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Berezovskyanism in the USA
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 4:43 pm    Post subject: Berezovskyanism in the USA Reply with quote

http://isteve.blogspot.com/2013/03/berezovskyanism-in-usa.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Quote:
In the NYT, Masha Gessen, author of a biography of Vladimir Putin, summarizes a long interview with the late Boris Berezovsky:

Berezovsky�s account had some holes, but he stuck to it his entire life. Whatever his exaggerations or omissions, he played a significant role in Russia�s transition from Boris Yeltsin to Putin. What strikes me is that years later � and up until his death � he still thought it had been a brilliant idea.

Berezovsky claimed to have been the mastermind behind picking a man with no public face, a former K.G.B. agent, to succeed Yeltsin as the president of Russia. He also said it was his idea to manufacture an entire nonideological pseudo-political pseudo-movement to serve as the new president�s base of support. Berezovsky also had another brilliant idea, which to his regret Putin did not grasp: creating a fake two-party system, with Putin at the head of a socialist-democrat sort of party and Berezovsky leading a neoconservative one, or the other way around.

http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/25/till-death-berezovsky-defends-backing-putin/?

The joke is on us.
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akcrono



Joined: 11 Mar 2010

PostPosted: Wed Mar 27, 2013 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why is that?
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unz notes the similarities between American media and Pravda etc.

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/our-american-pravda/?print=1
Quote:

....

These three stories�the anthrax evidence, the McCain/POW revelations, and the Sibel Edmonds charges�are the sort of major expos�s that would surely be dominating the headlines of any country with a properly-functioning media. But almost no American has ever heard of them. Before the Internet broke the chokehold of our centralized flow of information, I would have remained just as ignorant myself, despite all the major newspapers and magazines I regularly read.

...

However, this material does conclusively establish something else, which has even greater significance. These dramatic, well-documented accounts have been ignored by our national media, rather than widely publicized. Whether this silence has been deliberate or is merely due to incompetence remains unclear, but the silence itself is proven fact.

A likely reason for this wall of uninterest on so many important issues is that the disasters involved are often bipartisan in nature, with both Democrats and Republicans being culpable and therefore equally eager to hide their mistakes. Perhaps in the famous words of Benjamin Franklin, they realize that they must all hang together or they will surely all hang separately.

We always ridicule the 98 percent voter support that dictatorships frequently achieve in their elections and plebiscites, yet perhaps those secret-ballot results may sometimes be approximately correct, produced by the sort of overwhelming media control that leads voters to assume there is no possible alternative to the existing regime. Is such an undemocratic situation really so different from that found in our own country, in which our two major parties agree on such a broad range of controversial issues and, being backed by total media dominance, routinely split 98 percent of the vote? A democracy may provide voters with a choice, but that choice is largely determined by the information citizens receive from their media.

Most of the Americans who elected Barack Obama in 2008 intended their vote as a total repudiation of the policies and personnel of the preceding George W. Bush administration. Yet once in office, Obama�s crucial selections�Robert Gates at Defense, Timothy Geither at Treasury, and Ben Bernake at the Federal Reserve�were all top Bush officials, and they seamlessly continued the unpopular financial bailouts and foreign wars begun by his predecessor, producing what amounted to a third Bush term.

Consider the fascinating perspective of the recently deceased Boris Berezovsky, once the most powerful of the Russian oligarchs and the puppet master behind President Boris Yeltsin during the late 1990s. After looting billions in national wealth and elevating Vladimir Putin to the presidency, he overreached himself and eventually went into exile. According to the New York Times, he had planned to transform Russia into a fake two-party state�one social-democratic and one neoconservative�in which heated public battles would be fought on divisive, symbolic issues, while behind the scenes both parties would actually be controlled by the same ruling elites. With the citizenry thus permanently divided and popular dissatisfaction safely channeled into meaningless dead-ends, Russia�s rulers could maintain unlimited wealth and power for themselves, with little threat to their reign. Given America�s history over the last couple of decades, perhaps we can guess where Berezovsky got his idea for such a clever political scheme.


A different post of his:

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/oops/?print=1

Quote:
...

I refer, of course, to the Harvard Spreadsheet Glitch [1], the discovery of a calculation error in the early 2010 research of celebrity-economists Kenneth Rogoff and Carmen Reinhart. The Rogoff-Reinhart findings had been cited by officials and international agencies throughout the world as proof of the devastating economic impact of accumulated national debt. As a result, most governments focused their Great Recession response on the need to minimize deficit spending and cut budgets rather than try to reduce unemployment via Keynesian pump-priming, which according to the study led to disaster. But Rogoff-Reinhardt had made an error in their calculation [2], so Oops! [3]

...

It appears that countries containing nearly a billion people were substantially affected by that widely promoted spreadsheet error, with trillions of dollars misdirected and probably many millions of citizens driven into deep unemployment and poverty. Given that prolonged economic stress significantly lowers life expectancy, the premature death toll from that defective Rogoff-Reinhart spreadsheet likely reaches far into the hundreds of thousands. Whichever drunken grad student typed in the wrong numbers has much to answer for, or perhaps we should just prosecute Bill Gates for selling a genocidal weapon such as Excel.

Now anyone can make a numerical mistake, and I have certainly made many in my own day, a source of permanent humiliation and guilt. But consider that none of our financial, media, or academic elites bothered checking or confirming those erroneous calculations based as they were upon publicly available data. Instead, they just endlessly trumpeted the results in news stories and speeches, once again manifestly confirming the total arrogant incompetence of those who rule our world.

The obvious reason for this ridiculous situation was that the Rogoff-Reinhart findings fit so perfectly well into the orthodox economic theories and perceived reality of established elite opinion that they were naturally assumed to be correct; if they had predicted something else, they surely would have been checked and rechecked and re-rechecked until even the slightest small error was found. Our academics and journalists believe certain things to be true, and simply tend to discard or ignore evidence that does not conform to that framework, while our politicians read whatever speech the teleprompter sets before them, just like the network newscasters they increasingly resemble. My impression is that the Brezhnevian Era of Soviet stagnation followed a similar pattern, though their politician-rulers were much far less photogenic and talkative.

What will be the negative consequences of this devastating discovery for the careers and credibility of Rogoff, Reinhart, and all their supportive colleagues and promoters? None whatsoever I expect. Once a few weeks or months have gone by, and more Chechen terrorism or celebrity scandals have washed away any lingering memories, then new and improved Rogoff-Reinhart economic predictions from their same Harvard spreadsheets will be just as widely distributed and believed as had been their previous ones, with the same economic pundits touting them in newspaper columns or cable television debates. The famous words of Talleyrand regarding the restored post-Napoleonic French Bourbon monarchs comes to mind: �They had learned nothing and forgotten nothing.�

Given our current national trajectory it wouldn�t much surprise me if a sufficiently irritated and immiserated citizenry will eventually consider applying a very Bourbon outcome to our ruling elites, dealing with them in the same late eighteenth century fashion as was visited upon roi, duc, and comte, with the process perhaps garnering astonishingly high ratings on national reality-television.


An insulated and totally unaccountable elite driving a nation into the ground while the citizens debate the fake issues (gay marriage etc) placed before them. Clear enough akcrono?
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Related:

http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-commends-jason-collins-coming-170155239.html

Quote:
WASHINGTON (AP) � The White House is commending NBA veteran Jason Collins for becoming the first active male player in the four major American professional sports to come out as gay.

White House spokesman Jay Carney called that decision courageous and says the White House supports Collins. He says he hopes the 34-year-old center's NBA colleagues will also offer support.

"We view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this country," Carney said.
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stilicho25



Joined: 05 Apr 2010

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Titus, how about Iceland? They took a different approach to the financial fraud, and while I have read some updates, I would like to hear your critique of what they have done, as they still seem to be in the social democrat camp, but have successfully thrown off their embryonic oligarchy.
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Iceland did a great job cleaning up but did not alter the system to prevent the next. They're the gold standard at this point.
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catman



Joined: 18 Jul 2004

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Titus wrote:
Related:

http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-commends-jason-collins-coming-170155239.html

Quote:
WASHINGTON (AP) � The White House is commending NBA veteran Jason Collins for becoming the first active male player in the four major American professional sports to come out as gay.

White House spokesman Jay Carney called that decision courageous and says the White House supports Collins. He says he hopes the 34-year-old center's NBA colleagues will also offer support.

"We view that as another example of the progress that has been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this country," Carney said.


How is that related?
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
How is that related?


Quote:
According to the New York Times, he had planned to transform Russia into a fake two-party state�one social-democratic and one neoconservative�in which heated public battles would be fought on divisive, symbolic issues, while behind the scenes both parties would actually be controlled by the same ruling elites.


Gay stuff is the primary divisive, symbolic issue in the USA. While our pockets are picked we're encouraged to fuss about frivolous things.
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Kuros



Joined: 27 Apr 2004

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Titus wrote:
Quote:
How is that related?


Quote:
According to the New York Times, he had planned to transform Russia into a fake two-party state�one social-democratic and one neoconservative�in which heated public battles would be fought on divisive, symbolic issues, while behind the scenes both parties would actually be controlled by the same ruling elites.


Gay stuff is the primary divisive, symbolic issue in the USA. While our pockets are picked we're encouraged to fuss about frivolous things.


Its not frivolous. Its just not as important as financial policy, bank regulation, criminal prosecution of banksters, or even foreign wars and affairs.

I will admit that for a few months I ate at Chik-Fil-A a lot.
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bucheon bum



Joined: 16 Jan 2003

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kuros wrote:
Titus wrote:
Quote:
How is that related?


Quote:
According to the New York Times, he had planned to transform Russia into a fake two-party state�one social-democratic and one neoconservative�in which heated public battles would be fought on divisive, symbolic issues, while behind the scenes both parties would actually be controlled by the same ruling elites.


Gay stuff is the primary divisive, symbolic issue in the USA. While our pockets are picked we're encouraged to fuss about frivolous things.


Its not frivolous. Its just not as important as financial policy, bank regulation, criminal prosecution of banksters, or even foreign wars and affairs.

I will admit that for a few months I ate at Chik-Fil-A a lot.


I confess the only reason I stopped eating at Chik-Fil-A is I no longer live nor work near one.

Anyway, I wouldn't say gay rights is much of a divisive issue now. "They" will have to choose a new subject soon...

No, what I'd say is more of a distraction is the alleged debt crisis and the sequestration. It is quite fixable but our supposed leaders want to maintain the status quo for as long as possible.
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GF



Joined: 26 Sep 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kuros wrote:
Titus wrote:
Quote:
How is that related?


Quote:
According to the New York Times, he had planned to transform Russia into a fake two-party state�one social-democratic and one neoconservative�in which heated public battles would be fought on divisive, symbolic issues, while behind the scenes both parties would actually be controlled by the same ruling elites.


Gay stuff is the primary divisive, symbolic issue in the USA. While our pockets are picked we're encouraged to fuss about frivolous things.


Its not frivolous. Its just not as important as financial policy, bank regulation, criminal prosecution of banksters, or even foreign wars and affairs.


I disagree with both of you. If the family is the fundamental social unit, then defense of the family is the most important social issue. And since the family clearly is founded on marriage, then defense of marriage is a big, big, big deal. At this point I think the situation in most of the West is, humanly speaking, lost, so I'm simply arguing from principle.

I'm in no way advocating that anyone ignore that his pockets are being picked, and I'm not disagreeing with Titus about media distractions and disinformation.

Kuros wrote:
I will admit that for a few months I ate at Chik-Fil-A a lot.


Did you ? Wasn't eating at Chik-Fil-A a sign of support for the owner's traditional views on marriage ?
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
If the family is the fundamental social unit, then defense of the family is the most important social issue.


Which is why 'affordable family formation' is so important.
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Kuros



Joined: 27 Apr 2004

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

GF wrote:
If the family is the fundamental social unit, then defense of the family is the most important social issue.


Gay marriage is not a threat to heterosexual families.

GF wrote:
Kuros wrote:
I will admit that for a few months I ate at Chik-Fil-A a lot.


Did you ? Wasn't eating at Chik-Fil-A a sign of support for the owner's traditional views on marriage ?


Or, or, or its a sign of support for a restaurant that serves delicious chicken in the face of unconstitutional threats by belligerent mayors.

Glenn Greenwald wrote:
Rahm Emanuel wrote:
Chick-fil-A�s values are not Chicago values. They�re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you�re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values.


Obviously, it�s perfectly legitimate for private citizens to decide not to patronize a business with executives who have such views (I�d likely refrain from doing so in this case). Beyond that, if a business is engaging in discriminatory hiring or service practices in violation of the law � refusing to hire gay employees or serve gay patrons in cities which have made sexual orientation discrimination illegal � then it is perfectly legitimate to take action against them.

But that is not the case here; the actions are purely in retribution against the views of the business� top executive on the desirability of same-sex marriage:

Quote:
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has said Chick-fil-A doesn�t belong in Boston because of [Chick-fil-A President Dan] Cathy�s discriminatory stance.


Mary Williams wrote:
Aside from the fact that Chick-fil-A is always closed on Sunday, there�s no evidence those beliefs have been institutionalized in any way. There�s no record of refusing service to gay patrons, or unfair hiring practices, or a hostile work environment.


You can�t cheer when political officials punish the expression of views you dislike and then expect to be taken seriously when you wrap yourself in the banner of free speech in order to protest state punishment of views you like and share. Free speech rights means that government officials are barred from creating lists of approved and disapproved political ideas and then using the power of the state to enforce those preferences.


Chik-Fil-A was an innocent victim of stupid pro-gay backlash. In short, it was Titus bait (where were you on this, buddy?). I support the right of gays to marry, but what does that have to do with Chik-Fil-A?

Also, Chik-Fil-A is delicious. Whenever I find myself in a food court with Chik-Fil-A, I will always choose Chik-Fil-A.
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
In short, it was Titus bait


The gay thing doesn't excite me. I agree it isn't a threat to the family (note I didn't say heterosexual family because I don't see the need to be redundant). I'll keep my kids from tv during their formative years.

Titus bait is stuff like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8yaiN6ew_g

I've never eaten at Chik-Fil-A. There aren't any in my city.
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Titus



Joined: 19 May 2012

PostPosted: Sat May 04, 2013 8:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Off topic but it's my thread.

Some people really react to the Narrative. Here's ethnic activist Phillip Weiss:

http://mondoweiss.net/2013/05/collins-against-racism.html
Quote:
I spent a lot of the last week tearing up over Jason Collins's announcement that he's gay. It's a moving, courageous, beautiful statement that may change us forever, the way Jackie Robinson did. What leadership; I feel like we're going to be watching Collins for a long, long time.


Collins averaged 1ppg last year and has sucked hard (ha ha) for about 5 years. He's done in the NBA. He's going to spend the next 20 years being paid hundreds of thousands to congratulate him on his bravery.

But what a candyass little baby Weiss is. "tearing up". When POTUS gives you a press release I think what you did probably isn't brave.

I think people like Weiss are just wired differently than me.


Quote:
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

Black comes before gay, and the piece has several racial references. To Martin Luther King's inspiration to him, to the struggles of the civil rights movement, to his parents' refusing to let him get rap music before he was 12. His parents believed in diverse cultural experience and forced it on their children:


Now, Weiss would blow a gasket if Larry Bird had said I'm white and I'm gay. Then Weiss would go on about "dark history" and all their stupid buzzwords. MLK, rap music, etc. All the notes are hit. This stuff really blow some people away. I don't get it.
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