Political Theory

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

Clayton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:04:02 GMT

John Ess:

Putin is more into Judo.

True. Judo is Jiu-Jutsu, though... it's essentially Jigoro Kano's distillation of Jiu-Jutsu into what he believed to be a more practical form; it's easier to practice without injury, thereby creating greater opportunity to perform the techniques in sparring sessions. I took Judo for a few months about two years back... I need to get back into it.

Clayton -

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

John Ess — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:09:43 GMT

Putin is more into Judo.

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

AJ — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:07:23 GMT

ClaytonB:

Pics:

Thought you were joking because this looks blank in Firefox. So I tried it in Chrome. Wow, Russia's got spunk!

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

AndrewR — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:41:23 GMT

Just the other day Lew Rockwell linked to an article by a Russian guy who was debunking global warming in favour of 'a new ice age'. He's probably on to something, but geological time means we'll not see the effects anyway.

As for Russia Today, I occasionally watch it. The programmes are usually fairly inoffensive cultural/science documentaries punctuated by news reports that try to cover all sides of an issue – even if it emphasises the Russian perspective more (can you honestly blame them?). In fact, RT offers a fascinating insight into the modern Russia as is. And from what I read, RT is only 'sponsored' by the Russian government. The Kremlin doesn't exert complete editorial control, so they say. And RT generally seems to avoid taking overt political stances in the news segments and doesn't focus on them outside of that.

I suspect those ads are more to with being 'edgy' and eyecatching than pushing some subliminal political message, though.

The BBC, alternately, is absolutely atrocious and carries lots of paternalistic, sanctimonious and 'trendy-lefty' (British term for 'champaign socialist') programming. It is also populated by proudly self-identified Marxists. It represents the worst of British self-loathing. Most frightening of all, let's not forget, it's the only TV channel I know of that can put you in jail for not paying a 'licence fee'…

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

Solredime — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:40:06 GMT

Russia's main TV channels have been presenting scientists who debunk global warming for years now. It's quite impressive actually.

A few months ago I was watching a program about the gold standard in russia, and the history of how communists destroyed it. It then went on to say how the dollar is going to collapse sooner or later, and how the only alternative is a gold backed currency... I was impressed. Even if the Russian government is doing this just as propaganda against America, and doesn't intend to actually go through with any of this (I doubt they will), it's still impressive to have the major channels offer this kind of programming at mainstream times accessible to everyone.

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

scineram — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:18:34 GMT

Marko:
RT is funded by the Russian government directly. Like the BBC in Britain for example.

At least BBC produces some great stuff. No idea about RT.

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

Clayton — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:30:49 GMT

Marko:

RT is funded by the Russian government directly. Like the BBC in Britain for example.

There you go. Thanks.

Pics:

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

Marko — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:23:36 GMT

ClaytonB:

Check out these ads from Russia Today. I don't know how plugged in RT is to the Russian political machine but if the relationship between RT and Moscow is anything like the relationship between US media and Washington, what they print says something about Moscow's policies.

RT is funded by the Russian government directly. Like the BBC in Britain for example.

Re: Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

AJ — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:15:52 GMT

Can't see pics. Post 'em here?

Russia ... political jiu-jutsu master?

Clayton — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:08:36 GMT

Check out these ads from Russia Today. I don't know how plugged in RT is to the Russian political machine but if the relationship between RT and Moscow is anything like the relationship between US media and Washington, what they print says something about Moscow's policies.

It's informative that US airports won't permit these ads to be shown (US gov't "privatising" censorship?). But even more interesting is the larger shift of weight between Russia and the US, assuming these ads reflect sentiments that are widespread within Russia and/or describe the political strategy of Moscow vis-a-vis Washington. Specifically, consider the Climatic Research Unit emails... all on a sudden, these emails get published by an "anonymous" source who happened to "hack in" to the CRU. No evidence that the CRU was actually hacked has been presented, to my knowledge. Moscow is a much more likely "hacker" than some lone wolf script kiddie. Ask yourself, what does Moscow stand to gain/lose from a global tax? They have nothing to gain, that I can see. The Washington/EU orbital system would be the primary beneficiary. Of course, they have plenty to lose (sovereign nations who are not at the center of the global government scheme will be net losers under a global tax, look at the Federal government versus the state governments in the US).

The "role reversal" between Moscow and Washington is fascinating.

Clayton -