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Author Mary Cronk Farrell
Let Freedom Ring! How one song reveals 250 years of America's fight for liberty & justice
Today, please welcome Author Claire Rudolf Murphy. I invited her to tell you about her new book which combines her love of music with her passion for freedom and justice for all people. Claire...
When my dear friend Mary asked me to post on the Fourth of July I thought about the courage of the many Americans featured in my new book MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE: HOW ONE SONG REVEALS THE HISTORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS, illustrated by Bryan Collier.
They lived out courage as they stood up for equal rights, using protest verses to the famous melody to plea for their cause.
The courage of women in the 18th, and even 19th centuries, who wrote anonymous verses published in newspapers, demanding liberty for all Americans, not just white land-owning males. They knew if discovered they could be beaten, even divorced by their husbands or fathers for speaking out.
Two hundred years of courageous slaves who ran away, facing possible death on their quest to freedom.
The soldiers in the Revolutionary, Civil and all our many wars who had the courage to face guns to protect all our freedoms and the women and children who kept the home fires burning.
The decades of labor protestors, men, women and children, with the courage to march and picket for better wages and working conditions, at cost to their jobs and safety of their families.
The courage of the suffragists who marched in front of the White House, demanding the right to vote. When arrested, they almost died in prison and those that stayed home but almost lost their children, their husbands, their security.
The courage of Native American activists like Zitkala-Sa who lived on this land first, but were treated like second-class citizens and sent to reservations until allowed to become American citizens in 1925.
The courage of opera singer Marian Anderson who stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 and performed for 75, 000 people when the Daughters of the American Revolutions wouldn't allow her to sing inside Constitution Hall because of the color her skin.
The courage of Martin Luther King, Jr. who kept speaking out, over and over, even though he knew his life was in danger. When he spoke at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, his voice carrying across the crowds, "Let freedom ring, let freedom ring, let freedom ring."
Our moments of courage may not be as brave or big as though above, but I believe that to be a citizen means to live with courage, allowing every American the right to speak and live in safety. Fifty years ago the Freedom Summer volunteers, black and white, had courage while registering voters in Mississippi. They risked it all so "freedom could ring."
Talking about my new book and encouraging teachers to get their students to write new verses to this famous song may not be courageous. But these new verses give me hope that the next generation will "let freedom ring."
Spokane teacher Patty Driscoll's 5th and 6th graders wrote this new verse with the help of their music teacher:
My country 'tis of thee
Let us be bully-free
No teasing found.
We are not all the same
Stop causing all their pain
Differences are not to blame
Freedom all around.
Claire invites classes and individual students to write new lyrics for a cause they believe in. Check out Claire's website for contest details.
Winners will be posted on Claire's website and become eligible to win a book or poster of Aretha Franklin singing at President Obama's inauguration. The contest is open September 1 - October 30th, 2014. Enter here...
In parting, Claire says, Sing one of your favorite patriotic songs this day. Let freedom ring.
Sounds like a great way to celebrate! Thanks, Claire.
I'm an award-winning author of Children's/YA books and former journalist with a passion for stories about people facing adversity with courage.
My books have been named Notable Social Studies Book for Young People, SPUR Award for Best Juvenile Fiction about the American West, Bank Street College List of Best Children's Books, and NY Public Library Best Books for Teens. My journalistic work has received numerous awards for excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists and two Emmy nominations.
Dealing With Demons
Eat Drink & Be Mary
Getkidzlit


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Ideal accommodation for families with chlidren: 2×bedrooms, room with double bed and room with truckle bed, dining room, kitchen, bathroom with hydromassage bath tub and steam bath, 1. terrace cca. 9 m², 2. terrace cca. 6 m2, air conditioner, heating, TV + SAT, radio, Hi - fi, linen and towels change evrey 7 days.
Additional offer - meeting and transfer in case of arriving by bus (15 €) or plane (30 €).
Puntamika is a small peninsula with numerous modern villas and apartments, situated just 3 km to the north of centar of Zadar, and it is an ideal destination for tourists looking for quiet in a little place of a gentle and friendly atmosphere. Zadar is a town of long and rich history with full of cultural monuments, lots of churches an museums.
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20 - 30% booking payment via bank transfer.
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Earth-15513, Battleworld (Latverion), Locations
Westchester (Battleworld)
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Westchester County. (Discuss)
Battleworld (Latverion)
X-Men '92 Infinite Comic #1
Westchester is one of the domains of Battleworld. Its Baron is Robert Kelly. This is the territory where the remnants of Earth-92131 were recreated by God Emperor Doom.
At some point in the past, during the conflict known as the Westchester War, Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants declared war on humanity. The X-Men stopped them, and helped humanity realize not every mutant was a threat. Magneto died after years of fighting, leading an abundance of violent and uncontrolled mutants. The Westchester Treaty led to the creation of the Bureau of Super-Powers, an agency directed by Cassandra Nova, who established Clear Mountain Institute as a center for rehabilitation of mutants.[1]
In reality, Cassandra Nova was the Shadow King, who escaped from the Astral Plane and used a member of a gang as a vessel to find the ruins of Apocalypse's lab, where he discovered a female clone body of Professor X in a stasis tube. When the Shadow King started inhabited the cloned body,[2] the telephatic abilities let him sense the millions of souls in Battleworld, specially those of the mutants from other domains, such as the Monarchy of M, the Domain of Apocalypse, and the Sentinel Territories. The Shadow King realized that in comparison to those other domains, Westchester was a fragile paradise, and set out to ensure its survival by any means. Using the cloned body of Professor X, the Shadow King became Cassandra Nova, and used his new identity to become a politician and establish the Bureau of Super-Powers.[3]
At the Clear Mountain, Cassandra Nova used a form of psychotherapy called the "Mind Field" to brainwash those mutants who arrived to the institute and force them to live in harmony.[2] After defending themselves from an attack of renegade Free Range Sentinels, the X-Men found out about the Clear Mountain Project from Baron Kelly. The team decided to investigate and paid the institute a visit. After the tour, Cassandra Nova tricked them into trying the Mind Field, trapping them in a telepathically-created landscape. When Professor X decided to check on his X-Men by using the Astral Plane, the Shadow King detected him and attacked him, leaving him for dead.[2]
While Nova used the Mind Field to test the X-Men, the X-Force arrived to the X-Mansion, having heed a telephatic call for help sent by Xavier before being attacked by Nova, and found his body.[4] Psylocke discovered the Professor wasn't dead, and stayed at the Mansion, purifying his mind from Nova's infection while the rest of the team teleported to Clear Mountain Institute and attacked the building. Psylocke also used the traces of Nova's psychic energy to enter her mind field, where she rescued Cyclops and Jean Grey, whom Nova forced to tap into her Phoenix form. Professor X was finally able to regain consciousness, and informed Betsy that during Nova's attack in the Astral Plane, he was able to see into her plan and its next step, to assassinate Baron Kelly.[5]
Psylocke and Professor X infiltrated the X-Museum to alert Kelly soon after the inauguration of a new exhibit. However, the Bureau of Super-Powers used news of the assault of the X-Force on Clear Mountain to make the X-Men appear to be the villains. Meanwhile, Storm was able to reach to her powers beyond the Mind Field and free herself, Scott and Jean from its grasp, joining the confrontation against Cassandra Nova and her brainwashed X-Men, composed of Gambit, Rogue and Wolverine. Back to the X-Museum, Professor X and Psylocke are being taken into custody when the Ten-Sentinel created to kill Kelly was unleashed to fulfill its purpose.[6]
Cable's X-Force took Kelly to safety while the X-Men and some of the mutants from Clear Mountain, who had been freed from Nova's control, tackle the Ten-Sentinel. While Kelly was being transported to the Blackbird, Cassandra Nova intercepted him. Jean Grey tried to defeat her by channeling the Phoenix Force, but failed. Professor X appeared on the scene, where he unleashed the Onslaught for a final confrontation against the Shadow King.[7]
While the Shadow King proved to be a strong opponent, Jean Grey, Cable, and Psylocke shared their power with Professor X. Meanwhile, Cassandra Nova, now freed from the Shadow King's possession, revealed a way to shut down the Ten-Sentinel, to use a laser beam to deliver shutdown codes to the giant machine. Gambit provided Jubilee with an opening to use a laser gun and shoot the Ten-Sentinel, successfully overriding its previous protocols and shutting it down. In the Astral Plane, Professor X was able to subdue the Shadow King and send him far away.
A few days after the events at the X-Museum, the Xavier school re-opened, with an ever-increasing number of new students, most of them who had been patients at the Clear Mountain Insitute. Cyclops and Jean Grey left for a vacation, leaving Storm the reins of the team. Cassandra Nova, who had fled from the battle against the Sentinel, was under the radar, and encountered Joseph in a cafe. And somewhere else, Baron Kelly met with his secret allies, Apocalypse and his Horsemen of Apocalypse, who were willing to share their evil plans for Westchester.[8]
At some point, following her consecutive failed attempts to make the population of Battleworld submit to Doom, Mill-E the Model Citizen was given one more chance to accomplish her mission by the Council of Doombots, however, she failed yet again. Furious, Doombot Prime took control of her body and attacked Westchester's inhabitants. Soon afterwards, Mill-E was sent over the Shield to work in the Deadlands as her punishment.[9]
Clear Mountain Institute
New Salem Mall
X-Mansion
X-Museum
Baron Robert Kelly
Professor X (Charles Xavier)
Cyclops (Scott Summers)
Jubilee (Jubes Lee)
Storm (Ororo Munroe)
Beast (Hank McCoy)
Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)
White Queen (Emma Frost)
Mystique (Raven Darkholme)
Sabretooth (Graydon Creed, Sr.)
Blob (Fred Dukes)
Avalanche (Dominikos Petrakis)
Pyro (St. John Allerdyce)
Toad (Mortimer Toynbee)
Juggernaut (Cain Marko)
Mesmero (Vincent)
Cable (Nathan Summers)
Archangel (Warren Worthington III)
Psylocke (Elizabeth Braddock)
Domino (Neena Thurman)
Rej-X
Artie Maddicks
Feral (Maria Callasantos)
Sauron (Karl Lykos)
Maggott (Japheth)
Chamber (Jono Starsmore)
Multiple Man (James Madrox)
Iceman (Bobby Drake)
Frenzy (Joanna Cargill)
Havok (Alex Summers)
Boom-Boom (Tabitha Smith)
Polaris (Lorna Dane)
Firestar (Angel Jones)
Fabian Cortez
9 Appearances of Westchester (Battleworld)
2 Minor Appearances of Westchester (Battleworld)
0 Media Westchester (Battleworld) was Mentioned in
Location Gallery: Westchester (Battleworld)
5 Images related to Westchester (Battleworld)
↑ X-Men '92 Infinite Comic #1
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 X-Men '92 Infinite Comic #2
↑ Secret Wars Journal #5
Retrieved from "https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Westchester_(Battleworld)?oldid=4417340"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Schedules for testing individual students and small groups can be downloaded below.
Names of specific students and testing days are included but not specific times.
Actual testing times will have to be flexible to accommodate the number of students.
How will we assess what they know?
What will we do if they haven't learned it?
What will we do if they have mastered it?
I've asked Ken to pop into PLCs with me to provide us with some feedback.


Historic preservation and the pursuit of alternative energy are both well-intentioned movements in society. However, not everyone agrees that both can happen in the Kaa Ahupuaa.
In 2008, landowner Castle & Cooke Resorts LLC was permitted to build a 170-turbine, 400-megawatt wind farm in the ahupuaa. Community group Friends of Lanai is against the project. "It is irreparable damage to such a beautiful place in return for very little for our community," says Robin Kaye. The construction of the turbines, roads and power facilities would significantly alter the landscape, and all of the power generated would go to Oahu. The only benefit to Lanai would be a handful of permanent jobs, he says.
In 2009, after public input, the Public Utilities Commission decided to reexamine the project and separate the wind farm from the undersea cable that would shuttle the energy from Lanai to Oahu, which started the whole EIS process again for the Lanai wind project. Harry Saunders, executive vice president of Castle & Cooke, says that, as of now, the revised proposal is to build a 200-megawatt wind farm with a 6,000-acre, 56-turbine array.
There are still opportunities to strike a balance between the competing interests of historic preservation and sourcing alternative energy, though it doesn't seem that the project will be stopped altogether.
"We listen to community concerns," says Saunders, pointing to previous projects on Lanai. "We've built hotels on lands that had cultural sensitivities, and cut portions out to preserve [these] areas." The company has publicly promised to give access to sportsman and visitors and touts a more comprehensive cultural survey in the works, a survey, he says, that would never have been done if not for this project.


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Everyday Health Emotional Health Schizophrenia
Can Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia?
Expert answers to top questions about pot and potential risks for psychosis.
By Becky Upham
Medically Reviewed by Allison Young, MD
6 Factors That May Increase Suicide Risk
The Power of Massage
Are the mental health risks for marijuana use overblown?
Marijuana use has become increasingly more accepted in the United States, as people in several states voted to override the law of the land and legalize the drug for recreational or medical purposes. It's the most commonly used illicit drug, and the most recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 22.2 million people have used pot in the last month.
What to Consider as Marijuana Becomes More Acceptable, More Available
The growing body of research about the medical uses of marijuana can make it possible to overlook the real risks that can also be associated with the drug. How marijuana should be regulated and used has strong advocates on both sides; it can be hard to find unbiased information about the benefits and risks.
Related: Why the Cleveland Clinic Will Not Recommend Medical Marijuana
The Truth About Using Marijuana, CBD, and Your Health
It's important to have balanced discussions about marijuana and not just hear the two extreme points of view, says J. Michael Bostwick, MD, a psychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "There can be one side saying, 'It's fabulous, it's wonderful, and everyone should be using it,' and the other saying, 'It's a drug of the devil and no one should ever be doing it,'" he says. Consider the source when you read or hear anything about the good or bad of marijuana, he suggests.
While some short- and long-term health risks of pot have been established, there are many unanswered questions about the connection between marijuana and schizophrenia. Here we answer the top questions you may have about what the risks might be, as well as what experts still don't know for certain.
Related: CBD Is Everywhere, But How Do I Know What's Safe?
Can Marijuana Cause Psychosis?
Yes, it's been shown that marijuana can cause psychosis, says David Streem, MD, a psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. "Regular cannabis users suffer double the risk of developing psychosis, from 0.07 to 0.14 percent. It's one of the few consistent findings in recent cannabis research," says Dr. Streem, referencing results from research published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry.
The Definition and Meaning of Psychosis
Psychosis is a symptom of schizophrenia and can include delusions and hallucinations. A person in a psychotic episode may experience depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, social withdrawal, and difficulty functioning, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The risk for psychosis is likely to increase as the potency of THC in cannabis increases, says Streem.
Marijuana Is Much More Potent Compared With 20 Years Ago
THC, which stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the major psychoactive component of the marijuana plant and causes the euphoria or "high" that many people feel after using the drug. According to research published in April 2016 in the journal Biological Psychiatry, the level of THC has tripled, rising from approximately 4 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2014, making the effects of pot much stronger.
Does a Heavy Marijuana User Have an Increased Chance of Developing Schizophrenia?
It's hard say with certainty that marijuana use directly leads to schizophrenia because of the limitations of the research; it doesn't look at causation, but rather association, says Dr. Bostwick.
The Difference Between Causation and Association in Scientific Research
Association is established when you take a large population of people with a condition and then look at various things that they might have done, he says. When you identify a certain behavior, then you can begin to figure out if that behavior is associated with a greater likelihood of that person developing the condition, having the condition, or having the condition more intensely, says Bostwick. Marijuana use is associated with schizophrenia, but researchers can't prove direct causation.
Using Marijuana Has Been Linked to Psychiatric Disorders
There is evidence that links marijuana use with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, says Streem. "A 2002 study found the more marijuana an adult consumed, the higher their risk of developing schizophrenia. The authors concluded that 13 percent of the schizophrenia cases in their cohort could be attributed to smoking cannabis," he says, referencing research published in the journal BMJ.
Another study, published in the journal Schizophrenia Bulletin, showed that patients who use cannabis regularly and experience a first episode of psychosis could improve their prognosis if they quit using cannabis, states Streem.
Can a Person's Genetics Influence the Risks Related to Marijuana Use and Schizophrenia?
Research published in January 2014 in the journal Schizophrenia Research looked at marijuana users with and without a family history of schizophrenia and compared them with users and non-users of the drug without a family history.
Data Suggests Some People May Be Especially at Risk for Schizophrenia
They found an increased risk of developing schizophrenia for the people with a family history of the condition, regardless of whether they had used pot. Researchers concluded that marijuana doesn't cause schizophrenia by itself, but it may initiate the onset of the disease in a genetically predisposed person.
"If you have psychotic illness in your family then you might want to be especially careful," says Bostwick. "If you have a tendency to the illness yourself, using marijuana could bring the illness out sooner and more intensely," he says.
Does Marijuana Impact the Same Part of the Brain That Relates to Schizophrenia?
Cannabis causes massive releases of many neurochemicals, which makes it very difficult to know what all the effects may be, says Streem.
Bostwick agrees that there are too many unknowns, both in the disease as well as the drug effects, to be able to pinpoint the chemicals or part of the brain affected, or to make this assertion.
Considering the Links and Risks When There Are So Many Unknown Facts
One way to think about the relationship between schizophrenia and marijuana use is to look at the symptoms or behaviors of each, he says. "If you already have a tendency toward psychosis or paranoia due to one illness and then you start using a substance that has a tendency toward psychosis or paranoia on top of that, then you have a double effect thing going on," he says.
Are the Risks of Marijuana Use Significant Enough to Warrant a Government Warning?
Currently the states are not aligned with the federal government, and are setting up their own rules — and every state is different, notes Bostwick. "The federal government still contends that marijuana is a schedule 1 drug with no medical uses," he points out.
"It's difficult when you're talking about an illegal substance. How do you warn people that marijuana is dangerous? Because by definition, presumably it is dangerous; that's why it was made illegal in the first place," says Bostwick.
Streem believes there is enough evidence to issue a health warning, though he concedes that because marijuana is still an illegal drug in the eyes of the federal government, it would make a federally mandated warning "difficult but not impossible."
Are There Other Drugs That Increase the Risk of Schizophrenia or Other Mental Disorders?
"Synthetic cannabinoids, like K2, as well as the drugs involved in the 'bath salts' crisis a few years ago can both cause delusions and hallucinations that sometimes don't resolve completely," notes Streem.
Research published in June 2018 in the journal Frontiers of Public Health reported that chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with serious psychiatric and medical conditions and even death.
"Bath salts" are synthetic cathinones, a human-made stimulant that's chemically related to cathinone, which is found in the khat plant and native to East Africa and southern Arabia. The human-made version is much stronger and can be very dangerous, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Side effects can include paranoia, hallucinations, excited delirium, extreme agitation, and violent behavior.
The Latest in Schizophrenia
What Is Schizoaffective Disorder?
With treatment, many people with schizophrenia live relatively normal lives.
Schizophrenia Symptoms and Diagnosis
Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions, and other unusual behaviors.
Schizophrenia Resource Center
The following is a selective list of online resources to provide information, support, and searchable databases for people with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia Affects Brain's Communication Network
Finding may help spur new research.
Scientists Uncover Clues to Origins of Schizophrenia
Analysis found gene variant prompts too much 'pruning' in brain during teen years.
Study Sees Talk Therapy Benefits in Treating Schizophrenia
Patients did better when treatment included a large dose of psychotherapy.
Brain Inflammation May Be Linked to Schizophrenia
Findings raise possibility of testing, early treatment, researchers say.
Brain Scans May Take Guesswork Out of Schizophrenia Treatment
Goal is to help physicians make better drug choices for psychotic patients.
Scientists May Have Found 'Marker' for Schizophrenia
Brain changes exist before mental illness is diagnosed, researchers say.
How Writing About Schizophrenia Led to Hope and Recovery
After a schizophrenia diagnosis, James Hickman felt like an outsider. But volunteer work helped him find his life's passion again.
Researchers Evaluate Blood Test for Psychosis
Study provides insight into schizophrenia.
Surviving Schizophrenia
Professor Elyn Saks says she might easily have ended up on the streets or in prison, like so many other people with schizophrenia. She explains why he...
Getting People With Schizophrenia to Accept Help
About half of people with schizophrenia don't believe they are ill and don't want treatment.
Why Is Schizophrenia So Hard to Treat?
Dr. Robert Cotes says doctors understand much more about schizophrenia than they did a decade ago, but that has not translated into better outcomes.
What Are Delusions? – Dr. Sanjay Gupta Asks a Psychiatrist Specializing in Schizophrenia
Delusions and hallucinations are hallmarks of schizophrenia. But what is a person with the disease really experiencing?
What Is Schizophreniform Disorder?
For many, the mental health disorder called schizophreniform disorder is the first step toward a schizophrenia diagnosis.
Psychotherapy May Be Effective Alternate Treatment for Schizophrenia
Cognitive behavioral therapy appears to help ease symptoms in patients who decline medication, study suggests.
Living With Schizophrenia: One Woman's Story
The stigma of schizophrenia is almost as hard to live with as the disease. Learn how one woman has gone beyond just coping to helping others with the ...


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text:
Proud Sponsor of the CNLA website
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association CNLA The Resource for Landscape Professionals
Benefits of Landscaping
The Resource for Landscape Professionals
Kevin Nauss, CLM
Landscape New Brunswick / Landscape PEI Representative
Price Landscaping Services
http://www.pricelandscaping.ca
info@pricelandscaping.ca
Kevin graduated from N.S.A.C with a diploma in Agriculture Technology and Agricultural Business. Kevin started with Price Contractors in March of 1990 as the Lawn Care Manager. In July of 2001, Kevin along with two other managers bought the company. In 2006 the company rebranded to Price Landscaping Services and built a new office and warehouse in Lutes Mountain, just outside of the Moncton city's limits. Kevin has served on the Provincial Board of directors for Landscape New Brunswick for 10 years from 2001 – 2011 holding positions as secretary treasurer, vice president, president and past president. In 2008 he attained Landscape Industry Certified - Manager. In December 2013, he was re-elected to the Board of Directors to serve as the provincial representative to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association's Board of Directors. Kevin presently sits on the Program Advisory Committee for the Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal and on the Board of Governors for New Brunswick Horticultural Training Institute. In early 2016, Kevin was promoted to the position of President and is the sole owner. He continues with his estimating and sales duties.
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Some credit and debit cards have a smart card built into them, so that payments can be used without swiping the card. View Cart Proceed to checkout. Compare with similar items. Amazon Music Stream millions of songs. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. This keyboard is great if smart cards are a necessity for the computing jobs that the computer it is attached to performs.
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Frisco TX, January 10, 2017 — Frisco Handyman has been selected for the 2016 Best Businesses of Frisco Award in the Contractors category by the Best Businesses of Frisco Award Program. This is the third time since 2014 that Frisco Handyman has been selected for this award.
Each year, the Best Businesses of Frisco Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Frisco, TX area a great place to live, work and play. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2016 Best Businesses of Frisco Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Best Businesses of Frisco Award Program and data provided by third parties.


text:
July 25, 2008 by dandelionsalad
The Russians Are Back by Gaither Stewart
by Gaither Stewart
(Rome) "With Russia it's always like that," writes contemporary Russia's most read author, Viktor Pelevin. "You admire it and you cry, but when you look at what you admire up close, it can make you vomit." That's Pelevin, and others of the young generation. A mixture of compassion and fury. The rage of a young Russian against the post-Communist society that missed the curve and stuck the country in a repugnant swamp. But it's also compassion for the Old Russia that he defends against superficial criticism and despite his violence he is solidary with its misery and its grandeur.
Strategically located at the crossroads of Eurasia, Russia's geographical position enhances its power and influence which again today extends over much of the planet. Its military-industrial complex equals that of America and besides it has the world's greatest natural gas reserves. America cannot afford to underestimate Russia on the basis of the economic collapse of the Soviet Union twenty years ago. Now Russia is back and is here to stay.
1. In the immediate post-World War II years American policy-makers agreed with defeated Germany that the United States had fought the wrong war. Until the last moment German generals had hoped that the Allies would allow Germany to surrender to the West and then fight the "real war" in the East, together. American generals too were hankering for the right war, and this time against Soviet Russia. Even "rusting arms too dreamed of wars," wrote the young German Wolfgang Borchert on his return from the Eastern front, (Verrostet träumen Waffen von Kriegen.) Now, together, shoulder-to-shoulder, Germans and Americans should fight the real enemy: the Russkies.
The common enemy for Americans and Germans alike was Communism and the USSR. When I say "Americans," of course, I mean the American ruling oligarchy, the US ruling class, not the masses, who, benighted for generations, are essentially propagandized by the corporate media to love or hate whomever or whatever such privileged class deems necessary to their strategic goals. Long before the war started, as is true for all class wars, some American political leaders (as well as British) began to consider WWII as a war against Communism not against Nazi Germany and sided with the Nazis against the Communists. According to one view of history, the war against Communism began with the German invasion of Russia in 1941 and ended in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. Germany and Japan had fought the first part of the war; from 1945 the USA took over. (Others, with ample justification, put the beginning of the war against Soviet communism to the formation of the first Soviet government in 1917, and the cordon sanitaire and military expeditions that followed.)
As many of our readers will recall, after the war America was so dependent on Nazi Intelligence—Gestapo, SS and Abwehr—for information about Russia that it built the new CIA around Hitler's intelligence chief in East Europe, General Reinhardt Gehlen. Gehlen had held intact Germany's spy network in the East and saved for the new times German intelligence documentation about the USSR. Gehlen sold his data to the USA and his organization produced propagandistic materials used to justify growing American intelligence budgets and at the same time sharpened US/USSR hostilities by a systematic exaggeration of the Soviet Communist menace. This soon bloomed into a cottage industry, in a fertile soil of extreme gullibility and vast pools of reactionary political agitation lodged at all levels of American society, from academia to back country hillbillies.
So what is this thing about Russia anyway? The Russian "threat" that provokes intervention? Like Napoleon and Hitler, also America's two-gunned General Patton had the dream of a triumphal march straight to Moscow. Nach Moskau! incited Gehlen. To Moscow! echoed Patton. Though Patton didn't get marching orders, for subsequent decades the United States followed Nazi policies in the East. Nazi war criminals and their collaborators in East Europe became America's allies and colleagues. Some were parachuted into the USSR. Others staffed US intelligence gathering organizations. Ex-Nazis were also sent to the USA and used to fuel anti-Communism. Film and literature has described how the Gehlen Org, aided by the USA, Vatican and Red Cross, set up postwar "rat lines," or "Operation Odessa", an escape route to save SS and Gestapo men from war crimes trials, changing their identities and sending them off by submarine to sanctuaries in Argentina and Paraguay and Chile to organize for the next round against Communism and Russia.
2. One can imagine that the hostility America bears toward Russia derives from something buried deep in America's puritanical chromosomal-genetic make-up. One has to wonder who these Russians are that America feels it has to encircle, circumscribe and contain, and dictate and preach to and look down on. Is it really only competition for world domination? Maybe it is also jealousy. Envy for Russia's still vast lands. For its great culture. Perhaps it is something Russia has that America lacks. The cynic would say that today it has to do with the great natural gas reserves in Siberia. However that may be, the source of the perceived Russian threat is a mystery.
We now know that the Cold War subtly deformed countless immature minds. Not only two generations or more of Americans were brainwashed and hoodwinked; a whole world was hoodwinked. Yet, despite the brainwash and the Cold War, despite what was instilled into our generation about Stalin and Communism gone wrong, there were people who loved Russia anyway. Some came to understand that Russia would always be Russia.
In his beautiful book, Dictionnaire Amoureux de la Russie, editions Plon, Paris, 2007, Dominique Fernandez describes the dance, la danse, as much more than a pastime in Russia. Speaking of the extraordinary ability of the world's greatest dancers, Nijinski and Nureyev, to levitate and hang suspended in the air for several instants, Fernandez writes, "It is a necessity of the (Russian) soul, impatient to break away from the weight of matter, the battle of the spirit against the body." This French writer and lover of Russia chose the dance as emblematic of the indomitable spirit of Russians to rise above normal human limitations, a national characteristic shown over and over again throughout Russian history. The Italian Slavist and poet, Angelo Maria Ripellino, hoped to compile a history of Russian letters based on the dance, a repetitious and obsessive theme in Russian literature: the dancing feet in Pushkin, the obscure leaps of Lermontov's characters, Blok's serpentine dances, Bely's mountebanks.
In a discussion of Russian's values, Fernandez writes, "For him food, money, vacations are necessities, not values. Books, theater, music, hikes in forests, gathering mushrooms, family solidarity, hospitality, voilà Russian values." The Soviet period did not undermine these basic values; it enhanced them. One important achievement of the Soviet system, Fernandez notes, was low prices for culture enjoyment. Culture in Russia has no relationship with wealth. Even people with low incomes fill theaters and opera houses, concert halls and museums still today. And the state lavished support on artists of all types, a fact recognized even by Nureyev at one point, despite his ostensible defection to the West, chiefly for career advancement reasons.
Paradoxically this people of the far north are mentally people of the South. Russians love especially Italy, and in their emotionality they often resemble them. Maybe because Russians also have a penchant for disorder, procrastination, inefficiency, qualities more than redeemed by their fantasy, poetry, nobility and confidence in life. In his book, La Tregua (The Truce. Abacus, London, 1987), Primo Levi, the great writer from Turin, describes his liberation from Auschwitz by Russian soldiers and the subsequent errant train voyage in the joyous chaos of Russian troops returning home from the war which first carried him north through Poland and Ukraine. Levi and the liberated Italians observed the Red Army soldiers homeward bound in a kind of "disorderly and multicolored biblical migration…." So what is their strength, Levi wondered? "It is an interior discipline born from the harmony, reciprocal love and love for their homeland; a discipline that triumphs—precisely because it is interior—over the mechanical and servile discipline of the Germans. It was easy to understand why they prevailed."
According to Primo Levi "even the Soviet bureaucracy was an obscure and gigantic force, not ill-disposed toward us (the Italian enemy) but only suspicious, negligent, ignorant, contradictory, and in fact blind like a force of nature…. The Soviet Union (at war's end) is a gigantic country that harbors in its heart gigantic ferments, among others, a Homeric faculty for joy and abandonment, a primordial vitality, a pagan talent, virgin, for manifestations, rejoicing, country fairs."
Both Fernandez and Levi mean that the characteristics of the Soviet era did not represent a dramatic rupture with Tsarist Russia. Now that enough time has passed and some minds are free of Cold War brainwash, we can see that the Soviet Union was ALSO the continuation of Tsarist Russia, only with a more "modern" state, that is the Communist state. Authoritarianism, Caesarism, bureaucracy, social inequalities and privileges, all enduring Russian realities, remained in the Soviet Union, albeit not in the same acute dimensions as under the Tsars, as they are today in the Capitalist Russia Pelevin depicts. Today as yesterday, and the day before, such traits belong to Russia, not to a specific political system.
Russians are used to suffering, especially from authority. But they lack in critical spirit (in this they are not exactly alone as witness whom we elect in the US and in Italy and France these days) and always have. Russians follow the rules only as much as they are forced to.
So is their obedience based on innate conformity? On resignation? Or is it laziness? Mental habits forged by authority? Dominguez writes that the positive traits remaining from the Communist system are gradually being erased today: austerity and moral dignity are ceding to the vulgarity of imports from the West. Still, degradation is slower than elsewhere because Russians have an exceptional force of both passivity and resistance. Maybe also because of the enormity of the country and the isolation of entire regions in the long winters thus far it has been saved from the fate of Prague, once one of the world's most beautiful cities, which the thirst for money has transformed into a tourist souk. The callousness of today's new Russia is predictably most visible in the big cities, especially in Moscow, now as yesterday a state within a state. Or maybe it is just the sensation of an emptiness left by the disappearance of the old eras.
Those qualities and characteristics of Russians, noted by non-Russians and Russians themselves, account for the feeling of the "differentness" of the Russian people and also for the Asiatic quality of Russian Communism. Communism elsewhere, Russia's philosopher Nicolas Berdyaev, rightfully predicted, would be less integrated than in Russia, more secular and less likely to try to take the place of religion … and most likely more bourgeois.
Bourgeois! The theme running through Russian letters reflects the people's instinctive hate for the bourgeoisie. The Anglo-Saxon worship of reserve and even dissimulation is distant from the Russian mentality. Reserve—as observed in Britain, for example–is considered a false social role. One reason for the initial success of the Bolsheviks around the world was their overt hate for the false bourgeoisie. Russians mistrust the surface of things. The raw and crude is more likely to be free of deception. Form is suspect. Form exhibits the lie while concealing the truth. Human greatness and a too well turned phrase are suspect. Systems ands rules are departures from the human. Russians prefer living life to playing roles. They live interiorly.
Despite the threats, America's hostility and the temptations of capitalist values, this northern people with a southern mentality and a capacity for levitation has returned. The Russians are back, and how!
3. Liberationism of East Europe became the theme of the so-called Free World after WWII. In that period, one said, the USA "stopped beating a dead Nazi horse." America convinced itself with its own propaganda that war with the USSR was inevitable. The atmosphere in rubble-infested Germany, a country of military uniforms and military vehicles everywhere, resembled the carefree spirit of wartime. It was as if the hot war had not really ended. Or it was just a hiatus, a pause while everyone rested up from the previous effort before the war would resume in earnest.
Ultimately the Soviet attempt to unify East Europe (mainly as a defensive buffer) failed. The geo-political future was again uncertain. After the break with Russia in 1989 the nations of former East Europe wondered whether the national states would return or were destined to pass from Russian domination into the hands of expansive Germany, into former Mitteleuropa. "Napoleon's victory over the Austrians at Ulm," the Germanist and historian Claudio Magris told me in an interview in Trieste in that same 1989, "was the victory of modern Europe of unification over the old Hapsburg-Danubian Europe of separate states, of the totalizer over the particular. Napoleon signified the modern fever for everything new; Austrian civilization instead defended the marginal, the secondary."
Hitler's defeat and the ultimate economic collapse of the USSR (chiefly as a result of being forced to join an arms race it could ill afford) continue to condition Europe today. Both events—as anticipated by American planners– strengthened American hegemony. Today the dilemma remains: unification and sameness in Europe or national states and the particular. People in the East want the material wealth of the West, they want it now, but like Dutch and French and Irish and Italians, also Poles and Czechs are cautious about surrendering their separateness, the particular. That is Europe's quandary: an economic super-state of multinationals or the particular and separateness.
While it re-gathered its forces after the collapse of the USSR, Russia remained silent, aloof and apart, a wounded animal, fearful of its future but preparing for its resurrection.
The reasons the USA joined in so gleefully in the bombing of Belgrade—a contemporary European capital—during the Balkan wars of the 1990s are now clear. Russia was the reason! Time lends transparency to historical events that are jumbled when they happen. Russia then was still defenseless. The USA could do as it liked in the world. Russia had lost many other lands during the watershed years from 1989. But it supported Serbia, the home of the Southern Slavs, Russia's brothers, and a nation which still, defiantly, refused to embrace the neocon siren song of unbridled capitalism as the solution to all social questions. Actually Serbs were hardly more cruel and criminal than Croats and Bosnians and Albanians in the widespread slaughter in disintegrating Yugoslavia of the 1990s. But USA-dominated NATO decided to bomb, with America in the role of chief executioner. It was determined to crush Serbia and detach from it the cradle of the Serbian state, Kosovo, destined to become another American vassal state and the host of one of America's biggest military bases in Europe. Thus, in 2007 Kosovo became another link in the chain of America's encirclement of Russia.
Old habits of containment of Great Russia are hard to break!
Yet some people understood that Russia was not the enemy. It was their enemy, the enemy of America's neo-liberal policymakers. Nor was Socialism the enemy. It was theirs, too. Sometimes events get out of control. They just seem to happen, caught up in the swirl of history. But still, we try to interpret and to understand. And then take a stand for or against. Understanding is like discovering a new world, like converting to a new faith. Revolt invades your life and everything is different from what it once was.
Since all of history, opaque and ambivalent, is open to revision, I have come to believe that Soviet Communism, including Stalinism will also be reassessed (fact is, it IS being reassessed). If we bother to look and truly see through the hype and brainwash, history is there to remind us that Stalinism and Soviet nationalism were also Russia's response to western encirclement and various forms of warfare since the Revolution. So Russia's reactions today are not surprising, as America continues to encircle it and push back its borders, with US-NATO military bases in Turkey, Iraq, Kosovo, Georgia, Italy, Germany, Poland and elsewhere, the infamous and useless missile shield, and is now trying to engulf Ukraine, something like New England to the United States.
4. The German nomad poet Rainer Maria Rilke called two places his home: Bohemia where he was born and the Russia he came to love. He spent years studying the language and Russian history and translating Dostoevsky and Chekhov into German. The Russia he knew was of before the Revolution that he did not support. Still, I understand the rootless poet's remark to Leonid Pasternak (the painter and father of Nobel writer and poet Boris Pasternak) concerning his love for Old Russia: "What do I owe Russia? It made me what I became … all my deepest roots are there …. But even if we don't live to see it at its resurrection, the profound, the real, the other surviving Russia has only fallen back on her secret system, as she did before, under the Tatar yoke; who could doubt that she is still there and is gathering her forces in that dark place, invisible to her own children, moving leisurely with her own slowness on to a possibly still-remote future?"
Recognition of that secret strength, appreciation of the Russian world outlook and the international aspect of the Russian Revolution are essential to understanding the revolution's success and grasping the significance of Soviet Communist Internationalism and the slogan Workers of the world unite. Lenin warned that without proletarian socialist revolutions in West Europe the Russian Revolution was doomed to defeat by capitalist counter-revolution. Originally Russian revolutionaries led by Trotsky and Lenin had no illusions that a revolution in Russia alone could succeed: permanent and international revolution was the key to victory. Trotsky and Lenin had to have in mind the world outlook inherent in Russians.
At the heart of Russian Communist Internationalism lies an age-old and very Russian idea: all-human brotherhood. I think no understanding of Russia and Russian Communism is possible without an awareness of that aspect. Actually Russians are Europeans too, except they are more cosmopolitan than most, certainly much more cosmopolitan than inward-looking Americans. Dostoevsky was the very embodiment of the Russian concept of all-human brotherhood (vsyechelovechnost). In fact, until the great wars of the Twentieth century nationalism was largely foreign to Russian mentality. Nicolas Berdyaev, existentialist thinker and prolific writer, who broke with Marxism and Bolshevism and left Russia for West Europe in 1922, wrote that Russian Communism was actually the transformation and deformation of the old Russian messianic idea of international brotherhood (not to be confused with America's religious missionary fixation!), and in that sense a reflection of the Russian religious mind. Even if history has demonstrated again and again that the Russian idea of universal brotherhood is utopian, Berdyaev insisted that Soviet Internationalism derived from that ancient, deep-seated Russian idea.
Communism and religion! The theme returns again and again. It must when speaking of Russia! The cornerstone of Russian ethics was traditionally charity, which Russians do not confuse with justice as in Anglo-Saxon ethics. In Russian eschatology Christ's return at the end of all things is not a judgment but the fulfillment of the world to come—the new, third world. Traditionally Russians sought personal salvation in repentance and a moral life in which the dominant ethical attitude was charity and the brotherhood of all men.
Russia's major poet after Pushkin, Aleksandr Blok, wrote his greatest poem, Dvenadtsat' (The Twelve, 1918) about the Russian Revolution. In the first winter of Bolshevik Russia a band of twelve Red guardsmen, apostles of destruction (and renewal), march through the icy streets of Petrograd, looting and killing. They are led by a Christ figure, "crowned with a crown of snowflake pearls, / a flowery diadem of frost," who appears beneath a red flag. The poem sold some two million copies in three years, was on the Vatican index and was long banned in Fascist countries.
For the Russian masses, who welcomed the revolution, Communism as such was something Western, imposed upon the people's revolution by the Communist Party, which after years of chaos succeeded in disciplining and organizing in its elemental force the nihilistic masses. In the early years of the revolution there was a legend about Bolshevism and Communism: Bolshevism was the revolution of the Russian masses, "Communism", something foreign.
It has often been said that one reason for Bolshevism's success in harnessing the Revolution is that Russians are a people but not a nation. The author and religious thinker Vladimir Weidle in fact lamented the "dismaying abyss between upper-class culture and the culture of the people." The state symbolized by Orthodoxy and the double-headed eagle was always distant from the people, while their Tsar was a godlike "Little Father", a minor divinity to this unruly people. Stalin understood this well and became the hard and unyielding Vozhd-Leader and Little Father.
5. Europeanized Russians, the Westernizers in opposition to the Slavophiles, never had a love affair with the Russian people. Though the early generation of Marxist intellectuals, nearly all Westernizers, considered the masses an obstacle to the new society they wanted to create, they nonetheless shared with the people a rejection of bourgeois Liberalism, a feeling for the boundlessness of the great land and an awareness of its majesty. Years earlier Tolstoy had reflected popular abhorrence for bourgeois Liberals: "I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means, except by getting off his back." Such thinking is naturally terrifying to bourgeois capitalism.
Soviet Communism in this sense came to resemble the Great Russian nationalism of the Tsars. Thus it was an easy and obligatory step for Soviet Russia to become something different than the original revolutionaries imagined. Nationalism! Resistance against foreign intervention. Socialism in one country. Naturally, this was also somewhat inevitable given the all-out hostility exhibited by the Western powers toward the new system.
Today one can also compare more clearly Soviet Russia and modern Russia. One suspects that beneath the cynicism of today's leaders and the greed of the new rich still beats another rhythm, a human Russian rhythm, generous and different from egotistic and self-seeking Europe. For the land is deep within Russian guts. Despite the capitalist corporatist stamp he has put on modern Russia, authoritarian Putin is still very Russian! Some things return, others remain intact—the renewed colors of the city of Moscow of two centuries ago—rose, red, yellow, blue, ochre … and the green roofs. Yet, something is still not right—there is a kind of uncertainty or risk in the air, the absence of the sense of security the Tsarist and Soviet states guaranteed. When considering Russia you have the feeling that anything can happen from one moment to the next. I think the uncertainty, again as in post-revolutionary Russia, has to do with American encirclement and Russians' concern that their government can handle it.
Some personal impressions of perestroika times as a journalist in Moscow reflect the spirit of this land that is easy to love. You feel magnified by the great Russian language all around you. You feel its dignity. A Russian once reminded me of the dichotomy of the Russian language—the simultaneous hope and the terror people speaking the language had caused in the world—on one hand the hope Communism offered the oppressed and the disillusionment of its tragic ultimate reality. Yet, you feel the differentness of Russia. You begin to grasp the Russian world outlook, an appreciation for the idea of Mother Russia and the facility of genuine patriotism for this enormous territory, which for Russians is a world. Though it is a truism that politics is everywhere primary, causes are often empty. Though Stalin proved—with plenty of help from the West's machnations, that utopia contains its own dystopia, sometimes today it seems it never took place. Yet only a short generation ago Russians still felt Stalin. His ghost still lived. Something in the air smacked of old times, Stalinist times and further back. You come to realize that not everything is the fault of one side or the other. One side was not all white and the other all black.
6. When you consider the encirclement of Russia today, the Ukrainian question returns. Ukraine is a potential threat to New Russia and its authoritarian corporatist model. Ukraine is a threat to US-Russian relations in general. Ukraine's apparent choice for the West in the State Department-abetted bourgeois "Orange Revolution" of 2004-2005 again sharpened the tensions between Russia and the West. How would economic success of a western-oriented, neo-liberal Ukraine affect Russians, leaders in Moscow wondered? What if the Russian people wanted to follow the Ukrainian example?
With fifty million inhabitants, Ukraine is the France of the East. Therefore, where Europe ends in the east is not just a rhetorical question: since 1991 Europe and the USA have steadily pushed the eastern borders right up to the frontiers of Russia. A weakened post-Soviet Russia was unable to stop that advance. Not only the ex-Soviet satellite countries in East Europe from Bulgaria to Poland changed sides, but also parts of the USSR itself, with their rightwing, nationalist segments reactivated—Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and Ukraine—turned toward West Europe.
But Ukraine is a different matter. Ukraine was the cradle of Russia, the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus. Western emotions about the new-old country of Ukraine are as confused as those of the Ukrainian people themselves, forever divided between East and West. They too are a big people with a desire to decide their own fate, a fate that has led them down disastrous paths in their long history. The major problem has been their two souls. Their eastern soul has held them close to their big brothers, the Great Russians; their western soul led desperate and rabid nationalists to close collaboration with Nazi Germany against Soviet Russia. Ukraine's western soul—the representation of re-energized upper-class interests– aspires to become part of capitalist Europe; its eastern soul prefers a privileged relationship with Russia.
In 2004 the "Orange Revolution" swept pro-western reformists into power in Ukraine. A year later the Kremlin's candidate won out in the country's first free parliamentary elections and became Prime Minister. The elections were the confirmation of the traditional division of the country between East and West. Ancient divisions stall all efforts at the formation of a unified nation.
Lying at the crossroads between Europe and Russia, Ukraine is marked by three powerful currents: the linguistic, historical, pro-Russian soul; the nostalgic, big nation, central planning, pro-Soviet soul; and a vaguely democratic, capitalist, neo-liberal pro-western soul. Yet, for many Russians and Ukrainians, the two peoples are nearly one and Ukrainians are often referred to as "Little Russians."
The rapid move westwards of big and powerful Ukraine justifiably alarmed Russia. In the 1990s, Ukraine contributed troops to "peacekeeping" operations in Kosovo. It sent troops to Iraq. For Moscow the Ukrainian announcement in May 2002 of its intention to seek membership in United Europe, NATO and WTO was the last straw.
Western Ukraine has close historical ties with Europe, particularly with Poland. Ukrainian nationalist sentiment has always been strongest in the westernmost parts of the country, which became part of Ukraine only when the Soviet Union expanded after World War II.
The Eastern Ukraine is a different story. During the 10th and 11th centuries Kievan Russia was the largest state in Europe, The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism. In the late 18th century, Russia absorbed Ukrainian territory. Following the collapse of Tsarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine had a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), before it was re-conquered and absorbed into the Soviet Union. A significant minority of the population of Ukraine are Russians or use Russian as their first language. Russian influence is particularly strong in the industrialized east of the country, where the Russian Orthodox religion is predominant.
The Ukrainian Republic was the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union after Russia itself. After independence in December 1991, Ukraine initiated privatization but resistance within the government itself blocked reforms. By 1999 industrial output fell to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Ukraine's dependence on Russia for energy supplies and the lack of structural reform make its economy vulnerable. Though the post-Communist era seemed closed, the change was illusory. The coalition government has its ups and downs, marked by disastrous economic policies, corruption and the gas war with Russia. At the same time, Russia remains Ukraine's largest trading partner and the East and South of the nation prefer Russia to the West. Ukraine's impulse toward the West has slowed. Though it cannot reasonably choose between the West and Russia because it assumes it needs both, in the contest between Russia on one hand and Europe-USA on the other, I believe Moscow in a fair battle will always win.
Russia had retreated from West Europe for fifty years. Now with its gas as a weapon its retreat has ended. Since much of Europe's economic future depends on Russia's gas, European efforts at "democratizing" Russia have stopped. Only friendly relations count. Europe can no longer push hard for Ukrainian "democracy." But America can and does. Pushy, abrasive, arrogant US foreign policy accounts for Ukraine's hesitancy. For Russia, a Ukraine in the camp of the USA would be like Canada suddenly taking control of New England, or Mexico taking over Texas.
America can flail and threaten and push and pull, but that will not stop Russians. They are back to stay.
European Union support for Ukraine's membership in the WTO and a show of respect for the democratic choice of the Ukrainian people ring friendly and cooperative—to western-oriented Ukrainians. To Russia and eastward-looking Ukrainians it sounds threatening, with an underlying note of economic blackmail. In reaction, Russia supports pro-Russian political leaders who threaten revolt by the eastern and southern parts of the Ukraine, while Russia can either cut off Ukraine's gas supply or raise its price.
Thus, the question of where the West ends and Russia begins is not unimportant for the rest of the world. Russia is again a global actor. Alongside India and China, Russia has assumed a protagonist role. Much of the empire is gone but Russia's aspirations—and raw power—remain. Today Russia, however reluctantly, is showing its muscles in a game of hazards and risks and maneuvers reminiscent of Cold War brinkmanship. Moscow has tried negotiating with Iran on the nuclear issue. It mediates with Hamas in Palestine.
A strong Russia worries Washington (not that difficult when we consider the US ruling class has responded in a notoriously thin-skinned and paranoid way to any "threats" to its overwhelming superiority), less so Europe. In fact, a strong Russia to counter uncontrollable American unilateralism appeals to much of the world: Cold War at low risk is better than America's hot war in Iraq or its nuclear threats launched at Iran, and who knows who else. On the other hand, a weak Russia is a danger for the world's balance of power. The disappearance of the USSR paved the way for "pre-emptive war America", its hands free to strike when and where it liked. America is never friendlier with Russia than when it is divided and poor, its economy in shambles, its empire dismantled.
Washington cannot control China or India. Nor in the end can it contain Russia.
7. Nonetheless the encirclement of Russia continues. Turkey is an old story, but last spring NATO's new ally, Bulgaria, agreed to host three US military bases for 2500 American troops, the first time in the 1325 years of its history that foreign troops are stationed in Bulgaria. The heart of the agreement is that American soldiers can be sent from Bulgaria to third countries without specific permission from Bulgaria. And now the Czech Republic has agreed to host missile shield sites. Less than principled ideological agreements, these are forms of diplomatic prostitution between opportunistic political bureaucrats representing eviscerated states and a Washington crew myopically bent on supremacy over its former foe at any cost.
Bulgaria and Czech Republic and Georgia and Kosovo as links in the chain around Russia are emblematic of the nearly incalculable extent of the U.S. global empire, all of which frightens and irritates Russia. According to the US Department of Defense there are seven hundred U.S. military locations in foreign countries; the true number is estimated at 1,000. According to the Department of Defense the USA has troops in 135 of the world's 192 countries. The Pentagon has even turned much of Italy into a gigantic strategic base, a permanent super-carrier in the underbelly of Europe. It is hard to know just how many troops are stationed abroad. Statistics vary of America's true military strength, as they vary for most powers. Secrecy rules. Officially the U.S. has about 1,500,000 troops, approximately 250,000 abroad. But the number of those abroad might be much higher because of secrecy. Nor do we know what kind of forces they are: regular troops, CIA troops or "beyond the law" special forces and mercenaries. And although such meddlesome power is certainly paid for with American treasury, it is by no means subject to democratic review and control. In fact, foreigners—including Russians—understand far better what we are up to around the world than Americans themselves.
Gaither Stewart, Senior Contributing Editor for Cyrano's Journal/tantmieux, is a novelist and journalist based in Italy. A longtime student of Russian culture he maintains particular interest in developments affecting Russia also after the overthrow of Communism. His essays and dispatches are read widely on many leading Internet venues. His collections of fiction, Icy Current Compulsive Course, To Be A Stranger and Once In Berlin are published by Wind River Press. (www.windriverpress.com). His recent novel, Asheville, is published by Wastelandrunes, (www.wastelandrunes.com).
Stewart-Gaither
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5 thoughts on "The Russians Are Back by Gaither Stewart"
Michael Kuznetsov | December 12, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Hello Joe and Tim,
Let's talk about the "Oppressed" Nations in the USSR.
Have you ever been, for instance, to the "oppressed" Georgia (Gruzia) in the Caucasus?
I myself have been there several times in the 1970s – 1980s.
In 1989 I happened to travel to the Georgian town of Poti by train. The rail road was laid along the beautiful Black Sea shores. We passengers enjoyed looking at the magnificent brine just a few yards from the right window of our sleeping car, while the left window provided us with a view of an endless row of two- or three-storeyed impressive palaces, each being surrounded with a huge orange orchard.
As I was travelling in that part of the country for the first time, I was surprised to see such a great number of small sanatoriums in a row along the seashores.
My more experienced fellow travellers told me that those were not sanatoriums, but private houses of common Georgian peasants.
I have never seen such luxurious two- or three-storeyed palaces anywhere in Russia to be in private possession of common peasants!
In fact, the Russian Empire, as well as its successor the Soviet Union, was a kind of a REVERTED EMPIRE.
In every normal empire the Centre sucks resources from the Colonies.
While in the USSR everything was vice versa – the "colonies" sucked resources from the center – the Russia proper.
Out of all the 16 Soviet Republics – Georgia (Gruzia) was the richest. The "Georgian" (Gruzin) was a code word for a "rich man" among Russians.
The Georgians used to sell us Russians their oranges at a price 10 times higher than cost. For example a kilo of Russian peasants' potatoes was usually sold at 20 kopecks (cents), while a kilo of Georgian oranges at 2 roubles (dollars), the cost of both products being approximately equal.
The living standard in Georgia was at least 4 – 5 times higher than that average in the Russian Soviet Socialist Republic (the core of the USSR).
Now that Georgia has "liberated" itself from the Russian "oppression" and become an independent state, we buy oranges from Morocco at a normal price, and the living level in Georgia has become 4 times lower than that in Russia nowadays.
Of course, oranges are a luxury and potatoes a basic staple diet. No doubt.
What I want to say is that the both products' prime cost was approximately equal, which means that while the Russian peasant had to spend as much time and efforts to grow, say, a tonne of potatoes, as his Georgian counterpart did so to grow a tonne of oranges, the latter appeared to be much more privileged regarding his income.
A few words about the inter-ethnical relations in the Soviet Union. I cannot remember any feeling of disdain for the minorities.
We Russians had never regarded the Georgians, Uzbeks, Tatars, and all the other non-Russian peoples living within our common country as our "slaves" or "captive nations". Never did we.
On the contrary, they had been privileged in this or that way. I know the Americans call a practice like that the "affirmative action".
Yes, I must admit that we Russians regarded the borderlands' autochthonal peoples as our "junior brothers" because they were unable to do all what we Russians could do, for example, to design, to build and to launch a spaceship, etc.
Yet, this attitude of ours to the non-Russians – as to our junior brothers – implied no contempt.
Simply put, it was an understanding of their abilities, a sober assessment of what can be entrusted to our junior brothers, and what not.
For example, a Uzbek shepherd was not expected to pilot a jet plane.
As simple as that, and nothing more.
Thus, I can safely assert that there was no racial hatred in the Soviet Union.
At least on our Russian side.
Next time I will tell you about GULAG.
Tim | November 24, 2008 at 11:20 AM
I enjoyed this piece in general but I have some major issues with some parts especially this line from the quote:
"over the mechanical and servile discipline of the Germans"
Anybody who is familiar with the German military of the period knows that the German troops were ANYTHING but mechanical and servile. Nor were the Russians. It was the British and American troops that were mechanical. German troops and officers were expected to take the initiative and be self sufficient, something that didn't enter American training until quite recently, and only in small doses.
Also, the USSR was an empire, like it or not. It was not a multicultural paradise. The Gulags were real, the oppression of minority states was real, and like Mr. Lemma said, why did they build walls to keep people IN?
America should have stayed out of the war, not participated on either side.
Joseph Lemma | October 15, 2008 at 7:13 AM
Having reviewed your site(s), being a student of the Eastern Front and recieving an advanced degree in Soviet Studies, I can appreciate the love you have for your country and the achievements of communism. After the liberation of Eastern Europe, why did they build walls to keep people in and shoot them when they tried to leave?
Respectfully, Joe
Michael Kuznetsov | September 2, 2008 at 6:11 AM
Dear Mr Stewart,
Being a 100 percent genuine Russian as I am, and having lived in Russia for all of my 58 years, I can safely undersign below EACH of your words in this magnificent article.
It is really amazing to see how thoroughly you have examined and how deeply you have understood the Russian Soul.
Yes, Russia will always be Russia, disregarding the changeable outer "wrapper" — either Tsarist, or Soviet, or post-Soviet ("Democratic").
God bless you and yours!
Michael Kuznetsov
http://www.russian-victories.ru/index.htm
epppie | July 26, 2008 at 1:45 PM
This is a fine piece. The US is powerful beyond imagination, and cynical beyond ethics, but naive.


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text:
But The Title…
I first saw the musical Urinetown back in 2004 at the Wilshire Theatre (now called the Saban Theatre). This was one of the first reviews I had written (I started my Livejournal back in February 2004, and this was May), and it was relatively terse. My opinion about the show then was: "Ignore the bad name, and go see Urinetown while you can. It is one of the funniest musicals I've seen in ages, with obvious parodies of other musicals, great acting, and one of the most satirical and sardonic books I've seen in ages." The good news is that, over 10 years later, the musical still holds the humor it held then. In the student-acted, faculty-directed production I saw last night at CSUN, the acting help up very well, despite the plethora of minor technical glitches.
For those that are unfamiliar with "Urinetown: The Musical" (Book by Greg Kotis (FB), Music by Mark Hollmann, and Lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis (FB)), you can find a detailed synopsis on the Wikipedia page. I won't repeat all the details; here's the executive summary: The central conceit of the show is that the world has been living over 20 years with a horrible drought. The situation has gotten so bad that a private company, "Urine Good Company", has engineered the situation to make it illegal to urinate or defecate in anything other than a public amenity. No private toilets. No peeing in the bushes. The amenities are not free: you must pay to pee. If you break the law, you get sent to the mythicial Urinetown … a place to which people go but never return from.
Our main characters in the show are Caldwell B. Cladwell who owns and operates UGC; his daughter Hope; Penelope Pennywise, who operates Public Amenity #9; Bobby Strong, her assistant custodian; Officer Lockstop, who enforces the law and narrates the story; and Little Sally, a street urchin. The story starts at the public amenity, and after the initial exposition, we see Bobby Strong's father get sent to Urinetown for peeing in the bushes because he didn't have the fee, and Bobby refused to give it to him. An encounter with Hope encourages Bobby to listen to his heart and rebel. He opens the urinal for all to pee free. There is a battle with UGC, and Bobby and the people take Hope hostage, while UGC and the cops cannot capture them due to incredibly slow choreography. The rebels want to kill the girl, but they are convinced to keep her alive for leverage. Cladwell offers to meet with Bobby and attempts to bribe him, but Bobby refuses and is sent to Urinetown. Little Sally hears Bobby's last words and tells the rebels and Hope. Hope goes on to lead the rebels to victory. They open all the urinals and get rid of the fee, but the water runs out and Hope eventually meets the same fate as her father. The world is revealed to be Urinetown. Oh, and the river is in you.
There are a lot of ways to look at this story. The surface story is a commentary on megacorporations as a power for good in the word — or, in reality, an opportunity for unchecked greed. As such, this become an allegory on rich vs. poor, and how the way in which the rich treat the poor can lead to rebellion. But it also points out that the poor may not be able to govern in a far-sighted way, and that short term reward is no substitute for long-term planning.
Yes, I guess it could mean that.
But to me, this musical tells a different story. It tells the same type of story that was later told by shows like "Drowsy Chaperone", "[title of show]" and the currently running "Something Rotten". Urinetown is (to me) a commentary on the theatrical form: its structure, its conventions, and the common theatrical tropes that evoke memories of other shows. This is consistent throughout Urinetown through the self-awareness that it is, indeed, a stage musical bound by illogical stage conventions (such as incredibly slow choreography, or the limitations of the ensemble size). It is also consistent through the references and parodies of other shows, such as the bottle dance at the top of Act II, the pastiche of West Side Story gang movements, the Les Misérables style mobs, the sudden choral numbers, the interjection of gospel, and the continual catchphrase of "Whaaaaat"?
But this type of show is not for everyone. You have to be open to its type of humor. You need to be able to suspend disbelief in the non-sensical plot, and just let the parody wash over you like a warm and golden shower. Oh, right, too soon.
This production of Urinetown was a product of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (FB) at CSUN's Theatre Arts Department. This means this was primarily a student production, with faculty direction. This production was directed by Kari Hayter (FB), who has directed numerous musicals production that we have seen at The Chance Theatre (FB) in Anaheim. She has also worked with students both as CSU Fullerton and CSU Northridge (CSUN, if you hadn't figured it out already). In fact, she directed the excellent Drowsy Chaperone that we saw on the VPAC (FB) stage earlier this year. I've commented many times that I sometimes have trouble seeing the contribution of the director, but here there were glimpses of how she molded the students into actors. This was evident heavily in the pre-show, where the actors wandered onto stage in costumes and just kept doing little activities in character. It was evident in the early-audience policing of cell-phones by Officers Lockstock and Barrel. It was also evident in the behavior of those characters in the background. Hayter (FB) also was a co-choreographer with Christopher M. Albrecht (FB), and the two worked together to provide good movement across the stage. Urinetown is actually a production that benefits a little from overacting and over-stylized movements; both serve to amplify the comedy in this case. Hayter and Albrecht recognized this and clearly worked with the cast to bring it out.
The cast itself was excellent, especially considering that this was a student cast. I'd like to single out Jessamyn Arnstein (FB)'s Little Sally for special notice. I've seen Jessamyn before in both Bat Boy and Drowsy; she was just a knockout here. Strong voice (even with the technical problems), strong performance, strong dance, strong interactions, strong characterization. She took what was clearly a fun satirical role and ran with it. Brava!
Also worthy of special highlight was Daniel Bellusci (FB)'s Cladwell B. Cladwell. We also saw Bellusci in Drowsy as the Man in Chair (when I noted he was the product of Nobel Middle School in the years after my daughter matriculated from that fine institution). Bellusci had an evil aura that was perfect for the role, and had a surprisingly strong singing voice. Again, he got the mannerisms and characterizations down pat (and reminded me of another Nobel actor, Quest Zeidler, all grown up). A great example of this was Cladwell's "Don't Be The Bunny" number.
Dahlia Yablon (FB) 's Hope Cladwell had just the right sense of spunk and verve for the role, and she had a lovely high singing voice that brought something special to their songs. Yablon spends much of the second act tied to a chair with a gag on her mouth, yet still succeeds in successfully singing and dancing.
John Bernos (FB)'s Bobby Strong was unfortunately plagued with a microphone that kept going in and out, and kept producing a load of static. He clearly had a great voice, but needed the extra amplification in a room of that size. His performance was strong (and continued in the vein of strong performances — we also saw him in Drowsy), and he captured the gung-ho nature of the character well. He played off of Yablon's Hope very well, as demonstrated in the number "Follow Your Heart", but also showed great comic timing in "Run Freedom Run".
One of the first characters we meet is Robert Collins/FB's Officer Lockstock. He captured the tone of the character just right, but needed just a tad more strength in the voice to bring out the satire. But that's really a minor quibble; I enjoyed his performance quite a bit. I discovered writing this up that Collins was Coalhouse Walker Jr. in a 2013 CSUN production of Ragtime. This shows he had the strength in the voice; my conclusion (therefore) is that he needed a bit more amplification. My only question regarding Collins is one of casting intent. Both Collin's Officer Lockstock and Robert Stroud/FB's Officer Barrel were black, and most of the other cast and ensemble (except for two ensemble members) were white or white-ish. I didn't know if this was a conscious decision of the director to make a commentary on all the recent police interactions between black and white, or if there was some other message. In the end, I decided that to think about that question was to overthink the question. I opted to accept the performance for what they were: very good, and fun. I'll note that Lockstock is one of the those roles that actually benefits from a bit of overplay, and I think Collins captured that overplay very well and had fun with the role. I loved his opening speech before the show started, but he needs to remind people not just to not take videos, but to turn off the devices during a show (in fact, to turn off anything that emits light).
The last of the major roles was Valerie Gould/FB's Penelope Pennywise. As she did with Mrs. Tottendale in Drowsy, Gould plays older comedy well. She had great over exaggerated mannerisms (in the manner of Three Penny Opera) and style, and played the humor very well. She also handled her one major number, "It's a Privilege to Pee", with aplomb. This number had a number of very high notes and odd timing; it was great to see her nail it.
As for the remainder of the cast, who had smaller named and ensemble roles, there are a few worthy of special note. Sarah Kline (FB)'s Josephine Strong shines in her few highlighted moments, and has a great singing voice. Matthew Kesner/FB was appropriately menacing when he was leading the mob in "Snuff That Girl". Robert Stroud/FB's Officer Barrel was a nice contrast to Collins' Lockstock (almost in a Kenan and Kel fashion). Rounding out the smaller roles and ensemble were: Lance Amann/FB [Mr. McQueen], William Goldstein/FB [Senator Fipp]; Robert Murray/FB [Old Man Strong], Josh Cooper/FB [Tiny Tom]; Kate Graham/FB [Little Becky Two Shoes], Ethan Barker/FB [Robby the Stockfish], Elliott Maynes/FB [Billy Boy Bill]; Lulu Mack/FB [Mrs. Millennium], Nia Bernstine (FB) [Ensemble], Hyungwoo Jang/FB [Ensemble], JayCee Porter/FB [Ensemble], Darian Ramirez/FB [Ensemble], Cade Stedman (FB) [Ensemble], and Jin Villanueva (FB) [Ensemble].
Music was provided by the Urinetown Town Band, under the direction of David Aks (FB). The band consisted of Leon Thomasian (FB) on Piano, Isaac Green (FB) on Bass, Joe Martone (FB) on Drums and Percussion, Sean Harrison (FB) on Saxophones and Clarinets, and Ryan Ruder/FB on Trombone and Euphonium. The band had a real good sound; this was especially noticeable if you hang around for the playout after the bows — the band is just smoking and having fun with the music.
Finally, we turn to the technical and production aspects. This is where this show had the most difficulties; but on the upside, it is also an area that is easy to correct. The scenic design by Christopher Scott Murillo (FB), assisted by Ilana Molina/FB, was mostly a series of scaffolds and structures, with a few drop down signs to suggest locations. The big problem was that the back door of the stage was open, esposing the backstage area. This was never used or incorporated into the design, and so served to distract. At minimum (i.e., if the door could not be closed), put a backdrop over it during the show. Another problematic area was sound, which was designed by Kenji Kang/FB, assisted by Sierra McDuffee/FB. Here the problem was less design, and more technical: the mics were extremely staticky, and kept going in and out during the production. Part of the sound designer's job is to teach the actors how to move without creating mic problems, and where to place the mic for best effect. Those are the two areas that need to be reexamined. Other than that, the sound was good — especially the background noises in the pre-opening. For the most part, the lighting design of Glen Howes/FB, assisted by Josh Legget/FB, worked well to establish the mood. I particularly liked the use of uplighting to create menace. However, the follow-spot requires a bit more work, as often it played catchup with the actors. The last of the problem areas related to the costumes designed by Paula Higgins (FB), assisted by Diego Arias/FB. Again, the problem wasn't in the costumes themselves (which were fine), but in the execution. In this case, it was execution with respect to the ensemble's quick changes: one actor came back in an early scene with the blouse puffing out of the zipper in the back of her skirt; in another ensemble number, a police officers blouse was visible through her unzipped zipper. These are distractions that just didn't need to be there. One positive credit goes to the Prop Masters, Taylor Anderson/FB and Eric White/FB for engineering quite a few clever props, including the bunny slippers and the Bobby Strong Memorial Mannekin used in Act II. Other significant technical/production credits (there are far too many to list and link all the crew members, supervisors, operators, etc.): Scott McKim/FB [Technical Director], Meg Imamoto (FB) [Production Manager], Corey Sorenson (FB) [Vocal Coach], Jihee Jenny Park/FB [Stage Manager]; Beth Kalish/FB [House Manager], Ah-Jeong Kim [Department Chair/Producer].
Urinetown: The Musical continues at CSUN through November 8, 2015. Tickets and information are available at (818) 677-2488. They are also available online ($20) through Ticketmaster and other outlets. They are not on Goldstar.
Ob. Disclaimer: I am not a trained theatre critic; I am, however, a regular theatre audience member. I've been attending live theatre in Los Angeles since 1972; I've been writing up my thoughts on theatre (and the shows I see) since 2004. I do not have theatre training (I'm a computer security specialist), but have learned a lot about theatre over my many years of attending theatre and talking to talented professionals. I pay for all my tickets unless otherwise noted. I am not compensated by anyone for doing these writeups in any way, shape, or form. I subscribe at three theatres: REP East (FB), The Colony Theatre (FB), and Cabrillo Music Theatre (FB). Through my theatre attendance I have made friends with cast, crew, and producers, but I do strive to not let those relationships color my writing (with one exception: when writing up children's production, I focus on the positive — one gains nothing except bad karma by raking a child over the coals). I believe in telling you about the shows I see to help you form your opinion; it is up to you to determine the weight you give my writeups.
Upcoming Shows: Sunday sees us out in Simi Valley for "The Addams Family" at the Simi Cultural Arts Center (Simi Actors Rep Theatre (FB)). The following weekend sees us back in Simi for the Nottingham Festival (FB) on November 7. We then go out to Perris for "A Day Out with Thomas" at Orange Empire Railway Museum (FB) on November 11 (I can't skip seeing my buddy Thomas and his friend Percy). The following week brings Deathtrap at REP East (FB) on November 14. The weekend before Thanksgiving I'm on my own. I picked up a postcard for "Timeshare" at Eclectic Theatre Company (FB) while at the Colony for Best of Enemies, and it sounded so interesting I booked a ticket for November 21. The last weekend of November is currently open. December brings "El Grande Circus de Coca-Cola" at The Colony Theatre (FB) the first weekend, followed by a mid-week stint as a producer, when we present The Nigerian Spam Scam Scam as the dinner entertainment at the Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC). December also has dates held for "The Bridges of Madison County" at the Ahmanson Theatre (FB) and "If/Then" at the Pantages (FB). As always, I'm keeping my eyes open for interesting productions mentioned on sites such as Bitter-Lemons, and Musicals in LA, as well as productions I see on Goldstar, LA Stage Tix, Plays411.
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