Interesting bed questions

Some day you woke up and you read that Putin and Hitler slept in the same room.

And then you think: Is Putin = Hitler?

Really you think so?

A grip of the Euro-blogosphere (updated)

Jon Worth  (European, social democrat, federalist, atheist, anti-monarchist, ENTJ, inline skater, blogger, website designer, avid Mac user, trainer) groups together all the different EU blogs he follows. Including this one :-)

"I don't feel the 'Obama' of Central Europe"

Dalia Grybauskaite, economist at 53, not even a month has been installed at the presidential palace in Vilnius (Lithuania) but she has managed to at least show that it is serious. He said she would cut costs and started for his salary, which halved. But after the cuts have come to the officials and all kinds of expenses. Their determination coupled with small gestures such as his official car stops at traffic lights to Grybauskaite can win the trust of many, something essential in a country which has fallen 15% this year. The slump in economic activity surpasses that of its neighboring Latvia, forced to tap new IMF aid to avoid bankruptcy. But Grybauskaite, former European commissioner and a black belt in karate, does not want outside help. Although certainly need more than gestures to treat more complicated with its neighbor, Russia. Text I published in EL MUNDO, (in spanish) here

-Just as happened in Latvia, once a woman ruling a country in Central Europe, and again he succeeds without the support of a political party.
-It's a trend in the new EU members, who have suffered a major political transformation. In any case it is uncommon for a woman governs a country, there are only seven in the world and Lithuania never happened, although the former president also was related to a political party.

-But he was very involved in the secession of Lithuania in the 90's. And you don't.
-Everybody is different. It has been 20 years since that and probably more people are looking forward rather than backward. I do not want to evaluate why they trusted me, but the devaluation of the quality of politicians I think that was one reason.

-Woman, single, no children. Why people just need things done in the personal life of a politician when is a woman?
-Women are starting, but in Europe is becoming commonplace. Somehow most interesting results to discuss us, I notice that people talk about the clothes on my man and if only speak of what I do.

-Does you feel like the Obama of Central Europe?
-I have never had this news not compare myself to anyone, every political leader is different. And my country do not regard as central Europe but as a country of northern Europe.

- Are you a feminist?
-Depends on what we call a feminist. I've never participated in any of those movements.

-Your predecessor, Valdas Adamkus, didn't had good relations with Russia, and you have advocated a more pragmatic stance. What will change?
-I never said "pragmatic", that was an interpretation of my words. What I have always said is we have to have a constructive dialogue with our neighbors, of course without sacrificing our values.

- What will you do if Russia is to condition the position of Lithuania through the price of energy?
-I've said that some values are not negotiable.

-You are not the first, they tried other presidents before and this new relationship with Russia was not possible.
-Now all countries are in difficulties, Russia too. And both there and here there are political forces that seek to divert attention from problems for a common enemy. We are showing goodwill, and from there we'll see. Russia expect mutual respect based on our values.

-And meanwhile Europe remains wihout a common energy policy.
-The EU has never had a common position on energy, not on the treaties. It is more a necessity, a trend. But coordination is necessary to reflect the quality of EU integration, and if no agreement will be split and supply difficulties, and that includes Russia. But the joint efforts to ensure the supply were very important and very visible after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine last winter. It is an evidence that such coordination is important, but still a long way to go.

-The global crisis may be triggered by lack of regulation, but in the European elections have won just more liberal positions.
-It's a unique phenomenon. A lack of international intervention in financial markets has created many problems for the world, hence the stresses in the financial sector. This means that international regulatory organizations like the IMF or the World Bank need to be radically reformed and already lagging behind in this process. But in each member country the situation is quite different. After the election we can say that European governments were able to center the most votes, which is very unusual in a downturn. But it is also a sign that the ideological barriers are falling, at least in my country. The political powers do not behave in a purely ideological: some more leftist governments to protect companies and other center-right people are protecting more than the Social Democrats, at least in my country. The ideological differences are being dissolved by what leaders do.

-It seems that this crisis makes the euro more attractive to both Lithuania and more inaccessible.
-Yes, because for me the euro is not just a currency but monetary discipline that prevents governments are populist tax policy and this is a guarantee for the stability of countries. But certainly in a slowdown situation will be very difficult to achieve in the next three years because of the stability pact criteria are stringent. But if there were no euro in Europe would be worse off.

-Your country has benefited from European cohesion funds. But you refuse to seek help from the "rescue funds" from the IMF.
-There are no bailout funds. There are funds that can borrow, but with many conditions.
In practice, this means you are leaving for an outsider to dictate your entire economic policy because the government does not know how to deal with the situation. I do not want my country to be treated as if it were not capable of governing. We know what we do: we are cutting public spending on wages, investing in infrastructure to stimulate the economy. We are sinking and need outside help, we can rescue ourselves.

- Is it possible to go further enlargement of NATO?
-Probably yes but I prefer quality to quantity, not only to expand expand. But it's something everyone has in mind, also in the EU, which wants to enter Iceland.

-But every time a former member of the USSR into Russia is angry.
-Nobody can dictate to NATO and develop.

- Do you think that after the fiasco of the European Constitution EU is more difficult to catch up beyond the Lisbon Treaty?
-The treaty of Lisbon is a small step forward, talks about how to make decisions but does not reform. We must make reforms in the budget and review common policies and all or that determines the quality of integration.

-You've been commissioner of the Budget. As a Lithuanian citizen have you got the feeling of arriving in the EU when there is less desire to redistribute to those with less?
-For new members the EU is not just money, but political, security and freedom of movement. Of 27 members, 21 are still receiving. But for us it was not just money but freedom.

-The Lithuanians were not just as enthusiastic of the EU in June. It was the country where fewer people voted.
-In Lithuania has always been low participation in European elections. It is a question of political culture and lack of information, plus the votes were weeks after the presidential election. But somehow the everyday people at home, not in Brussels or Strasbourg.

Polish immigrants leaving Britain: What the Poles did for UK

Increased prosperity in Poland and the prospect of a severe recession in Britain mean that the economic gap between the two countries is closing fast. The dream of fast cars, fast living and fast fortunes is as attractive as ever but, for many Poles, the odds of achieving it here are lengthening fast. Britain's Polish workers are heading home in search of a better life – and it's a loss, says Harry de Quetteville in TELEGRAPH.CO.UK

No question of "what Obama can do for us, but what we can do for Obama"

Prime minister Zapatero said this no NYT. Spain is willing to increase its troops on long-term assignment in Afghanistan. In a gesture of support to the Obama administration. 

Time to remember, USSR in the 70´s

English Russia » More pictures of USSR. Part 2

A great collection of photos of a world that will never come back.

Obama+Zapatero

http://estaticos.elmundo.es/documentos/2009/04/06/portada.pdf

Again the hand in the shoulder...

Los in transition

President Vladimir Putin, constitutionally barred from running for a third presidential term, says that he has not ruled out running for prime minister, triggering widespread speculation about his intentions. In the run up to Russia's presidential and parliamentary elections, a new book from the Carnegie Moscow Center's Lilia Shevtsova examines the legacies of Presidents Putin and Boris Yeltsin and how they will shape the upcoming electoral cycle and Russia's immediate political future.Sixteen years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia has startled the international community with its assertive rhetoric and economic might. In Russia—Lost In Transition: The Yeltsin and Putin Legacies, Shevtsova contends that Russia's resurgence in the global arena disguises political stagnation and failure to modernize. She argues that the political regime and the type of capitalism that have been adopted over the last fifteen years are not sustainable in the long term and are unlikely to promote further economic growth and social improvements.

Key Conclusions:

• To avoid becoming a lame duck president, Putin will seek to perpetuate the uncertainty and suspense around the election and his own political future. Putin's recent reshuffling of his cabinet and the appointment of a relatively unknown prime minister demonstrated his need to prove he is still in charge. A new struggle for control and influence over the incoming political regime is likely to emerge.

• Russia's next leader must address the pressing social problems plaguing the nation, notably population decline and economic disparity. While anti-Western rhetoric has distracted the public, Russia's shattered social infrastructure threatens economic and social stability.

• Russia's recent assertiveness in foreign policy has greatly mobilized the public, and the ruling elite would like Russia to simultaneously be both friend and foe to the West.  Potential domestic crises in Russia could result in a more nationalist and authoritarian regime that eschews cooperation with the West and purges moderates from the Kremlin.

• To create a fertile environment for Russia's further economic and political transformation, Russia and the West must recognize that they have common interests rooted in shared values. Western policy towards Russia should avoid isolation at all costs and should be based on understanding, strategy, and engagement.
  • In particular, Western nations must understand Russia's unique dilemmas and choices;
  • develop a coherent strategy addressing the Kremlin leadership, the political class, and society;
  • and engage with Russia on areas where their interests overlap—counter-proliferation, combating international terrorism, energy security, and climate change—but not at the expense of acquiescing to the crackdown on democracy.

"Perhaps the greatest challenge for transforming Russia will be the need for its leadership to start the new reforms, of which the most radical will be dividing state power among independent institutions.  Will a new leader be prepared to embark on political self-castration and hand over some of his power to other institutions? This is Russia's metaproblem for which no solution was found under Yeltsin and Putin," concludes Shevtsova.

"Nasing spesal..."

Wreckage of Latvia's retailing industry: has declined 17% year on year according to the latest figures. But one item is selling well: T-shirts with seemingly mysterious slogans such as "Nasing spesal". Latvians are glad to have something to laugh about, even if it is only their finance minister, Atis Slakteris. In an ill-judged foreign television interview, using heavily accented and idiosyncratic English worthy of the film character Borat, he described his country's economic problems as "nothing special". Put mildly, that was an original interpretation, writes The Economist . Fuelled by reckless bank lending, particularly in construction and consumer loans, Latvia had enjoyed a colossal boom, with double-digit economic growth and a current-account deficit that peaked at over 20% of GDP. Conventional wisdom would have suggested applying the brakes hard, by tightening the budget and curbing borrowing. But the country's rulers, a lightweight lot with close ties to business, rejected that. Fast economic growth made voters feel that European Union membership was at last producing practical benefits, after a disappointing start when tens of thousands of Latvians went abroad in search of work, leaving rural villages and small towns depopulated.

Stalin no better than Hitler?

Orlando Figes wrote the book The Whisperers, It's subtitle is "private life in Stalin's Russia'' and it tells – in numbing detail – what happened to the Russian people under the Great Terror, a tale of barely imaginable horror. Russian publication of 'The Whisperers' has just been cancelled. By Putin? 

Obama´s words

Barack Hussein Obama called on Americans to confront “our collective failure to make hard choices.” Watch video and analysis here.

Bad cold

You never understand politics in central europe until you find -30 C, Now Ukraine has to promise not to steal gas. But Russian blackmail will continue. Several lessons: if you are independent to support Georgia, then dont expect gifts in gas. If non EU members heating is not working, yours can stop soon. And third, an agreement may not have a nice smell, but it is always cleaner than a negociation.

Things we watch

Israel is banning foreign correspondents from Gaza, despite a ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court.The Israeli propaganda effort is being directed to achieve two main aims.The first is to justify the air attacks. The second is to show that there is no humanitarian calamity in Gaza. So writes Paul Reynolds World affairs correspondent of the BBC. And he points out what it seems to be an example of propaganda. The video remains on You Tube.

Israel released video of an air attack on 28 December, which appeared to show rockets being loaded onto a lorry. The truck and those close to it were then destroyed by a missile. The YouTube video has a large caption on it saying "Grad missiles being loaded onto the Hamas vehicle." But a 55-year-old Gaza resident named Ahmed Sanur, or Samur, claimed that the truck was his and that he and members of his family and his workers were moving oxygen cylinders from his workshop. Mr Sanur said that eight people, one of them his son, had been killed.

Israeli human rights group B'Tselem put Mr Sanur's account on its website, together with a photograph of burned out oxygen cylinders. According to Sanur’s testimony, he and members of his family were trying to salvage material from a metal workshop he owns, which was next door to a bombed house, in order to prevent looting. He denies any connection to militants, or military activity, and is willing to talk to any journalist, or investigator.



Thanks to Andrius for sending the story.

Some extra analisis, in spanish, here.

Freezing again

Hungary, Poland and Romania said Russian gas deliveries via pipelines in Ukraine began falling on Friday. Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on Thursday after talks on a deal for this year collapsed. Both sides have guaranteed supplies to the rest of Europe, which relies on Russian gas via Ukrainian pipelines to meet 20 per cent of its demand. Russia and Ukraine vied for European support on Friday as the European Union struggled vainly to avoid intervening in their gas dispute as it began to affect member states, FT reports. 

Bohdan Sokolovsky, an energy adviser to Viktor Yushchenko, Ukraine's president, said the European Commission had shown "understanding" during talks. However, Oleksandr Hudyma, energy adviser to Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian prime minister, said unwillingness to confront Russia was "no surprise. Ukraine does not have any misconceptions about the support it would get from [the] European Union, which showed itself during the Georgian conflict."

Russia after de gulag

In 2006 at Lgov prison south of Moscow, more than 300 inmates slashed their bodies with razor blades. Many prisoners cut at their wrists, necks, or stomachs. This was organised self mutilation in protest against alleged abuse by prison officials; its sheer scale shocked many Russians, who are used to hearing appalling tales of life inside Russia's dilapidated and overcrowded prison system.
Theotherrussia.org provides a roundup of news stories coming out of Russia’s prisons and penal colonies, which are notorious for cruel treatment and arbitrariness.
NYT presents an slide show about russian jail that reveals aspects of the country's contradictory penal system. Russia jails a greater proportion of its people than any other major country apart from the US. According to the 2006 figures from the Russian Government, there are 829,000 people serving prison sentences.
As Lev Ponomarev, from the Movement For Human Rights, told the BBC the regime itself is the real issue now, a system he says which can lead to a culture of cruelty.



Some interesting facts about criminal tatoos in russian prisons.

Promises to keep... fighting for

A promise is a psychological contract indicating a transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his or her use. A promise may also refer to any kind of vow or guarantee.

On this day nine years and one day ago, Vladimir Putin was sworn into office.

Putin said in the address:

'Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of the mass media -- these basic freedoms will be reliably protected by the State,'

Thanks to Robert Amsterdam for reminding it.

2009 oh yea(r)!

This time last year Walking Randomly asked the question 'What is interesting about the number 2008?' and it turned out to be rather popular so they thought I would do the same with 2009.

• Both 2009 and its reversal 9002 are multiples of 7.
• The 2009th prime (17471) is palindromic.
• You can express 2009 as the sum of 4 positive cubes in exactly 3 ways.

More about 2009 here
And the 13 most famous numbers, here. (in spanish)

Obama´s never gonna tell a lie and hurt you...

In 2007 Rick Astley became the subject of a viral Internet meme in which an estimated 25 million Internet users were tricked into watching Rick Astley's video "Never Gonna Give You Up" by posting it under the name of other popular video titles. The practice is now known as Rickrolling. The phenomenon became so popular that on April 1, 2008, YouTube pranked its users by making every single featured video on the front page a Rickroll.

Here is Omaba singing. And lyrics here.

By the way. Also McCain dances.

17 killed in Ukraine explosion

At least 17 people have died in an explosion in an apartment building in the south of Ukraine. Another 15 people are still missing. Twenty-one people are known to have survived the blast, which ripped through a five-storey building in the Black Sea resort of Yevpatoria. The cause of the explosion is not yet known but the Ukrainian authorities have said there are no signs of a gas leak.First Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Turchynov said Sunday that human voices could be heard coming from 700 meters (2,300 feet) below ground, CNN reports. 

No ready for the (b)east?

Lubos Palata writes in Transitions Online about how the EU offers a new deal to the countries on its eastern frontier, and an implicit challenge to Russia .In the eyes of Eastern Europeans, the European Union is a standard measure for quality – the quality of products, of democracy, of housing, of lifestyles. Not America or Japan, but Europe. Millions of Ukrainians, Georgians, Azerbaijanis and Belarusians dream of one day living as people do in the EU. Those who can afford it actually act on those dreams. Cities like Berlin, Vienna, Karlovy Vary and Nice are full of rich Eastern Europeans who have used the millions they made in the east to move west and live the "eurolife."

Lubos Palata is the Central and Eastern European editor for the Czech daily Lidove noviny and a contributor to the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza and the German monthly German Times. He thinks that the problem is that the EU doesn't want Eastern Europe. It is already having a hard time digesting the 12 new member-states – including 10 from the post-communist regions of East-Central Europe and the Balkans – that were added to the union in recent years.

"This difficulty is evident in the rejection of the European constitution and the difficulties surrounding the Lisbon agreement"