Windows to Russia

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and while I have remembered Christmas, I have also forgotten Christmas! So I am going to remember Christmas this day, right now! For we do not have Christmas on the same day here in Russia and I have become very Russian as the time goes by. That is what is going through my head as I sip that wonderful cup of coffee this morning…

“Home is where the heart is” and that makes Russia definitely my home. It is hard to imagine being anywhere else anymore and this morning when I woke up after a restless night of sleep, I remember thinking that Sveta is going to have to work today! I remember being woke several times last night by phone calls that the servers at the Gazprom Bank where down and no one could get them back up again. That means Sveta has to work today on a Sunday…

Sveta is the computer guru of Gazprom Bank in the Moscow area. She is responsible for the IBM servers that are installed at Gazprom bank and when something happens, she has to go…

I will hear about all what happened later today and will I enjoy the conversation, as Sveta and I have hot tea/coffee with the discussion. I joked with Sveta as she left the flat, as she told me that the power is down to the servers. I said, “Probably the cleaning lady pulled the plug as she mopped the floors…”

Sveta frowned at me as she knew that was very probable and most likely the exculpate. Maybe not the exact reason, but most likely the issue is related to human incompetency and she could not get the night help to understand what to do, to correct the problem. So in to work she goes…

What does all this have to do with “Home is where the heart is?”

Well it is my life and my 7th Christmas and that makes Russia and Sveta my home, not home away from home, but home…

I was asked by a friend in America, “When you coming home!”

I thought about that a few days and then I responded to him, “I most likely will not come back to America! I have found my spot in the world and have no desire to leave this place that I have discovered truly by chance and accident. Sveta is my soul mate and where she resides is where I will reside. For she is my light and pivot in this uncertain world…”

Oh by the way, Svet (свет) is Pronunciation: [svyet] – Part of speech: noun (masculine noun) and I add an (a) to the end to make it more female. Her name is Svetlana, but I shortened it when I first met her and she never minded…
свет: Meaning: light, electricity, radiance, world, earth, society, people…

That meaning really fits my sweetie and the best Christmas gift is just having Sveta in my life…

“Home is where the heart is…”

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

“End of the World: In 4 or 5 billion years the world will end. The ‘sun reactor’, so to speak, is going to exhaust its fuel and life is going to end. So if you look at it from this point of view…I’m not frightened by that.” Putin…

So I went to bed and was sleeping peacefully because Putin told me that everything was okay. I have to say that the news in Russia today is full of this quote…

Example: Update: End of the world cancelled by Putin with 15 hours left – Read More >>>

One thing that I was glad to see was that Putin is feeling better and looking good. He had a rough past month and as all of us who are getting older, feel the pains of life many times…

Oh and yes – The world did not end…

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

On Khodorkovsky jail term reduction:

“I have never influenced activities of the law enforcement agencies.

We do not have any personal persecution here [Khodorkovsky case]. It’s a purely economic crime. Have a look at US. They sentence people to 99 years of imprisonment or even 100 years. Head of one of the funds: he committed suicide and his members as well. It’s the same with us: we should not politicize these issues.

If everything was fine, Khodorkovsky would be free.”

Putin may meet Georgia’s PM Ivanishvili:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced he didn’t rule out the possibility that he might meet with Georgia’s PM Bidzina Ivanishvili.

There’s been no official invitation so far, the Russian leader told reporters at the big press conference Thursday.

President Vladimir Putin has vowed that Russia will deliver on its promise to allow Georgian imports, a ban it was forced to revisit in exchange for the WTO membership.

Georgia’s Targamadze caught on tape instructing opposition activists; this objective evidence requires legal assessment – Putin

President Putin has accused a top Georgian politician, Givi Targamadze, of trying to rally Russians against the government and inciting terrorist attacks.

As much has been proven by a video tape that has fallen into hands of the Investigation Committee, he said during the Thursday press conference.

“Without the Magnitsky case, the US would have found another pretext for anti-Russia sanctions” – Putin

Putin does not link the falling ratings of the government with corruption scandals or the Dima Yakovlev bill.

Russia to boost shipping along Northern Sea Route:

Russia is going to boost shipping along the Northern Sea Route, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Moscow press conference Thursday.

The Russian leader underscored that the Northern Sea Route was much more profitable than any other shipping lane.

Putin says that he would like to write a book but he lacks the time and strength even to dictate the material.

Crime rates still high in Russia:

President Putin has called to reduce Russia’s high crime rates through better education, positive media propaganda and boosting the prestige of police.

Mr. Putin confirmed that crime rates are still at a high in Russia and urged to fight crime in all spheres.

He also proposed to improve laws and make punishment “unavoidable,” instead of “indefinitely increasing jail terms.”

Protesting shouldn’t be punished with jail terms, but attacks on police officers are inadmissible – Putin

President Putin has denounced jail terms for political protests as excessive but stressed attacks on riot police were inadmissible.

“I don’t think that participation in a mass rally – even an illegal one – should be punished with real prison terms,” Putin said at today’s press conference.

“But it’s equally inadmissible to assault police officers,” he added.

Putin condemns political speculations about Pres. Kaczyński’s death:

Russia’s Vladimir Putin has criticized attempts made by some people to politicize the death of Polish President Lech Kaczyński.

He also vowed the Russian investigation committee would answer all questions the public might have about the crash of the presidential plane near Smolensk.

“We must offer objective answers to any questions that will be posed by our and Polish public. It’s a task for the Investigation Committee and I’m going to talk to them about it,” the president said.

The Tu-154 plane carrying President Lech Kaczyński and many Polish high-ranking officials crashed near Russia’s Smolensk on April 10, 2010, killing eight crew members and 88 passengers, including the president and the first lady.

Putin offers strategies to curb capital flight:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed to curb capital flight to offshore tax havens with “civilized” methods.

Speaking at the huge press conference on Thursday, Mr. Putin stressed the importance of making offshore zones disclose information on tax evaders. He added that agreements to that effect had already been enforced on offshore tax havens and end-beneficiaries like offshore companies by many European countries.

The Russian leader added that, in order to attract investors to the country, it needed to have a positive investment climate.

“We have developed a plan on how to improve the country’s investment climate,” Mr. Putin said. “It’s worth noting that we are doing well in some aspects. For instance, we have moved up by 30 notches in tax administration, which is higher than that of the US,” he added.

“On average, our [Russian] tax burden is even less than in other European countries.”

“We must pay more attention to the territorial development, regional development. We cannot extend Moscow for good.”

(more…)

Russia’s parliament initially approved a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian orphans on Wednesday in reprisal for a U.S. law punishing alleged Russian human rights violators in a row that has strained bilateral relations.

Despite criticism of the measure by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, pro-Kremlin lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for the proposal and for another that would bar Russian non-profit groups which receive funds from the United States.

Only 15 of 450 deputies in the lower house, the State Duma, opposed the proposals.

The bills, expected to pass its final reading on Friday, still needs President Vladimir Putin’s signature to become law.

I read that Putin understands why they (Duma) want to do these bills and it will be an interesting time to see what he does about the Duma and these bills. I will tell you that this has caused a stir in American politics and it looks to be just the beginning of Russian backlash for American attempts at games… (Update: Putin backs the Duma…)

Looks like the day of ignoring the insults and slaps in the face are over. Bullies only can get away with it so long and people fight back. I just think that using children as a tool is a little bit out of line, but what can I say? I came from a society that uses children politically all the time, so no one in America should be offended by Russia’s actions…

Interesting…

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

PS: The day of American NGO’s running a-muck in Russia looks to be over…

Update: The Western press has been trying to tell the world that Putin valued relations with the US too much to jeopardize those relations. 🙂

Belgium is not the only possible destination for tax exile Gerard Depardieu who is renouncing his French citizenship in search of a better financial future. “Putin has already sent me a passport!” the actor announced. ­Depardieu reportedly mentioned three countries are ready to receive him. Belgium, where he has just bought a house, Montenegro, where he has friends and some businesses, and Russia: “Putin has already sent me a passport!” Le Monde has quoted Depardieu as saying. Russia boasts a flat 13% income tax rate and could become a tax haven for the Academy-award nominated actor… 🙂

Darn! I wish Putin would send me a passport…

I guess I am not rich or important enough!

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

I had to go back today and take a picture of what I found the workmen doing yesterday. It looks like they took a day off today and that is a good idea. The humidity is in the 90% and the temperature is way below -20, with a fair breeze around 8km per hour. Other words, “It is colder than a – Blue-Belly Hell!”

So Boza and I went and looked over what they had done and I am here to tell you that the ground is frozen like solid rock and the holes they dug, were dug by hand and with a steel bar and shovel…

I find it interesting that Russians do the same in Winter as they do in Summer and I guess the fact that Winter is over at least half of the year, that has a lot to do with the reasoning…

I just wish that I was a kid and could play at this playground. I would have loved to have had a playground like this when I was little. Freezing weather or not…

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

Dear colleagues!

The Russian Federation pays utmost attention to the promotion of human rights. Fundamental human rights norms and standards are guaranteed by the Constitution of our country. Russia is a party to basic international agreements and conventions on human rights. We carefully analyze the Russian legislation and prepare recommendations concerning its improvement and bringing it into line with principles and norms of international law.

At the same time, our country has never hidden from constructive criticism on humanitarian and human rights issues. We believe that for the good of our society it is necessary to keep striving for improvement.

However, the way human rights matters are used by some of our international partners against Russia can hardly satisfy us, as it would hardly satisfy anyone in a similar situation. Some members of the international community are trying to take full control of the human rights agenda while they do not have, frankly speaking, any right to do so. As a result of their efforts, we are witnessing a rapid politicization of human rights as they turn into a leverage and tool of the promotion of these countries’ selfish interests.

On December 5 a report on the human rights situation in the European Union was released. That document based on reliable information from reputable international and national sources put together pieces of extensive factual data on many problems, including systemic, the international community is facing now in the promotion of human rights. The report has reaffirmed our conclusion that no country is perfect as far as human rights promotion is concerned.

The situation in the European Union in the sphere of the protection of human rights is far from perfect. A lot of respected human rights activists and international human rights associations are reporting that in recent years the situation in EU Member States as far as the protection of human rights, freedoms and democratic standards is concerned has deteriorated.

It is very alarming and not understandable that certain EU countries, though verbally supporting the international human rights norms and standards, decide not to assume responsibilities even under basic multilateral treaties on human rights. And if they do assume such responsibilities, these are often accompanied by strange neutralizing reservations.

In this context, it becomes clear that the existing system of protection of human rights and freedoms in the EU is not flawless. Neither the EU judicial mechanisms, the EU ombudsman who receives complaints about the activities of supranational institutions, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights acting as a consultant for the EU institutions, nor the newly created post of the EU Special Representative for human rights do not cover all the systemic challenges in the area of human rights faced by the European Union. (more…)

America’s Killer Elite:
Cho, Lanza, Bales, Ridgway and the One Percent

by John Stanton

“Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product … if we should judge America by that – counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for those who break them. It counts the destruction of our redwoods and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl. It counts napalm and the cost of a nuclear warhead, and armored cars for police who fight riots in our streets. It counts Whitman’s rifle and Speck’s knife, and the television programs which glorify violence in order to sell toys to our children.

Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it tells us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans.” Robert F. Kennedy, executed in 1968

The American Suicide Gunman has joined the ranks of the Jihadist Suicide Bomber. Both are products of their cultures.

And the naysayers in the USA claim that the country does not produce anything of value anymore.

That is incorrect.

Americans are Earth’s number one, hands-down top dog killers. Americans produce the world’s top murderers/suicide gunmen (both government sanctioned and freelance). We play the most violent games with glorious military/paramilitary overtones and undertones. We populate the globe with advanced weaponry either selling it to the good, the bad and the ugly or we use it to destroy seen and unseen enemies and things.

We even wipe out wolves with glee justifying the slaughter on behalf of those most American of Americans, the rancher and farmer. According to the New York Times in December of 2012, “Yellowstone National Park’s best-known wolf, beloved by many tourists and valued by scientists who tracked its movements, was shot and killed on Thursday outside the park’s boundaries. The wolf, known as 832F to researchers, was the alpha female of the park’s highly visible Lamar Canyon pack and had become so well known that some wildlife watchers referred to her as a rock star. The animal had been a tourist favorite for most of the past six years. “She is the most famous wolf in the world,” said Jimmy Jones, a wildlife photographer who lives in Los Angeles and whose portrait of 832F appears in the current issue of the magazine American Scientist. Wildlife advocates say that the wolf populations are not large enough to withstand state-sanctioned harvests and that the animals attract tourist money.”

American’s nearly drove their own mascot, The Bald Eagle, to extinction. (more…)

Today as I was sipping that cup of coffee and doing some normal thinking’s about what is really happening in the world. I realized that certain things are almost written in stone. The title tells you what I think and it is looking to be staying this way for a long to to come. I also think that I will live long enough to see the title happen…

I See a Rising China, a falling USA and a Steady Russia…

What do I mean by that?

Lets take China and India to start with: China is a force to be reckoned with already and she is scaring the bejeebers out of the American government right now. The other day I looked at Sveta and said, “Look – the population of China is 1,344,130,000 and India is 1,241,491,960 and Apple inc. is dancing the streets of America raving about selling 2 million iPhone 5 in China recently…”

Then I started to think about those numbers of people that I just talked about and was floored with the implications. No not the fact that 2 million iPhone’s were sold in China (because that is nothing to the Chinese!), but the fact of trying to get a handle on that many people in just two countries is beyond imagination, just as the debt in America that has been borrowed, is beyond comprehension…

I know that you have better things to be doing in life and that you can not see that a China is anything but a thorn in America’s side, because the media tells you that it is. But I will tell you that while you are only listening to the main stream news, China has surpassed America in many things, financially and morally. That is the reason that now you see many news items pertaining to when China will surpass the US in being a world power. Guess what? It is happening as you read this and you are just being mislead on the extent that it has reached in the real world. Not your made to believe Western Media world…

Those population numbers mean this: If the US pissed China and India off, There is not enough weapons and bombs to kill 2.5 billion people with swords, knives, guns, pitch forks and scythes. They could lose half of them trying to cross the ocean and still have enough to wipe America off the map. Atomic Bombs or not…

It is time to be good friends with China and India, They will be running the roost in a short few years…

Now how about a “falling America?”

No one, but no one on this organic ball of dirt that we call home, can comprehend the debt by the Western World and America is the leader of that pack of debt hogs…

We either print money until we pay it all off and then nothing is worth a hill of beans and you cart around wheelbarrows of money to buy a loaf of bread or you default and piss the world off! Anyone ready to be repossessed by the whole world? For you see it seems that America owes just about everyone in the world money. I find that interesting, ever had a neighbor that always wanted to borrow a few bucks and always forgot to pay it back? When in fact you knew he did not have it to pay back and kept loaning him a few more bucks every week. America is that neighbor…

One way or another America is going to bite the big one and the sooner it happens and we get started with rebuilding, the better it will be. Lets take our medicine and show the world that we are a responsible country…

Last but not least (At least in my eyes!) Russia: Russia has some big issues coming up and I believe that they can work through those issues. Stability and patience is Russia’s virtues. The world is going to need a safe haven of stability and I really think that Putin sees this and is trying to create that effect and prospect, but Russia has a huge issue that will test her resolve…

Russia is one big country per landmass and the amount of people living in Russia is very tiny per square mile of land. I sense that China and India, amongst other countries are looking at Russia like, “They do not need all that land!”

Russia is lucky that most of the land is pretty much uninhabitable, but us humans live just about anywhere…

The fact is that Russian’s are a very patient and gentle people. Just as the Chinese are and the Indians, also! In fact most of the world is peaceful and calm, unlike a warmongering Western Empire. That East is very tolerant and have to be, because WW 3 would have started years ago…

Russia is going to be very stable and all she has to do is continue on her path that I see being developed. Medvedev and Putin are working overtime to make sure Russia is self sufficient in agriculture and finances. The Russian people and Russia herself, are not in debt and have resources for their own use to weather many a storm. Russia is really not dependent on the outside world to survive and everyday that goes by, she is less dependent on the world. That is the plan, that I see happening right in front of our eyes…

The truth is that Russia has much more to worry about from the Eastern side of the world and America/Europe is not even worth worry about anymore. The west keeps up the bull and you may see all Russian pipelines of oil and gas going south to Asia. Contrary to what you dance in the streets over (shell gas), no one has enough gas and oil to replace Russia in the Western worlds energy supplies. Fracking ain’t the answer and one day in the future, America is going to frack herself to the grave…

So now it it is the time for Russia to strengthens her ties with India, China and all of Asia! Just as it is time for America to put away the sword and quit waving it at everyone who looks in her windows. America will be unable to stop waving that sword, but Russia has started to develop a whole new world of finance and cultural ties with Asia, as Russia has laid down the swords and opened the windows up to allow the light in…

We all have our day and just as Russia has had her day in the past, just as Germany has had her day, just as Britain has had her day and the Romans have had their day. America has had her day and now she needs to change her path, or her destiny will be one of sorrow and defeat…

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…

The Chinese are fairly certain that the cataclysmic event upcoming on Dec. 21st 2012 will not consist of giants with golf clubs, but if there are giants with golf clubs then this idea of surviving the end of the world may just turn out to be a bad idea…

Chinese farmer Liu Qiyuan hopes that his creation, dubbed “Noah’s Little Ark,” will be adopted by government departments and international organizations for use in the event of tsunamis and earthquakes. Liu has built seven pods which are able to float on water, and some even have their own propulsion system. The pods consist of a fiberglass shell wrapped around a steel frame. The airtight spheres with varying interiors contain oxygen tanks and seat belts with space for around 14 people, and are designed to remain upright when in water…

Like I said: “The Chinese are fairly certain that the cataclysmic event will not consist of giants with golf clubs….”

Cross your fingers…

Kyle Keeton
Windows to Russia…