Vladimir Putin gave his final annual Press Conference as Russian President on Thursday.
According to Kommersant, at more than four hours, it was his longest ever and, as usual, Vladimir Vladimirovich has thrown out plenty of media-worthy quotes to excite press interest. Some crude, some scary, some twee.
To give you a flavour of the event, I’ve compiled some of my favourite quotes from the press conference and grouped them together around a few key themes.
On political leadership
It seems as though Putin wasn’t impressed with Hillary Clinton’s recent quip about his not having a soul. When asked what he thought of Clinton he quickly snapped back:
“A state official must at least have brains.”
Current President George W Bush, on the other hand, is clearly Putin’s soulmate:
“Sometimes you have to make decisions that nobody else can make… Do you think Bush has it easy?”
In his own job, Putin confessed that he works “like a galley slave”, but didn’t ask for any sympathy:
“Heads of state have no right to whinge, or drool for any reason… If they are going to slobber and blow snot and say things are bad, bad, then that’s how it will be.”
I don’t know about you, but to me those sound like the words of a man with a cold.
On being the richest man in the world
For a while now an unsubstantiated story has been floating around about Putin’s $40 billion wealth - his alleged ill-gotten gains from 8 years in the Kremlin. Putin clearly isn’t impressed by the man who has been spreading the rumours, bringing out the snot reference yet again:
“They picked it [the story] out of their noses and smeared it on paper.”
But in one sense, he really is the world’s richest man:
“That is true. I am the richest man in Europe and the whole world. I collect emotions. I am rich because the people of Russia have twice entrusted me with the top position in such a great country as Russia. I think this is my greatest wealth.”
On the future
Of course, the main question on everyone’s lips was “So, what are you going to do after the election, Vladimir Vladimirovich, when you have to move out of your shiny Kremlin office?”
For a change, Putin was willing to talk. Here’s a collection of his comments - I’ll leave it for you to judge what he meant:
“I know how the head of state’s job is set up, and assure you that our relations will be quite harmonious. I will never step in for the head of the government. I consider that damaging and counter-productive.”
“I should not cry but be happy that I have the opportunity to work in another capacity, and in another capacity to serve my country. I will be involved in the same tasks as when I was president. I will continue working.”
“The premiership is not a transitional post,” he said. “If I can see that in this capacity I can fulfill these goals, I will work as long as possible. There is no other answer.”
“I was never tempted to stay for a third term. Never,” he said. “From my first day of work as president I decided for myself that I would never violate the existing constitution. […]
Some are addicted to cigarettes, some, God forbid, to drugs, and some become addicted to money. They say that the worst addiction is to power. I have never felt that. I have never been addicted to anything.”
“The president is the guarantor of the constitution. He sets the main directions for internal and external policies. But the highest executive power in the country is the Russian government, headed by the prime minister”
On Foreign Affairs
As you’d expect, Putin was blunt, possibly even confrontational when stating his views on foreign policy. He certainly pulled very few punches. On US plans for a missile shield based in Poland and the Czech Republic he threw out a nuclear threat:
“Our experts believe that the system threatens our national security. If it appears, we will have to react adequately. We will probably have to retarget our missiles against those objects which threaten our security.”
In a move that will please many, Putin drew parallels between independence for Kosovo and other struggles for national liberation around the world. Surprisingly, though, he shied away from traditional examples, such as Trans-Dniester, and instead cited Cyprus:
“I don’t want say anything that would offend anyone, but for 40 years northern Cyprus has practically had independence,” Putin said. “Why aren’t you recognizing that? Are you not ashamed in Europe of the double standards you are applying to settle problems?”
“I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal.”
The greatest disdain, however, was reserved for those who want to monitor Russia’s Presidential election for compliance with ‘democratic’ standards.
“Let them teach their wives to make cabbage soup”
Indeed. At this rate, I’m going to need to update my Putin quotes to live your life by article.
Update: A full transcript of the press conference can be found at kremlin.ru. Thanks to Ger for the link.
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Tags | Putin
February 15th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Some articles on the post’s topic:
http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Politics&articleid=a1203020396
http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=Politics&articleid=a1202995990
Which leader (or leaders) from another “major” (France, UK, US, China, Germany, Japan) country (or countries) does (or do) a better job than Putin, when it comes to having a responsive attitude with the media?
—————————————————————————
“I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal.”
****
Agree.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Which leader (or leaders) from another “major” (France, UK, US, China, Germany, Japan) country (or countries) does (or do) a better job than Putin, when it comes to having a responsive attitude with the media?
I’m not sure about Gordon Brown, but Tony Blair used to hold monthly press conferences. The questions tended to be pretty tough because most in the press thought he was a bit of a smarmy git. You can find a sample from 2007 here:
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page10763.asp
And, of course, the opposition used to try to crucify him each Wednesday, live on TV, during Prime Ministers Questions.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for the feedback.
US press conferences involving the president and other American government organs are known for being rather managed at times.
Amy Goodman established a reputation as the pain in the ass outside the mainstream journalist, who asked the questions others wouldn’t dare raise. If I’m not mistaken, this has led to her being taken off some gatherings.
Also, note Bush being caught off the record calling a NYT reporter an asshole for the reason of that journalist being perceived as a staunch critic.
Regarding the recent press conference: in fairness to Putin, he wasn’t the one who raised Hillary Clinton’s not so flatering comment about him. A number of Americans felt he gave an appropriate reply to her unkind remark about him. I thought Putin handled the Polish journalists’s questions relatively well.
The contemporary Russian political system iz what it iz (some NY lingo). It appears an improvement from the last decade and isn’t etched in stone. United Russia shows signs of becoming a more openly diverse thinking party. Other Russian political movements exist, albeit problematically. Non-Democrats/non-Republicans have similar problems in the US.
Russian government funded English language media/public relations projects will hopefully improve over time. Mainstream Russian views have some valid points, which should ideally exist with as great an intelligent presence as possible. This includes understanding the opposite spin and how to best approach it.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Following up on some earlier comments:
A recent BBC telecast acknowledged that the anti-Saakashvili opposition had complaints with the way the OSCE conducted its monitoring of the recent Georgian election.
The OSCE is far from being perfect and should therefore be open to valid criticism. An interesting read of recent events in Georgia at:
http://www.bhhrg.org
BTW, during the recent Russian Duma vote, RTTV gave plenty of air time to the opposition (Zyuganov, Kasparov, Limonov, Yavlinsky), which didn’t hold back in stating their negative views of the election process.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
“Putin is a soldier, no doubt, and he acts and sounds like one. He’s only a few steps from the lads we see pyani at Park Pobyedi in summertime.”
If I recall correctly, Putin has never been a “soldier”. As a matter of fact, when Putin was a student at Leningrad University in the early 70s(Law) he was enrolled in the “faculty of military matters”. This saved him from being drafted and having to serve in the forces. What he was obliged to do was to participate in the “reserve officers trainig course” at university and later was “awarded” the rank of a lieutenant (reserves). [Source: Vladimir Putin - A biography, by Alexander Rahr]
“Pyani” ? Like пьяно, as a result of a Пьянка ?
Well, according to Alexander Rahr’s authorised Putin biography, Putin was very fond of drinking German beer while being assigned to the KGB’s office in Dresden / Germany. The local KGB agents had their favourite pub there, called “Am Thor”, where Putin regularly downed quite a few beers. He was only seen drinking Vodka on special occasions, to the disliking of the waiter he brought his own bottle. Until today, the pub has “Putin’s Corner”, the corner where Putin used to sit.
Putin himself admits having drunk about 4 liters of beer per week back then. His East German counterparts of the vaunted STASI considered Putin being “a rather unusual Russian” for drinking much less than the other KGB agents, and for regularly seeing him pour his Vodka into a flowerpot during the “official parties” the STASI arranged for their friends (KGB).
So I don’t really think that Putin will end up being one of the veterans sitting in Парк Победы in the near future.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Did someone mention the OSCE? I’ll never miss an opportunity to pimp for the best potty-mouthed site on russia (in english, and El Russoprobe doesn’t count as it is strictly within the sphere of entertainment):
Who Killed The OSCE?
http://www.exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=14536&IBLOCK_ID=35&phrase_id=15622
How do you spell Hypocrisy? O-S-C-E
http://www.exile.ru/articles/detail.php?ARTICLE_ID=7149&IBLOCK_ID=35&phrase_id=15622
I see Putin as a white rabbit handler, aka a magician, who like spooks are drawn towards the sleight of hand. Maybe I should add finance ministers too?
Still, I wonder if he is upset that Ahmadein Najad’s double act with Dubya puts them both way ahead in the comedy stakes?
Andy, any chance of a death count off? I.e. how many deaths can be directly and indirectly accountable to both US and Russian foreign policy spheres of influence? I’m afraid that Putin might loose that one….
February 15th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 - Russia 0
Regarding Russian political parties, reference the earlier mentioned RTTV coverage of the last Duma vote. Lavelle made note of Russian parties requiring a certain number of signatures.
In the US, the Repub.-Dem. dominance is often explained in terms of many Americans not willing to go far in opposing that status quo. This despite many of them not limking it.
People the world over have similarities. Differences do exist. It’s important to properly understand them. A not so easy precise task, since it’s a soft science, open to opinion.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Regarding Putin and Germany:
Putin is known to be a Germanphile. A number of Russians are. Despite being on opposite ends in two world wars, Russia and Germany (especially Russia and Prussia) have had periods of close and rather friendly ties.
I recall a NYT article from awhile back, discussing a Jewish friend of Putin’s questionihng him on Germany. Putin’s answer was something along the lines of how Russia can’t be solely blamed for the Soviet past; much like how Germany hasn’t been the only problematical country on the European continent. The USSR couldn’t have succeeded without many non-Russian supporters. Likewise, the Nazis had their share of non-German allies.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Chechnya isn’t a country. Fact. Russia had ample reason to take military action in that Russian republic. This doesn’t excuse the way the two post Soviet wars in Chechnya were conducted.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Regarding those two wars, genocide is an inappropriate description regarding Chechnya and Chechens.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Pardon the digression:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Russian, but you can always trust a Russian to be a Russian.”
How would the above quoted be treated if read as:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Jew, but you can always trust a Jew to be a Russian.”
and-or:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Black, but you can always trust a Black to be a Black.”
Selective Sensitivity 101
February 15th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Edit from last post (second quote):
“You can’t necessarily trust a Jew, but you can always trust a Jew to be a Jew.”
Paging a certain human rights attorney who has willingly appeared at the venue where the first quoted (from last post) is stated.
That guy had the gall to falsely accuse me of something negative, which I’m clearly not. On top of it, he said he wasn’t familiar with my work. Yet, he simultaneously felt familiar enough to make a falsely negative comment, in what I took as a foolhardy attempt to smear me.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
From top to bottom:
“As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 - Russia 0″
CORRECT
On Chechnya, Dudyaev made reasonably clear what he was and wasn’t willing to do. During his rule, the lawlessness in Chechnya increased. Countries have a right to combat such turmoil. As for the use of the word “geoncide”, in recent history, can the Americans and Israelis be accused of doing the same? I’m looking for an even application of the term. Regarding Chechnya, Russia wasn’t looking to wipe out Chechen identity and it’s not balanced to gloss over the clear wrongs of the Dudayev and Maskhasdov regimes.
One should be careful when making collective impressions of different peoples, since it isn’t 100%. Having said that, among Russians and Germans, there seems to be a good consensus in terms of recognizing that there’s a good deal of dreck to be found all over.
BTW, my father’s mother’s side are Baltic-German Jews, Vilnius via East Prussia (Danzig, now Gdansk Poland). They were very assimilated into Prussian culture. My father’s father’s side are Russian Orthodox Christians from St. Pete. My grandfather married my grandmother in clear contradiction of the kind of stereotypes generally presented.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Actually they call it “The Great Patriotic War”. But yes, the present relations between Germany and Russia are great. And they are improving constantly. Russians not referring to present day Germans being “the fascists”, and Germans not referring to present day Russinas being “the bolsheviks”, indicates that both countries finally arrived in the 21st century while other countries are obviously still stuck in the past. A past which is, by no means, significantly less bloodstained than the fascist / bolshevik periods in Germany / Russia. And as Russia and Germany move along, the attributes formerly assigned to them are now assigned to others. The fascists / bolsheviks of the 21st century no longer live in continental Europe.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
“As previously noted, the post-Soviet score of attacking other countries is: USA 2 - Russia 0″
True, but the post-Soviet score of attacking one’s own country = USA 0 - 1 Russia.
A clear victory
February 16th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Russia was responding to clear problematical issues within a part of its country.
Nations have certain rights when it comes to policing its own internal situations.
This shouldn’t be confused with attacking other countries on more questionable grounds.
The fact of the matter is that in the past deacde, Chechnya TWICE had great autonomy, which was regretfully abused in a way that needed to be addressed.
The Turkish inhabited Kurds haven’t come close to having the kind of autonomy Chechnya has experienced.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:23 am
February 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am
A reminder of this earlier presented set of comments at this thread:
“Andy, any chance of a death count off? I.e. how many deaths can be directly and indirectly accountable to both US and Russian foreign policy spheres of influence? I’m afraid that Putin might loose that one….”
****
I take it to mean that Russia is meant to mean in the post-Soviet period.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Mike, I’m not looking for comparisons, which you use all the time. I’m taking about an amazingly vicious war against not only Chechen rebels, but Chechen AND Russian civilians. Dudaeyev wanted negtiotions with Yeltsin; as an elected leader of a Russian republic, he was entitled to that. And I dont know why you’re parroting that 2-0 stat again. Its the same for internal Russian conflict so overall that makes it Russia-2 USA-2. The Yanks werent dumb enough not to murder their own people - and MURDER is exactly what the Russians did in Chechnya. But you the Russophile excuse that.Good man yourself. As well as the Serbs. You’ve got quite a gig going there for yourself. Mind you looking at RT I think you might be an improvement.
”Nations have certain rights when it comes to policing its own internal situations.”
This comment would be funny if the subject wasnt so serious. Can you imagine London levelling Newcastle-Upon-Tyne with fighter bombers because of rowdy Geordies? Or Dublin blowing away Cork cos the people there are a pain in the arse? Good grief! Note to Mike: Those little model MiGs and Sukhois, they look cute, dont they? Well, guess what, the grown up ones KILL REAL PEOPLE!
”Actually they call it “The Great Patriotic War”.” I never said they didnt. What I said was they refer to the German invaders as Facists, not Germans. But I agree entirely with what you said - in fact many of our own citizens here are stuck in an anti-Brit past, though it is diminishing. It simply amazes me how positive towards the Germans the Russians are, considering all that happened. In fact I would think that Russia’s best friend in the West is probably Germany.
”BTW, my father’s mother’s side are Baltic-German Jews, Vilnius via East Prussia (Danzig, now Gdansk Poland). They were very assimilated into Prussian culture. My father’s father’s side are Russian Orthodox Christians from St. Pete. My grandfather married my grandmother in clear contradiction of the kind of stereotypes generally presented.”
So are you Jewish or Orthodox, if that isnt a rude question(genuinely excuse me if it is). Why do you feel such a strong attachment to Russia, when you’re made in the USA? Attachment to countries abroad is something I’ve never understood in Americans, possibly cos I’m total Paddy.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Gross double standards are presented on a regular basis. For accuracy sake, it is quite appropriate to detail the particulars on such matters. On the other hand, it is extremely disingenuous to willingly accept such a status quo and attack those individuals who earnestly detail the fault lines.
Dudayev talked a good deal of bullshit. At best, he could not completely control the situation in Chechnya. At worst, he was a contributor to the lawlessness there. There is evidence showing both those suggestions. Civilians die in conflicts where one or more of the warring parties reside with civilians. Singling out Russia on such a point is hypocritical. The fire bombing of Dresden, the A-Bomb droppings over Hiroshima and Nagasaki are extreme examples of targeting civilians. In Chechnya, the terrorists often resided in civilian areas.
You are so full of shit with your incessant anti-Serb/anti-Russian pronouncements and yes RTTV would definitely improve with my active and constructive involvement with that organization. Anglo-American actions in Iraq, Turkish behavior towards Kurds and Israeli strikes against their opponents have been far from pristine. So much for your hypocrisy.
I am what I am - a multi-ethnic product, created in a melting pot of a country. I am everything that the Izetbegovic regime claimed to be to a Western audience. Only my claim is the more reality based. In the American mass media, academic and political establishments, there has been a good deal of bias against Russia. I take pride in having a seemingly natural inclination to speak out against wrong.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:35 am
On the subject of gross biases:
Re: “Peace in our time.”
While not being similar in some aspects: a possible 1938 like scenario is at play, involving the same countries willing to violate the territory of a nation.
What happened to Czechoslovakia in 1938, played a role in what was to occur in Poland a year later.
Likewise, the granting of an independent Kosovo serves to enhance existing problems.
The main problem being the hypocritical standards some use to determine which territory does and doesn’t achieve independence.
The Absurdity of “Independent” Kosovo
http://www.counterpunch.org/szamuely02152008.html
Earlier article on the same subject:
Debunking the pro-Kosovo Independence Claims
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52219
February 16th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Comparisons, comparisons, comparisons, same old, same old, do you have any other strings in your bow? Clearly not. Quite how what happened in Dresden, Hiroshima etc makes what happened in Chechnya passable is beyond me, sorry. And it is obvious that this ranting of yours is the chief reason, alongside poor writing, that you are not a full-time paid journalist.
I’m quite certain after reading what you’ve written that you know little or nothing of Chechnya, and it makes me wonder about everything else you say, even stuff I’d have given you the benefit of the doubt in. Like it or not, you’re a crank and are likely to remain so.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
“It simply amazes me how positive towards the Germans the Russians are, considering all that happened.”
I think it’s not amazing at all. *What is happening today* and *what we would like to happen in the future* is definitely more important than *all that happened in the past*.
“In fact I would think that Russia’s best friend in the West is probably Germany.”
From my point of view this assessment is entirely correct.
Things are going great, and they’re only getting better. The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades
February 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
The below comes from an idiot troll, who is unable to successfully defend his wacked out views. Note how he has served as a willing idiot for some other cranks like the one (Chris Doss) who rather cowardly left the SL threads:
Comparisons, comparisons, comparisons, same old, same old, do you have any other strings in your bow? Clearly not. Quite how what happened in Dresden, Hiroshima etc makes what happened in Chechnya passable is beyond me, sorry. And it is obvious that this ranting of yours is the chief reason, alongside poor writing, that you are not a full-time paid journalist.
I’m quite certain after reading what you’ve written that you know little or nothing of Chechnya, and it makes me wonder about everything else you say, even stuff I’d have given you the benefit of the doubt in. Like it or not, you’re a crank and are likely to remain so.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Using the troll’s own selectively applied “logic” (in prior posts of his), he’s in no legitimate position to critique me; due to his not having achieved anything of great significance.
In an earlier post, he tried to belittle my accomplishments with the lie that 99% of my work is on blogs. 100% of his “work” (trolling) is done on blogs.
Like a slime ball coward, he engages in a troll patrol pack of out and out personal attacks having nothing to do with the actual subject matter.
So much for losers like him.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Its simply amazing for me - coming from a country with a long history of trouble with Britain that a lot of people wont forget. Its a great example to everyone.
”Things are going great, and they’re only getting better. The future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades”
Its a brilliant song, heard it only last nite on an 80s show on the radio)
Mike, many times I have debunked your view on Chechnya - pretending that hasnt happened aint gonna make it disappear.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
As this thread shows, you did nothing of the sort.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
”Using the troll’s own selectively applied “logic” (in prior posts of his), he’s in no legitimate position to critique me; due to his not having achieved anything of great significance.”
Actually I’ve been published scientifically once, in the world’s most imporant toxicology journal, and the work I did was a world first - I was the first chemist to detect recombinant human erythropoietin in greyhound samples. It became a national scandal in Ireland after I’d found some real positives. Bear in mind this work was done as a hobby - I had to to do a normal day’s lab work apart from this, and its just one chapter of my PhD.
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
Any peer reviewed papers, Mike? Any world firsts?
February 16th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I’m talking about former Communist bloc topics. On a number of them, you’re quite ignorant.
What you bring up doesn’t relate to the topics I comment on.
To use a troll tactic of yours: prove it! (not that I really care)
Link your purported great works, while noting that they don’t relate to the topics I discuss.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
You said I achieved nothing of significance - I would say in my field I have done much more than you. Again, a simple question - have you published any double-blind peer-reviewed papers?
February 16th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
”What you bring up doesn’t relate to the topics I comment on. ”
Certainly. What I do is far too grounded in empirical reality for you.
February 16th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
The troll is busted once again, as he didn’t link any of his purported works; which in any event have nothing to do with the SL related topics I comment on.
Has the troll ever been a panelist on the BBC and-or had his work picked up by Reuters, News Now and The Russia Journal (among other recognized sources)?
Once again. note the troll’s displayed “logic” (stupidity). Upon being unable to successfully backup his idiotic views, he brings up purported achievements in another field; having nothing to do with the the former Communist bloc topics discussed at SL. My being able to likely out lift, out hit and out run him, has nothing to do with the the former Communist bloc topics I discuss.
The poor boy is in need of some serious help.
February 16th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
A correction:
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
Wuhpty do! I’ve had more former Communist bloc material picked up at numerous venues, dealing directly with such matter.
The troll’s above linked work has NOTHING to do with such matter; thereby firmly substantiating what I’ve said about him.
Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.
February 16th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
The troll substantiates that having a Phd isn’t the end all for being intelligent in fields away from his/her study. Sometimes, the given Phd isn’t always so expert in some areas related (directly or indirectly) to their academic field of study.
These rationally expressed views have been confirmed to me by Phds in fields involved with former Communist bloc studies. Brzezinski said as much during a recent CSPAN segment. Likewise with some other Phds, not known for sharing his views.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Mike, with respect, one scientific paper, double-blind peer reviewed, is worth far more than a ton of half-arsed articles picked up by blogs and newswires. And you were likely paid a very small fee for the tiny minority of those that made it to Reuters -I did mine pro-bono,as my research was extra on top of normal work. Again I ask you, have you ever been published in a peer-reviewed journal, eg an academic publication? And dont give me that crap about PhDs -its like your rubbish about not speaking Russian. And calm down that ranting tone - your dumb-ass pass degree isnt fooling anyone, no matter how loud you roar.
Go get your PhD Mike, during which process you’ll have to have been published in an academic journal. Articles is crank blogs and the odd trip to Reuters wont get you that job, but a PhD will. You seem to have so much time on your hands -why dont you apply for research funding? I bet Sean Guillory has plenty of papers published.
So, in academic published works the score is:
Ger Clancy 1, Mike Averko 0.
Unlike you, I dont pretend to be Linus Pauling.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I can just see this idiot in a court of law being asked a case related question, having NOTHING to do with his stated academic background. Based on his pathetic performance here, he would be inclined to babble on about his stated achievements in a field not related to the hypothetical court case example.
All the Phds in the world are no cure for his displayed idiocy.
With his boyfriend Chris Doss gone, he now keeps a warped score, revealing his fantasy land.
Once again:
Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
”Let me add that unlike the troll, I don’t make a habit of stating idiotic comments on subject matter I know little about.”
Again, this from the man who doesnt know what an aul is or when Chechen war 1 started. Yet he claims expertise on it, when he doesnt even have PUNTER standard expertise, never mind pundit level.
Again, it begs the question - please validate your expertise with some academic background - have you ever been published in a double-blind, peer-reviewed academic journal, in your chosen field of the FSU?
” can just see this idiot in a court of law being asked a case related question, having NOTHING to do with his stated academic background.”
As a matter of fact, I’ve had to appear as a witness many times in court, as I’ve done the confirmatory analytical work on around 400 positive cases. We’ve never lost a case.
February 17th, 2008 at 1:40 am
What you do outside the field of former Communist bloc studies isn’t pertinent to what I comment on. Mentioning such instances at this thread is a bit wacked since it’s totally unrelated to what SL typically discusses. Your not being able to grasp these very basic points reveal your intellectual limits.
In point of fact, you were unable to support whatever your opposition is to my points about Chechnya. Not even close.
Regarding this non-SL topic link you gave:
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2006/nd/663-healy.html
It lists numerous names besides your own. Is that the best you could do? Link your best solo article on the subject (not that I really care to know). Regardless, you haven’t done much if anything in terms of providing formal commentary on former Communist bloc issues.
—————————————————————————
Andy:
Forgive me for getting back on topic. You note that Putin mentioned other territories and not Pridnestrovie (Trans-Dniester). There’s a likely reason for this. I’ve noticed other instances when Russian officials mention Abkhazia and South Ossetia with Pridnestrovie and Nagorno Karabakh omitted.
In Moldova, Putin is more popular than the presidents of Moldova, Ukraine and the US ( http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/putin_gets_top_vote_in_moldova.html ). Russia ideally would like the whole former Moldavian SSR to come closer to it. The best game plan for that desire is probably to get Moldova and Pridnestrovie to agree to a loose confederation.
When compared to Moldova, Putin is probably not as popular in Georgia. Hence, Russia understandably feels more at ease in supporting Abkhazia and South Ossetia over Pridnestrovie.
As for Nagorno Karabakh, Armenia and Russia might appear to be better allies than Russia and Azerbaijan. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is a better geo-strategic prize over Armenia.
Regarding Russia and the former Moldavian SSR see:
http://www.eurasianhome.org/xml/t/expert.xml?lang=en&nic=expert&pid=1173
http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/is_there_a_moscow_brokered_deal_for_moldova_and_pridnestrovie.html
February 17th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Andy:
This link cites Putin in quotes mentioning Pridnestrovie during that press conference:
http://byzantinesacredart.com/blog/2008/02/shame-on-europeans.html
The good chunk of the conference I saw didn’t include that particular segment.
As for what he said, I’ve to respectfully disagree with the all or nothing approach on granting independence. For the most part, new nations are created out of parts of existng ones. Each disputed territory should be individually reviewed with historical and human rights circumstances given top priority.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Constantly going completely off topic like yourself is wacked out. This venue dicusses former Communist bloc (particularly former Soviet) matter. What you’ve brought up is totally off topic. I take it that you ihaven’t written anything of solo significance on your stated field of expertise, which again has nothing to do with the crux of SL.
Seeing how you carry on here, for all I know you’re a janitor/patient in a nut house. Not that I really care either way. Meantime, my background in terms of providing commentrary on former Communist bloc issues is far more established than what you’ve done in that area. Your knowledge and argumentative skills on such matter has proven to be extremely limited.
My SL topic related background is clearly outlined in the hyperlink by my name. In addition, one of my pieces is cited in Wiki. Not that Wiki is known as the most academc of sources. The point is troll, I’ve achieved considerably more in this area than yourself. I also don’t carry on like a gutless coward by making misrepresentative comments at blogs.
Note that your incessant emails go right in my junk box. I regularly correspond with media, academic and interested others on former Communist bloc matters. A good portion of them disagree with me. Unlike yourself, they don’t display troll like qualities.
Are eXile and Limonov known as “academics”? What’s the stated basis of Limonov’s “proof”? Russia is definitely descended from Kieavn Rus.
Once again, on Chechnya you failed to prove whatever points you were trying to make against what I’ve said.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Yo Sh!-h–d (an honestly frank way of putting it):
Like CD, you don’t display a particularly great aptitude for judging good prose. Over the course of time, you’ve sent numerous emails to me, with all of them going in the junk box for the plausibly stated reasons. The lone exception being your very first set. After which, it became clear that you’re a crank.
In point of fact, a good number on my list reply positively, with few requesting off. Someone employed by the most major of world media networks just sent me a thank you note. Those kind of replies are far more noteworthy than your troll like outbursts. My lists are compiled and sent out no different than others like the Action Ukraine Report and the once active Untimely Thoughts.
In your most recent troll of a post, you fail to detail how Limonov proves the point you said he made.
On your obsession with the Phd: if you’re one and I’m not (the latter I can vouch for), than my earlier point is proven. There’re many successful non-Phd media, political and other figures, who are considered more worthy than some of those folks with a Phd. If I’m not mistaken: unlike yours truly, you don’t have any degree in a field directly related to former Communist bloc studies.
You’ve no idea how much I make doing any number of things including journalism. It’s also none of your business. In a comparison of accomplishments, inclusive of your manner here, you’re in no sound position to judge me. Unlike myself, you’re the one who has lied.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
More lying on your part. You mailed me good deal more than 5 over the past year.
CD carries on like a frustrated little jerk, who hasn’t written much in terms of original and informative analysis on his part. All of his posts at another SL thread were pure troll in content. His welcomed departure reveals a cowardly side to him. Like yourself, he typically engages in troll like activity. Upon being unable to successfully backup a given view, he will suddenly go off topic in a personal attack mode.
Like a parakeet, you now repeat his hypocritically bogus “dirty little spammer” line. This coming from a one time “editor” of a list doing exactly the same.
Since my last posting, A Muscovite based Russian sent me a kudos on a recent mailing of mine.
Here’s why you’re an asshole. Unlike yourself, I provide constructive criticism. All you do is make blanket statements with no proof.
Let’s see Doss and-or yourself apply for a column space at American Chronicle and write a substantive critique.
What you do here and elsewhere falls in the pure horse shit category.
Since you bring it up, I likely live far better than yourself. In any event, my personal life isn’t really relevant to the SL topics.
It’s unfortunate that there’s a good deal of ineptitude out there. On the other hand, it can also serve as a basis for optimism.
Your very last point is vintage cranking from you.
For the most part, independent states are created from the territory of existing nations. Each independence claim is unique because the historical and human rights conditions (among other pertinent issues) aren’t the same.
The parameters being set with an independent Kosovo confuse things, because there’re others having either a better independence case, or pretty much just as good of a claim.
February 17th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Your last set of comments about Kosovo reveals an LR like anti-Russian/anti-Serb twerp side to your persona.
Besides Russia and Serbia, others like Spain, Cyprus as well as Bolton, Eagleburger, Rodman and Wedgwood have expressed well founded opposition to the declared independence, which many will not recognize.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Ahem. So, what do you do for a living?
February 17th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Spamboy,
stop spamming people, man!
”What you do here and elsewhere falls in the pure horse shit category.”
Again, I’ve been in charge pf an Irish governemt lab, published scientifically and have lectured. What have you done apart from crank articles?
Again, how many academic articles have you published in peer-reviewed journals? None. So why do you think you’re better than PL? There’s no evidence that you are -in fact the opposite.
If you live so well, why are you ashamed to tell me what your job is?
I’m delighted for Kosovo. Serbia have only themselves to blame. They gave up their right to govern Kosova when they commited ethnic cleansing there. Vyu ponimaetye?
February 17th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
When I read adolescent crap like this:
GER O’BRIEN Says:
February 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
“Actually I’ve been published scientifically once, in the world’s most imporant toxicology journal, and the work I did was a world first”
I am reminded of a couple of things I read some years ago:
“Expertise in one field does not carry over into other fields. But experts often think so. The narrower their field of knowledge the more likely they are to think so.”
&
“Most “scientists” are bottle washers and button sorters.”
The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
понты вычурные
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….
February 17th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hey hayate(Roobit)! How’s Timely Thoughts going? Technicheskii perevod, da?:-)
”The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
понты вычурные
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….”
Funny, the Irish have a phrase that describes your ilk
smearachan ruseach
Means ”a miserable Russian bastard”
Without science, you would have no pc in front of you, no electricity and would likely be living in a cave.(though parts of St Petersburg are not much better, in fairness)
I’m not entirely sure what Russocentric punditry has done for greater civilisation, but not a whole lot I daresay.
So Mike, care to tell what you do for a living?
February 17th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
”Most “scientists” are bottle washers and button sorters.”
The Russians have a term for creatures like that:
понты вычурные
Unfortunately these creatures exist in all countries….”
Said like a true crank, Roobit!) How’s Timely Thoughts? Technicheskii perevod, da?:-) Not tenough Great Russian Nationalist propoganda to use, eh? Thought Averko would be a bit more prolific for that fine site of yours!)
The Irish have name for you too!
‘’smearachan ruiseach”
And before you say anything rude, our language is around 3,000 years old, considerably older than Russian.
As for scientists - well, you’d still be writing in caves and living in your own shit if it wasnt for science. I think it has contributed a bit more to the world than Russocentric punditry, somehow. As for bottle washing, we’re too busy teaching your kids for that.
So, Mike, what do you do for a living?
February 17th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
”Your last set of comments about Kosovo reveals an LR like anti-Russian/anti-Serb twerp side to your persona.”
I’m just saying what I saw on tv. I know its a sad day for Serb-lovers like yourself, but Mike in all fairness Serbia were very naughty in 1999 and have deservedly lost the right to govern there - how you cant see that I simply dont understand. And no, criticising Russia and Serbia does not make me a Russophobe. As a matter of fact I was at a huge Russian party here at home the other night, and am still the worse for wear from it.
February 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
All insults aside Mike, how do you feel about Kosovo today? In fairness to you you’ve been writing about it for a very long time and you seem to have felt quite passionate about it. Do you feel sad, or gutted? I met quite a few Serbs in New Zealand and worked with two, and whilst they werent happy about it, they were resigned to losing Kosovo. They said Albanians had basically taken it over, starting about 100 years ago.
February 18th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Not sure what venue those hyperlinks are from as I choose to not open it. I like SL for its editorial consistency. Much unlike another venue that degenerated into a sewer - care in part to an overly partisan moderator/host.
“Hayate” makes some good points. Try sticking to the topic, instead of diverting attention away to another unrelated field, as well as making troll like comments; having nothing or next to nothing to do with the involved subject matter.
Derek Jeter is a superior baseball player to your claim of scientist. Derek Jeter doesn’t come close to matching my knowledge and analytical abilities on the subjects I discuss.
The same is true of some of those involved with former Communist bloc studies. It’s impossible to be expert on everything.
Regarding Kosovo, here’s what a Phd wrote:
Kosovo or how Russia will be the loser…
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/50364
Versus:
Debunking the pro-Kosovo Independence Claims
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/52219
I earnestly believe the latter to be the more scientifically applied and reasonable.
Your partying with Russians doesn’t negate what you’ve said about Russians and Serbs. Views which contradict a good many of them, who follow the mentioned issues.
You now say that you were repeating what you saw on TV. A look back indicates you saw and made an editorial comment. As for “naughty”, fighting terrorists can get naughty because of the nature of the adversary, stooping one to get low at their level. When compared to some other actions involving Anglo-Americans, Russians, Turks and Israelis, the Serbs weren’t so out of line for doing what they did in Kosovo. Much of it was either proven to be untrue or never established.
See:
The Absurdity of “Independent” Kosovo http://www.counterpunch.org/szamuely02152008.html
February 18th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Andy:
Regarding an earlier set of points addressed to you, see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249317.stm
Excerpt:
“Whether Russia will use the Kosovo precedent as an argument that Abkhazia and South Ossetia deserve independence or secession from Georgia remains to be seen.”
****
No mention of Pridnestrovie (Trans-Dniester) or Nagorno Karabakh.
I mentioned Russia’s perception of those situations without noting the Western neolib/neocon sympathies. Nagorno Karabakh is easy to overlook because there’s a tendency to be more aloof about events farther away from Europe. In addition: whereas Saakashvili was seen as a kind of Western reared leader, Aliev and the Armenian leadership haven’t had that same standing. An honest accounting of the former Moldavian SSR (Moldova & Prodnestrovie) serves as a kick in the ass to those claiming that Kosovo is the “special case” for independence. Also note that the repackaged KLA are seen as Western oriented, unlike Pridnestrovie’s government. Making matters geo-politically unclear is the situation in Moldova. Its government appears to have its options a bit opened on how to proceed vis-à-vis Russia and the West. Like I said, sympathy for the Russian government in Moldova appears greater than what’s evident in Georgia, minus Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Some recent posts on the last mentioned matter:
http://www.transdniestria.co.uk/
February 18th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Hayate:
Oops! I missed your post here.
Thought he was quoting you from another venue.
February 18th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Not sure what link I posted actually. And hayate I’ve met before. He’s living on the outskirts of Petes. But anyway, the thrust of what I heard on tv is thst, politics aside, Kosovo is simply unable to function alone as a country, has virtually no economy and no proper functioning institutions to run a country. But what has to be noticed were the celebrations - people seemed genuinely happy on the streets, and maybe this day was due.
What you’re saying about 1999 Mike goes against what every western media organ depicted; and accusing them all of anti-Serb bias I think is simply groundless. And Russia can make as much noise as it wants - it cant do a thing about it. And if our foreign minister, Dermot Ahern, as bright and as fair a guy as one could meet, says it should be independent, then I believe him, We have a lot of troops in there and I’m sure he’s very knowledgeable of the situation.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
On the last point, you aren’t. Moreover, there’re other knowledgeable people who think differently than him.
Going by Western media, there’s conclusive proof showing how Albanian nationalist activity from 1974-89 prompted a Serb counter reply. Much of Western mass media in the 1990s and thereafter became skewed on the subject. This relates to the Serb adversaries being more effective at propaganda. Case in point, the $ contributions Albanian-American nationalists gave to some very key American politicians. The Serbs were nowhere near as effective.
One example (there’re others) of the distortion follows. In the year and a half of Kosovo fighting before the NATO bombing, about 2 thousand died in fighting out of the province’s 2 million population. About 600 of the 2000 casualties were Serbs, who at the time were said to make up 10% of the population. Per capita wise, Serbs suffered considerably more. In any event, I understand that the cited Kosovo casualty rate is on par or less that found in some leading American cities like Washington DC. There was no “genocide” in Kosovo and the KLA are repackaged criminals.
I don’t think that Hayate is Roobit. I suspect that “Poemless” might be MAB.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Kosovo: A New Day of Infamy for a New Century http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/?p=515
Iraq and the Kosovo Connection http://antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=12378
—————————————————————————
As for the earlier remark about seeing many happy Albanians: there were many happy Germans in the 1930s.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
BTW, I know my share of intelligently knowledgeable folks (in academia, government and military) who have been to Kosovo and share/support my fact based views on why that province shouldn’t be granted independence.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
”On the last point, you aren’t. Moreover, there’re other knowledgeable people who think differently than him.”
Yes, I’m sure there are plenty of Serb nationalists out there who disagree with him, at places like byzantinesacredartblog.com, etc. Meanwhile our troops are there, he’s got plenty of intelliegence info from on the ground, and I’m sure that he’s very well versed on the whole thing. Well, looks like its done now. Can you explain the following discrepancy:
Chechnya pre 1999 - majority want (full)independence - Mike Averko says NO.
Kosovo 2008 - majority want independence - Mike Averko says NO.
PMR 2008 - majority (allegedly) want independence - Mike Averko says YES.
Therefore = Slavs = OK, Others = NOT OK.
Could you possibly explain your reasoning, without recourse to any historical precedents please(especially considering that the PMR ON ITS OWN has no historical precedent), and base it soley on logic? And please answer directly the question. No tangents. Tangents = not relevant.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Another example of your asshole “logic” (trolling).
I’m in a much better position to challenge your cited Irish authority than you’re in second guessing my fact based views, which you’ve yet to successfully challenge.
Once again, others have been to Kosovo, who don’t share his view as quoted by you. They aren’t only “Serb nationalists”. Note how you omit the Albanian nationalists. Serbia minus Kosovo is far more democratic and multi-ethnic than the repackaged KLA crime ridden Kosovo.
The “discrepancy” is with your troll like barbs. Chechnya in the present doesn’t want independence because of what happened twice in the 1990s when that republic had great autonomy. Like it or not, the situation there has stabilized since the end of the second Chechen war.
The disingenuous slime ball troll demagogically overlooks those and other prior points that were raised.
From the perspectives of human rights and history (previously detailed), Pridnestrovie has a much better case for independence than Kosovo. Note that the disingenuous slime ball troll has referred to Pridnestrovie as an illegal gangster state. In point of fact, it’s government and society are considerably more multi-ethnic, democratic and at peace than the repackaged crime ridden KLA regime in Kosovo.
February 18th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Simply put, the troll caters to anti-Slavic Orthodox Christian views, while professing not to be against them.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I can take it from the above rant that you have no logical counterargument to the points made above, da? Based purely on mathematics and nothing else, Kosovo is as entitled to independence as much as the PMR. You are unable to refute this simple fact. You claim knowledge you dont have. You bullshit on about third parties having ‘opinions’ that Kosovo shouldnt be independent but dont sunstantiate. Serbia engaged in ethnic cleansing in 1999 and lost all rights to control Kosovo. Just because you think thats not the case doesnt make it so:-) And the PMR has never existed as a state previously, and, using your own yardstick with Chechnya/Russia, should remain part of Moldova. In short, you’re a rabid pro-slav fraud, well at home at mad blogs like byzantinesacredart. Little wonder you are not published more widely.
”Simply put, the troll caters to anti-Slavic Orthodox Christian views, while professing not to be against them.”
Mike, that’s a pretty deep accusation to make, and one I’m suprised you’d say, considering your own anti-semitic issues with Fr Johnson and Ethan Burger. One couldnt find someone as secular or less interested in religion than me. What church people go to has no relevance in my eyes, and I say that not in a politically correct way - I mean I actually dont give a shit how people choose to spend their sundays.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Your idiotic comments were logically debunked. Only deceit and-or sheer stupidity could over look this fact.
You’re one lying miserable piece of $__t.
Kosovo was part of ancient Serbia and has been with Serbia since 1912. It was never an independent entity, or part of an independent Albanian state.
Pridnestrovie was part of ancient Russia (Kievan Rus), the Russian Empire and USSR. It was never part of an independent Moldova. By force, Moldova only became part of the USSR in 1940. After which, the autonomous Pridnestrovie region was arbitrarily put into the Communist created Moldavian SSR. As previously mentioned, the human rights situation in Pridnestrovie is far better than what one finds in Kosovo.
It’s a matter of fact that you’ve spoken negatively of Prodnestrovie, while showing sympathy for Kosovo independence.
You’re a slimey little cyber punk, who has yet to formally contribute anything of noticeable substance.
In comparison, I’ve done well for myself. Your ongoing half truths and lies can’t change that reality.
The Byzabntine Sacred Art Blog is a nice offset to sites like Grerater Surbiton and the Srebrenica Genocide Blog.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
That’s Byzantine.
Following up on a raised point: over the course of time I’ve provided links to insight from numerous sources, which aren’t “Serb nationalists”.
So much for the related misrepresentative claim (among others) from the troll, who doesn’t use terms like “Albanian nationalists” “Bosniak nationalists”, or “Molodvan nationalists”.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
”You’re a slimey little cyber punk, who has yet to formally contribute anything of noticeable substance”
So your flacking for Fr Johnson’s anti-semitic blog wasnt slimey?) Shame on you Mike.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Liar!
That site can’t be legitimately construed as being bigoted to the degree of LR, which has been propped (among others) by RP, JRL, GV and eXile - you two faced piece of excrement.
As is the case with every site that has carried my work, I don’t always agree with everything posted. I’m on record for corresponding this point to that site and others.
He’s ideolgically opposed to Zionism, while clearly professing to not be anti-Semitic.
Unlike youself, I don’t “flack” in a way that knowingly includes stating half truths and outright lies.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Of related note, a pro-Israeli cyber activist of many years isn’t accusing me of being what the troll has suggestively stated:
http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@987.DEjKa2X8CGy@.77480649/9011
February 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
BTW, at SRB, a Maya (perhaps Haber, who earlier contrbuted to a post there) referred to Israel as a “racist little state”.
At his blog, J. Otto Pohl made reference to: Zionist ethnic cleansing (or words closing matching that). Pohl’s blog is linked at numerous other blogs including SL.
Regarding those two examples, some would consider such comments as “anti-Semitic”. I take to the view that by themselves, they aren’t, while being a bit on the hyperbolic side. I’d have to know more about the person/persons in question to make a firm value judgement on whether or not they’re anti-Jewish.
No f______g troll will successfully defame me with half truths and outright lies.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Upset Mike? Well, you shouldnt accuse others of being ”anti” any religion, especially when you’ve appeared at and propped an anti-semitic website, as well as calling the man running it ”a great scholar”. I’m not anti-Serb or Russian at all - unlike you, I can see thru their bullshit. How could you see through it though? You’ve probably never been further from home than Staten Island or Manhattan.
February 18th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Once again, note how upon being debunked on a submitted point or points, the troll will flippantly bring up something else in a slimeball trying to play gotcha kind of way.
Shame on those who encourage such activity against earnest input.
Siberian Light is excluded from that point, because this venue hasn’t taken sides in a questionably subjective manner.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Mike, you referred to me as anti-Serb/anti Russian/anti Russian Orthodox Church. Dish out such statements, then expect a reply. You appearing at anti-semitic blog and calling Fr Johnson a great scholar is a matter of record.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Mike
Apparently I hit a sore spot of the troll and it’s one of the gut freakshow.
Arguing with these zionist trolls is a waste of time. There’s nothing there to argue with, anyway. Used the term “banksters” once and one of these trolls accused me of anti-semitism.
I found ignoring them leaves them hanging out there, looking like a nicked cottager in a park loo, which in is probably….
February 18th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
”Apparently I hit a sore spot of the troll and it’s one of the gut freakshow.”
Ah, no, Roobit. You think you hit a spot. No quite. But as long as you think so, thats the main thing:-) Speaking of freakshows, how’s Timely Thoughts? I know I dont like to start my day without a dose of your wisdom. I would have thought Mike could produce enough articles for you, but I guess he has enough crank contracts with byzantine sacred art, Serbianna and the TTT. He probably has too much to do producing rubbish for them instead. By the way, isnt it getting late in St Petes. Dont you have your baked-potato job to get up for in the morning?
”I found ignoring them leaves them hanging out there, looking like a nicked cottager in a park loo, which in is probably….”
I have no idea what this gibberish means. Which is probably a good thing. Your big problem Roobit is you’ve no Moscow registration. I know it hurts, being a provincial. Get over it. Next time I’m in Moscow I’ll let you stay a weekend and take you to McDonalds.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hayate, why use “Zionists” when he’s Irish and a scumbag (the two don’t necessarily always go hand in hand)?
As for the scumbag’s comments at this thread, Matthew Johnson (at least to to my knowledge) never came close to writing something like this:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Jew, but you can always trust a Jew to be a Jew.”
On the other hand, the JRL, RP, PM and eXile propped LR stated the following:
“You can’t necessarily trust a Russian, but you can always trust a Russian to be a Russian.”
I don’t take kindly to bigots. I’ve had enough discussiion with Dr. Johnson to feel comfortable that he’s no bigot unlike the JRL, RP, PM and eXile propped LR. Note how he didn’t reply to the examples relating to SRB and J. Otto Pohl.
The scumbag troll has apparently never formally written anything of substance on his own which hasn’t appeared at a blog. Serbianna and TTT are commendable news and commentary sources unlike the scumbag troll posting crap about them. Those sources are just two of several venues where my commentary has appeared.
Another kudos for the Byzantine Sacred Art Blog.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:29 am
My formal commentary (articles) typically refrain from a word like scumbag. In this instance, the usage is quite appropriate, given how the fraud in question has carried on at some other venues besides this one.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Regarding the earlier discussed topic of Kosovo:
NATO’s Kosovo Colony
http://counterpunch.com/johnstone02182008.html
February 19th, 2008 at 12:43 am
I’d like to withdraw my remarks above insinuating that Mike Averko is anti-semitic. Though in response to a comment calling me anti-ROC, they were still out of order.
February 19th, 2008 at 12:45 am
” when he’s Irish and a scumbag (the two don’t necessarily always go hand in hand)?”
Is there an apology forthcoming for that outrageous racist remark?
February 19th, 2008 at 1:05 am
For clarity sake: it’s possible to be a Jew and non-Zionist, or a non-Jew and Zionist. I find the usage of Zionist to be at times a bit on the polemical side.
The attempt to defame me previously failed because of its sheer fallacy:
http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@85.wWIfayG2Cbw@.77480649/7538
As for an “apology” just mailed to me as a subject text - uh ah! There has been a string of mis-informative venom launched against me. I’m earnestly addressing the many half truths and fallacies out there. It’ll take more than just a simple apology.
The gall to slur venues like TTT and Serbianna, as some other more established sources have done some un-cool things over the course of time. TTT and Serbianna are far from perfect. Ditto the BBC, NYT and yes JRL; the latter of which has been given a good deal of carte blanche for all the wrong reasons.
—————————————————————————
“when he’s Irish and a scumbag (the two don’t necessarily always go hand in hand)?”
“Is there an apology forthcoming for that outrageous racist remark?”
****
No, because I make clear that the two don’t necessarily go hand in hand,
rather than suggestively stating differently.
For clarity sake, I’ll add that scumbags are evident among all groups, including Russians and Serbs.
I hsven’t been the one launching troll attacks at this and other venues. I’m therefore reluctant to suddenly assume that such manner will stop by the party that has been a main instigator of this behavior.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:17 am
”As for an “apology” just mailed to me as a subject text - uh ah!”
That is what most adults do when they believe they have said something wrong. If, at 45 years of age, you are unable to recognise that, then frankly its your loss. I was reared to admit and apologise when wrong. I see nothing wrong with it. And it wasnt an apology for anything other than what was stated. But it was genuine. If you are unable to accept this, then it is only your loss. And by the way no attempt was made to defame you - you defamed me, calling me anti-ROC. I’m not anti-ROC, cos frankly I couldnt care less about the ROC. Nice architecture though. And you seem to be entirely ignorant of the concept of private emails - unless I’m mistaken I have quite a few of yours, many of them quite unflattering to a good number of people. Do I publicise them? No.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Second submission. Pardon if duplicate.
How you’ve chosen to carry on over the course of time isn’t “adult”.
It’s a bit naive, if not childish, to suddenly think such manner dissipates with a simple apology.
In point of fact, you’ve taken positions that are clearly anti-Serb and anti-Russian; as in going against the views of most Russians and Serbs, who follow the discussed issues.
You’re by no means the only one.
I stopped exchanging emails with you awhile back when it became clear that you’re a crank. Private emails are ideally kept private.
I’ve my share of private emails from people who you know, who say some interesting (put mildly) things. On the personal side, I make it a point to keep such exchanges confidential, because to do differently sets off an automatic red flag for others.
I didn’t violate any confidentiality in that I didn’t specify where the email in question was from and the stated content was what was posted at this thread. I didn’t open that email. I just saw the subject text.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:21 am
” stopped exchanging emails with you awhile back when it became clear that you’re a crank. Private emails are ideally kept private”
Well, you havent kept this one private, so perhaps I’ll have to make public some of your more, ahem ‘colourful’ emails? Actually you’d have a lot of expalaining to do to a good many people.
But fret not. I am not you, and your emails are safe with me.
”It’s a bit naive, if not childish, to suddenly think such manner dissipates with a simple apology.”
I apologised for remarks made. I believe that to be an adult reaction. Clearly this is below you - again, your loss.
February 19th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Second submission. Pardon if duplicated.
Not at all and I didn’t violate any personal confidentiality.
You’ve a track record of trolling, inclusive of “apologies”.
I can honestly say that I don’t carry on in such a manner.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Last night’s PBS “NewsHour” show had a solo one on one with pro-Kosovo independence enthusiast Frank Wisner - who along with Bernard Gwertzman recently insulted the Russian position to not recognize Kosovo’s independence. In the lead up to that one on one, there was a background feature of Kosovo’s recent history. Upon discussing the 1989 “Serb crackdown”, no mention was made on why that was done. Specifically, the enhanced Albanian nationalist violence during the Tito imposed autonomy years from 1974-89.
A number of fact based thoughts were omitted from that segment. In the year and a half of Kosovo fighting before the NATO bombing, about 2 thousand people died in fighting out of the province抯 2 million population. About 600 of the 2000 casualties were Serbs, who at the time were said to make up 10% of the population. Per capita wise, Serbs suffered considerably more. In any event, I understand that the cited Kosovo casualty rate is on par or less that found in some leading American cities like Washington DC. There was no 揼enocide” in Kosovo and the KLA are essentially repackaged criminals.
I’m an open minded person, who makes it a point to read and listen to other views. For my own health’s sake, I turned off the PBS NewsHour segment, when it came time for the Wisner one on one. I see how too much one sided propaganda has subconsciously duped many intelligent people, who don’t prioritize their time to take a more critical look at the Kosovo topic. I suspect that at one time or another we’ve all been subconsciously duped on other topics. The same PBS station recently aired a segment featuring pro-KLA enthusiast Soren Jessen-Petersen. It’s not as if there’s a lack of intelligent perspective available against Kosovo’s independence.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I refer you to this article in Wikipedia, which cites, amoung others, the New York Times and the BBC(both news organs you mention favourably in relations to your own appearances there)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%C4%8Dak_incident
At one point in the article, even RUSSIA is accusing Serbia of massacre:
”On January 29, the Contact Group of countries with an interest in Yugoslavia (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the United States) issued a joint statement deploring “the massacre of Kosovo Albanians at Račak which resulted in several thousand people fleeing their homes””
No, you may not want to accept this, but Serbia quite clearly massacred in Kosovo, and in my view (and that of France, UK, USA, and even little Ireland, who has troops there) Serbia has lots its right to rule, and quite correctly so. Denying that Srebrenica, The Siege of Sarajevo and Kosovo 1998-99 happened doesnt mean that its true. Serbia was the lead nation in the Balkans and its behaviour as such has been a disgrace. Also no less than Voijuslav Kostinica has conceded that genocide occured there. Russia’s biggest problem are not the unresloved countries, its that she has a bloody nose since sunday and Russia cannot bear that. Putin could not care less what happens to Serbia. Bear in mind this is the same Russia, who along with China, has prevented UN security council resolutions to deal with Burma. It is hardly a bastion of fair-mindedness.
I have no doubt that both sides were at it in 1999, but it does not excuse Serbia, the parent nation, from its obligations. Serbia has, since time began practically, had ideas well above its station for such a little, insignificant country. It is high time the Serbs realised what they are - a small country no more important than Portugal or Iceland or Bulgaria or even Ireland for that matter. If the Serbs had concentrated on getting their economic act together since 1993 like Slovenia has, maybe now they’d be an EU nation istead of an international pariah.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Sorry for the typos -pressed submit before checking over.
February 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
The BBC and NYT have their fault lines, regardless of my appearances there. In recent history, the Turks, Russians, Americans and Israelis have committed “massacres” as well.
If I’m not mistaken, Racak was far less a massacre than Jenin and some other instances elsewhere not involving Serbs. If you review that incident more closely, there’s evidence indicating a tampered presentation in the form of bodies likely taken elsewhere and compiled in one spot. Also at issue is how they were killed.
Albanian nationalist terrorism against non-Albanians in Kosovo is real and to ignore it smacks of a very clear anti-Serb bias. UNSC 1244 contradicts the fraudulent claim that Serbia lost its right to Kosovo. Moreover, post 1999 NATO bombing Serbia minus Kosovo is far more democratic and multi-ethically tolerant than the repackaged KLA gang in Kosovo.
In conjunction to what you say of Serbia, your comments about Russia are indicative of a heavy anti-Russian/anti-Serb bias. Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria and a number of other countries reject the faulty Kosovo independence claim.
Srebrenica and Sarajevo involve Bosnia and not Kosovo. Those two areas in Bosnia saw much carnage on the part of pro-Izetbegovic forces. To deny this, is absurd.
Terms like “little insignificant little country” are quite revealing of how bullies selectively treat others.
Regarding your point about Slovenia having a higher standard of living than Serbia as a suggested justification of better morality: Serbia minus Kosovo is economically much better off, more multi-ethnically tolerant and democratic than the repackaged KLA group in Kosovo.
This correspondence was recently forwarded to me:
108 Bodies found in 1999 season of forensic investigation by the Spanish team
420 Albanians (mostly Serbian state employees, i.e. “loyalists”) killed since Kfor/KLA occupation began (Kfor figure June 99 through March 00)
1041 Non-Albanians killed since Kfor/KLA occupation began (number cited in http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html)*
680 Bodies found in 2000 season of forensic investigation
4,249 Total Victims
2.67% deduct percentage applied to deaths from natural causes (from Spanish team’s data)
4,135 Sub-Total Died as result of War
4,025 Sub-Total excluding Yugoslav soldiers
875 less estimated KLA deaths ( high figure is 1,500 low figure is 250)
3,150 Sub-Total Non-Combatants
2,467 Killed by NATO/KLA (breakdown below)
22 Klecka KLA possibly under Agim Ceku (cited as part of 2000 investigation in http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html)*
34 Glodjane KLA possibly under Ramush (cited as part of 2000 investigation in http://www.sunday- times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html)*
50 Orahovac (cited as part of 2000 investigation in http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html)*
68 Markovac KLA under Commander Remi ( cited as part of Remi’s forced expulsion of 160,000 civilians on BBC program and in J. Steele Guardian article July 1999)
97 Istok ( Died as a result of 3 days of NATO bombing, Spanish Interview )
39 Kacanik (Albanian loyalists killed by 162nd UCK brigade in mid March; before bombing)
45 Kotlina (Albanian loyalists killed by 162nd UCK brigade before bombing)
70 Velika Kusa ( out of 74 found )
30 Djakovica ( loyalist town, heavily bombed by NATO under KLA direction)
10 Ljubenic ( mixed Albanian-Roma loyalist village)
30 Pec ( out of 65 found, 15 before bombing, mostly wealthly anti-UCK killed, possibly under Ramush’es or Drini’s orders)
7 Kosovo Polje ( mixed population loyalist town)
20 Pec bus (Albanians killed by NATO bombs at crossroad)
75 Bedded down for the night
84 Korisa Convoy
5 Pristina (T. Watson witnessed a number of Albanians killed by bombs)
140 Dragoban Cemetery (Non-Albanian)
166 Dragoban Cemetery (Albanians)
4 Rugova (4 hijacked by UCK, 20 additional UCK fighters KIA’d when KLA dropped grenade in hijacked van)
4 Decani (4 members of loyalist militia)
5 Gologovac (killed by UCK in Jan/Feb)
1 Suad Qorraj (allegedly by Ramush in June 1999; cf Sunday Observer, Sept 10, 2000, by Nick Wood “US ‘covered up’ for Kosovo Ally” )
420 Albanians killed since Kfor/KLA occupation began (Kfor number June 99 through March 00; 400 murdered)
1041 Non-Albanians killed since Kfor/KLA occupation began (number cited in http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html)*
683 Sub-Total Potential victims of Yugoslav or NATO/KLA forces
78% Percent of Non-Combatants killed by NATO/KLA action
22% Percent of Non-Combatants killed either by NATO/KLA or by Yugoslav forces
SOURCE: http://www.decani.yunet.com/victims.html
* http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2000/09/03/stifgneur02004.html has been removed from the Sunday Times website. The same article may be viewed at: http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/sept00/hed545.shtml
We are also making the entire text of the article available below.
—————————————————————————
THE SUNDAY TIMES (UK), Sunday, September 3, 2000 EUROPE
KLA faces trials for war crimes on Serbs
Inquiry turns on Albanians
Tom Walker, Diplomatic Correspondent
INTERNATIONAL war crimes investigators are for the first time focusing on atrocities against Serbian civilians that were committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
Sources close to prosecutors in the Hague confirmed last week that its forensic experts were checking five sites where war crimes were allegedly carried out by members of the KLA. Their findings could lead to a request to Nato’s Kfor troops to arrest several senior figures in the new Kosovo Albanian elite, including possibly Hashim Thaci, the KLA’s former political leader, or Ramush Haridinaj, one of his main political rivals.
United Nations sources have already revealed that Agim Ceku, the guerrillas’ former commander, may be the subject of a secret “sealed” indictment for his activities while fighting for the Croatian army against the Serbs. Like Thaci and Haridinaj, Ceku, who now heads the Kosovo Protection Corps, the local defence force, has denied wrong-doing.
The investigation could radically alter the international perception of the conflict, in which Albanians were seen as the largely innocent victims of Serbian aggression. After a year of growing concern about hundreds of revenge killings of Serbs by Albanians in the province, there are signs that the public relations pendulum may begin to swing the Serbs’ way.
The investigations by the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia are among its most secretive, with officials fearing retaliation by the Albanians. “The operations of the KLA clearly involved many activities we should scrutinise,” said one Hague official.
“There’s a real problem in unravelling their cell structure, but we may well end up pointing the finger at senior figures. The difficulty then will be persuading any Nato nation to arrest them.”
All five sites were discovered by the Serbian police as they regained territory lost to the KLA in the summer of 1998. As Albanian villages were being destroyed in the Serbian police offensives that grabbed the international media spotlight, the plight of the rural Serbian peasantry was often ignored and dozens of villagers and farmers were abducted, tortured and left in mass graves.
Three of the areas under investigation are thought to be the villages of Klecka and Glodjane and the town of Orahovac.
The killings in Klecka have been linked to Thaci, who now heads the Democratic party of Kosovo. The Belgrade media made great play of the discovery in August 1998 of what it claimed were 22 Serbian bodies in a lime kiln in Klecka.
Glodjane, further west in the Decane area bordering Albania, was fiercely contested by the Serbs and Albanians. In September 1998 the Serbian media centre in Pristina claimed that the bodies of 34 people had been found in a canal there. They were a mixture of Serbian farmers, some gypsies and Albanians suspected of being collaborators. The local commander at the time was Haradinaj, now head of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo.
In Orahovac, an ancient Balkan maze of cobbled streets and mixed ethnicities, at least 50 Serbs were abducted by the KLA in July 1998, never to be seen again. In the autumn hundreds of angry Serbs marched six miles through the hills to Dragobilj, the local KLA headquarters and one of the few places where Islamic mujaheddin fighters were seen. The protest failed to persuade the KLA to give any details of the missing Serbs.
Most inquiries made so far have been met with silence and few witnesses are thought likely to be brave enough to reveal the brutality of the KLA.
One former Albanian commander, who now lives in the West, told The Sunday Times that he saw two Serbian policemen tied to the backs of Jeeps and dragged to their deaths during the fighting around Glodjane. He said he had no intention of talking to the war crimes prosecutors and wished to forget Kosovo altogether.
The Serbs, too, are unlikely to co-operate with the Hague because Belgrade refuses to recognise the tribunal. Milosevic and Milan Milutinovic, the Serbian president, are both indicted by the tribunal, and Milosevic is believed to have offered a bolthole to Radovan Karadzic, the most wanted suspect of the Bosnian conflict.
“We’re not permitted to make any interviews in Serbia proper and that is a considerable hindrance,” said Paul Risley, spokesman for Carla Del Ponte, the tribunal’s senior prosecutor.
It is also not clear whether investigations into the KLA’s activities can be extended into the period after Nato entered Kosovo in June 1999. Authorities in Belgrade claim there have been 1,041 murders in the province since then - with 910 of the victims being Serbs or Montenegrins. In the most recent attacks on Serbs, an eight-year-old child was killed by a hit-and-run driver near the town of Lipljan last month, and a hand grenade was lobbed into a basketball court injuring 10 children north of Pristina. A farmer aged 80 was machine-gunned to death in the nearby village of Crkvna Vodica while he was tending his cattle.
The claims of genocide being made by the Albanians at Belgrade two years ago are now being thrown back at them, but the war crimes tribunal remains dispassionate. “We’re not seeing genocide at the moment, but severe human rights violations. There is no evidence that any group wants to annihilate the Serbs rather than just force them out,” said an official.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
The first series of figures, if genuine, are totally damning of the KLA and I no in way take their side on that issue. But the fact remains that these events appear to have taken place AFTER Serb atrocities and the subsequent Serb defeat by NATO. Two wrongs of course dont make a right but the Albanians, having been the victims, found themselves now in charge, and responded badly. But that in no way takes away what Serbia did nor does it excuse Serbia. Serbia is the lead nation and as such is responsible for this whole mess. Its started the fun and games.
The second part of your comment does indeed highlight KLA/Albanian atrocities. But it ignores system Serb misbehaviour that instigated these troubles, sanctioned by the government in Belgrade. The behaviour of the KLA was and is unnaceptable too Mike, but it does not absolve Serbia’s role as the aggressor. Serbian nationalism is the cause of all the trouble, like it or not. And all of this ignores a very simple democratic principle - the vast majority of the population of Kosovo now want it to be at the very least separate from Serbia. And who could blame them?
”In conjunction to what you say of Serbia, your comments about Russia are indicative of a heavy anti-Russian/anti-Serb bias.”
”Terms like “little insignificant little country” are quite revealing of how bullies selectively treat others.”
Serbia is what it is - a troublemaker and the chief cause of the Yugoslav wars 1991-1995. To deny this is to deny generally accepted fact. Yes, I know, Slovenia and Croatia participated too, but the Kosovo Pole speech by Milosevic kicked off the fun and games.(No-one should dare to beat you!)
As for insignificance, I myself am from a small country that has had its fair share of grief, much of it self-caused. But our government has never sanctioned or indeed ordered genocide against an ethnic group in one of its own regions. It is high time Serbia got its act together and started to behave like a modern European nation - it hasnt too far to look. Slovenia got on with their lives and now they have presidency of the EU, instead of being dismembered by NATO and the EU. Spot the difference?
As for Russia, they have nothing to gain from all this save losing face. But it is already lost. Russia is not a major power any greater than France or the UK and has little in its arsenal anymore save a UNSC veto. And my own view is Russia would be better off getting the 20% of her population under the poverty line out of 3rd world conditions than worrying about Serbia. Ever been to a Russian village Mike? The alcoholics can and do drink acetone. Again, priorities first.
February 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Kindly reply to the points raised in this artcile, which was recently posted at this thread:
http://counterpunch.com/johnstone02182008.html
Note that it was previously posted here. It agrees with the earlier issued article in the hyperlink at my name.
Slovenia is 90% Slovenian, with no border issues. BTW, that “civilized” country had much protest in discussing whether a mosque should be built in its capital where none exist.
Your point about Russia applies to the US, which should spend more time on its society and less on engaging in questionable foreign policy ventures.
Note that some relatively high profile Americans in Lawrence Eagleburger, John Bolton, Ruth Wedgwood, Peter Rodman and Pat Buchanan, among others are against Kosovo’s independence.
Socioeconomically, the Serbs have their act togther much better than the Kosovo Albanians.
Serbia never sanctioned or issued “genocide”. “Troublemaker” as in they would’ve won without foreign intervention against them. In point of fact, Serbia can’t be legitimtaely accused of starting the wars in former Yugo. Plenty of well documented blame to go all around.
Unlike yourself, I study this matter closely. It includes a full as possible accounting from all sides.
Milosevic’s Kosovo Polje address was butchered from what it actually said. A point noted in the linked Counterpunch article. He actually advocated the opposite of the butchered skewing of it.
You’re being way too judgmental in your delivery. A manner that many find offensive. You don’t know this because there has been a prevailing arrogance among a good many in the West.
This link leads to a recent Buchanan article:
http://www.antiwar.com
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org
February 19th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Rather: these links. Pardon any other grammar points. Late for a gym workout. Will check back later.
February 19th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Alright Mike, fair enough. I’ve read the piece, am suprised, and am thinking again about my views. Maybe the Serbs have been wronged.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Mike
“why use “Zionists” when he’s Irish and a scumbag”
It’s obvious he is. There are zionists in Ireland just there are in alabama. You sure he’s Irish, anyway? His writing seems more american midwest used car salesman in style.
I used some common British slang and he didn’t know what it meant. Most of these trolls I’ve encountered were pretending to be something they were not. And almost every one turned out to be zionist, no matter what their cultural background or pretended political stripe was. Perhaps a lot of them are out of work actors between auditions? 
I noticed the Kosovo related threads at gut currently are full of these spambots, doing exactly what this monkey is doing here. Some of the foamers even came across as reasonable people on other subjects prior and are now completely OTT regarding Kosovo, even though they have no personal connection with anything Yugoslavian. One wonders why an Irish “scientist” would feel so strongly about Kosovo that he would spend all this time trolling blogs and talkboards like an adolescent freshman. You’ll note he’s posted nothing of substance. Nothing.
You on the other hand posted some decent stuff. Great links you posted above.
BTW, wont argue with you about the scumbag label, that’s obviously 100% accurate.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I had a long comment in reply to the above, but its obviously the work of a sockpuppet, the IP of which I know. Pity really.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
”One wonders why an Irish “scientist” would feel so strongly about Kosovo that he would spend all this time trolling blogs and talkboards like an adolescent freshman. You’ll note he