t elaborate on this.”
Lavrov cont re plight of Christians :EU is… ” ashamed when we invite them to do something about it together at the OSCE. They wonder why would we focus specifically on Christians? How is that special? The OSCE has held a series of events dedicated to keeping memories about the Holocaust and its victims alive. A few years ago, the OSCE started holding events against Islamophobia. We will be offering an analysis of the processes leading to Christianophobia.
On 4-5 December, OSCE ministerial meetings will be held in Basel, where we will present this proposal. The majority of EU member states elude this topic, because they are ashamed to talk about it. Just as they were ashamed to include in what was then the EU constitution drafted by Valery Giscard d’Estaing a phrase that Europe has Christian roots.
“If you don’t remember or respect your own roots and traditions, how would you respect the traditions and values of other people? This is straightforward logic. Comparing what’s happening now in the Middle East to a period of religious wars in Europe, Israeli political scientist Avineri said that the current turmoil is unlikely to end with what the West means when it says “democratic reforms.”-agree translation is clunky, looking forward to yours Saker.
important stuff here Lavrov 21 Nov at State Duma
http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/1FF44B92A66BD00EC3257D960022326A
sorry meant Nov 19 ,Saker please correct -must stop posting for a bit…….don’t mean to monopolise