Dear friends,
Yesterday evening I have finally come back from my week long trip to Switzerland where I barely had the time to bury my mother and go clean up her small apartment. This was probably one of the worst weeks in my life and I wanted to begin by thanking all those of you who have expressed their sympathy for the loss of my mother. Your outpouring of kindness really did touch me even if I simply did not have the time to thank you for it.
I am still jet-lagged and sick with a cold, but there has been a nasty matter which life has dumped upon me which I want to deal with right now before a resume normal blogging (which I scheduled for next Monday, December 7th): the fact that two dishonorable people decided to post the following text on the Internet: (source: http://cirilizovano.blogspot.rs/2015/11/who-is-saker.html)
Who is the Saker?
Almost a year ago to the day, I had the distinct displeasure of meeting the man who calls himself the Saker. Our professional relationship lasted less than a month, for reasons I will outline below. We parted on rancid terms and I swore to him that I would make his identity and ideological shortcomings public. I have waited until now due to milestone events in my own life and because, frankly, I was waiting to see what the loon would come up with next.
As of the end of last year, I had been following the Saker blog for several years to get news of events in Donbass and when I learned he was looking for volunteers for a Serbian sister site, I applied for the job. My original idea was to contribute some translations on an ad hoc basis but Saker had just had a major falling out with the whole Serbian team and sacked the previous team leader, Aleksandar Jovanovic. He described Mr. Jovanovic as ,,a talented translator with paranoid psychotic tendencies”. I didn’t delve too deeply into the dispute at the time (my mistake!) but later I did discover Mr. Jovanovic was quite sane, and rather a nice guy.
Anyway, after a drawing of straws among the few new Serbian volunteers, like myself, Saker himself put me forward as the new leader of the Serbian sister site. He attributed this to our common respect for traditional Slavic values, like respect for the Orthodox church and the military, plus the fact that we communicated well. I think he was also a bit influenced by the fact that I live in Argentina (not far from a cousin of his, actually), that he has family here and some fond childhood memories of holidays with them among the Russian expat community, of which I am an ardent admirer and (to the extent circumstances allow) a fleeting member.
Andrei (for by then we were on a first name basis) encouraged me to form a properly Serbian team and I promptly solicited the assistance of everyone and anyone toward that end. He promised me complete editorial freedom, which I understood to mean that all contributors, myself included, could make the points they felt were most relevant. I was convinced at this time that he was my brother Russian, and this was reenforced during the defection during this period of his French IT guru (who, I discovered subsequently, was also a very nice guy) and the threat of collapse of the entire so-called “Saker community”. At one point (as God is my witness) Andrei was begging me to assume legal ownership of all the domains in the Saker community, which had been left in limbo by Francois. I declined (for technical reasons) and it was then that my husband suggested that the Saker switch to Icelandic servers (where he is currently) to protect the integrity of his sites. You’re welcome, Andrei.
In the meanwhile, the Charlie Hebdo massacre occurred in Paris – a bunch of Muslim fundamentalists strifing the editors and staff of the “tasteless” satirical French paper, and other locales frequented by the Jewish community. For me, taste is primarily a question of education and culture; whereas freedom of speech (and editorial license) is something altogether different, supposedly one of the rights guaranteed by so-called “democracy”. Anyway, the French Saker community broke into two parts – the “I am Charlie” and “I am not Charlie” (and this had nothing to do with the withdrawal of Francois, the IT maestro, although Andrei tried to pretend this was the case). Andrei himself wrote an absolutely repulsive piece entitled “Why I am not Charlie” basically blaming the French paper for lack of refinement (a satirical paper!) and arguing that they had brought the wrath of the followers of Mohammed upon themselves because ,,they chose to provoke Islam, knowing the results this would engender”.
Faithful Serbian follower that I was of my Russian brother Andrei, I translated his article into Serbian but was most unhappy with it. By opportune chance, through a mutual friend, I chanced upon an article by the talented Serbian expat writer Aleksandar Lambros, in which he lambasts (no pun intended) the idiots who were not ,,seeing the connection” between Islamic fundamentalism and the Charlie Hebdo massacre. I have little in common with Mr. Lambros, aside from an admiration for his writing style and intellectual integrity, but I was happy to translate his Serbian into English in order to achieve a sense of balance with respect to Charlie Hebdo. Being neither Charlie nor prepared to massacre satirical staff, I was somewhat in a quandry.
I was gently (and I do emphasize ~ gently ~) reprimanded by my “brother Russian” that although I had complete editorial freedom, this did not extend as far as insulting members of the Muslim community (as the article of Aleksandar Lambros apparently did). I told him (most ungraciously, I admit) to go fuck himself and who was he, after all, to explain to a Serb, 600 years under the Ottoman yoke, the situation with Muslims? His response was that “all Serbs are crazy” (meaning me and Aleksandar Jovanovic, I guess) and that I just didn’t see he was properly respectful of Islam (whose teachings he openly compares with the teachings of the Holy Fathers of the Christian Church) ,,just like Putin admires and respects Kadhyrov”.
The Grand Strategist he is not. I did my research on Andrei Raevsky aka the Saker ex post facto and determined that he was a Swiss citizen who had already some difficulties with the Russians with respect to Chechnya. By his own admission, he was sent there as an employee of the International Red Cross and subsequently fired for his pro-Chechen bias. He later went on record in several published works as being critical of the Russian Army’s “heavy-handed approach” towards the Chechen terrorists.
He was then apparently hired on by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) out of Geneva, which sent him on several tours to ex-Yugoslavia, specifically, he claims to have been involved in “disarmament negotiations” (which can only have been detrimental to the local Serbs) in Croatia and Bosnia. Having thus cemented his friendship with the Serbs, he immigrated to the USA and underwent further grooming at the Paul H. Nitzke School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, the happy hunting ground of the likes of Madeleine Albright, Condoleeza Rice. He now lives on the Atlantic coast of the state of Florida within a stone’s throw of some 30 military installations who have no problems with his primary activities: broadcasting war against the phantom “Anglo-Zionist empire” (in the cartoon where the Western sponsored ISIL are the good guys) and soliciting donations from his (chiefly left-leaning) supporters in exchange for kitschy wallets imprinted with the Saker image, and autographed copies of his book. Like any good apologist for Islam, Raevsky is also a rabid anti-Semite.
I still believe Russians are our brothers but I don’t believe that Andrei Raevsky is one of them. He is a hybrid, a GMO if you will, of Russian soul fertilized by select Western ideology. It cannot thrive, it should not multiply. It will perish.
For those who you who might not recall who Mrs Berthet is – she was the (short-lived) Serbian Saker Team Leader #2 (if I recall corrected). As for Mr Jovanovic, he held the same position right before her. To make a long story short, soon after Mrs Berthet took over she, indeed, posted an article I judged to be insulting to Islam and I asked her to avoid doing so in the future. Just for the record: each Saker Blog Team is, indeed, 100% independent in its editorial policy, but I always assumed that mentally same people would understand that this meant “within a minimal core number of values” including the respect for, if not endorsement of, any religion (this was never an issue with any other Saker Blog, even those run by agnostics – at least 3 by my count – but somehow became one with putatively “Orthodox” folks. Go figure). Anyway, at this point Mrs Berthet offered to resign which I gladly agreed to. I posted a notice on the blog saying that “The Serbian Saker blog has been purged of most of its data by the (now ex-) Serbian Saker blog Team leader following my opposition to the publication of a viciously anti-Muslim article. Mentaly sane Serbian friends are currently trying to re-start the blog.“
That short post elicited a truly fantastic reaction. Mrs Berthet send me an email which began with “saker, you lying, thieving, manipulating piece of human shit” and ended with “ultimately, you will be as sorry you crossed paths with me, as i am to have crossed paths with you, and this is NOT a joke or a threat. i hope you choke on your own vomit, VERMIN!“. Anybody interested in the full text can get it by clicking here. In 50 years of life I had never come across such an absolutely rabid expression of total, uncontrolled rage and I immediately understood that if I had, indeed, thought that Jovanovic was “insane” it was solely in the colloquial matter of the use of this expression, like “crazy dude”, but that Mrs Berthet was truly either truly mentally deranged, or possessed, or both.
Since I never respond to slander on principle and since I never engaged with mentally insane individuals, I did not reply and simply put a block on Mrs Berthet’s email address. As for the addressees of that email (I should add here that she sent that wonderful opus not only to me, but to pretty much every person she knew in the Saker community and everybody in the Serbian Saker Blog Team), they responded with a unanimous expression of disgust, especially the Serbs who were embarrassed to see a fellow Serb act in such a manner.
At this point, I had mistakenly concluded that with this exchange of pleasantries I was done with the crazy woman. Alas, I was very mistaken.
A few months later I got an email from her husband, whose full name I do not recall but whose email address indicated that he was the author of an anti-imperialist blog. Since I (vaguely) recall Mrs Berthet asking me not to make their association with this blog public I shall not reveal more details about this. Anway – Mr Berthet was writing to, believe it or not, blackmail me.
He entitled his email “if the Saker explodes it will fall on Andrei”. He then proceeded to tell me that unless I posted a note explaining that my trust in his wife was “well placed” and that she had not “participated in an attack against the blog” then that would prove my duplicity! He concluded that this was not a threat, but a wise warning. I could not believe my eyes, the man wanted me to prove my non-duplicity by lying to my readers about his wife and saying that my trust in her was well-placed and he was threatening to, precisely, betray my trust and reveal my identity :-)
Anyway, I told him that if he went ahead with this threat the moniker of “Judas” would stick to him and his wife forever (they have now apparently decided to earn it).
At this point, I need to explain a few things about my anonymity.
[Sidebar: I used to refer to my anonymity as “thin anonymity” because anybody with a little bit of brains reading my blog could have easily located me with the info I had already given out. I just got an email from a good friend whom I only had given only my first name and who now told me that he knew my full ID already for long time :-) This is how decent people are: respectful of privacy and boundaries]
Please remember that when I started my blog in 2007 I was a ‘nobody’ who was writing mainly for himself. I had exiled myself in Florida after leaving Switzerland where I had, indeed, been blacklisted for my pro-Serbian and pro-Russian views. I decided to create an anonymous blog for the following reasons:
- I wanted my former employers to forget about me
- I wanted to write about issues, not personalities
- I wanted my family to enjoy its full anonymity
I started the blog in 2007. We are now in the last days 2015. My former employers don’t even exist anymore. The 3 letter organizations I worked for have been disbanded and my former bosses are either dead of old age or retired. So reason one is now gone.
I still want to write about issues, not me or my past. So reason two is still current.
I still want my family to be safe and left in peace, but reason three is now compromised.
Which is really no big deal. After I got Brethet’s letter of blackmail, I wrote to the Saker Community Executive Committee (SCEC) members and asked for their advice: shall I go public or not? Their advice was to wait.
I should mention one more thing here: I always wanted to act like modern homosexuals and “come out of the closet” one day. I told my wife that this would be my “coming out” day and I tentatively scheduled it on May 1st, 2017 – on the 10th anniversary of the blog. But now that the crazies have gone ahead and violated my trust, my anonymity and my privacy, I am not exactly sure as to how to proceed.
So here is where I need you advice and opinion:
Initially, I thought that I had three options.
First, I considered simply ignoring it all. But it turns out that the crazies are now busy posting links to their little article elsewhere. For example, I was recently interviewed by Sputnik (http://sputniknews.com/politics/20151201/1031060730/turkey-war-russia-crimea-caucasus-central-asia-daesh.html) and a friend informed me that Mr Jovanovic had already posted this in the comments section:
Sputnik, by the way, apparently removed that comment (since I cannot find it any more). Still, this is ridiculous – honorable moderators will now have to look for these types of comments and remove them one by one? This is silly, no? (Note: my mistake – I did find the comment on Sputnik – the Saker)
Also, don’t underestimate the staying power of Berthet and Jovanovic. Not only do they get to wage their little anti-Saker crusade, but they also get to re-direct traffic towards their otherwise irrelevant blogs! So they will have a drive, a determination, to continue their “Saker denunciation” crusade long for a very long time. In fact, I predict that their next step will be to simply fabricate more pseudo-revelations about me with even less truth to them and this latest one.
My personal preference would be to “flush my mental toilet” and forget about these clowns, but they will do their utmost to keep themselves relevant for as long as they can, so that is not an option anymore.
Then, finally, there is also this consideration: besides lying about quite a few things in her post, Brethet got a lot of things simply wrong. Yes, my name is Andrei Raevsky, and the photo is me (cross-country mountain biking in Florida) but much of the rest is plain wrong, especially the chronology. There is also a lot missing ;-)
So I see two options, really, but I want you to decide:
OPTION A:
I stick to my plan. I make my official “coming out” from my “closet” in 2017 where I write a painfully narcissistic post – all about myself – and I tell you the full story with details and all. In the meantime, we let the two idiots wait for the collapse of the Saker community (they don’t realize that many/most of the members of that community already know my identity which, to put it mildly, I have not been shy about revealing) and continue to post links to their “Saker denunciation posts”. But what we can do is *pretend* that they don’t exist, that for us they are beneath our “contempt radar”. I like that option because it gives them less power and it allows me to stick to the “coming out” date I had planned. Or
OPTION B:
I say it all now. The big advantage of this option is that I can set the record strait now. Take for example the self-evidently idiotic assertion that I was fired from the ICRC for my “pro-Chechen” bias! Anybody who knows anything about ICRC or the rest of them western “humanitarian” organizations would realize that this is quite impossible and that, if anything, it could have been my pro-Russian bias which could have gotten me fired (in this case it was neither, but something I will never publicly discuss no matter what, since it involves the death of a group of innocent people). Their hatred for me clearly clouts their judgment so I expect Jovanovic and Berthet to get many other things wrong. So, shall I bother to set the record straight already now?
You can tell where I am leaning, of course (if you don’t – it’s “A”). Frankly, I don’t feel like “giving chase” to every bit of bullshit these two clowns will post in the future. To deal with dishonorable people always gives me the desire to take a shower and try to forget them as soon as I can. Then there is the fact that this blog is about issues, about resisting the Empire, not about “saying the truth about the Saker”. After all, WHO CARES who I really am or what I really did or did not do? I don’t want to reciprocate to these two crazies and act as if my ego and ruffled feathers (for a Saker – perfect expression, no?) are at the center of the universe and as if everybody should care?
I think that one self-centered and narcissistic post in May 2017 is plenty enough and that between today’s post (which I had to make) and 2017 I can focus on other, much more important and interesting issues.
Bottom line: my personal preference is definitely for “option A”: we all pretend like this all never happened and we just ignore the ugly actions of two dishonorable individuals. But, and this is really important, I want this to be your decision, not mine. After all, you have all, in various manners, trusted me and I now feel that if you do have questions about the allegations made, I should provide them. Besides, I really have never had anything to hide. Right now my biggest regret is that the security and privacy of my family: a wonderful wife of 22 years of marriage whom I admire, respect and love more with each day God granted me to spend with her and three children, a daughter and two boys – all teenagers. They are really the ones whom Berthet and Jovanovic have potentially hurt most. But I also can take care and protect them, and I trust in God’s mercy. But on a strictly personal level, I really don’t care about my privacy being compromised (in many ways, this makes things simpler as this is one less thing to worry about).
So, if you, my friends, want me to basically write up a short bio then I will gladly do it. Just let me know, okay?
My request to you is this:
1) please let me know who you want me to proceed from now on; let me know if you have any questions you want me to answer and share your views, comments and reactions to my explanations above.
2) Vote (in the comments section) by posting “option A” or “option B”.
3) Any other ideas are welcome.
As for me, I ask for your indulgence and understanding. I will restart the blog in full mode only on Monday. I am tired, jet-lagged and, frankly, rather disgusted with this entire business. I also need to reply to 173 emails which accumulated over just the past week! Finally, I want to take a few days to wash-off my sense of violation and disgust and deal with the loss of my mother.
And since all you got is a crappy photo of my mountain biking in central Florida, I am also leaving you with a photo of me made by my wife in Cedar Key in November 2013. I was celebrating my birthday and I wanted to toast to all those friends whom I missed on this occasion (my wife and I were alone on that day) so we took this photo. Now that my privacy has been compromised and my face is out there anyway, I figured I could show it to you without sunglasses and while toasting to you all – the wonderful and beautiful Saker community and all my friends who will be reading this post. Thank you all for being out there and for being such a source of comfort and support.
Cheers!
Andrei Raevsky aka “The Saker”
PS: a small note to my Serbian friends. Please do not worry about what happened. This is no way says anything about the Serbian people whom I love. We know from the New Testament that there is one traitor for every 12 folks out there and considering that our community has well over 100 actively engaged members, it was to be expected that eventually 2 individuals would be unworthy of our trust. In fact, I am amazed at the opposite: over the past couple of years there have been quite a few members leaving our community (the names of Nora, Gevorg, Francois come to my mind) and none of them ever violated the trust I put in them (for which I am sincerely grateful and I wanted to mention them by name for that). The truth is that more or less everybody I was even in semi-regular contact with knew my name, many I met in person, and a few even stayed at my home. Coming from the military world I knew full well that statistical probabilities were against me and that somebody would inevitably take the role of a “rat” and “snitch me out” but I simply did not care. More importantly, I will not deny my trust to most simply because of the inevitable betrayal of a few. You – my Serbian friends, have always been kind, generous and honorable friends towards me and my fondness and respect for you have not been affected by any of that.
PPS: to those interested in meeting me personally. Now that my anonymity is gone, please drop me an email if you are anywhere near East-Central Florida, I will gladly meet with you. Let’s make something good from something ugly :-)
Saker, no need to provide us with anything. You give plenty already.
Just do what you think is best for you and your family.
I am so appreciative of what you do.
+ 100
+1000
Saker, ditto to what Mbfromnm said, so eloquently.
We certainly don’t need a bio; no other blogger gives one.
Ideas and truth is what I seek, not biographies. Is my name really Michael? Who cares. Let’s discuss the world and try to find ways of making it a better place. I support Option A.
Once again, I find myself in disagreement with the Saker.
Ms. de Berthet is no “Judah”; she is a lady who screams, “Off with his head!” Is that a matter that the Saker ought to waste his time on?
Ms. de Berthet accuses the Saker of studying at the same school where Madeleine Albright studied the lying arts. Furthermore, he lives not far from U.S. military bases!
Ideologically, Ms. de Berthet’s thought pattern is quite normal, for a primitive patriot in time of war: it leads her to irrationality, and to hatred of Muslims. Let’s allow that she used to be a nice, normal person—until war came; at that point, like so many good people who go off on a weird tangent—poor Oriana Fallaci comes to mind—she could not resist human instinct, and joined the crowds thisting for blood.
One more grave charge: the Saker was critical of heavy-handed Russian actions under Yeltsin! Any patriot who dares to be critical of his own people, in wartime, deserves only praise.
So we are dealing with silly insults, totally irrelevant, which in no way interfere with the Saker’s work of informing us. I also vote for Option A.
Yes, I entirely agree with Mbfromnm (effectively a vote for A).
Don’t allow your agenda to be dictated by those idiots, who soon enough will fade from view (even if they try to keep the pot boiling).
Just get on doing what you do best, with your mission of counteracting the lies in the mainstream media and the near-mainstream “alternative” media.
Things may be slightly different with a slightly wider knoweldge about your identity. But generally speaking, people will continue to want to visit the Vineyard and read the Saker for informed analysis, interesting interpretations and sometimes quirky perspectives on the big issues.
“Saker, no need to provide us with anything.”
There is no need to post your bio–ever. Particularly not now. There are times when ignoring things is for the best. In reply to another post I used the analogy of a dragon. Perhaps a Fire is more appropriate. You know all about feeding a fire and depriving it of oxygen, etc.
Take the time to take care of YOU. You haven’t even had time to assimilate the shock of losing your Mother. That will take a long time. Be gentle with yourself and ignore the stress others are trying to force on you.
Get the movie The Karate Kid and pay particular attention to the teachings of Mr. Miyagi. Your answers are there.
Dear Saker!
These people’s actions are based on emotions, not reason.
So reasoning with them will not make much sense, nor have much effect.
Until they run out of steam, they will continue, regardless of what you publish.
So stick to plan A.
Judas had the hardest task of all….
Cheers,
RR
@RR I find myself agreeing with you.
Judas had the hardest task? It seems like you’re right: she (de Berthet) is taking a severe beating on her own site.
Here’s are a sample of the overwhelming majority of the comments on her blog:
Arjun Quest02. децембар 2015. 00.05
The Saker has many faults as do us all, with some dictatorial arrogance that sometimes even gets on my nerves. However the Je Suis Charlie was and is a fraud and probably a false flag and evidence shows some staged events. [he called it correctly. He took a lot of heat and threats, but stuck to his principles] …………..We are to understand that you exposed the Saker because he gently reprimanded you about an article? [you sick entitled little…..]
Анониман02. децембар 2015. 01.12
This is despicable. Shame on you all, author of this article and Mr. Jovanovic, for being involved in this. You did not agree with Saker’s views, you thought he had a bad personality and was hard to work with? So what, in that case you just part with the men and wish him well. Criting his work is normal, but swearing to break his anonimity out of spite and taking somehow a revange (for what?! his disagreeng with you or not enjoying your cooperation?!) is just plain mean acting and disturbed thinking. You give our people a bad name. Is your ego really that big that you can not see how lame this action of yours is?
Одговори
None of that means F.A. to me. Anybody could have written it and I am not going to waste my time trying to verify it. I have my own perspectives about this site and Saker’s perspective on things. Whether or not he is who he says he is or part of some alphabet agency makes no difference to me. Either way, I think he is so disorientated that he is a danger to people.
That is what I think. And I think most of the people here fit in the same category. Most people are totally disoriented in this world and don’t know where their political interests lie, what else is new.
RR
The toothpaste has been squeezed out of the tube and cannot now be squeezed back in.
So best to do your biography now and then from high ground ignore whatever gutter-mud is slung by your low-life Judases later.
Good point Caper, at this point it’s option b the best one.
My initial inclination was to say, “Just ignore the scumbags and let them stew in their own hatred.” But after reading CaperAsh’s comment, it seems to me that a brief bio, which contradicts the lies and slander of those two crazies (but which does not mention them by name or quote their lies and slander explicitly), would be useful in setting the record straight. After that you can just ignore the scumbags and let them stew in their own hatred.
A brief bio is not going to silence anyone looking for trouble. It will almost certainly lead to a series of attacks on its detail and its truthfulness. In other words it will open a can of worms.
Stick to your plan; let those who wish to gossip or engage in personalities do so-elsewhere. In this business what matters is what you are saying today not what you may have done twenty years ago. And what really matters is that, as the world falls further into the hands of criminal gangs employing sophisticated propaganda techniques to mask their acts and motives, sites like this one offer the people opportunities to think for themselves and act conscientiously in their social dealings.
Ignore provocations because if you respond to them the vast resources of the Empire will be used to insure that you are inundated by them and soon the blog will become useless.
That would be a real loss to all, and most of all to future generations.
Saker, with ww3 around the corner and the same games being played by the same people who got stinking rich from the previous two ww’s, I suggest you follow your heart and do what you think is best. I actually agree with your choice A. Don’t give these mono-celled brains fuel for their mischief. I have been studying world affairs for more than twenty years since my retirement; and when I first read your work, I immediately realized that you know what you are talking about. Carry on the good work.
I agree.
As a Saker assiduous reader, I’m after first quality info and analysis.
Your private life is none of our business.
“In other words it will open a can of worms. ”
I agree with this.
Where does it all end, slippery slope and all that.
Why should anyone be forced to such a move?
These people are not your bosses!!!
Just my 2 c/ worth.
Katherine
“A brief bio is not going to silence anyone looking for trouble. It will almost certainly lead to a series of attacks on its detail and its truthfulness. In other words it will open a can of worms. ”
This is very true. Always remember in times of conflict with people;
Do Not Feed The Dragon!
Agree
I vote for option A – go with your instincts and don’t over-react to this.
My condolences that you even need to deal with this at this time returning from your mother’s funeral.
It doesn’t matter. Your identity is not important. Although I disagreed with you over your use of “Anglo-Zionists,” I think you are possibly the best geopolitical analyst in all things related to Russia.
Nothing wrong with that, Id just add Joaquin Flores and always sharp Mr. Korybko.
Option B. Best to set the record straight on your own terms.
In general I’d give as little personal information to the world as is possible – even to the extent that people publish stuff about you that is incorrect or misleading.
There’s no way that you can overpower the activity of motivated people with more lies than you have truths.
If you respond then you simply provide more grist to their mill.
Truth be told this is a tempest in a teapot – albeit right now disturbing and unpleasant.
You have probably already shared too much info above.
Here’s stuff that you already know:
It does not matter whether your name and identity are published. Any malefactors who wanted this info can find it in an instant anyway – so secrecy is not really necessary.
Your site, in the final analysis, is almost certain to be a part of the narrow spectrum of dissent in which the participants are encouraged to speak loudly, but irrelevantly. This means that there is no risk to you or those around you.
So, ‘Option ‘A” but without the full disclosure – ever!
To the best of your ability ignore the attacks of a couple of people who will, undoubtedly find a small choir to join them. The more ‘facts’ you give, the more you show that you are rattled and the more meat you provide them to dissect, carve up and eat. Don’t feed ’em!
I agree with Andrew.
NO MORE GRIST TO THEIR MILL
You put your heart on your sleeve and on the line way too much imo ..
The bigger your blog & exposure gets, the bigger the nasty % in your world will grow too…. and some things should remain private, inviolate and off limits of the public domain.
You must surely realise the more you give them, the more they have to play with … and the more you will be drawn into playing their ever expanding game.
DONT PLAY THEIR GAME
You might want to give the Sputnik and any other editorial staff you have dealings with a MINIMAL info heads up on the vendetta …
Here’s a bald honest admission on my part :
Do I really care or want to know the personal minutia of any of the geopolitical analysts I read and admire?
Autobiographies have never appealed to me – the ‘best’ / ‘richest’ lives are surely those that have taken many paths, some good and some regrettable. Be it ego or self preservation in a global jungle, (speaking for myself?) autobiographies SHOULD edit out the ‘juiciest’ stuff! :)
Life is but a school.
I’m not the same person at age 60 that I was at age 30. (And if I was – what an undeveloped life I’ve led?!)
So it is the sum total life experience, learning ethos that comes through in content the writer presents that is relevant to me ….
And that is what I value in your writings.
You make sense.
Stick to that.
Option B – if your wife and children accept it.
And then ignore everything else such idiots put out, since to tussle with them merely increases their otherwise puny reach.
I write with over a decade’s experience of daily web attacks on me, my family and colleagues. If you dwell on these things, they sap your energy and distract you from the work that needs to be done (which is, of course, very often the intention).
Try to take such things as confirmation that your work is discomforting some truly unpleasant people, and resolve to discomfort them even more!
Best wishes
I have followed you a long time… since the days you could respond to personal emails. Even though there have been and are sure to be points of profound disagreemeent, I deeply respect you and call others of this community to do the same for each other. All communities have rules and values and it is expected and right that you are the one to set them – this site carries your name, not the names of those others.
Option B, in a modified form, is sadly necessary. A side-bar with a short descriptive bio (no personal info needed), with connected FAQ page(s) to clarify (not respond) to confused details. Having said that, as you well know, it is never wise to respond to insinuations or slander. Unfortunately, this is more than slander – so it is necessary to have a statement out there that can be referenced for factual data.
Continue to protect your anonymity as much as possible. There is no need to make things easy for people with nefarious intent.
I continue to bless you, your family and your work, in the name of our Father.
a fellow servant.
op-A.You need not answer to any one,Theirs a talmudict sense to them
I vote for option B, only if because as a former member of the Pirate Party, we were advised to follow up on relevant news and publicity IMMEDIATELY, or not at all. :)
The bad part is, that irrelevant of the option you choose, the real choice has been taken away from you already.
Screw the trolls and backstabbing narcissists.
Mac
Dear The Saker,
I am so very sorry that you have had to post this today after returning from your mother’s funeral. As you say it is the protection of your family that was upper most in your mind.
I don’t believe a word from these nasty, vicious, irrelevant, jealous, pathetic excuses for human beings. They both seem deranged and desperate. They are obviously reading and watching this site so that they can spread their filth. Sad eh!
I go with Option A – Take control back – it is your right to decide when, where and how you want to tell us all about yourself.
To be honest – I have never been that curious – I respect what you write and trust your opinion – name or no name.
The sad thing is you never named them – so what ever disagreements would have never really affected them – they have now done that to themselves.
I have not clicked on their article to give them views and will refrain from doing so.
God please protect your children and wife and let them carry on with their peaceful lives.
Hugs,
Veritas
p.s. Everyone – buy The Saker’s book or 2 to give the sign to these sad individuals and show our support to him.
I agree with this. I posted my own views, but they have disappeared, or not yet appeared, so I’ll just say that I agree with “take control back.” It is not their right to set rules for you.
Maybe my original post will turn up somewhere . . .
Katherine
whatever Veritas says.
Fla eh? nice. St Petersburg is one rome, and Columbia binding VIRGINia and MARYland is another.
So, I would look at the turkish stuff as providing strength to the putin/medvedev monarchy giving the russians more reason to bond with themselves and their elite rulers. Border closing is timely, as soon it will be useful to keep the turks from fleeing troubles towards russia. I hope you and your family and readers will be alive and well in one years time as this coming year will snowball into an avalance of trouble.
Hi Saker,
No need to provide anything; Keep up the great work!
best!
G
Well, at least you don’t look like Netanyahu! … ;-)
Anyway, chill dude. I personally would have ignored the rubbish and just left the ‘www’ with your mountain-man look — could be anyone of a 10,000 such big-foots out there.
However, I suspect you are somewhat relieved deep down and can now just get on with being who you are etc.
My advice is just keep doing what you do — “Mark Twain” or “Samuel Clemens” …. everyone knew and still enjoyed the pseudonym thing etc.
If you need to travel incognito then just shave the beard.
Option A
Go for Option A and block their posts. Let them rant in cyberspace.
What is it that Peter the Great apparently said again
– never trust a Turk
– never trust a woman
– never trust anyone who doesn’t drink
I thought that dude was definitely not politically correct, but he has been proved 1 million percent correct on the first count ….
Dear Saker,
I like option A as it does not acknowledge them nor does it give them the power over your reactions or inaction. Do what is right for yourself and your family. Allow your family to choose..
You should choose not to reveal your personal business in response to their aggression. Revealing your business should not be done as a reaction to aggression.
Be as wise as Putin. He does not react. He tells it like it is without reacting to provocation. He only reveals as much as is necessary.
Do you play chess Dear Saker?
Still your response in this posting is very good. It is a necessary response.
By the way, I am French but like you, I am NOT Charlie…..
Not surprising that this vile creature called you a rabid anti-Semite.
Looks like an ADL/SPLC plant to me. Completely fits their MO. These aggressors try to provoke a reaction from you, just at this sad time when you have experienced the loss of your mother.
You have been infiltrated…Quite deliberately.
I am on a fixed income and so far have been unable to donate, tho I expect that in 2017 I will be in a position to make up for this. Here’s hoping you are still here when I can do so.
Lastly, I have saved your pic and it is now Background on my Desktop.. thanks.
Cheers Dear Saker..
Love
Christine
@gT….even tho I am a woman, I can be trusted :)
Though I advise Option A, Christine has a good point – let your family decide :)
So, the answer to Saker’s question emerges as follows:
Find, among your devotees, a Turkish woman that does not drink.
Ask her what she prefers.
Do the opposite.
Regards, Spiral
Saker, Option A for me! Rest, go be with nature and your loved ones. See you on Monday.
Hugs
Margie
Dear Saker
For your safety’s sake I’d do absolutely nothing…..We don’t give in to blackmailers. Every country has its nutters, including the U.S. as well as Holland.
I believe that continuing to write under the moniker The Saker will have, for whatever peculiar reason have a greater effect than writing under your own name. You created The Saker. It is YOUR creation, don’t let anyone take it away from you.
That someone betrayed you does not surprise me. I expected it to happen earlier. Obviously it has little to do with you but only with them.
So follow your instincts…and I would think long and hard about that May 2017 date and about “coming out”. Your blog friends know now and nothing more needs to be done.
Big hug
Geraldine
PS you know I’m in WPB and my door is always open.
I concur with option B. You’ve been outed. :-)
It sounds to me like there was some misunderstanding between you and Mrs. Bethet; but it didn’t call for such vitriolic nastiness on her part. I am no fan of Islam myself (I see it was incompatible with Western values) but at the same time, I don’t wish Muslims any ill, and I think the USA should immediately cease its destructive interference in the Islamic world. My point is that (a) I don’t need to agree with everything you say to value your site and (b) the Saker is, after all, YOUR site, and if Mrs. Bethet wants to bash Islam, she can do it on her own platform.
As for you being an anti-Semite, I’ve seen absolutely no evidence of this from your writing and it’s par for the course these days to throw false accusations at people, a tactic which disgusts me.
Keep up the good work, Saker!
Divide and conquer. Works the same here in the blogging world as it does in the middle east or anywhere else is has been applied. Though it seems to be self inflicted (not having a shot at you Saker) with no need of outside intervention.
I see in the comments here and at other blogs, commenters have their favorite “anti empire” blogs and the “others” are moles working for the enemy. Like the mixed bag of anti Assad warlords in Syria, often fighting each other.
Option A if anything but why even bother with this crap.
Take care of your family first and foremost. Whatever is best for them.
for one of your readers that I am, plan B
Now if you paid much importance to 2017, ultimately plan A. Truely depends on how much important it is/was for you.
You could do a mix of A & B, adding an “About” section, quickly present yourself in 5 lines with a small picture and that’s it. You’d keep signing your posts “the saker” because it is what you want.
Cheers from Paris
fabien
She says your professional relationship lasted for less than a month? and this is how she reacts??
What a nutcase. “Za posmatranje” as we would say in Serbia. (I.e. psychiatric observation).
Plan A. You’ve already taken the time to address this issue with today’s post, so you’re covered for now.
Za posmatranje, Serbian girl, what a beautiful expression!
On German it would be “Zur Beobachtung”. I will try to use it as complimentary close for my communication :-).
Za posmatranje
Anonymous
What Serbian Girl said…..You went through a “cluster f::k….It’s over. Do your thing and don’t sweat the small stuff. YOU KNOW TIME IS SHORT!
http://www.paulgraham.com/disagree.html
Don’t give detractors more ammo..let them sizzle out in a no-contact vacuum.
The link is to Graham’s “hierarchy of disagreement” where name calling and personal attacks are the lowest form.
.. les cheins jap mais les caravans passe..
Peace and blessings
Wanda
By the way, although I was happy to not know your identity, I thank you, through that disclosure, for having put me in touch with some of your other work. I think it will make for interesting reading and inform a few arguments in months or years to come. ;)
The people who undertake these vendettas of publicising identity are contemptible. Having gone through something a little similar but much less serious I just have no time for this type of activity.
Dear Saker,
First, let me offer my condolences on the passing of your Mom. I do not visit your blog as before. Not because of anything. Just time. And distance. But you and the Saker Community were an important clarion call for me. It supported my personal growth and understanding. My quickening. I consider you a friend. And I’m truly sorry for your loss.
WOW. Just wow. Intrigue and skullduggery are alive and well in EE societies. There are lots of things which annoy and frustrate me about Anglo-Americans. But all-in-all. When left to our own devices (i.e. without the ZIO-bolshevik propaganda force-feedings) Americans are pretty honorable folks. And we’re waking-up to the bullshit.
Your story reminds me of the HL Mencken quote — “Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” My dear Saker. This is the time to slit some throats. Start by outing yourself. And realize its not what OTHERS say about you. It’s what God KNOWS about you. And TRUTH always seeks its own.
Finally. When my Mom passed several years ago, I struggled with that whole experience. A very wise metaphysician told me “your mother never had that death experience, and you never witnessed it”. In other words death is a mortal illusion. She went on to say that we should not perceive ourselves as mortality having a spiritual experience. We are Spirit having a mortal experience. There’s a HUGE difference. Anyway. It helped me to let go of holding-on to the physical sense of mother. Because my Mother is always with me. Your’s too.
BigHugs,
AGS
Salam Sister AGS,
Wow, long time no see or hear.
It is good to know that you are keeping well with high spirits.
Love from Oman,
Mohamed.
I lean towards option A because ignoring people that are trying to hurt or upset you is often the best choice. But you should do what you think is best.
This is the internet, it is very hard to stop stalkers.. I would just add some info in the about box with a paragraph explain this in a few words with additional links to the email they sent you if they want to read further.. Other than that it is best to ignore it. The more you do, they feel like they are making your life difficult and they will try harder to make thing worse..
And like I always said, those who need to know, already know who you are.. The only people we can hide from is a few others who are as helpless as we are.. ie I could care less about your coming out. Its not like Pepe some one whom I respect as a real journalist would be any more or less credible if I knew more about his personal life.. This is NOT a big thing.. Why even bother to waste a few hours writing up this explanation at a time like this.. If you were doing something illegal then there is some validity.. as it is, there are a lot of people like this abound.
Sound advice, which agree with. Your personal affairs are irrelevant. Only relevant is your excellent work, so keep it up. Option A it is.
Let’s just forget about it and option A. So sorry about your mother, the loss of a parent is kind of an upheaval anyway and requires a level head without having to battle the rest of humanity who take offence with you.
Dear Saker,
I am so glad you have the strength to deal with this so gracefully (your photo made my soul smile).
As soon as I saw it on Serbian sites I wanted to write to you about the vile, despicable and insane action (they made an effort in distrubiting it widely). My husband too could not believe the thinking of those crazies and he urged me to indeed write to you, in our name, for support and apologies that something this malicious is coming from the Serb side. But I could not do it. I did not want to send you a letter for the first time about something that repulsive from these petty individuals . More importantly, knowing what you have just gone through, I could not bring myself to put something stinking like this to your attention. Hope your family will stay safe and free from unpleasant situations.
I vote for not answering the vile pamphlet. Anybody who is sane can see there is nothing in it about you, except the name. All the rest of it just speaks about the authors and disseminators of it. Warm regards to you and your family, may God take care of you, Z.
I truly share your disgust. Those who make a promise and intentionally/deliberately brake it should be avoided at the very least.
Anonymity is an asset especially when you write on global matters. Various vultures and hyenas will take any controversy as a chance to harm you and giving them any attention or consideration would be a grave mistake.
Take a more strategic position: I suggest you write f.e. a very short skeleton bio and leave all the rest to your future 2017 post – like any smear (or allegation) that is directed on you that questions your integrity as an analyst. The focus should be on solid analysis, concentrate on your professional skills – that’s the reason why most of us (I think at least) read this ‘blog’ in the first place. Facts (substantiated assertions…) in a solid argument, that’s what will make this site a big fat rock in the sea.
Option B. Otherwise you provide them free ammo against new readers.
It’s much better to end up on your own blog when doing a search on your name online than on theirs.
I vote for option A, make your own Schedule. This episode can be “contained” while at the same time you are not denying your identity.
In media World, things are ignored and sent into oblivion all the time, I Think it can be done in this case too.
I saw that blog article as soon as it appeared. The first comments on that blogspot was very negative to the author, defending Saker, and I though about Writing something like “never Heard of him (Saker) but from your attack I understand that he is a person Worth listening to….” But then I thought: I should not give it energy, but ignore it instead.
I Think that, with the moral support of the readers and commenters here on Saker, the moderators could handle the situation, and keep the blog free from discussions about this.
The info about your identity will Always be there for somebody who is interested, but question is — what fire do we want to throw Wood in? The one that is focused on your private Life, or the one that are focused on your *function* as provider of a Place for people to gather and “brainstorm” about the situation in the World.
I Think we should concentrate our consciousness on the *function* of the Saker, and not on him personally, and in this way the person-hyping may die away. Just “pretend” this smear article does not exist, and focus on doing “our job” (writing, reading, commenting, moderating…..)
PS good to see you look “normal”, takes away the risk of people fantazising about you as the perfect saviour slash Prince charming on a White horse……
The vineyard of the Saker is a classic of inventive genius,all invective is just water of a Sakers back.
Romeo and Juliet. Act II. Scene II. William Shakespeare.
O! be some other name: What’s in a name? that which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet;. So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call’d
Instead of signing The Saker…….
by Andrei Raevsky aka “The Saker”
cheers
Option A
Thank you for opening your heart “Saker”. You should definitely chose the option where you feel more comfortable.
As for the rest, we know who you are really are. There is no need to provide more information about your private life than you feel comfortable with. I will not go into a long diatribe, as I am not a great writer. Suffice to say that I appreciate you for what you are, and from that point of view, you have been extremely honest.
Let’s focus on what is important for you and us. Let’s the garbage produced by some to remain in the garbage bin. This is a critical time in the history of the world, and the honest sharing of information amongst the people of faith is more important.
my vote: OPTION A. Keep your plan intact by idiots. Dogs are barking, while caravan is moving. Take care. Hugs and cheers
Dear Saker, ignore them or plan A if you will, life is too short, I read your blog for the quality and the stimulation of your analysis. Please do not waste your energy, rather pick up your guitar. I hope you are ok.
Option B, of course. There’s no point waiting since they’ve already done their worst. “Come out” now and have done with it.
(This is, by the way, one big reason why I always use my real identity online. It saves any moron trying to “out” me; and it’s not as though I have anything to hide.)
And, oh, yes, Je ne suis pas Charlie Hebdo, as well.
“Ye shall know them by their fruits”
Option A. Your blog speaks for itself, its values are for anyone to see, there is no need for you to explain yourself.
My personal feeling is that I have no place in making a decision; how you choose to proceed is a decision that is solely yours to make.
I read your blog for what I believe is your informed opinion and insights. Your work provides a respected view point. Though I may not always agree, I find it wise on my behalf to analyze what others see when formulating my own thoughts on an issue. Your past, your private life and how you choose to administer your blog and its sister organizations are none of my business.
Do not let these ass-holes, excuse please, affect you. Their dispicable behavior cannot be justified. It appears to be a case of jealousy rearing its ugly head.
Keep up the good fight. Good always will win in the end.
Those who read you regularly already know you very well.
As for myself (though interesting) I don’t really care about who you were and what did you do in the past (especially in such a context).
As for you request I would be most pleased if you do as YOU like.
Welcome back!
I personally don’t care about your bio, BUT option B would put to rest the “curiosity” and “malice” factor, so I’d vote for it (on the assumption that your family is OK with it; their preference takes priority).
Perceptive readers will separate the chaff from the wheat, so don’t “wrestle with the pigs”. You both get dirty and the pigs enjoy it!!
Dear Saker,
I’ve always appreciated your blog for the content it contains. I do not agree with some of your positions, e.g. The wholesale writing off of homosexuality as an anglozionists invention. ( I’m Palestinian and gay; believe me nothing in Palestine encourages homosexuality; on the contrary. I am who I am because I was made this way; this was not a choice on my part. I now live in self-imposed exile. That is more than enough about me.)
In response to your second question I suggest ‘coming out’ now if you want to do that at all. There is nothing quite as unassailable as necessary and sufficient (at your discretion) openness. The psychopaths on your case may continue to spin their tales. Those are likely to fall flat if your own story already stands.
Finally, my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your mother. May she be blessed and you and your family be blessed.
Please, may we have just a little more compassion for homosexual people from you. I use that word intentionally. There is nothing “gay” about it: gay being a subculture and a type of sexualized identity cultivated in anglozionist countries during approximately the last 100 years.
Thanks again for your great blog. I appreciate every post. (And Scott is my fave writer!) All the best forward!
Wow stephanos,
That was insightful, please contribute and comment more often: help dispel some of our ignorance.
You making the distinction between “gay” (ie: a flamer subculture that is a caricature) and “homosexual” is something that is not obvious.
the ‘lady’ is fundamentaly flawed, in many ways ,in stating you broadcast war………….
saker has got to float on his wings above the hell created by other peoples…………..keep farsighted…….concentrate on self positively and that will bring more positivity……..
I guess i’ll abstain in this case ;-) These idiots have nothing against you, so if you ignore them or clarify things, either way will be fine with every quote “sane” person who reads your blog(s)…On the other hand it would save a lot of your time and nerves to just ignore them, so that you can concentrate on really important issues like syria, for which I’m impatiently awaiting your analysis.
So finally I go for the pragmatic solution and vote for A!
Option A. They seek attention. No matter what you’d say, once you start defending your personal self, it will never stop, no matter how convincing, eloquent or true you are. Once you start devoting energy to this nonsense, there is less energy to your work, a.k.a a little victory for them. Also even lots of what they wrote is true. So what? Aren’t we humans? My god, if I can only live life without making mistakes, choices that I might regret later and stay on the right path 100%. What matters is what we are today. And what you are right now at this moment is what is valued by your readers.
I felt an absolute disgust after seeing this. But I also saw it coming, as I figured who these people were after the break-up of the team led by Aleksandar. Namely, I saw the write-up on his personal blog about that and how it was super-charged with sicko anger against the rest of the team. And then I realized, that he is THAT guy. You know, the person that will stalk you and hate long after you’re done with them. The one that will call your employers and rat on your private life. The one that will obsessively try to smear you any way they can.
I saw it back then that this guy was on a mission. His personal vendetta and his ‘holy mission’ is takes a central role in his miserable life. And by the way, Saker is not the only one on his ‘hit list’. He was also after Nebojsa Malic and few other people.
The phrases that he used, like “you are unworthy opponents” and such, made me go “Oh-oh he is THAT guy!”
Reminded me of the movie “The Fan” from 1996. and the guy that stalks with obsession his favorite player (Snipes) in his private life.
Now, these kind of people are actually very rare, so it is a miracle that they got together in this case – like that Aleksandar and Snezana. In my life I only once run into person like that.
So I will say the same thing I said in december of 2014. when I notices his personal war against ex team members. I told them to steer clear of the paranoid individual and NOT give him one second. Not to loose a second of their time to wage his little war.
Here is the exact thing I wrote there, copy-pasted:
——————————————————-
“Гледам и не верујем шта пише овај Александар. Таква параноја….
Сачувај макар мало образа и прекини са овим глупостима….
А оптужени које је Јовановић навео нека му хитно врате све играчке и оставе да се на миру игра у песку.,.. Видите да је ово на корак од нервног слома.
Постоји врло мали број људи с којима је немогуће сарађивати шта год да урадиш… Једном сам радио у групи са таквом особом. Прелазио је са једног на другог члана тима док није све растерао и посвађао се са свима. Исто параноја и шизофренија…
Заобићи у широком луку!”
———————————————-
Translated:
I’m seeing but not believing what this Aleksandar writes. Such a paranoia…
Save at least some dignity and stop with this nonsense….
And the accused that Aleksandar listed in his post should give him his toys back ASAP and live him to play alone in his patch of sand… You can see he’s a step away from a nervous breakdown.
There are very few people that it’s impossible to work with, no matter what you do… I once worked with such a person. He went from one to another member of team until he drove everybody away and conflicted with everybody. Same paranoia and schizophrenia….
Bypass in a wide arc!
—————————————–
So that was my opinion back then when I first witnessed his crusade against members of the Saker team, and I still stand by every word.
But I will add this too:
This exactly is what the people like him and Snezana feed off. This kind of attention they are desperate for. Therefore I am sad to see that you gave them a piece of mind.
The leeches, emotional vampires, attention seekers, malicious stalkers are some of depictions coming to mind —- don’t touch them with a 20 foot pole!
As for the options you listed here – I certainly would not allow them to affect me in any way and would just act like this is one unpleasant encounter that happened and passed.
This is Internet after all, and there are scores of sociopaths lurking in many places. You just had the misfortune of running directly into one or two.
But you blog is many classes above this and it should not be allowed that the nobodies like these plague the excellent site that thousands of people around the world appreciate very much.
I won’t write more on this here, as the last time I read something written by him I thought to myself “well here’s someone I should not pay attention to”. It’s like when I see the people on Russia Insider mentioning Eliott Higgins and I just face-palm…
I’m sad that the dark undercurrents of the Internet had to spill over to this site and hope we won’t see more of them. And let’s be real – they aren’t the first nor they are the last to come and take a bite. And yes, their “staying power” is impressive indeed. It is probably that they will lurk and stalk this site long after we forgot them – something like Gollum from the Lord of the Rings.
Sinisa
Thanks for being so honest. I send you and yours my love and light.
I think honesty is the best policy unless it could truly hurt someone who has a right to privacy. I use my full real name and share details of my life and thinking that respects the privacy of others in my life.
I can’t really vote for A or B. I think that must be your decision, not any group’s where majority rules.
It does seem to me that you are already revealing yourself in stages while perhaps saving the most sensitive matters to that date in 2017. You’re finding some path between A and B.
As for your family, there’s only so much you can do to protect them, especially as they approach legal maturity. They have to live their own life too independently. They will be affected most by a parent’s example and love.
I regret not being a better parent and husband but it’s always a mixed bag of bitter and sweet. My own parents gave me mixed blessings. What I can do now is to be honest and wise in revealing myself to others which fits with their own mixed bags.
In short, I don’t see how any form of dishonesty is going to benefit anyone. In geo-political terms, the Empire thrives on lies. If we are to “stop the Empire’s War on Russia” we have to be honest about truth. The geo-political boils down to the geo-personal. And Russia is a stand-in for “Russianity” with a hint of Rationality, Nationality and Humanity.
I feel like apologizing for my own narcissism in my clumsy attempts at being honest here and now, while you and your family are enduring your own ‘lies of empire.” But I won’t because it just sets up more of the same dishonesty.
I’ve ordered your book and should be receiving it any day now. If the book is honest it will outlive your saker-persona drama while the real you will join your mother in a greater vineyard than this one. Your pictures are apropos of the mixed bag of life: cheers and fears. Here’s to toasts and sunglasses.
Choice B, and it should be obvious why: If you don’t “come out of the closet” (as you put it) NOW, then your readers will likely assume that there is definitely something to Mrs. Berthet’s accusations, and that you are trying to hide your past from your Saker community. Otherwise, you will be giving people more than a year to wonder what the truth of the matter really is.
Dear Saker, I´m new in your community of readers (get to find you through Unz Review). I really appreciate your insights. In regards to this issue, I also vote for Option B.
Cheers from southamerica
“And this above all…to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” [from good ol’ billy shakespeare]
Non illegitimati carborundum!
Welcome back Saker!~ Darn, the mystery is gone now, although I did imagine the beard. May i add that you wife is blessed to be married not only to a man of principle but also to a handsome one indeed.
This is a distraction just as the shoot down of the Su 24 was a provocation. you know how these function on a military as well as personal level. For now I vote “A”. You may want to write up a short biographical paragraph with a picture in the future when you may well be called upon to become more of a public voice.
Mr. Saker,
Friend forever:
“You tell me your name, and I’ll tell you mine.” approximate quote from Tolkien.
The finest people, must laugh at adversity. I want you and your family to have a good laugh, and – Carry On!
These are my (partial) analysis of your accomplishments – in the year I have known you (to the degree i have known someone I have never met).
1. You have begun the finest website on this planet.
2. This literary website of yours is an oasis of truth and frank, and often, open hearted and open minded discussion of the issues confronting humanity.
3. Your website allows a full airing of ideas and feelings by all commenters, (in contrast to the other websites that only allow soundbites from their -treated as- underclass followers).
4. You have repeatedly stood against the propaganda of the Billionaire Zionist American Anglo Financial Oligarchs.
a. You understood the moral issues involved in the Charlie Hebdo False Flag.
b. You concisely analysed the difficulties the Russian People face, and their corresponding courage.
c. You refuse to permit Racist attacks to appear on this forum. Islam and all the world’s religions may be discussed, but none disrespected. Islam is under the greatest attack from the imperialist media, and you stand in front of the gates and declare “You shall not pass.” Tolkien – again
d. On the European Front, you were on the cutting edge of those who supported the gallant People’s Democratic Republics, and the Russian Nation and their leaders who have resisted the threats (and much more than threats, and sanctions, of the imperialist powers).
e. You have intuitively understood the need to attempt to communicate with the citizens of the imperialist nations, (America, Europe, and others), and attempt to encourage them to see the true history of this world confrontation, and free themselves.
f. You have clearly warned that The War is On, and that illusions must be discarded.
g. You are just, GOOD. Accept it.
*We need more of your fine analyses of the struggles in Mid Europe, and the Mid east.
I must tell you that some of our Good Old Boys on my side of our peninsula have not liked anyone – in years – and they like you.
Also, your Moderator is super talented and helpful. You must raise his salary.
*Advise?
You might lead with your identity (apparently decision already made), and short bio.
Andre Raevski, you will always be The Saker to me.
Peter J. Antonsen
Dear Andrei, I am sorry about what is happening, especially during these days which have been very sad for you. It seems to me that option A is the best.
The Saker,
I think you are really great and I also think option A is best.
The people who attack you I could not care less about!
“AAA” Cheers
Option A. No need to respond to allegations that are fundamentally irrelevant coming as they do from furious injured vanity. Your character is implicit in your content.
Plan A. Ignore them, annoy them by not reacting to them.
+1 * 1Million
It is obviously too late for that…
@Auslander
Re: Plan A. Ignore them, annoy them by not reacting to them.
It’s too late. He’s already reacted to them by posting this info here, and the letter by his Serbian nemesis.
If he hadn’t done that, most of us would have remained unaware of the outing for quite a while – because many, like me, weren’t interested in finding out this blog owner’s true identity and so we weren’t running queries on google asking “What is Saker’s real identity?”. I was and am interested in the content. And yes I am interested in buying Saker’s book regarding his career and the process by which he started to wake up to the layers of lies being foisted on all of us by the false narrative of the Anglo-establishment.
I’m not criticizing his decision to highlight this outing, it’s his life and it’s his decision as to how he wants to react. No doubt – the woman, in question, has received a huge bump in traffic to her site as a direct redirect from here.
You just have to accept that she’s enjoying every second of this (as temporary as this must be). She’s openly admits that she’s vindictive. She seems to be very angry about what she says are false accusations that she stripped the Serbian saker site of most of its data (she claims she only took down her own 10 articles), it would be sad if both Saker and that potty-mouthed woman were telling the truth on this issue and that some 3rd party stripped the data leading to an escalation of acrimony and and accusations. But she did admit that Saker only gently questioned her about what he perceived to be an anti-Islamic article, to which she reacted with filthy and vulgar profanity.
From above comment by anon
“Re: Plan A. Ignore them, annoy them by not reacting to them.
It’s too late. He’s already reacted to them by posting this info here, and the letter by his Serbian nemesis. ”
I think something like what has happened to Saker is too heavy to bear alone. Anonymity is ok when its not ‘on the slab’ but once its there, then to talk to your friends is totally important.
Dear Saker,
I suggest you give a very short clear info about yourself. . for the rest ignore. arguing with them only gives them more importance which they don;t deserve. It would direct energy in the wrong direction The real issue is the war issue, unfortunately. we would all like roses and moonshine but …..
1. I think the outing has already occurred. What is to be gained by waiting almost 2 years to post a full rebuttal? While I do think things will die down rather quickly if the Saker stays quiet and the 10th anniversary coming out could still be an event, this might also be an opportunity. The Saker might be able to accomplish more as Andrei (since he is not having to focus on keep anon) and we should seize on that opportunity now. Now he can do actual live interviews and get himself out there more. Its easy to criticize an anonymous blog, but if an actual person is rebutting those criticisms, it is much more effective.
2. ” including the respect for, if not endorsement of, any religion” – This is disingenuous. There is one particular religion that is mercilessly disparaged and ridiculed here and we all know what it is. And that is entirely fine with me because this is the Saker’s blog, but please let’s do stop pretending we “respect all religions” here. We respect all religions except for one. Maybe that lack of respect is historically or theologically justified; I don’t know. But that the faith in question is not respected is patent. But I’m not trying to start a row here, just speaking my opinion.
I think it is a policy on this blog to respect ALL religions.. Having friends and support of all religions, I would not be active here if they were insulting.. And the acronym was explained many times as not being part of a particular religion.. Like islamo fascist.. which is as good as Christian fascists. Like Zionists.. Which are not religions..
This blog has a pronounced anti-Catholic bias. And like I said, that is fine – it is the Saker’s blog. But stop pretending to respect all religions. You may respect all religion “except the Catholic religion” and I have no problems, but be honest. The Saker is anti-Catholic (which, again, is fine, but be honest about it.)
Are you sure that american catholicism is where you want to maintain the moral high ground? There are thousands of little boys who would take strong exception to your conviction.
Respect for ordinary RC layperson faithful is not the same as having respect for the hierarchy. Perhaps that should be differentiated more.
In the recent and ongoing Royal Commission into child abuse here in Australia, RC hierarchy feature prominently as they have done at different times in different parts of the world in respect to child abuse.
There is something very wrong when the clergy from one religion can feature so prominently in this field.
/saker-request-of-advice-to-the-saker-community-option-a-or-option-b/comment-page-2/#comment-182125
There are thousands of little boys being abused everywhere not just in the Catholic Church. Like the Boy Scouts of America for example only for some reason you don’t hear about that.
Option A; Andrew Wilson perfectly said what I intended to. The spooks already know everything, and your writing tells us all we need to know. Ignore the ankle-biters and continue to direct fire on the liver-eaters and their demonic patrons. Imperium delenda est!
………i’m with you : Option A…….!!!!!! …..is the shaman’s choice !!!!!!!!!!!!
…let ‘Life Itself’ (you might call it god) take care about “them”……..
and btw.: in the end it will turn out ,that they just made good PR for you ,coz the people are too awake to swallow all them BS-lies anymore and then there will be the paradox effect of causing the exact opposit…….so don’t worry about ‘the little tyrans’…..they are just LITTLE tyrans………
greetings and blessings from the rainbow serpent
Saker, I vote for option A.
To be frank, I would rather not comment on this argument nor take sides because I am not part of it and all information is second hand knowledge to me, but I will say few things:
1. Posting publicly your name and some details of your work and life is a serious and irreparable breach of trust. It’s a stain (on them) that can’t be washed away with any amount of good deeds and apologies. Cut all contacts and comments, keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy it.
2. Her comment inferring that the “phantom Empire” is a figment of your imagination is absurd, the Empire is real even if it doesn’t call itself that and is invisible. But what’s worse is that it’s a poorly concealed insult to your and our intelligence. As in – you’re delusional and we more so for believing you. You know that joke about never arguing with an idiot? Cause they will pull you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Option A.
Although I greatly admire many of your political analyses, I am also struck by your constant need to indulge personal inflammatory insult, to “épater le bourgeoisie” whenever possible. You voluntary paid the price of admission to this brawl with your detractors. I take no interest in your petty squabble with Berthet and Jovanovic and frankly hope that you never come out of the closet. I value what you have to say about world events and have no appetite or stomach for your personal peeves or narcissistic self-descriptions. Save such preening for gatherings with personal friends and family.
My 5 cents: out is out and without your version only the slander is out. Therefore: add what you call your ‘painfully narcissistic’ account to an expanded version of your book.
First of all, condolences, to lose a mother is so sad. I have no wishes, no preferences, you are wise enough to take the decision that is best for you. I support you fully which ever option you take. I totally agree with you to support good moslims, I my self am not religious, I do respect people with religions, I do respect good people, be it moslims, christians or any other religion. I am an Anti ”Je suis Charlie” myself, I do not think they were good people, good people make fun, not at the cost of other people. Telling is what they produce now and how the money was handled received from charity……
Saker, I do not need to know who you are, I recognize a good person by his/her writing, for me that is enough. I can only advice you this: take a good rest, spend some nice thoughts and memories on your mother, share the pain, then read a good book, some comics and when you are fit again, make your choice based on our comments and your feelings.
Best and kind regards, Roelf Turksema.
As keeper of your secret for more than a year, and knowing how your personal life is impacted by attacks from sources like these loons, I suggest, dear friend, you follow your instinct to not engage, not to explain.
Provide a brief statement of facts for everyone else in the world to easily find and let your friends and others use the truth. Don’t waste a minute more on this.
Then, as you indicate, a full story in 2017.
In other words, mine which you know and have heard on the phone many times, Fuck ‘Em.
You can’t stop their lunacy. Ignore them.
Hug close your wife and family. Play with the dogs. Keep your firearms clean and ready. Write what you want. Record some short Podcasts. Play your music and enjoy nature and your friends.
Roam the environment and put this far behind. The faster you walk your road in life, the sooner you make these losers disappear.
Welcome back. You are surrounded by friends (and critics) and there is important work in the Vineyard to do.
Bottoms up!
Dear Saker,
“So here is where I need you advice and opinion”
I only read a couple of lines of this and that was enough. Unbelievable.I didn’t really read much of the comment thread either, to be honest, but do feel confident that there are enough great people around here to give you advice.
So I can’t really give an informed opinion on this, and therefore suggest you have a beer or 10 with the guy in the picture. Hope he’s not one of the traitors…
“So, if you, my friends, want me to basically write up a short bio then I will gladly do it”
I think you already did this once Saker, i feel i know heaps about you from your writing style and manner anyway.
“My request to you is this:” Sorry, but again cannot comment as i did not read.
If it involves scandal, shipwreck, controversy, or a just a general falling apart of life, and not coping and putting on the appearance that all is fine, then sounds like you’re one of us Saker –
Prost!!!
Dear Saker,
I am from Brasil and I read you Blog since the beginning, I learnt a lot an become a real fan.
My sorrow for your loss.
What decision should you make?
That witch suits you.
What makes you glad, makes me too.
To get to know you is a bonus.
Be good.
The fact that you have lost some false friends and gained some true enemies proves that you are doing good work. Do not feed your enemies with your attention. Let them starve.
We already know who you are through your writing. The darker, more violent and more tragic world events become, the higher your level of comportment. Your professionalism during extremely emotional situations is very high. Your dedication, endurance and perseverance is inspiring.
Most of the people around you aren’t as worldly as you are. You are in the deep south of the USA (I live just a little north of you in Jacksonville). You are speaking truth to the enemy deep inside enemy territory. Uncertainty and unpredictability are the order of the day.
Option A is my vote. Keep your family safe. Don’t come out of the closet.
Je suis Saker!
I tried to comment on that “lady”s website.
Unfortunately the comment may not get published and she has meanwhile hidden “her” facebook page (found her via google’s cache). This is – if my comment doesn’t get published – censorship. Demanding stuff from others which “she” doesn’t even stick to “her”self.
Here the comment I sent to http://cirilizovano.blogspot.rs/2015/11/who-is-saker.html
I read the whole thing as unbiased, open-minded and curious, Saker-critical (not always share hos opinions) as possible. Now my conclusion is: Only a gruntled egoistic self-hating female of old age can do such a thing. It is like those who cannot deal with the situation that their husbands found a new love, then claiming that their husbads “raped them”, bringing them into prison for decades.
Content all nice and well – but publishing internal secrets is bad enough. Publishing his photo and name however is so much over the top, in the worst case putting his life at risk for no reason! I must say these 2 former Serbian Saker “teams” belong into Psychiatry and behind bars. Only women (old and ugly) can do such things. A man would rather kill himself, rather than being a traitor of this magnitude for no reason.
I personally also dislike Islam.
I’m a Stalinist.
And you know what: Saker never ever censored me.
Never!
SHAME ON YOU, Madame Snezana – such a beautiful name, in such an ugly body with an even uglier perverted “mind”.
As for the “non-existing” AZ Empire: Snezana, you have no eyes or no analytical capabilities at that!
Beware of Karma.
What you have done to the Saker is unforgivable.
Martin from Soviet East-Berlin
She published all your comments: your concerns of being censored on her blog are unfounded.
As for her profanity and rage- well that doesn’t make her look good does it?
Hi Saker, or Andrei I guess,
I’m sorry about this mess and the impact it may have on your family, though I think it’s reasonable to expect (and indeed hope) that they’ll be unaffected.
Option A is fine except that it makes little sense to wait for a symbolic date to reveal what everyone now knows (although many details still remain unknown).
Option B is fine with me.
Option C would be to pay no attention to Mrs Berthet and Mr Jovanovic, but only to the fact that your identity is now public, and simply write your little bio whenever you feel like it. I look forward to it, not because I feel that you have to share anything at all, but because it sounds interesting.
Kind regards,
Eleutheria
Option B I think it wise you come out now. What’s the point of waiting the world is in flux and your one the most competent analysts I’ve come across. This could be a blessing
A blessing like for JFK?????
Option B.
I agree with option A (2017 as scheduled) for the following reasons:
1. Falling out – even with like-minded people – it happens when personalities don’t mix. If you focus on auto-biographical aspects of this blog now, right around the time when former colleagues are clearly angry & have a chip on their shoulders, you’re just inviting more defamation & unwanted attention on non-critical aspects of the blog.
2. Option B would give the appearance of having your hand forced, & being defensive. When you write the things you do, you KNOW your views (and your personality) will be discredited, marginalized, & defamed. That comes with the territory. Best not to pay too much attention to it & provide unnecessary distractions to the readers.
Hey Saker: Optia A
(or whatever you prefer fits)
All the Best!
%martin
Option A.
whatever you think is best for you and your family.
I also live on the Fl east coast (Broward). I love your blog and wish you all the best. My personal preference is option B but I also respect your desire for anonymity.
Hope you’ll go with option A.
Keep writing the stuff that interests the readers that follow you and appreciate your insights.
Life’s too short to bother with some stuff.
Dear Saker:You are nothing if not controversial and colorful. Your blog reads like a melodrama full of pathos spiced with unconventional insights into the geopolitical machinations of the evil “Empire” against the hapless and villified Russians. As such your blog resonated with me; it fed my anti-american bias so I followed your blog without comment until now. I was pleased with your rise and recognition throughout the blogosphere. You are certainly highly motivated and a very hard worker and I commend you on the success of your blog thus far.
As to the revelation of who you are and what you did, this is of no consequence to me,all that matters to me are your opinions so keep them coming. I admire the honesty with which you express your opinions and I like the honesty of your style of writing. Perhaps saying something about yourself would be consistent with your honesty. I firmly believe one should have the courage of one’s convictions. This is for you to decide. In the meantime “chill out” and work on managing your invective! Wishing you all the best and my condolences on the death of your mother. Long Live Mother Russia!