Windows to Russia

Having lived in Russia for 6 years now and traveling too many other countries. I realized that I assume that everyone has a passport. I would say that from what I am seeing, 50% of most people in their home country have a international passport. I believe that it is much higher than that figure in Russia…

In fact I see from a CNN article that international passports are at a high of – “Canada’s 60% and the United Kingdom’s 75%” – I think Russians would be in that range also. I know that literally every Russia I know has an internal passport and a international passport. Russians love to travel to other countries to vacation…

The links below are from an article that I found and can not find the link again. I am being blocked from the site for some reason. I can get there by a proxy and since that is the only way to get there, they do not deserve a link from me…

• 25%: “75% of Americans don’t own a passport”
• 22%: “just 22% of Americans own a passport”
• <20%: “less than 20% of all Americans own a passport”
• 15%: “85 percent of Americans do not own a passport”
• 10%: “only 10 percent of US citizens *ever* own a passport”
• <10%: “fewer than 10 percent own a passport”
• 7%: “only seven percent of Americans own a passport”

So even if we take the best of figures, Americans do not have passports to travel outside of but just a few hand picked locations. Very controlled and very limited in world spirit…

Now I would say that from my past experience (6 + years ago) in the US, 80 to 90% of the people do not have a passport to allow them to travel to see the world and the fact that they can travel to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and several other spots fairly easy, does not count as world travel… 🙂

But I am understanding that there has been a huge increase in applications for a passport in the US and most of that is due to the new regulations coming that make it almost impossible to get a passport…

This might be a more interesting figure if it is true and could be a deciding factor on why they are trying to shut down the ease of getting a passport. The numbers are skyrocketing if this is true…

“Times have changed. “More Americans have passports now than ever before,” says Ken Chavez, spokesperson for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US State Department. Over one-third of the population to be exact, or nearly 110 million out of 313 million Americans. That’s more than double the number of US passports in circulation in 2000 (48 million) and around 15 times 1989’s 7 million. At that last number (under 3 percent of Americans), you can sort of understand why my European traveling buddies were scandalized. (Link)”

So it looks like my time away from America has left me clueless and people are getting passports now in America!

Could that be for what is coming as the future unfolds?

(Oh and a hint – when you try to figure out what is true. Do not count a passport card. That is a nothing passport, I am talking about international passports that allow you to travel to many other countries…)

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

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Pumpkin pie with whipped cream (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This year Sveta is getting a Thanksgiving meal. I tried the first year I was here in Russia (By the way – I came to Russia on October 10th, 2006) and Sveta did not take to the idea at all, but this year since she has been doing a lot of teaching English, she has taken a notion to Western world holidays…

This is her blog on English: http://english4kids.russianblogger.ru/…

So I have gathered together the ingredients and am going to present her with – turkey, bread dressing, broccoli with cheese sauce, mashed boiled pumpkin and last but not least – made from scratch pumpkin pie…

Russians love cooked pumpkin and we eat a lot of boiled pumpkin here in Russia, so I knew that she would like a Russian taste treat mixed into the whole think. Now Sveta has never ever had pumpkin pie. This will be the first for her and last night she even brought home whip cream to put on it. Now that is getting into the spirit of things… 🙂

I know that the spices that are in the pumpkin pie are very strange to her, so we will see if she likes it…

Being that this is my seventh Thanksgiving in Russia, I have a whole bunch to be thankful for and I have been blessed by god with the best woman in the world… (And also Boza the dog!)

Oh last thought today, before I go and finish cooking Thanksgiving food…

Have a Happy Thanksgiving…

From Sveta and Kyle
Windows to Russia…

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I am always looking for “Made in USA” items in Russia as I shop. Sveta finally found an item the other day and it is the first thing that I have seen in years. I know of a few items in Russia that are made in the USA. I see peanut butter, maple syrup, fat greasy, yes fat chickens and now a new item that we found…

.

США is Russian for USA…

These are suppose to be good for Sveta to take and her favorite pharmacist talked her into buying them. So Sveta is taking these as a supplement with her food…

So now I have one more item added to the made in USA list, except that list is really short and according to Sveta items “Made in the USA” were many more years ago. I understand that other than just a few choice items, America does not produce anything per cost factor, that makes it worth bringing in “Made in USA” goods…

I have to say that at the cost of almost 500 rubles ($15) they are an expensive product because comparable items are usually 200 to 300 rubles…

Kyle Keeton
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Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s recent statement was apt, timely and thought-provoking. It is a positive contribution that evoked a lively media debate. Vested interests tried to portray it as the “clash of institutions”. However, difference of opinion is not at all a sign of “clash” between state organs, especially in a mature and democratic society.

Pakistan today is neither run by a dictator, nor solely governed by foreign diktat. Indeed, national interest is supreme; and wisely the army is not claiming monopoly of it, neither can any other individual or group!

At the moment, Pakistan’s environment is internally diverse and externally demanding. National political power in the state is shared between multiple power centres and is passing through a “defining phase”. The military, judiciary, national and provincial governments, political parties, media, civil society and even reformers are all stakeholders. However, the COAS address was appreciated in numerous quarters; both the PPP and the PML-N responded positively.

The army has and should further distance itself from previous military dispensations. It belongs to the nation and is adored by the people of Pakistan. Similarly, the ISI, while bravely defending the nation, has further improved its image. In the forthcoming elections, it is not supporting any political party, as was the perception some time ago.

The previous mistakes committed by all in the country, including the army, can be accounted individually, since no one is above the law. Undoubtedly, the Supreme Court is revered by all Pakistanis. By the same token, ‘army bashing’, as appears in a section of the sensationalised media, is unwarranted. In fact, when seen in the light of hostile geopolitics, it betrays the sinister aim of an alien game plan.

Today, some of the major geopolitical and national issues concerning Pakistan are:

Afghanistan in post-2014 period: President Barack Obama’s re-election means that the 2014 exit strategy for USA is reconfirmed. Pakistan does not need to fight a war, which the US is itself aborting. The Americans are leaving (even if a rear guard is left behind), while the Talibans are staying in Afghanistan. Pakistan needs peace in Afghanistan and peace on the Pak-Afghan border. Pakistani army needs to be freed from war on its western border. This already enjoys the broad consensus of Pakistanis and the army is contributing heroically to that end.

Balochistan and foreign intervention: Balochistan is in turmoil due to past mistakes and hostile geostrategy. The Indians are keen to block Gwadar and Americans agree; in addition, they want to isolate Iran. A so-called West Asian strategy is being chiselled to create independent Balochistan.

Reportedly, Dr Waheed Baloch, an immigrant, requested the US administration to intervene in Balochistan through the CIA (a la Libya and Syrian model). This was an attempt at balkanising both Pakistan and Iran by alien forces. This was initially a neocon-sponsored balkanisation project. It is hoped that a re-elected President Obama will maintain friendship with Pakistan, rather than allow wildly dangerous misadventures in his second term. China and Russia support Pakistan and Iran; nevertheless, they are also striving to reach the Indian Ocean from Balochistan.

The Baloch have to be brought on board so that Pakistan is united for a national purpose. All Pakistani citizens must support a new amiable army as well as political initiative for peace in Balochistan.

Peace with India and Kashmir: Peace with India is logical, since both countries have nuclear weapons. The nuclear powers cannot afford direct confrontation, simply because it is totally destructive and unaffordable. Pakistan’s nuclear strides cannot be taken lightly, nor can peace be one-sided. Even as Pakistan seeks peace with India and trade flows multiply, India should reciprocate. Instead of planning ‘Cold Start’, Kashmir needs to be resolved.

Economic cycle: Pakistan needs to revive an economic national cycle. This warrants social, political and economic reforms that will boost its growth. In addition to augmenting its traditional economic base, Pakistan needs to embrace geo-economics. Its pivotal geography and diligent demography, can convert the Gwadar dream into a reality. Peace and prosperity go together!

Today, the army is ready to defend Pakistan and its national interests. The people, through both rustic and intellectual wisdom, understand the national interests. Needless to say, the army supported by the nation will defend the country against all odds.

Geopolitics of Peace: by Nadir Mir. Author of the book “Gwadar on the Global Chessboard” Blog: Pakistan and Geopolitics wwwpakistangeopolitics.blogspot.com/ The author is a retired Brigadier General of the Pakistan Army.

Windows to Russia!

The views of the above author are not strictly only the views of Windows to Russia. They are an independent view from an outside source that brings a better light on the world in general and Windows to Russia is very pleased to have Nadir Mir’s thoughts on its pages today and in the future. So take a look at his site and read a few articles. – Kyle Keeton

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will back Egyptian efforts to put an end to the Israeli aggression in the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a telephone conversation with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on Friday, Putin said Russia planned to support Cairo’s efforts directed at normalizing the situation in the Palestinian territory, the Kremlin said in a statement.

The remarks come after Egypt’s Prime Minister Hisham Qandil visited the Gaza Strip on Friday, where he urged the world leaders to stop Tel Aviv’s attacks.

Qandil promised to intensify Egypt’s efforts to “stop this aggression and achieve a lasting truce.”

On Thursday, President Morsi also condemned the Israeli aggression as “unacceptable” and warned it could lead to instability in the region.

Some 25 people have been killed and more than 250 others injured in the new wave of attacks since November 14.

The Israeli regime frequently carries out airstrikes and other attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying the acts of aggression are being conducted for defensive purposes. However, in violation of international law, disproportionate force is always used and civilians are often killed or injured.

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Twinkies (Hostess Twinkies is a trademark of Interstate Bakeries Corporation). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hostess, the makers of Twinkies, Ding Dongs and Wonder Bread, is going out of business after striking workers failed to heed a Thursday deadline to return to work, the company said.

“We deeply regret the necessity of today’s decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike,” Hostess CEO Gregory F. Rayburn said in announcing that the firm had filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to shutter its business. “Hostess Brands will move promptly to lay off most of its 18,500-member workforce and focus on selling its assets to the highest bidders.”

Hostess Brands Inc. had warned employees that it would file to unwind its business and sell off assets if plant operations didn’t return to normal levels by 5 p.m. Thursday. In announcing its decision, Hostess said its wind down would mean the closure of 33 bakeries, 565 distribution centers, approximately 5,500 delivery routes and 570 bakery outlet stores in the United States. Source and read more >>>>

You know it is bad in the world when the Twinkie goes down for the count…

I watched once as I rolled a big snowball off a huge hill, as a little kid. It rolled and rolled and as it rolled, it got bigger and bigger. Then before I knew it, it got so big that it tore the barbwire fence up that it hit at the bottom of the huge hill. I mean it got really big and my bottom got really sore for doing what I did and I never did it again…

But what I am trying to say by my babbling is that, things start small and can become real big as they get out of control faster than we can stop it. As a little kid, I could start the issue, but stopping it was beyond my abilities…

One day just like Twinkies going down, the crash will happen because we can’t stop it from happening. Just like a little boy started a snowball rolling down the hill and enjoyed it all until the fence said stop and the fence broke…

What has happened to the Twinkie is a sign of our sick economy and country and you should be looking around, because you might just see more happenings rolling down big long hills…

Kyle Keeton
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Our Volga and Boza…

I have to say that 3700 rubles for a years worth of car insurance is kinda a pleasant price to pay. That equates to a year worth of coverage for  around $125 dollars in America. That is a year not a month…

Many thing are that way here, from healthcare to automobiles…

Why not so long ago (couple of months – maybe?), we had a new clutch + put in our car. We had new clutch plate, throwout bearing, pressure plate, clutch slave cylinder, master cylinder (for brakes) and a couple of other things done. The total cost was around $300 dollars in American money and that included parts and labor…

Our Volga is like a new car now and drives just plain darn excellent…

Oh we also just got our technical paper redone a few days ago and that could be equated to an inspection for safety of the cars mechanical parts. Our Volga is in good shape and good for another year before we have to start all over again… 🙂

It just amazes me how much cheaper necessities (insurance to utilities) are in Russia for the comparable product in America…

Gotta run and I hope that you have a great day…

Post by Kyle Keeton
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The Il-76 plane with 20 tons of cargo including blankets and articles of daily necessities has taken off from the airdrome in Ramenskoye in the Moscow region. The Russian ministry is to send more planes to New York later, loaded with pertinent necessities…

Finally! The way has been cleared for Russia to be allowed to send necessity supplies to Hurricane destroyed New York. The Hurricane Sandy was obviously much worse than what was being presented to the world and Russia knew this. It wasn’t a day past the death and destruction of Sandy and Russia was trying to get helping supplies sent to America…

They had 50 tons of cargo in several jets waiting to go and now the Russian news has politely expressed this: After delays caused by paperwork, two Russian flights will leave for New York on Tuesday carrying 27 tons of blankets and other household items to people who lost their homes to Hurricane Sandy…

The bottom line was that it was refused at first and tons of red tape had to be cleared while people went without. Then after Russia patiently waited and prodded and since the situation in the area of hurricane Sandy’s destruction is a total wipe out. The USA decided that 50 tons of supplies is very helpful. Russia has said there is more if needed…

I knew that it finally had been approved, because a few days ago the US State Department issued a whispered thank you to Russia, for supplies that are on there way…

People in Russia are really better informed than Americans about how bad it was in America with Sandy and the world really does want to help. I had told Sveta before it happened that it was going to be really really bad. I told her that really bad is my prediction and I saw that the Kremlin had put out the word for how bad it was going to be, even before the hurricane hit land. It was enough to see what it did to Cuba and others, so all you had to do was open your eyes and look around…

The issue is: These supplies should have been able to have been sent to America a week + ago, to help all the people in need. Instead I saw total disarray going on and looting everywhere. That is just what we saw, that was not covered up by the main stream news…

Sad…

Kyle Keeton
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PS: Russia has already delivered humanitarian aid to Sandy victims in Cuba. Cuba did not have issues… 🙁

“Seven years ago, in September 2005, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry helped the United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” the news agency reported. “Then, three EMERCOM planes delivered to the United States more than 60 ton of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, rations, tents and blankets.”

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Public discontent over a ban on popular websites in the Russian sector of the internet is skyrocketing. The new law allowing authorities to compel ISPs to cut off unwelcome websites may force web surfers to unite against the government’s initiative.

­The federal law ‘On information, information technology and protection of information’ that came into force on November 1 empowered Russia’s Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technology and Communications to compose a blacklist of websites to be closed down.

The uniform register of prohibited websites, officially confidential, is constantly expanding. The list unites porn resources, file-sharing communities, websites dedicated to drugs or containing related information, websites dedicated to terrorist activities, pedophilia etc.

The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in a recent ruling called to ban online casinos and to oblige providers to eliminate links leading to such web resources.

The uniform register now reportedly consists of over 180 websites, some already defunct, others still operational.

An interesting fact about how the Information Agency tracks ‘bad’ websites is that anyone can anonymously submit a URL or an IP of a web resource the informer believes poses a threat on the official website of the agency. The information will be verified and if prohibited material is found there, the website will be closed.

Source and Read More >>>

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