Roger Cohen: Loose talk that lost Georgia

So the West should not overplay its hand. Breaking off arms reduction and missile defense talks with Russia is in nobody's interest. Nor are cheap shots like throwing Russia out of an (ever less relevant) G-8.

But nor can the West be cowed. It must shore up the Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, with financial and other support. It must keep the trans-Caspian, Russia-circumventing energy corridor open. It must bolster Ukraine's independence. And, at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in December, it should replace Bucharest blather with basics: a Membership Action Plan for Georgia and Ukraine.

Click here to view complete article.

Source: International Herald Tribune

Europe must stand up to the Russian bully

However, Russian aggression against Ukraine that would be the deepest crisis for the international community. We are right to back the democratic government of Georgia but our strategic interests in that country are only slightly greater than our interests and support for the struggling people of Zimbabwe or Tibet.

A tough reaction by the United States and Europe over Georgia and South Ossetia is necessary not because changing the frontiers in the Caucasus will directly affect our security but because, if Russia sees the West as weak and indifferent, it will be emboldened to repeat its behaviour in Ukraine - and in Crimea, in particular.

Such a crisis would cause massive instability in Europe. Ukraine is a major country with a frontier with the EU. While it is true that parts of Ukraine - including Crimea - have a largely Russian-speaking population, that is far from unique in Europe.

Click here for full story.

Source: Telegraph

UK warns over 'Russia aggression'

Mr Brown said: "When Russia has a grievance over an issue such as South Ossetia, it should act multilaterally by consent rather than unilaterally by force."

He went on: "My message to Russia is simple. If you want to be welcome at the top table of organisations such as the G8, OECD and WTO, you must accept that with rights come responsibilities.

Read full story here.

Source: BBC

The return of the Russia the west loves to loathe

What is most striking about Russia’s justifications is that they are demonstrably inconsistent with its own beliefs, except for the one that matters – the need to be feared. Nothing in the histories of the Russian or Soviet empires suggests that the principle of self-determination matters a jot. Nor has the Russian state ever cared much about the lives of its citizens. Post-Soviet Russia is no different, as the two Chechen wars, with their tens of thousands of dead, have demonstrated. Those, too, were Russian citizens. We can safely discount such hypocritical justifications for its actions. Indeed, I wonder how Russia sells its new-found attachment to the principle of self-determination to its Chinese ally.
Click here for complete article.

Source: Financial Times

The dark shadow of Russia's ambition

When Putin goes on, as he did this week, to state that the whole affair was contrived by the Bush administration, to advance Republican prospects in the coming U.S. election, we get a glimpse of how reckless he has become.

However, the open display of Soviet-style thuggery has had the opposite to the intended effect. European countries are rightly alarmed, and somewhat intimidated, in the expectation that Russia will now play power games with their oil and gas supplies. But the overall effect has been to remind Europe of its military dependence on the United States, and drive wavering parties into closer association with NATO.

Ukraine, the Baltic States, and the various ex-Communist states of Central Europe have spoken out sharply against Russia's aggression, and have accelerated the pace of their integration with the West, in every possible area of endeavour. The Poles and Czechs have finished buying into the U.S. anti-missile shield. Even Belarus, Russia's most obsequious ally in the past, has been shocked into extending diplomatic feelers westward.

Click here for full article.

Source: Ottawa Citizen

Does Russia Care What The West Thinks?

Moscow's motives in entering into a military confrontation with Georgia are obviously far more complex than what Russian officials claim -- a simple, humanitarian desire to rescue South Ossetian civilians from Georgian aggression.
On one level, I don't think Putin cares too much -- he goes by his gut and he considers himself a tough guy. But I think he is going to find it a little more rough going than he thought.Russia, humiliated by a decade of post-Soviet chaos and frustrated by what it perceives as the West's patronizing attitude, has signaled it will no longer shy away from using force to restore its superpower status.

Click here for full article.

Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Ukraine, Russia and European stability

Kudos to David Miliband, who has been spearheading the campaign to settle the Georgia issue, as well as prevent further escalation there as well as in Ukraine and Moldova. We need more courageous people such as Mr. Miliband to get on the band wagon. Here are some of his comments and link to full story below:

Ukraine is a leading example of the benefits that accrue when a country takes charge of its own destiny, and seeks alliances with other countries.

Its choices should not be seen as a threat to Russia or an act of hostility. Equally its independence does demand a new relationship with Russia – a partnership of equals, not the relationship of master and servant.

It is not an act of hostility towards Russia for Europe to support Ukraine, but a positive move towards lasting peace.

Click here for full article.

Source: Guardian

Rewards are easy, punishment is hard

Whatever the EU decides on Monday, the most important pressure on Russia may come from China. For years it has joined Russia in defending the notion of territorial integrity, saying that sovereign borders were inviolable. Now it sees Moscow jettison this principle to both countries’ potential cost. Russia’s sour myopia may have gained it two tiny scraps of land but lost it its main ally, and perhaps, in the future, some of its own troubled provinces.
Click here for full story.

Source: Times On-line

Russia's propaganda warfare

Even quiet Sweeden has come on board. Sweden's normally soft-spoken Foreign Minister Carl Bildt retorted that Russia's resort to that argument echoed that of Hitler in annexing pre-World War Two Czechoslovakia.

A way out for Russia lies in the precise pledge made by Mr Medvedev when he became president of Russia only three months ago - that he would strive to make Russia a nation that truly respects the rule of law and international norms.

Otherwise Russia could be undone by its own myths, and be isolated in the new Cold War that its leaders still say they do not seek.

Click here for complete article from BBC On-line.

Putin accuses U.S. of orchestrating Georgian war

Now this Lilyput Putin has really gone off the deep end. Russian Prime Minister Lilyput Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of its presidential election candidates.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino blasted Putin's statements, saying they were "patently false."

"To suggest that the United States orchestrated this on behalf of a political candidate just sounds not rational," she said.

On Wednesday a U.S. ship carrying aid docked in Georgia, while Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband traveled to the Ukraine, which is worried about Russia's intentions in the region, to offer the UK's support.

Miliband equated Moscow's offensive in Georgia with the Soviet tanks that invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring democratic reforms in 1968, and demanded Russia "change course," AP reported.

Living in a world of their own, they (Russia), still think of themselves as a great empire. But, sorry to say, NOT / NYET, wake up and smell the coffee!!! I recommend to send in the doctors to examine this loony tune (Putin).

Click here for full coverage of this story.

Source: CNN

Beginning of the end for Putinism

Russia's invasion of Georgia was a sign of weakness rather than strength. My guess is it will mark the beginning of the end for Putinism, just as the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 sounded the death knell of communism. Something is going seriously wrong in Putinland. The Russian economy chips in barely 2.5 per cent to the total global gross domestic product. Oil revenues are being earmarked for modernisation, but the investment is likely to be mismanaged and trickle away. Last week I was in Sebastopol to witness the pride of the Russian Black Sea fleet, which has just seen action in Georgia. Expecting a superpower force, I saw nothing but rust-bucket vessels. Oil cash may be going to the armed forces of the "resurgent" Russia, but most of it is spent on pensions. China's investment in R&D now accounts for 1.42 per cent of its GDP. Russia, well ahead of China a decade ago, barely invests 1 per cent. It is a country in decline.

Click here for the complete article.

Source: New Stateman

'Russia Wants to Change the Map of Europe by Violence'

And the German's too have come out strongly against the Imperialist Russian goons.

German commentators on Thursday write that now is the time for a stronger and more coherent response from Europe.

The Financial Times Deutschland writes:

"Any doubt as to Russia's goals in Georgia has vanished into thin air. By recognizing the Georgian territories Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, against international law, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has made Moscow's intention clear: The Russian government wants to change the map of Europe by violence."

"This war never had much to do with South Ossetia, much less with Georgia. Moscow wants to use this invasion -- which it has prepared for years -- to rebuild its imperium, to expand its control over Europe's energy reserves, and to punish anyone who believes that democracy should bloom along Russia's borders. For Europe this is reason enough to worry."

Click here for full article.

Source: Spiegel On-line

Shevardnadze: Russia will be sorry

Even your previous mouthpiece Mr Shevardnadze thinks you are bunch of mumbling stumbling fools.

According to Mr Shevardnadze, he feels the recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev badly thought out. After all Russia has got its own breakaway republics.

"If you recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia, then you cannot blame a republic like Chechnya for wanting the same. Or Dagestan. Or Tatarstan. They also can be recognized if Abkhazia can be."

Full story can be read here.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

China rebuffs Russia's moves in Georgia

Your own communist compatriots are realizing what stupid idiots Russia is, while refusing to support their communist allies. Now isn't this an embarrassing moment Lilyput Putin for you and your cronies?

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted by state news agency Xinhua as saying "the situation in the region ... should be resolved in dialogue."

Full story here.

Source: MSNBC

Russia faces diplomatic isolation on Georgia

Russia faced diplomatic isolation over its military action against Georgia on Thursday, with its Asian allies failing to offer support and France saying EU leaders were considering imposing sanctions.

Moscow accused the West of heightening tension by a naval build-up in the Black Sea, and said talk of punishing Russia for recognising the independence of two breakaway Georgian regions was the product of a "sick" and "confused" imagination.

The Group of Seven rich nations condemned Moscow's "continued occupation of Georgia" and a group of Asian allies led by China, meeting at a regional summit, failed to follow Russia's lead on independence for two breakaway regions of Georgia.

Click here for full story.

Source: International Herald Tribune

EU threatens sanctions against Russia

"We ... condemn the action of our fellow G8 member. Russia's recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia and is contrary to UN security council resolutions supported by Russia."

In his interview, Miliband rejected the notion that his visit to Ukraine had been provocative. He said he went there because it was important to say to a friendly country that "we support their democratic choices". The foreign secretary reiterated Britain's support for Ukraine's wish to be in Nato and rebuked Russia for treating its neighbours as if they were either "enemies or vassals".

Incredible actions being taken by UK and the other European nations. Time to isolate Russia and let it choke on its own fecus.

Complete story here.

Source: Gaurdian

The West pledges its support for Ukraine - up to a point

Mr Miliband offered strong words of support during his talks in Kiev, but did not stray beyond EU and Nato policy of offering Ukraine eventual membership of both organisations.

"My visit is designed to send a simple message," he told an audience of students and diplomats gathered at Kiev's oldest university. "We have not forgotten our commitments to you. Nor shall we do so." He went on: "The Russian President [Dimitri Medvedev] says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want one. He has a big responsibility not to start one."

Let us hope?

Click here for full story.

Source: The Independent

West tells Russia to keep out of Ukraine

Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine’s pro-west president, highlighted the potential for conflict by questioning the agreement under which Russia uses the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, in Crimea, for its Black Sea fleet. He said Russia’s actions were “a threat to everyone, not just for one country”.

His remarks were echoed by Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgian president. In Thursday’s Financial Times, Mr ­Saakashvili writes: “This story is no longer about my small country, but the west’s ability to stand its ground to defend a principled approach to international security.”

Meanwhile, the US avoided a potential clash with Russia by diverting a navy ship carrying aid to the Georgian-controlled Batumi instead of the Moscow-controlled Georgian port of Poti.

Click here for full article.

Source: The Financial Times

Russia's Delusion

Not only is there great press coming out of the UK, but many great articles being published in US press also, here is a sample:

IN TIME WITH Russia's unilateral recognition of the independence of the two Georgian provinces it invaded this month, President Dmitry Medvedev issued a statement, penned an op-ed and granted an unusual flurry of interviews. His intent was to justify Moscow's latest provocation of the West, which has been united in condemnation -- as was demonstrated yesterday by a statement by the Group of Seven industrial nations. Instead Mr. Medvedev merely revealed the dangerously arrogant and reckless mood that seems to have overtaken the Kremlin in recent weeks.

Click here for full story.

Source: Washington Post

Standing up to the Russian bully

The invasion of Georgia is the first significant step towards restoring part of the old hegemony. Disagreement over the Sevastopol base could provide the pretext for the next; thus Mr Miliband's visit to Kiev yesterday.

His presence in the Ukrainian capital was symbolically important and his analysis of the situation forthright. When it came to sanctions, however, he had little to suggest beyond lessening energy dependency on Russia.

Once again, let us rehearse the minimal steps the West should take to counter Kremlin bullying: expulsion from the G8; freezing consultation within the EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Nato-Russia Council; an invitation to Georgia and Ukraine by the alliance to join its Membership Action Plan; and the blocking of Russia's WTO membership.

Click here for full article

Source: The Telegraph

Like any bully, Russia can be faced down. Let's do it sooner rather than later

Another great article can be found about KGB Liliput Putin and his cronies in The Daily Mail Online, regarding the many possibilities that can come out of the Georgian conflict.
Here is a preview:

Ukraine is a free country with a lively media where nobody lives in fear of the midnight knock on the door, forcible incarceration in psychiatric hospitals or the arbitrary confiscation of property. Such things are the hallmarks of the ex-KGB regime in Russia.

Source: The Daily Online

"International outlaw"

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called Russia an "international outlaw" and said the real worry was not a new Cold War but a "hot" one, suggesting that another Russian objective might now be Ukraine's mainly Russian-speaking territory of Crimea.
Full story here.

Source; BBC

Russia Is Dangerous But Weak

The Soviet Union wasn't invincible. And here's a crazy thought: The same laws of social, economic and geopolitical gravity that applied in Brezhnev's U.S.S.R. apply equally in Mr. Putin's KGB state.
Here is an interesting retrospective on this in the Wall Street Journal.

New mouthpieces for tyrany

Just as they had their mouthpieces before the likes of Duranty, new one's seem to be splurting out even today. To read this garbage, click here.

Source: Times On-line

Putin wins gold medal for bullying

After dounanciations from US President George W Bush and Canada's Prime Minister Steven Harper, on Russia's invasion of Georgia, the Australians have joined in on the melee.
We are certainly getting great coverage around the globe and the real truth about Liliput Putin the bully. Only the Moskali and their press seem to be licking the behinds of their incompetent leaders. Being scared in being sent to the gulag.

It is enough to make even the cynical shake their heads in disbelief. Europe's approach is weak and will cause bigger problems. So Putin wins the gold medal in his favourite event - bullying his smaller neighbours.

Click here for full article.

Is Dima Medvedev a Liar, or Simply an Idiot?

I would certainly lean on the side of idiot. Likewise to all of the cronies involved in trying to make it seem as Russia being the good guys? Yes, the list is long, Liliput Putin, Lavrov, Ivanov,Rogozin, Nogovitsyn, Solovtsov, Konoshenkov, Borisovand of course, Idiotov, Srakov and all that crap!!!

There are only two explanations for Russian troops "digging in" and driving over police cars blockading the major commercial port and taking prisoners when the "president" of Russia told the world they wouldn't:
(a) the "president " was lying,
(b) the "president" isn't really in charge, he only thinks he is - in other words, he's one of the greatest morons of world history.

Way to go Kyiv !!!!

Kyiv is on the new Monopoly board. It is twice as gratifying for me since Montreal got the top spot on the board as well, push over Boardwalk!!!! Glad to see Moscow not picked to be on the board, but knowing Putin, and his cronies board game strategists, they will probably want to bomb all the cities picked and take Imperial rule of the game. NOT/NYET!!!!!
Here is the link to the results.

Protecting Russian intrerests $$$$$$$

And here we thought that they (Russia - Moskali) are protecting Russian interests. And we do not mean human interest do we $$$$$$$
Today's Russian leaders, despite the paranoia learned in KGB training, have far more profound relationships with Western institutions, not only the Group of Eight and the Council of Europe but also with the Western banks and companies that invest their money and manage their property. Time to put a kybosh on this wouldn't you say?
Read following article by Anne Applebaum in the Washington Post.

Also, the West needs to respond to Russia's aggression in a clear and determined manner. That doesn't mean with force as we are witnessing from Russia. But the West, particularly the U.S., should continue to mobilize the international community to condemn Russia's behavior.

Ukraine risks wrath of Russia as Yushchenko sides with the West

But who's side is Ukraine supposed to take?
Russia has never completely reconciled itself to Ukraine's independence which Moscow viewed as an affront to the vision nurtured by Vladimir Putin, of Russia restored to its former might. Ukraine humiliated Mr Putin in 2004 when millions joined in demonstrations that became known as the Orange Revolution to overturn the results of a presidential election rigged in favor of a pro-Moscow candidate.
Click here for full story.

Courtesy: The Independent

Looney ville aka: Moskovska propaganda

President Dmitry Medvedev said: "The world has seen that even today, there are political morons who are ready to kill innocent and defenseless people in order to satisfy their self-serving interests, while compensating for their own inability to resolve complicated issues by using the most terrible solution -- by exterminating an entire people.
"I think that there should be no mercy for that. We will do our best not to let this crime go unpunished."
Is he talking about himself in such a manner?

Also Sergei Lavrov accused Nato of being "unobjective and biased".
"It appears to me that Nato is trying to portray the aggressor as the victim, to whitewash a criminal regime and to save a failing regime," he said.
These cookoos are really off the wall. First they play the role of GOD, saying what is right and whom it is right to punish.
Click here for full story.
Meanwhile, we can base our own opinions of what is really going on in Georgia.
Finally, Russia’s accusations of Georgia committing “genocide” in South Ossetia to justify invasion? Turned out to be a big fat lie:
Thanks to Ukrainian Canadian Andrew and Paulette at Nash Holos

Source: BBC

Shoulder to shoulder against Russia

We cannot remain deaf to cries for help from countries threatened by Moscow.
To do so would be to repeat Chamberlain's mistake.
Read full story here.

Source: The Guardian

Boot Russia out of the G8

Looks like the only muscle on Liliput Putin can be seen below his neck. Having a brain would be to much to ask for!!!!
Canada, hardly a world power, should do three things immediately: Prohibit any more Russians or Russian entities from acquiring any more Canadian corporations or assets; oppose its WTO membership and join the movement to boot Russia out of the G8.
Click here for full story.

Source: National Post

Ukraine torments Russia with show of solidarity

Ukraine, which to the fury of Russia is looking towards Europe and membership of Nato, announced last week that it would require the Russian fleet to seek permission whenever ships entered its territorial waters.
Click here for full story.

Source: Times On-line

Your time is running out Liliput Putin

Just as we get the news that President Mikhail Saakashvili, signed a EU-brokered ceasefire deal, Russia and their tyrannical leadership starting with Liliput Putin, started entrenching themselves in Georgia territory, with the looks of continued occupation and further destruction of a small free democratic country.

These war mongers are shooting themselves in the foot. They think by containing free press in their own backward country, that they will be able to do the same in the west with their propaganda machine. You still might have your mouthpieces scattered around the like's of Duranty, who was one of the main culprits in denial of the Ukrainian Holodomor in Ukraine.
But, today people can see through this smoke screen you keep spewing. This is not the 1950's Lilyput Putin, you are certainly no Stalin, even though you deep down in your little mind you might think so ( and little we mean very literarily).
Today, we have the freedom of speech and the free use of the Internet. So, whatever you and your cronies might think you might be getting away with today, the whole free world sees what a bunch of stumbling, bumbling losers you are. Your time is running out.................
Slava Hrusiyi (Georgia)

Slava Ukraini (Ukraine)

"Cold-blooded killers" and "barbarians"

These were the exact words coming from President Mikhail Saakashvili, which were delivered at a new conference after signing of an EU-brokered ceasefire deal that was delivered to Georgia by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He could not have given a clearer description of the present Russian clan that is running the backward state.
To read more about this click here.

Ukraine snubs Moscow on port

The surprise decree by Ukraine’s pro-western president requires Russian naval vessels to request permission 10 days in advance before returning to the strategically important port, which Russia leases from Ukraine. Russia’s defense ministry quickly denounced it as “not serious”.
Being not serious is something Russia must know quite well. After watching former president Gorbachev on Lary King live, it certainly shows how desperate the present corrupt regime is. Having to resort to Gorby's take on what is happening in Geoergia is really resorting to desperate. measures. After the interview Larry King had Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili on and in 10 minute interview he laid out the true picture of what is happening in Georgia. How liliput Putin and his KGB henchmen are destroying and pillaging Georgia.
I think Russia needs to resurrect some of the older guards from their graves, maybe Stalin can come and explain to Larry how he starved 10 million Ukrainian during the Ukrainian Holodomor 1932-1933. What a farce from the Russians.

Liliput Putin and Fifi Lavrov

At some time it will be necessary to choose between supporting this virtual project and [a] real partnership on questions which actually require collective action," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Article from BBC On-line

I would definitely chose the VIRTUAL PROJECT!!!! Virtual is the wave of the future, meanwhile Russia still lives in the past and can't face the reality of the future passing them by. Say it ain't so Liliput Putin?

Canada's Harper Condemns Russian Military Offensive in Georgia

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper condemned Russia`s military offensive in Georgia and called on the country to return its troops to positions held before the conflict.

``In escalating the conflict through its attacks on Georgian towns and cities outside South Ossetia, Russia has ceased to act as a peacekeeper,`` Harper said in an e-mailed statement.

Russia sent tanks, troops and warplanes into Georgia on Aug. 8 in what it said was a response to a Georgian offensive on South Ossetia, which won de facto independence from Georgia after a war in the early 1990s. Russia had peacekeeping forces in the breakaway province.

Russian forces crossed into Georgia`s heartland for the first time yesterday and took several towns and a military base, drawing criticism from U.S. President George W. Bush.

``It is imperative that Russia respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia,`` Harper said.

Story courtesy: Bloomberg

US has only tough talk for Russia

With the world watching, George Bush made the first move to stop bloodshed and further escalation of Russian troops encroaching into Georgia.
He said, "Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens a democratic government elected by its people," "Such an action is unacceptable in the 21st century."
Unfortunately Russia still has not awakened up to the realities of 21st century, Putin and his despots are still living in their glory days of Soviet Union, which in reality has collapsed, last time I checked the world map. Wake up and smell the coffee comrades!!!!
To read more click here Source; BBC

Also, even though there has been an announcement to a cease fire, it looks like Russia is still doing what it wants.
Attacks continuing despite Russia halt claim (Source: CNN)

URGENT: VOTE TO HELP GEORGIA
PLEASE SIGN THIS ON-LINE PETITION TO HELP STOP RUSSIAN MILITARY
AGGRESSION AGAINST INDEPENDENT GEORGIA!
http://www.petitiononline.com/557799/

Russia Georgia fighting...U.S., Ukraine warn Russia

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine is telling Russia it could bar Russian Navy ships from returning to their base in the Crimea because of their deployment to Georgia's coast. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says the deployment could draw Ukraine into the conflict which gives Kiev the right to bar the ships from coming back to their base.
Source: http://www.kxmc.com/News/263154.asp

Georgia declares state of war with Russia

"We are dealing with absolutely criminal and crazy acts of irresponsible and reckless decision makers, which is on the ground producing dramatic and tragic consequences," Saakashvili said Saturday afternoon. Click here for full article from CNN.
Doesn't all this sound familiar? I guess daddy Stalin must be looking on proudly onto his

protégé Putin and company of wild bandits and criminals. And what kind of implication will this have on Ukraine?

I think all the world leaders should condemn this action taken up by Russia to bully it way into the world arena.

Solzhenitsyn's tarnished legacy

And what a tarnished legacy it was. It was startling to see Solzhenitsyn, the chronicler of the gulag, chatting with Putin, a career KGB officer. A month later, in an interview with the German magazine Spiegel, Solzhenitsyn explained that Putin "was not a KGB investigator, nor was he the head of a camp in the gulag," but rather an officer in foreign intelligence, an honorable career in many countries. But what about Putin' s dad, who fought on the side of the Nazi's. Good thing younger Putin did not want to kiss Solzhenitsyn on his belly, who knows what would have come out of that, purrrrrrrrr!!!! :-))) Not sure how kissing children's bellies ranked in Nazi guidebook? How would elder Putin look upon all this? And who has been kissing your cute belly, oh Mr. former Mr. President?
Never mind that, whatever division he worked in, Putin served in the same institution that hounded dissidents and sent people to the gulag; or that, after his ascent to power, he moved to restore the KGB and its predecessors to a place of honor in Russian history and society.
Click here for full article.

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

With the death of Russia's Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the world has lost one of the great figures of the past century. In Germany, though, editorialist's criticize the role the Nobel Prize winner played in his later life in pushing Moscow away from the West. (Click here to view article.)

I also found this quite relevent in one of my favorite blogging sites, Cyber Cossack.

To end this piece here is Roman Sebyn's take on Solzhenitsyn denial of Ukrainian Holodomor.

Rest in piece black bird.....

Auschwitz survivor to be honoured

For most people, luck is just an idea. The hope that things might go their way and the fear that something bad could happen to them with no rhyme or reason.

Stefan Petelycky wears a symbol of his luck on his arm, a tattoo emblazoned with the numbers 154922. The number was branded on him when he was taken to Auschwitz when he was only 20 years old.

“I’m lucky, I think God needs me,” Petelycky said

To read full story click here.