Comments for Siberian Light http://www.siberianlight.net The Russia Blog Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:08:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Michael Averko http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53754 Michael Averko Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:05:25 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53754 Mykhailo While taking different views on the other particulars, we agree on this one: "Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine." Mykhailo

While taking different views on the other particulars, we agree on this one:

“Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine.”

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Mykhailo http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53752 Mykhailo Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:18:21 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53752 Michael-- The characterization of how Ukrainians view Russians is IMO not accurate. Anti-Ukrainian Russians from southern Ukraine (specifically Crimea) appear extremely more anti-Ukrainian than the overall mood of how Ukrainians view Russians. Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine. Present day Russia has a number of not so democratic trends. Points which some downplay. Putin's government has been linked to efforts that include muzzling Ukrainian language/Ukrainian friendly venues. Michael–

The characterization of how Ukrainians view Russians is IMO not accurate. Anti-Ukrainian Russians from southern Ukraine (specifically Crimea) appear extremely more anti-Ukrainian than the overall mood of how Ukrainians view Russians. Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine.

Present day Russia has a number of not so democratic trends. Points which some downplay. Putin’s government has been linked to efforts that include muzzling Ukrainian language/Ukrainian friendly venues.

]]> Comment on Robert Amsterdam 2.0 by Andy http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/19/robert-amsterdam-20/#comment-53747 Andy Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:42:07 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1596#comment-53747 Cheers James, but that's utter nonsense. SL looks OK, but RA2.0 is definitely looking better. I'm envious, but I can't really justify a third redesign in less than a year, just to keep up with you though...! Cheers James, but that’s utter nonsense.

SL looks OK, but RA2.0 is definitely looking better. I’m envious, but I can’t really justify a third redesign in less than a year, just to keep up with you though…!

]]> Comment on Google barred from buying Russian advertising company by Aleks http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/10/30/google-russia-rambler-yandex/#comment-53737 Aleks Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:45:01 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1576#comment-53737 More dirt on the Googlethang: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/20/the_google_monopoly/ More dirt on the Googlethang:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/20/the_google_monopoly/

]]> Comment on Georgia war - both sides bad by Chris http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/19/georgia-war-amnesty-international/#comment-53725 Chris Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:09:33 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1598#comment-53725 I haven't read the report, but "bombing territory" is sort-of what you do in war, and "allowing SO forces" (which raises the question: could these forces realistically be stopped?) is a lot different than firing missiles at a city. Also, somebody can correct me if I'm wrong as I am not a gunpron guy, but I was under the impression that Grads are not the kind of thing you can really aim beyond "point it north.". In general, I think that AI tends to take events in a vacuum, without concerning itself with things like military logic and the avoidability/unavolidability of events in a larger context, as well as automatically assuming that all wars are bad. That said, I haven't read the report, so I will now shut my pie-hole. I haven’t read the report, but “bombing territory” is sort-of what you do in war, and “allowing SO forces” (which raises the question: could these forces realistically be stopped?) is a lot different than firing missiles at a city.

Also, somebody can correct me if I’m wrong as I am not a gunpron guy, but I was under the impression that Grads are not the kind of thing you can really aim beyond “point it north.”.

In general, I think that AI tends to take events in a vacuum, without concerning itself with things like military logic and the avoidability/unavolidability of events in a larger context, as well as automatically assuming that all wars are bad.

That said, I haven’t read the report, so I will now shut my pie-hole.

]]> Comment on Robert Amsterdam 2.0 by James http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/19/robert-amsterdam-20/#comment-53724 James Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:04:51 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1596#comment-53724 Hi Andy, Thanks for the nod! We're still not quite as well designed as Siberian Light, but we try the best we can. Hopefully we can get some more people leaving comments now that we have gotten rid of that annoying TypeKey thing. Yes, the tabs across the top mean that Bob is looking to diversify his blogging to some of the other countries where he works like Guatemala, Venezuela, the UK, and Singapore, but don't worry - Russia is still a major interest. <abbr><em>James´s last blog post..<a href="http://www.robertamsterdam.com/2008/11/energy_blast_-_nov_20_2008.htm" rel="nofollow">Energy Blast - Nov 20, 2008</a></em></abbr> Hi Andy,

Thanks for the nod! We’re still not quite as well designed as Siberian Light, but we try the best we can. Hopefully we can get some more people leaving comments now that we have gotten rid of that annoying TypeKey thing.

Yes, the tabs across the top mean that Bob is looking to diversify his blogging to some of the other countries where he works like Guatemala, Venezuela, the UK, and Singapore, but don’t worry - Russia is still a major interest.

James´s last blog post..Energy Blast - Nov 20, 2008

]]> Comment on Georgia war - both sides bad by Scrat http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/19/georgia-war-amnesty-international/#comment-53719 Scrat Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:11:05 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1598#comment-53719 I don't fully agree with this report. I do know the S Ossetians went on a rampage in some areas but then Georgian soldiers were confiscating civilian vehicles and fleeing in them too. It was pretty chaotic. I don’t fully agree with this report. I do know the S Ossetians went on a rampage in some areas but then Georgian soldiers were confiscating civilian vehicles and fleeing in them too. It was pretty chaotic.

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Michael Averko http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53713 Michael Averko Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:17:24 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53713 On the issue of outside inteference in Ukraine, Mark MacKinnon noted the Western NGO activity favoring Yushchenko in the last Ukrainian presidential election ( http://www.siberianlight.net/2007/11/15/book-review-the-new-cold-war-by-mark-mackinnon/ ). To many, the Russian reply didn't appear as suave. In more recent times, Cheney visited Ukraine shortly after the Russian counterattack against last summer's Georgian government strike on South Ossetia. In this instance, if Putin or Medvedev were substituted for Cheney, some would (no doubt) be commenting about aggressive Russian behavior. The thought that Ukraine can lead Russia in a positive direction is arguably not as likely as the reverse. On the issue of outside inteference in Ukraine, Mark MacKinnon noted the Western NGO activity favoring Yushchenko in the last Ukrainian presidential election ( http://www.siberianlight.net/2007/11/15/book-review-the-new-cold-war-by-mark-mackinnon/ ). To many, the Russian reply didn’t appear as suave.

In more recent times, Cheney visited Ukraine shortly after the Russian counterattack against last summer’s Georgian government strike on South Ossetia. In this instance, if Putin or Medvedev were substituted for Cheney, some would (no doubt) be commenting about aggressive Russian behavior.

The thought that Ukraine can lead Russia in a positive direction is arguably not as likely as the reverse.

]]> Comment on Russian Space Shuttle Buran sails the Rhine by Sohbet http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/04/12/russian-space-shuttle-buran-rhine/#comment-53701 Sohbet Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:08:35 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1452#comment-53701 thanks you <a href="http://www.sohbetgor.org" title="Sohbet" rel="nofollow">Sohbet</a> thanks you Sohbet

]]> Comment on Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November by » Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November White House On Best Political Blogs: News And Info On White House http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/16/russia-blog-roundup-16-november/#comment-53693 » Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November White House On Best Political Blogs: News And Info On White House Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:16:00 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1595#comment-53693 [...] Blog Roundup - 16 November Posted in November 16th, 2008 by in Uncategorized Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November Eternal Remont has the background. A Russian anarchist group called War project a green laser skull [...] […] Blog Roundup - 16 November Posted in November 16th, 2008 by in Uncategorized Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November Eternal Remont has the background. A Russian anarchist group called War project a green laser skull […]

]]> Comment on Russia Blog Roundup - 16 November by Kyle & Svet http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/16/russia-blog-roundup-16-november/#comment-53686 Kyle & Svet Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:53:12 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1595#comment-53686 Thanks Andy, For the mention! Your blog is looking really sharp! Kyle Thanks Andy,

For the mention! Your blog is looking really sharp!

Kyle

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Irishman http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53670 Irishman Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:19:09 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53670 I've never understood the efforts of the Ukrainian government, or at least Presidency, to hold hands with the US. It makes no sense. Whilst I have no doubt that more than once since 1991 Moscow has had its sticky fingers meddling with internal Ukrainian politics, aligning themsleves with the Americans does not eliminate that problem, and, as we can see, the Yanks now havent an arse to their trousers. Russia on the other hand supplies Ukraine with energy which keeps the population from freezing and is surely their biggest trade partner and export market. One can understand Ukraine wanting to join the EU, but I cannot for the life of me see what military exercises with the US and threats to join NATO are actually doing for Ukraine as a country. I’ve never understood the efforts of the Ukrainian government, or at least Presidency, to hold hands with the US. It makes no sense. Whilst I have no doubt that more than once since 1991 Moscow has had its sticky fingers meddling with internal Ukrainian politics, aligning themsleves with the Americans does not eliminate that problem, and, as we can see, the Yanks now havent an arse to their trousers. Russia on the other hand supplies Ukraine with energy which keeps the population from freezing and is surely their biggest trade partner and export market. One can understand Ukraine wanting to join the EU, but I cannot for the life of me see what military exercises with the US and threats to join NATO are actually doing for Ukraine as a country.

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Dmittry Medvedev http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53665 Dmittry Medvedev Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:55:28 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53665 Ukraine is as much a key to Russia's future, as Canada (for example) a key to the US future. Imagine, that Canada changed its orientation and became "pro-China" country. More specifically, all of Canada's natural resources, notably its oil are being sold to China instead of the US. How would the US tolerate at its borders an ally of China? <abbr><em>Dmittry Medvedev´s last blog post..<a href="http://thepresidentofrussia.blogspot.com/2008/11/russian-tanks-t-80-t-90-and-black-eagle.html" rel="nofollow">Russian tanks T-80, T-90, and the "Black Eagle".</a></em></abbr> Ukraine is as much a key to Russia’s future, as Canada (for example) a key to the US future. Imagine, that Canada changed its orientation and became “pro-China” country. More specifically, all of Canada’s natural resources, notably its oil are being sold to China instead of the US. How would the US tolerate at its borders an ally of China?

Dmittry Medvedev´s last blog post..Russian tanks T-80, T-90, and the "Black Eagle".

]]> Comment on What if the Romanovs had been restored? by Natalie http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/12/what-if-romanovs-restored/#comment-53645 Natalie Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:42:11 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1589#comment-53645 You pose interesting questions. I think that ultimately a restoration of the Romanovs would have been a good thing if it had resulted in the death of Communism. Imagine how different the history of eastern Europe would have been without Communism. Communism was truly one of the great evils of our time and if it had been vanquished decades ago, the world would ultimately be a better place. <abbr><em>Natalie´s last blog post..<a href="http://littledoor.blogspot.com/2008/11/only-in-germany-inmate-escapes-in-box.html" rel="nofollow">Only In Germany: Inmate Escapes In Box</a></em></abbr> You pose interesting questions. I think that ultimately a restoration of the Romanovs would have been a good thing if it had resulted in the death of Communism. Imagine how different the history of eastern Europe would have been without Communism. Communism was truly one of the great evils of our time and if it had been vanquished decades ago, the world would ultimately be a better place.

Natalie´s last blog post..Only In Germany: Inmate Escapes In Box

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Russia » Obama’s missile gap - Los Angeles Times http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53642 Russia » Obama’s missile gap - Los Angeles Times Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:46:10 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53642 [...] Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future?The 25th anniversary issue looks ahead to the next 25 years and, in Russia’s Rotting Empire, Nina L Khrushcheva (yes - before you ask - she’s Nikita Kruschev’s great-granddaughter) has penned a look at Russia’s next quarter century. … [...] […] Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future?The 25th anniversary issue looks ahead to the next 25 years and, in Russia’s Rotting Empire, Nina L Khrushcheva (yes - before you ask - she’s Nikita Kruschev’s great-granddaughter) has penned a look at Russia’s next quarter century. … […]

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Russia » Denholm Hall announces possible restructure of Russia Arbitrage Fund http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53641 Russia » Denholm Hall announces possible restructure of Russia Arbitrage Fund Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:45:35 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53641 [...] Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future?The 25th anniversary issue looks ahead to the next 25 years and, in Russia’s Rotting Empire, Nina L Khrushcheva (yes - before you ask - she’s Nikita Kruschev’s great-granddaughter) has penned a look at Russia’s next quarter century. … [...] […] Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future?The 25th anniversary issue looks ahead to the next 25 years and, in Russia’s Rotting Empire, Nina L Khrushcheva (yes - before you ask - she’s Nikita Kruschev’s great-granddaughter) has penned a look at Russia’s next quarter century. … […]

]]> Comment on Does Ukraine hold the key to Russia’s future? by Michael Averko http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/14/ukraine-russia-krushcheva/#comment-53640 Michael Averko Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:34:47 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1592#comment-53640 http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@171.vBHBdMFH40g@.7760b692/7 Offhand and without fully checking, if I'm not mistaken, Nikita Khrushchev was an ethnic Russian from Ukraine. In his memoirs, I recall him noting how he was called a Russak by his Ukrainian colleagues. This happened around the time he served as CP General Secretary of Ukraine under Stalin. The characterization of how Russians view Ukrainians is IMO not accurate. Anti-Russian Ukrainians from western Ukraine (specifically Galicia) appear extremely more anti-Russian than the overall mood of how Russians view Ukrainians. Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine. Over the course of time, Nina Khrushcheva has said things which many mainstream Russians would consider as not taking into full consideration legitimate mainstream Russian views. Whether rightly or wrongly, people of a given ethnic group have been known to be overly critical of existing trends within their ethnic grouping. If I'm not mistaken, Gordon Hahn recently linked Nina K's New School (in NYC) employer for having negatively unbalanced commentary about Russia ( http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=International&articleid=a1223308195&print=yes ). Present day Ukraine has a number of not so democratic trends. Points which some downplay. Putin is more popular in Ukraine than Yushchenko's popularity in Russia. Yushchenko's recent timing in investigating Tymoshenko has the aspects attributed to a politically muted society. Yushchenko's government has been linked to efforts that include muzzling Russian language/Russia friendly venues. Along with others, I subscribe to the view that the matter of political reform in the former USSR is an ongoing process of peaks and valleys. At this point, I don't think it's accurate to believe that the eventual outcome will be negative. In not so distant memory, Michael McFaul and Zbigniew Brzezinski have expressed the view that Russia will be fine in the long run. They've added that their concern relates to what happens in the next 20-50 years. http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@171.vBHBdMFH40g@.7760b692/7

Offhand and without fully checking, if I’m not mistaken, Nikita Khrushchev was an ethnic Russian from Ukraine. In his memoirs, I recall him noting how he was called a Russak by his Ukrainian colleagues. This happened around the time he served as CP General Secretary of Ukraine under Stalin.

The characterization of how Russians view Ukrainians is IMO not accurate. Anti-Russian Ukrainians from western Ukraine (specifically Galicia) appear extremely more anti-Russian than the overall mood of how Russians view Ukrainians. Overall, Russians and Ukrainians get along just fine.

Over the course of time, Nina Khrushcheva has said things which many mainstream Russians would consider as not taking into full consideration legitimate mainstream Russian views. Whether rightly or wrongly, people of a given ethnic group have been known to be overly critical of existing trends within their ethnic grouping. If I’m not mistaken, Gordon Hahn recently linked Nina K’s New School (in NYC) employer for having negatively unbalanced commentary about Russia ( http://www.russiaprofile.org/page.php?pageid=International&articleid=a1223308195&print=yes ).

Present day Ukraine has a number of not so democratic trends. Points which some downplay. Putin is more popular in Ukraine than Yushchenko’s popularity in Russia. Yushchenko’s recent timing in investigating Tymoshenko has the aspects attributed to a politically muted society. Yushchenko’s government has been linked to efforts that include muzzling Russian language/Russia friendly venues.

Along with others, I subscribe to the view that the matter of political reform in the former USSR is an ongoing process of peaks and valleys. At this point, I don’t think it’s accurate to believe that the eventual outcome will be negative. In not so distant memory, Michael McFaul and Zbigniew Brzezinski have expressed the view that Russia will be fine in the long run. They’ve added that their concern relates to what happens in the next 20-50 years.

]]> Comment on Introducing my new website: Russian News Online by poemless http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/introducing-russian-news-online/#comment-53628 poemless Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:58:39 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1582#comment-53628 Wow. There are no words. You deserve some kind of medal for this. Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You... Wow. There are no words.

You deserve some kind of medal for this.

Thank You Thank You Thank You Thank You…

]]> Comment on Introducing my new website: Russian News Online by Andy http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/introducing-russian-news-online/#comment-53627 Andy Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:11:02 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1582#comment-53627 <strong>@ Jesse</strong> - Russian language sources - for both news and blogs - are definitely on the to-do list! @ Jesse - Russian language sources - for both news and blogs - are definitely on the to-do list!

]]> Comment on Russia Blog Roundup - 10 November by Keltruth Corp. http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/10/russia-blog-roundup-10-november/#comment-53622 Keltruth Corp. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:37:52 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1586#comment-53622 A Russian teenage girl (16) has been killed in Barbados. She was bound and injured - probably murder. Home burned. See my blog above. <abbr><em>Keltruth Corp.´s last blog post..<a href="http://keltruthblog.com/blog/?p=340" rel="nofollow">Russian Teenage Girl Killed in Barbados - Murder and Arson Likely</a></em></abbr> A Russian teenage girl (16) has been killed in Barbados.
She was bound and injured - probably murder. Home burned. See my blog above.

Keltruth Corp.´s last blog post..Russian Teenage Girl Killed in Barbados - Murder and Arson Likely

]]> Comment on Russia Blog Roundup - 10 November by Robert Barr http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/10/russia-blog-roundup-10-november/#comment-53617 Robert Barr Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:34:39 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1586#comment-53617 Hey Andy! Great encapsulation of all things Russia! You always do great work! Hey Andy!

Great encapsulation of all things Russia! You always do great work!

]]> Comment on Introducing my new website: Russian News Online by Jesse http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/introducing-russian-news-online/#comment-53610 Jesse Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:44:26 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1582#comment-53610 Love the new site...it would be awesome if you had one for Russian-language sources as well Love the new site…it would be awesome if you had one for Russian-language sources as well

]]> Comment on Medvedev’s speech - world misses point by Dmitry Medvedev http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/russia-president-term-six-years/#comment-53609 Dmitry Medvedev Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:31:58 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1584#comment-53609 "Presidential election" has a slightly different meaning in Russia, as you can see from this billboard: http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/8918992.html “Presidential election” has a slightly different meaning in Russia, as you can see from this billboard:

http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/8918992.html

]]> Comment on Medvedev’s speech - world misses point by Dmitry Medvedev http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/russia-president-term-six-years/#comment-53608 Dmitry Medvedev Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:30:55 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1584#comment-53608 Indeed, why to waste time and money on "presidential elections"? By extending the Presidential term to 6 years I will save a great deal of money for our budget. The main point of my address was that I did what no President has ever done before. Indeed, why to waste time and money on “presidential elections”? By extending the Presidential term to 6 years I will save a great deal of money for our budget. The main point of my address was that I did what no President has ever done before.

]]> Comment on Introducing my new website: Russian News Online by Dmitry Medvedev http://www.siberianlight.net/2008/11/05/introducing-russian-news-online/#comment-53607 Dmitry Medvedev Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:27:38 +0000 http://www.siberianlight.net/?p=1582#comment-53607 Great website. Keep on doing a good work, and who knows? One day you may be awarded the Order of Hero of Russia (I'd have to check with VVP first though)! Great website. Keep on doing a good work, and who knows? One day you may be awarded the Order of Hero of Russia (I’d have to check with VVP first though)!

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