Russia Flexes its Muscles

There is no doubt in my mind that Russia's Victory Day parade is nothing more than an excuse to show the world that it can still pack a military punch.

“We are confident that any aggression against our citizens will be firmly repelled,” said Dmitry Medvedev.

Maybe was referring to that whole Georgia business or maybe he's just trying to spark nationalist sentiments in his people, but either way it sounds pretty damn aggressive to me. Since when has ANYONE tried to invade Russia or commit aggression against her citizens?

The Associated Press reported that the parade included "displayed about 9,000 goose-stepping troops and more than 100 combat vehicles, including new Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles." Now the US and the "International Community" is all upset that the impoverished North Korea "might" be trying to create missiles with intercontinental abilities... But Russia actually has them, they had a parade and you could see them clear as day!

This throwback to the Old USSR style of celebration, especially one organized by Putin and his puppet President, is just slightly scary.

Muchacho Enfermo

New legislation in Russia brings back ghost of the KGB

New Vladimir Putin backed legislation would make it treason to pass "state secrets" to an NGO. Now we all know Russia and we all know Putin so the term "state secret" is a very loose term. Basically it means that anyone who criticizes the government or opposes them would be punishable by a 20 year term in prison. Russia has over 200 thousand NGOs according to wikipedia.

Let me put this in perspective: If this law were put in place in Canada, I could be arrested for my blog. Or if I criticized the government and donated money to Canadian Feed the Children.... Bam! 20 years in prison.

Between this law, the state appropriation of almost all the oil fields, that whole Georgia business and the talks of having a military presence in Cuba it feels like we're almost back in the bad old times of the Soviet Union.

Also check out The Jurist for a short and very concise explanation.

Muchacho Enfermo