When you quote the foreign dominated and hostile Moscow Times for stories about Russia you're as much admitting that your views and the views of the US State Department are the same. That paper is more anti-Russian than the worst McCarthyite.
He's likely just anticipating the Green Party position should one ever materialize. Call it an exercise in prescient analysis or even precognition.
Moscow Blasts EU 'Witch Hunt' Against Russian Figures
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/06/03/414161/Russia-EU-Zakharova-Schu...
"Moscow has censured Brussels' recent decision to restrict the access of two Russian envoys to the European Parliament, describing the move as a 'witch hunt.'
'The witch hunt against Russians has begun,' Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday, adding, 'What's next? Ecclesiastical trials of Russian diplomats followed by burning at the stake in Brussels?'
Zakharova further called for an explanation from officials in Brussels over the controversial restrictive measures imposed against the Russian figures..."
Sergey Lavrov Interview to Henry Meyer, Bloomberg TV (and vid)
http://thesaker.is/sergey-lavrov-interview-to-bloomberg-tv/
"You Americans always want to tell people what to do..."
Putin: 12 More Countries Interested in Working with SCO
http://rt.com/politics/264633-russia-sco-weight-putin/
"The Russia-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization is gaining more weight with a dozen new nations showing interest. SCO officials are now studying the possibility of accepting India and Pakistan into the bloc."
Deputy FM: Russia is not interested in re-joining the G7 anytime soon.
"We have much more interest in other formats; the G8 format was not always productive in view of the group’s composition,"[Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey] Ryabkov said. "It is much more interesting to work in BRICS and G20. The more so that the other organization is having increasing influence on global affairs; its agenda is evolving," the Russian diplomat went on to say."It is interesting pastime to keep an eye on G7. We read the final documents of their events. We do not mind reading about a summit in Bavaria before going to bed," Ryabkov added.
Snort.
Russia's ramshackle kleptocracy is stuck in a rut:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/russias-ramshackle-kleptoc...
Hey Doug, try to add some remarks to your links. You know, a quote maybe along with your views of its significance. Links get broken, and then there is nothing to see.
I'm assuming, of course, that you actually READ the articles that you link to. Perhaps this is an error on my part.
Deputy FM: Russia is not interested in re-joining the G7 anytime soon.
"We have much more interest in other formats; the G8 format was not always productive in view of the group’s composition,"[Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey] Ryabkov said. "It is much more interesting to work in BRICS and G20. The more so that the other organization is having increasing influence on global affairs; its agenda is evolving," the Russian diplomat went on to say."It is interesting pastime to keep an eye on G7. We read the final documents of their events. We do not mind reading about a summit in Bavaria before going to bed," Ryabkov added.
Snort.
It's good to know that Canada really has a vigorous foreign policy against Russia with the Harper regime.
Canadian PM Stephen Harper has pledged to “strongly oppose” Russia rejoining the Group of Seven nations as long as Vladimir Putin is president. The G7 suspended Moscow last year over the conflict in Ukraine, but hasn't ruled out allowing it back."I don't think Russia under Vladimir Putin belongs in the G7. Period," Harper said in an exclusive interview with AP ahead of his trip to Ukraine and the G7 meeting in Bavaria this week. "Canada would very, very strongly oppose Putin ever sitting around that table again. It would require consensus to bring Russia back and that consensus will just not happen."
According to Harper, who faces re-election in October, Moscow is hard to get on with.
"Russia is more often than not trying deliberately to be a strategic rival, to deliberately counter the good things we're trying to achieve in the world than for no other reason than to just counter them," Harper said, adding that the "mindset of the guy we are dealing with is that the Cold War has never ended and, `I've got to fight to change the ending somehow.'"
"I don't think there is any way under this leader Russia will ever change," Harper said.
I guess the idiot at 24 Sussex Drive didn't get the memo. And all those "good things" the militarist Ottawa regime is trying to achieve.
Jackboot Harper regime all but calls for regime change in Russia.
edit
'Only an insane person and only in a dream can imagine that Russia would suddenly attack NATO. I think some countries are simply taking advantage of people’s fears with regard to Russia. They just want to play the role of front-line countries that should receive some supplementary military, economic, financial or some other aid'.
"Russia would attack NATO only in a mad person's dream."
The Russian President suggested that those present do a simple comparison of the global military presence of the US/NATO axis and their military spending levels generally. The violations of the ABM Treaty by the predatory NATO axis were also noted. For those familiar with a factual comparison, most of this is review but it's still a good outline.
Klyukva is like a crooked mirror of Russia; a projection of Western repression (which manifests itself in quasi-colonial wet dreams and nightmares) onto the Central Russian Upland and beyond. It’s a state of mind, a worldview, a belief, an idea. Thus, one can fight it but no one can destroy it. Moreover, I don’t want to uproot this ‘plant’. Although I would like to have it on the Red List.
Ian Bremmer: The World is isolating Russia. As long as the World looks like this.
Isolated by the World Community!
Russian Warships Approach Canada Frigate with Harper Aboard
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-10/russian-warships-appro...
"...The Royal Canadian Navy's presence here is the physical demonstration that Canada stands up for what is right and good in our troubled world,' Harper said in a press conference Wednesday.
'Now, just beyond NATO's borders,[which expand constantly] we see new efforts to subvert free peoples and redraw boundaries by force,' Harper said, blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for the loss of thousands of lives in Ukraine.
'Mr Putin's recklessness threatens global stability, regional stability and has spread fear among our eastern allies,' Harper said..."
Sigh. Maybe there is some way the frigate can find its way to the Volga River and, led by the fearless helmet head, head upstream to the Moskva River, conquer Moscow and do what the Austrian Corporal and the artillery man from Corisica couldn't do.
.....................................................................................
Captain/Skipper: "The Prime Minister is aboard! Ten-shun!"
Able Seaman Gomer Pyle: "Give him the assignment of cleaning the heads. He's been feeding that stuff to us long enough. Time for his own medicine."
Captain: "You stow that garbage Pyle! Now give me twenty!"
Tass: More than 336,000 Ukrainians receive refugee status or temporary asylum in Russia
More than 336,000 forcibly displaced persons from Ukraine have been granted asylum or refugee status in Russia, head of the Immigration Control Department of the Russian Migration Service Sergey Temryakovich told TASS on Wednesday.
There are plenty more who have not applied, for various reasons, such as those afraid of retribution towards their family and friends back home in Banderistan.
Whatever the number, the silence on this topic in Western MSM will be ... deafening. That, despite the cost of 10 billion rubles to the state treasury of Russia to take care of all these refugees.
Activist 'Disturbed' by Citizens Willing to Sign Fake 'Nuke Russia' Petition
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/06/10/Activist-disturbed-by-citizens...
"Would you be in favor of launching a preemptive nuclear strike against Russia to ensure the United States maintains military superiority over the rest of the world?'
That was the question posed in a petition recently by author and journalist Mark Dice, as an experiment, to beach goers in San Diego.
The results? Most signed it."
The power of relentless Russophobic propaganda. It works. Here too.
'Are You Crazy?!' People in Moscow Widely Oppose Fake Petition to Nuke America (and vid)
http://rt.com/news/266848-russia-nuke-america-poll/
"While a majority of Americans asked by a US journalist to support President Obama's 'plan' to nuke Russia signed a fake petition to do so, RT decided to conduct its own poll on the streets of Moscow.
Most people said no to striking America. Calling the plan 'crazy' Russians refused to leave their signatures on a fake petition to send missiles to America.
According to a Pew poll of over 11,000 respondents, Americans and Canadians are the only nations where more than half think their country should use military action if Russia attacked a NATO member."
German Banker: 'Russian Sanctions Are Destroying Europe'
http://off-guardian.org/2015/06/12/german-banker-russian-sanctions-are-d...
"...People who are focused not only on Western 'quality media' are amazed at those media hiding the aggression of Kiev and the discriminatory laws implemented by the government in Kiev, which constitutes a serious challenge to the claim that Western values and democracy are being supported by the West..."
Russia Gets Very Serious on De-Dollarizing - by FW Engdahl
http://journal-neo.org/2015/06/06/russia-gets-very-serious-on-de-dollari...
The latest news is part of a long-term strategy between Russia and China that goes at the heart of American hegemony - the role of the dollar as the leading world central-bank reserve currency."
Russian Tall Ship Rams 2 Coast Guard Vessels in Iceland.
Looks like 2 tug boat operators were too enthusiastic trying to re-position the huge sailing vessel and wound up running the ship into the Icelandic ships. Mind you, "Although the tugging operation that reportedly led to the accident was performed by local tugs, Iceland’s naval command insists the Russian side should pay for the damage to the Coast Guard vessels."
It's always the Russians' fault. Even when it's not.
European Parliament Surrenders to Washington on Russia Policy - by Stephen Lendman
http://sjlendman.blogspot.ca/2015/06/european-parliament-surrenders-to.html
"...Fact: Russia bashing has nothing to do with its nonexistent interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs, violating its sovereignty, annexing its territory, or waging war.
Fact: It has everything to do with attacking Russia's sovereign independence and vitally important opposition to America's imperial agenda.
Fact: It's about European nations partnering with America's dirty agenda at the expense of their own interests - risking another major war on their territory.
Russia alone continues forthright efforts for diplomatic conflict resolution. Washington's rage for war prevents it. So does Kiev's fascist agenda - a lunatic, Nazi-infested, US-installed regime."
Confused by Own Propaganda: Americans Ready to Go to War With Russia
"Over 50% of American AND CANADIANS WOULD NOT OPPOSE GOING TO WAR WITH RUSSIA."
This dismal result is due partially to relentless Russophobic propaganda, but is also an indication of the complete collapse of the Canadian 'progressive' lib-left, which would normally be expected to counter or moderate the influence of official belligerence and the imperial war-party.
From the "Edward Snowden is no exception" file ...
The United Nations says Russia is now the WORLD'S LARGEST RECIPEINT OF ASYLUM APPLICATIONS. [u]That's APPLICATIONS TO FLEE TO RUSSIA from barbarity elsewhere.[/u] Like Ukraine.
This figure includes about 7,000 applications for refugee status and some 267,800 applications for temporary asylum in Russia. "In previous years, the combined (global! - ikosmos) figure had never exceeded the 5,000 mark," the report reads.
Moscow Summons Belgian Envoy Over Seizure of State Assets, Threatens Retaliation (and vid/audio)
http://rt.com/business/267964-yukos-belgium-state-assets/
"Moscow has summoned the Belgian ambassador to lodge a protest over the freeze of its state assets. It said that Moscow may consider retaliatory measures..."
2015 St Petersburg International Economic Forum LIVE UPDATES (and vid/audio)
http://rt.com/business/267850-spief-russia-live-update/
"The 19th St Petersburg International Economic Forum is underway. Despite sanctions, more than 7,000 guests and 1,000 international companies are represented, among them the heads of BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Total. V Putin: 'Russia is Open for the World'. Full speech. RT will keep you updated.
New military equipment or saber rattling - Russia must choose:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/new-military-equipment-or...
Losing patience with the Ukraine mess:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/losing-patience-with-ukrai...
Jens Stoltenberg: NATO's Mr Zig Zag - by Finian Cunningham
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article42195.htm
"Stoltenberg seems to think that it is perfectly acceptable for the Western miliary alliance to encircle Russian territory with offensive capability, but when Russia carries out counter-measures 'without prior notification' then that is unacceptable and contributing to 'instability.'
So who is really rattling sabres here?"
'US Would Like Russia to Cease to Exist as a Country' - Russia's Top Security Official
http://rt.com/news/268774-russia-us-security--patrushev/
"Russia's extreme wealth doesn't allow the US to rest, prompting Washington to invent a putative 'Russian Threat' and scheming against Moscow through the Ukrainian crisis, the head of Russia's Security Council, Nikolay Patrushev, told Kommersant daily.
The US is forcing EU member states to impose anti-Russian sanctions and policies, Patrushev said. 'Europeans are quite flaccid, whereas Americans are men of spirit,' Patrushev said.
Russia is following very closely the 'color revolutions' trend, particularly the developments in neighboring Ukraine, he said. 'It's very clear that the hidden agenda of destabilization of this country is creating an instrument to radically weaken Russia,' Patrushev said, stressing that it was the US who initiated the Ukraine crisis.
'The US is not bothered with the worsening economic situation in Ukraine, all they need is applying pressure on Russia and this is exactly what the US is doing,' Patrushev said. 'The US has no interest in Ukraine whatsoever, they are interested in Russia. They would very much like to see Russia cease to exist as a country.'
Both sides are preparing for war...
NATO Plan 40,000 Strong Rapid Response Force in E Europe (and audio)
http://rt.com/news/268825-nato-rapid-response-stoltenberg/
"Most of these troops will be stationed near Russian borders."
'Difficult to be optimistic'
Beijing, by the way, currently estimates the value of signed and almost signed agreements with Russia at a whopping $1 trillion. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov preferred to hold a “humbler” estimate.Well, if only other sanctioned and “isolated” nations – because of their “aggression” – could be capable of such a business performance.
The New Eurasian Davos?
Cheating and abusing workers? Well that's a surprise. I wonder how many other people are nervously waiting for their cheques from "the Agency for Internet Studies"
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/24/russian-troll-factory-sued-...
Savchuk said: “I am very pleased, they pretended they don’t exist at all and now they have come out of the shadows for the first time – we saw their representative. But I will feel that I won only after the troll factory closes completely.”
Charlie Rose Interviews Vladimir Putin
http://charlierose.com/watch/60578912
Childhood Friend on Putin
Vladimir Alexandrovich Venzin interviewed in Gorlovka, E Ukraine
Europe: Victim Of Its Own Sanctions Against Russia
http://newcoldwar.org/europe-victim-of-its-own-sanctions-against-russia/
"Despite the EU's refusal to acknowledge the detrimental effect of sanctions against Russia on its own economy, the true cost is finally hitting home..."
Savchuk said: “I am very pleased, they pretended they don’t exist at all and now they have come out of the shadows for the first time – we saw their representative. But I will feel that I won only after the troll factory closes completely.”
Glenn Greewald noted that the UK government has a secret unit [called JTRIG] inside British Intelligence that plants stories, sets up fake or bogus sites, etc., [u]in a far more systematic way than anything the Russians are accused of. [/u]
None of those well paid trolls will be suing for back wages!
How's Falangist Ukraine doing, Smith? Any recent defections to "the terrorists" that you know about? Bwa ha ha ha.
Anger in Moscow as Russian village prints own currency:
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/06/anger-moscow-russian-v...
The direct link doesn't work but if you go to
http://www.aljazeera.com/Search/?q=anger%20in%20moscow
a working link will come up.
Putin Gobsmacks Uncle Sam...Again - by Mike Whitney
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/06/29/putin-gobsmacks-uncle-sam-again/
"Here's the scoop: Two days before the swaggering Sec-Def touched down in Germany, Gazprom announced that it was putting the finishing touches on a massive deal that would double the amount of Russian gas flow to Germany via a second Nord Stream pipeline.
Yep, Ukraine is out and Germany's in, which means that Washington's plan to extend US hegemony by driving a wedge between Russia and Europe is down the plughole.
Judo expert Putin has done it again..."
The strangest thing about that article is Counterpunch basing it on an article from the Trumpet (remember Herbert Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God) though I suppose the two do kind of have some common ground in conspiracyland.
Chris Hedges appears on RT's flagship program Crosstalk. The subject is the new Cold War.
The US-Russia Economic War Heats Up - By Eric Draitser
http://journal-neo.org/2015/07/02/the-us-russia-economic-war-heats-up/
"Russia's strategic imperative with regard to Europe is clear: do whatever it takes to prevent the US from effectively driving a wedge between Russia and Europe. As Washington has shown in the last 18 months it will stop at nothing to sever any cooperation that it can between Moscow and its European partners.
From fomenting war in Ukraine, to pushing for sanctions and escalating its NATO forces, the US is clearly doing anything it can to draw a clear dividing line in Eastern Europe in an attempt to create a de facto 'iron curtain' separating Russia from both political and economic partnerships in Europe.
In this way, the economic war begun by the US and its toadies (That's us Canucklheads!) has now created the ultimate blowback, a full on economic blitzkrieg by Russia.
Of course it didn't have to be this way..."
CrossTalk: Cold War Redux (and vid)
http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/270793-new-cold-war-conflict/
"Today it is all too obvious there is a new Cold War. What we need to ask now are the terms and conditions of this conflict. CrossTalking with David Swanson, Vladimir Golstein and Chris Hedges."
Putin: We Don't Expect Any Change in Hostile Policies Toward Russia
http://rt.com/news/271564-putin-west-russia-pressure/
"We cannot expect a change in the hostile policies of some of our geopolitical opponents in the immediate future,' Putin said. 'The reasons for pressuring Russia are clear. The country is conducting an independent policy and doesn't trade its sovereignty. This is not to everyone's liking, but it can't be any other way."
Putin: We Don't Expect Any Change in Hostile Policies Toward Russia"We cannot expect a change in the hostile policies of some of [u]our geopolitical opponents[/u] in the immediate future,' Putin said. 'The reasons for pressuring Russia are clear. The country is conducting an independent policy and doesn't trade its sovereignty. This is not to everyone's liking, but it can't be any other way."
The bolded and underlined part is significant. The Russian President has a long history of making reference to "our Western partners" and other such euphemisms. This is in marked contrast to the habitual and bellicose rhetoric of US political figures, like President Obama, who compares Russia (and by implication her President) to the Ebola virus and ISIS on the rostrum of the United Nations General Assembly, or Hilary "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" Clinton, who compares Putin to Adolf Hitler, or Senator John "Shoot First and Ask Questions Later" McCain, etc., etc., etc....
But now Putin is calling a spade a spade. And why not? Telling the truth in international relations is a kind of novelty ...
Russians must step up and pay for health care:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/russians-must-step-up-and-...
Did you actually READ the article, Doug? It's a hymm to privatized medicine. Something you obviously must agree with since you couldn't be bothered to comment on it.
Or maybe you really didn't read the article at all. So why should anyone else?
"the fact that Russian health care will never again be what it was is something we will all need to accept"
Translation: "a socialist Russia can offer better services than a capitalist one ever could. Let's not dwell on that. People might get the wrong idea."
Did you actually READ the article, Doug? It's a hymm to privatized medicine. Something you obviously must agree with since you couldn't be bothered to comment on it.
Or maybe you really didn't read the article at all. So why should anyone else?
"the fact that Russian health care will never again be what it was is something we will all need to accept"
Translation: "a socialist Russia can offer better services than a capitalist one ever could. Let's not dwell on that. People might get the wrong idea."
ikosmos, I reckon that the article is the writer's way of saying "that *** Putin is completing the privatization of Russian medicine" without getting beaten up for it.
He also mentions that "socialized medicine" in the later Soviet years was riddled with corruption. You might enjoy Arkady Vaksberg's "The Soviet Mafia." I don't think the Soviet Union was ever "socialist" in anything but name.
By the way, I quite like the Canadian version of socialized medicine. If we didn't have it I would likely be dead.
I reckon that the article is the writer's way of saying "that *** Putin is completing the privatization of Russian medicine" without getting beaten up for it.
No, it's a hymm to privatization. And, since you provided a link without comment, as I said, you either couldn't be bothered to read it or agree with the contents. You sound like a Trotskyist who is now a neocon. Good luck with that.
Incidently, Putin, despited his enormous popularity, due in part to his willingness to stand up to the endless threats and sabre rattling from the Yanqui Empire and its saptraps, does face protest and opposition for his policies. For example, cuts to the world class science support in the old "not socialist" Soviet regime is generating some pretty serious protests. But, of course, Western MSM and their brainwashed followers want to focus on the non musicians Pussy Riot, etc. because the same policies are being implemented by Obama, Harper, etc.
He also mentions that "socialized medicine" in the later Soviet years was riddled with corruption. You might enjoy Arkady Vaksberg's "The Soviet Mafia." I don't think the Soviet Union was ever "socialist" in anything but name.
This claim is absurd; the world gendarme, the USA, and its vassals like Canada, conducted invasions, sabotage, spying, mass murder, genocide, etc., in fighting the old Soviet regime for decades. They understood better than you do who their enemy was.
By the way, I quite like the Canadian version of socialized medicine. If we didn't have it I would likely be dead.
Next time read the article that you provide a link to. Otherwise, people will think you're a flake.
Military Officials Declare Russia 'The Greatest Threat' to US Interests
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/07/10/russ-j10.html
..."The efforts by top US officials to present US actions in Europe as a response to Russian aggression turns reality on its head. American imperialism has been steadily increasing its military incursions in Eastern Europe aimed at encircling Russia, a process that was vastly accelerated following the US-backed right-wing coup in Ukraine last year.
During the recent visit to the training base west of Lviv, Army Chief of Staff, General Ray Odierno gave his support to Ukrainian plans to expand the capabilities of the base to train larger units.
Odierno made clear that the training programs were also playing an important role in preparing US soldiers for the possibility of having to fight against Russian troops.
'The training is shared training,' Odierno said. 'It is American forces training Ukrainian forces, and it's Ukrainian forces training American forces.'
The Romanovs Will Not Reign Again; Russia Already Has Its Tsar - Experts:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/the-romanovs-will-not-reign-a...
BRICS/SCO Sow Panic In Exceptionalistan - by Pepe Escobar (and audio)
http://rt.com/op-edge/273289-brics-summit-putin-russia/
"As austerity-ravaged Europe watches its undemocratic 'institutions' grapple with the Greek tragedy, and the US back-tracks on a fair nuclear deal with Iran, geopolitical tectonic plates are shifting in the Urals.
Forget about the dead on arrival G7. This - the joint BRICS/SCO summit - is the real deal..."
