I shouldn’t have watched it, Cuts too deep..I never thought in my wildest dreams that it could come to this. Maybe in Moldova, maybe in Georgia, or Tadzhikistan, but never thought that it would be possible in Ukraine. Sometimes I feel that my parent’s generation sold their country (and soul) for a pair of blue jeans that everyone wanted so bad back in the 80s..
@denis morozov
Interesting that you mention blue jeans. I am a former citizen of one of the former Soviet block countries. A while ago, I have also reached the conclusion that “jeans and coke” were the true reason why the ordinary people in Eastern Europe supported the dismantling of socialism. The power of advertising is amazing.
Yes! The blue jeans and coca cola, you are right on point! You know, I finally got courage to express something like that to my parents who are still back there. My mom’s only response was she was happy that my grandparents are already dead so not to see what is happening. If it is hurting you, she said, to them it would have been like watching the end of the world — everything they fought for, built with belief for the brighter future, culture, society, people – all being destroyed. I have a good friend from Iraq, known him for +-15 years, a few months ago he told me that the look in my eyes reminds him of his complete desperation when the war on Iraq started. He told me, you understood me but it was analytical, and now you know and feel the pain.
In Belgrade, in 1999, they were advertising a cigarette brand with English words. I would have thought that the language of the bombers would create aversion in the people being bombed; apparently, it doesn’t work like that.
Being cool trumps reason, and advertising images determine what is cool.
“Being cool trumps reason, and advertising images determine what is cool.”
You are exactly right.And that is something that many don’t understand.So-called “marketing” is just private “propaganda”.The old belief was that what people wanted was,a job,food,a home,and education.And that is true.But once you have that,people want more.They want whats,”hip,stylish,new”,its human nature.That’s what in history led to the rise of cities,and today has led to the rise of “mega” cities in some countries.There used to be a saying I’ve heard “how do you keep’em down on the farm,after they’ve seen Par’ee”. The West understood the advantages of “soft power”.And used it as a weapon.The Soviets never really did understand that.They did to a small extent,but never used it effectively.Today,I think the Chinese,and the Russians are understanding that (especially the Chinese).The West’s problem today is that’s all they have left.The “job,food,home,and education” factors are failing here.And while its true that “man does not live by bread alone”.He certainly can’t live at all without it.
I notice that the Serbian government doesn’t take any real serious anti-smoking measures. I believe they are catering to the foreign-owned tobacco plants in Serbia. The EU even pressured Serbia to keep allowing in Croatia’s cigarettes at its pre-EU totals just after Croatia became part of the EU. If Serbs were patriotic and had a backbone, they would quit cigarettes – it is heavily supporting smugglers and Serbia’s enemies.
Oh that’s exactly what my dad told when I asked him how a nation or the entire Soviet bloc could mutate from hard workers into lazy drunks with total apathy for themselves and their nation…
“A while ago, I have also reached the conclusion that “jeans and coke” were the true reason why the ordinary people in Eastern Europe supported the dismantling of socialism.”
You appear to conflate “socialism” with the Soviet regime and forget Pandora’s box.
Some of the narod thought as you say and this was useful in facilitating projections of the opponents that they “won”, which gave opportunity to others to implement lateral strategies, which from 1956 onwards were perceived by some to be required.
A consequence of some of these lateral strategies is that less of the narod now think as you say.
.. Anonymous on May 05, 2015 · at 8:57
am UTC
Er…what did you say? …did you posit that
the narod are lateraly tangentialized,or
periodicaly marginalized before being
vertically sodomized?”
*snorts laughing*
I nominate Mr. R**h (yeah, like ‘Anonymous’ could fool us) for Comment of the Year. :0
Saker It would be nice if you could add a tag to your posts that are videos only. More often than not I can’t or I don’t have time to watch a video. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
The title could look like (they do this in forums) :
” President Putin’s inability or unwillingness to stand up more vigorously to the geopolitical aggressions of the Unites States and its allies stems, therefore, not so much from military weakness, or lack of economic resources per se, as it is from the way its economy has become dependent on oligarch’s economic role and, therefore, on the skittish global markets, or the imperialistic whims of Western powers. Sadly, Russia is not alone in grappling with this dilemma of economic dependency and/or vulnerability to globalization of markets—in essence, to the whims of international financial markets, or the aspirations of the global plutocracy.”
Russia could easily invade Ukraine and settle everything in a month. But that is not the war Putin is fighting. It is asymmetrical warfare, a term he mentioned last year, and so far it is without the use of nukes. USA is trying to fight Russia economically and through its proxy Ukraine. Putin is responding like a judo player, trying to use the weight and momentum of his opponent to beat him. So far, Putin is doing well for Russia. But sadly others involved in the fight are not doing so well.
You speak the truth! Yes, I fully understand what you are saying: Putin with asymmetrical Judo warfare strategy effortlessly totally vanquishing the enemy at bargain-basement el-cheapo price in this century.
Were Stalin perchance into Judo (and into expensive watches collections) he would not have needed those ugly battles of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, Berlin and all such needless violence. But no, Stalin wouldn’t listen to the voice of reason! He had a violent temper and, just like a spoiled impatient child, wanted everything settled right away – in four years, imagine!…
While he could have nicely outsmarted partner Hitler by gently tackling him occasionally only with some rag-tag partisan militia in Donbass, all within a reasonable time-frame (forty years would have quickly flown by, believe me).
The truly excellent analysis which you cite – Putin Blinks in Ukraine Standoff with the US. The Role of Oligarchs? – has stood the test of time: it is fully applicable today no less than it was a year ago.
And none should hold one’s breath in naïve anticipation of a sudden and radical change.
I think the role of oligarchs was bigger in creating the mess in the Ukraine than in explaining why Putin might not want to occupy it. Occupation would have been a terrible burden, with all that Ukrainian anger faced totally on Russia, instead of being spread out at oligarchs, the Donbass, and their parents.
But why Russia did not do a better job of using NGOs and all cultural, educational, and media methods is likely that it would step on the plans of the oligarchs, both Russian and Ukrainian.
“Saudi Arabia started its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 – without a UN mandate – in an attempt to undermine the Popular Committees backed by the Houthi Ansarullah movement and to restore power to Yemen’s former fugitive president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh.
More than 1,200 civilians, including many women and children, have been so far killed in the attacks.”
But this is very common. The people in Libya have now discovered the lie, as have many in other countries. Nothing has changed in traditional British or American imperialism except the quality of the propaganda.
People want something, blue jeans perhaps. The US claims to want them to have it. Their country gets destroyed, and the US grabs the pieces. Only a small percentage get the blue jeans. Rinse and repeat. The propaganda specialists get paid well.
Nothing weird or disturbing in the article, except for the dishonest title.
All Finns were drafted into the army, including the Jews. Most guys, when drafted, obey. They sure did not fight for Hitler, just as the Bulgarians did not fight for Hitler. They fought for Finland, and when the time came, they were delighted to switch sides.
This lady was right… and paid the ultimate price for being so…
An image I’ll never forget.
Indeed, our heads are full of the images of the horror of the Ukies’ criminal attacks on civilians.
Our prayers are with Donbass, and our hopes with the militia to destroy their enemy.
Next, the fascists would come for the rest of us.
are coming for the rest of us…
I shouldn’t have watched it, Cuts too deep..I never thought in my wildest dreams that it could come to this. Maybe in Moldova, maybe in Georgia, or Tadzhikistan, but never thought that it would be possible in Ukraine. Sometimes I feel that my parent’s generation sold their country (and soul) for a pair of blue jeans that everyone wanted so bad back in the 80s..
@denis morozov
Interesting that you mention blue jeans. I am a former citizen of one of the former Soviet block countries. A while ago, I have also reached the conclusion that “jeans and coke” were the true reason why the ordinary people in Eastern Europe supported the dismantling of socialism. The power of advertising is amazing.
Yes! The blue jeans and coca cola, you are right on point! You know, I finally got courage to express something like that to my parents who are still back there. My mom’s only response was she was happy that my grandparents are already dead so not to see what is happening. If it is hurting you, she said, to them it would have been like watching the end of the world — everything they fought for, built with belief for the brighter future, culture, society, people – all being destroyed. I have a good friend from Iraq, known him for +-15 years, a few months ago he told me that the look in my eyes reminds him of his complete desperation when the war on Iraq started. He told me, you understood me but it was analytical, and now you know and feel the pain.
Blue jeans, coca cola & ipod
We had both Coke and jeans in Yugo, both were also produced there. Didn’t help a bit…
In Belgrade, in 1999, they were advertising a cigarette brand with English words. I would have thought that the language of the bombers would create aversion in the people being bombed; apparently, it doesn’t work like that.
Being cool trumps reason, and advertising images determine what is cool.
“Being cool trumps reason, and advertising images determine what is cool.”
The world and things on/in it are lateral – nothing lasts for ever, and increasing the dosage kills some and concentrates the minds of others.
“Being cool trumps reason, and advertising images determine what is cool.”
You are exactly right.And that is something that many don’t understand.So-called “marketing” is just private “propaganda”.The old belief was that what people wanted was,a job,food,a home,and education.And that is true.But once you have that,people want more.They want whats,”hip,stylish,new”,its human nature.That’s what in history led to the rise of cities,and today has led to the rise of “mega” cities in some countries.There used to be a saying I’ve heard “how do you keep’em down on the farm,after they’ve seen Par’ee”. The West understood the advantages of “soft power”.And used it as a weapon.The Soviets never really did understand that.They did to a small extent,but never used it effectively.Today,I think the Chinese,and the Russians are understanding that (especially the Chinese).The West’s problem today is that’s all they have left.The “job,food,home,and education” factors are failing here.And while its true that “man does not live by bread alone”.He certainly can’t live at all without it.
I notice that the Serbian government doesn’t take any real serious anti-smoking measures. I believe they are catering to the foreign-owned tobacco plants in Serbia. The EU even pressured Serbia to keep allowing in Croatia’s cigarettes at its pre-EU totals just after Croatia became part of the EU. If Serbs were patriotic and had a backbone, they would quit cigarettes – it is heavily supporting smugglers and Serbia’s enemies.
Oh that’s exactly what my dad told when I asked him how a nation or the entire Soviet bloc could mutate from hard workers into lazy drunks with total apathy for themselves and their nation…
“A while ago, I have also reached the conclusion that “jeans and coke” were the true reason why the ordinary people in Eastern Europe supported the dismantling of socialism.”
You appear to conflate “socialism” with the Soviet regime and forget Pandora’s box.
Some of the narod thought as you say and this was useful in facilitating projections of the opponents that they “won”, which gave opportunity to others to implement lateral strategies, which from 1956 onwards were perceived by some to be required.
A consequence of some of these lateral strategies is that less of the narod now think as you say.
Er…what did you say? …did you posit that the narod are lateraly tangentialized,or periodicaly marginalized before being vertically sodomized
“did you posit that the narod are lateraly tangentialized,or periodicaly marginalized before being vertically sodomized”
Thank you for the content and vehemence of your comment.
.. Anonymous on May 05, 2015 · at 8:57
am UTC
Er…what did you say? …did you posit that
the narod are lateraly tangentialized,or
periodicaly marginalized before being
vertically sodomized?”
*snorts laughing*
I nominate Mr. R**h (yeah, like ‘Anonymous’ could fool us) for Comment of the Year. :0
/i-was-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-98338
/i-was-wrong/comment-page-1/#comment-98352
Interesting response/reflex time.
Thank you. Delightful.
Well done. Well done. Well done.
I’m struggling to understand your ‘well done ‘ comment.Is that for real,a sarc,or are you another effing troll?
well, that’s a sad one.
I hope the sound track has been done in Ukrainian, as well. After all, it’s Stepan Bandera’s dream become a nightmare.
Saker It would be nice if you could add a tag to your posts that are videos only. More often than not I can’t or I don’t have time to watch a video. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
The title could look like (they do this in forums) :
[VIDEO] I was wrong!
I Love your music videos with the powerful pictures….that ask: ‘Why’….’Just Why’
This is incredibly sad.
I’m afraid that blue jeans & coke are the reason and while Russia has the military means to fix the situation right now – it won’t happen. We are all pawns http://www.globalresearch.ca/putin-blinks-in-ukraine-standoff-with-the-us-the-role-of-oligarchs/5382611
” President Putin’s inability or unwillingness to stand up more vigorously to the geopolitical aggressions of the Unites States and its allies stems, therefore, not so much from military weakness, or lack of economic resources per se, as it is from the way its economy has become dependent on oligarch’s economic role and, therefore, on the skittish global markets, or the imperialistic whims of Western powers. Sadly, Russia is not alone in grappling with this dilemma of economic dependency and/or vulnerability to globalization of markets—in essence, to the whims of international financial markets, or the aspirations of the global plutocracy.”
Russia could easily invade Ukraine and settle everything in a month. But that is not the war Putin is fighting. It is asymmetrical warfare, a term he mentioned last year, and so far it is without the use of nukes. USA is trying to fight Russia economically and through its proxy Ukraine. Putin is responding like a judo player, trying to use the weight and momentum of his opponent to beat him. So far, Putin is doing well for Russia. But sadly others involved in the fight are not doing so well.
You speak the truth! Yes, I fully understand what you are saying: Putin with asymmetrical Judo warfare strategy effortlessly totally vanquishing the enemy at bargain-basement el-cheapo price in this century.
Were Stalin perchance into Judo (and into expensive watches collections) he would not have needed those ugly battles of Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, Berlin and all such needless violence. But no, Stalin wouldn’t listen to the voice of reason! He had a violent temper and, just like a spoiled impatient child, wanted everything settled right away – in four years, imagine!…
While he could have nicely outsmarted partner Hitler by gently tackling him occasionally only with some rag-tag partisan militia in Donbass, all within a reasonable time-frame (forty years would have quickly flown by, believe me).
@ Anonymous (May 05, 2015 at 8:47 am UTC)
The truly excellent analysis which you cite – Putin Blinks in Ukraine Standoff with the US. The Role of Oligarchs? – has stood the test of time: it is fully applicable today no less than it was a year ago.
And none should hold one’s breath in naïve anticipation of a sudden and radical change.
I think the role of oligarchs was bigger in creating the mess in the Ukraine than in explaining why Putin might not want to occupy it. Occupation would have been a terrible burden, with all that Ukrainian anger faced totally on Russia, instead of being spread out at oligarchs, the Donbass, and their parents.
But why Russia did not do a better job of using NGOs and all cultural, educational, and media methods is likely that it would step on the plans of the oligarchs, both Russian and Ukrainian.
I’m afraid “mess” is a part of the blue jeans plan http://www.islamicinvitationturkey.com/2015/05/06/enemy-of-islam-saudi-regimes-officer-killed-as-yemens-tribal-fighters-launch-rockets-into-najran/
“Saudi Arabia started its military aggression against Yemen on March 26 – without a UN mandate – in an attempt to undermine the Popular Committees backed by the Houthi Ansarullah movement and to restore power to Yemen’s former fugitive president, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh.
More than 1,200 civilians, including many women and children, have been so far killed in the attacks.”
How did Russia vote?
Q: “How did Russia vote?”
A: Here is how:
http://gerdleonhard.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c59be53ef013488b614d8970c-800wi
(As usual…… Remember its “courageous” 2011 vote on Libya?…)
But this is very common. The people in Libya have now discovered the lie, as have many in other countries. Nothing has changed in traditional British or American imperialism except the quality of the propaganda.
People want something, blue jeans perhaps. The US claims to want them to have it. Their country gets destroyed, and the US grabs the pieces. Only a small percentage get the blue jeans. Rinse and repeat. The propaganda specialists get paid well.
OT.
One of the weirder (and more disturbing) MSM stories I’ve seen in a long time: The Jews who fought for Hitler: ‘We did not help the Germans. We had a common enemy’.
Nothing weird or disturbing in the article, except for the dishonest title.
All Finns were drafted into the army, including the Jews. Most guys, when drafted, obey. They sure did not fight for Hitler, just as the Bulgarians did not fight for Hitler. They fought for Finland, and when the time came, they were delighted to switch sides.
re: I was wrong…. well the hegemon is planning to do the deed again and again.
http://russia-insider.com/en/military/what-us-doing-central-asia-now/6433
So it would be cheaper to stop a colour revolution by distributing ipods and blue jeans across town — far away from ‘freedom’ square, no?
Saker, thank you for posting this.
Sad song. You can hear the pain in his voice.
We share it in our souls.