Category Archives: News & Views
Russia Growing Popular DIY Websites and Youtube Properties
The Kremlin’s virtual squad (2009)
Political forums on the internet are relatively new for the Russian public. They’re today’s “universal kitchen”, where public opinion is “cooked up”. Users report that before 1999 such forums were fairly homogenous sociologically. 70-80% of the audience consisted of like-minded people of liberal and democratic convictions, representatives of the Russian middle class and Russian-speaking émigrés.
However, in a mere four years this has all changed. Suddenly, totalitarian opinion makes up 60-80% of all posts on Russian political forums! This dramatic increase does not correspond to the spectrum of public opinion. It diverges significantly from data of internet voting on key problems of modern Russian life.
For example, today 80% of participants on all web forums criticize the USA aggressively and monotonously. But on sites where you can only vote once from one computer, 84% of Russian speaking internet users support the USA…You find the same with attitudes to the Chechen war, support/criticism of the Kremlin policies etc. Wherever voting is protected, wherever it is not possible to vote several times, surveys come to exactly the opposite conclusions from those on sites that are “unprotected” from repeat voting.
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/the-kremlins-virtual-squad/
Absurdity is the Goal
Westerners STILL don’t understand. The goal isn’t to convince you, so pointing the absurdity of their propaganda isn’t a win.
Absurdity IS the goal — to make nothing true, and ridicule anyone who attempts to discover truth.
Only in such a polluted environment, are the whims of their Czar supreme, and the darkness of their history palpable.
Hungary’s Victor Orban used to remember the 1956 Revolution and was very wary of Russia
Before Victor Orban devolved into an obese kleptocrat with the conscience of a sack of lizard piss, he rightly touted Russia as the greatest of evils, a brutal occupier, responsible for millions tortured and murdered in his Hungary.
Before and after. pic.twitter.com/4ReMXp7Sx5
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) October 23, 2023
Russian Books Promoting the Idea of Russia taking over the World
https://twitter.com/sumlenny/status/1707407873603428717
THREAD Let’s start a long thread about how Russian book market prepared Russians for a full-scale war against Ukraine, NATO, the West, and promoted stalinism and nazism, and how this was ignored by the West. Keep seat belts fasten, you will see a lot of nasty things here. 1/52
One of the first indicators of Russia preparing for a full-scale turn into dictatorship and a global war was the mass production of books praising Stalin and Stalinism and welcoming upcoming war against the West. These books appeared on Russian bookshelves in early 2010s 2/52
A Russian Explains Russia – “We exist as long as we oppress others”
“We exist as long as we oppress others” – a Russian person explains how Russia works. According to him, Russia’s entire history consists of three recurring phases – preparation for war, war and reconstruction after the war. The empire cannot allow anyone to live better, so every country with a higher standard of living is an enemy.
"We exist as long as we oppress others" – a Russian person explains how Russia works.
According to him, Russia's entire history consists of three recurring phases – preparation for war, war and reconstruction after the war. The empire cannot allow anyone to live better, so… pic.twitter.com/0e3w2Oan0W
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) September 28, 2023
Ukraine Official Fired Over Handling of Russian Sexual Assault Claims (May 2022)
As I understand, there was some suspicion that the was a Kremlin agent trying to mess up legitimate claims of atrocities. Thought most people believe she was just attempting to get the world’s attention, and doing what she thought would achieve that.
Russian Propaganda Tier List
Prigozhin / Putin negotiations
The best response to the proposal to negotiate with #Russia’s Putin was given by #Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba:
“[Prigozhin] had a conflict with Putin, he had successful negotiations: ended the conflict, agreed to security guarantees. And then Putin killed him.”
RUSSIAN INFILTRATION OF U.S. CONSERVATIVES, including Heritage Foundation
RUSSIAN INFILTRATION OF U.S. CONSERVATIVES
Part 2
This part of the series discusses the transformatino of the @Heritage Foundation from a Reaganesque organization to a Kremlin apologist organization.
The relationship between Heritage and Hungary started with a meeting of… pic.twitter.com/utvKzh4DEV— Randy Mott (@randymot4) August 28, 2023
RUSSIAN INFILTRATION OF U.S. CONSERVATIVES
Part 2
This part of the series discusses the transformatino of the @Heritage
Foundation from a Reaganesque organization to a Kremlin apologist organization.
The relationship between Heritage and Hungary started with a meeting of Kevin Roberts and Viktor Orban on November 29, 2022. The Hungarian media reported that they agreed of family values and the importance of religion. It seems clear that Orban used his “social agenda” to find common grounds with Heritage. Orban argues that this social agenda is why he is unpopular in Western Europe (ignoring the real issues).
Poland engaged in the same objections to EU immigration policy and it much more religious as a country, but is among the strongest supporters of Ukraine. Hungary objected to military aid to Ukraine and also is spending less than 1% of its GDP on defense (one of the freeloaders that conservatives, even Heritage folks, have criticized). But Hungary has strong relationship with Russia.
Of course, Hungary is among the bottom third of countries in Europe on religious faith and this has nothing to do with Orban’s brand problem.
Pew Research:
% of people who say they attend church weekly: US 36%, Hungary 9%, Russia 9%.
Pray daily: US 55%, Hungary 16%, Russia 18%
Say religion is very important to them: US 53%, Hungary 14%, Russia 16%.
By March 2023, Heritage and the Danube Institute (chiefly owned by the Hungarian government) signed sa cooperation agreement.
Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement
Prior to that agreement, the #HeritageFoundation was taking an aggressively pro-Ulkrainian stance.
“In the months leading up to the vote on the Ukraine aid bill, Heritage’s policy experts argued in favor of an aggressive American role in the conflict, including huge amounts of aid.” NYT, May 27, 2023. https://heritage.org/defense/heritage-explains/the-path-forward-ukraine…
One of their fellows posted on twitter and was ordered to delete it:
https://web.archive.org/web/20220511011610/https://twitter.com/lukedcoffey/status/1524196553438728192
After that Hungarian deal, #HeritageFoundation completely flips its position on Ukraine, actually opposing U.S. aid. “Jessica Anderson, the executive director of Heritage’s lobbying operation, released a searing statement — its headline blaring “Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last” — that framed the measure as reckless and ill-considered.” NYT, May 27, 2023. Then comes the Heritage ad buy in August 2023. What communications did they have on this with the Hungarian Government through the Danube Institute or otherwise? Orban has been an unspoken supporter of Russia in the Ukraine war, repeating many common Kremlin propaganda lines that wwere repeated in the Heritage ad. It seems to be no coincidence.
This is especially suspicious since Heritage’s defense policy chief adviser was bypassed on the op ed and ad buy. He resigned in protest. Did Heritage staff from Hungary participate in the Ukraine material? https://nationalreview.com/2023/08/heritages-top-defense-expert-to-exit-over-ukraine-stance/…
Hungary is accused of supporting Russia and opposes sanctions of Russia. See Part 1. Orban has been vehemently demanding ceasefire in Ukraine in August 2023. He has called countries that sent aid to Ukraine “warmongers.”
https://euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/hungarys-orban-vows-to-maintain-russia-ties/…
@Heritage
has flipped in position 180 degrees to echo many of Orban’s own comments, while dumping of all of advisors who previously supported aid. This is probably not a coincidence.
Heritage has briefed the Freedom Caucus (many of whose members voted to oppose vote) as well as Senator Hawley from Missouri and Governor Ron DeSantis, who based much of his position on Heritage briefings. Hawley has security clearances did he know of the connection to the Hungarian Government? https://nytimes.com/2022/05/27/us/politics/ukraine-aid-heritage-foundation.html… Is Heritage Foundation registered under FARA as an agent of the Hungarian Government? [on-line search found none].They have been advocating policies to US decision-makers. Do any of their staff have security clearances? Why was the Roberts’ op ed piece published without the normal internal review at Heritage? Did the Danube Institute review it in advance? The Hungarian Government?
@RonDeSantis
and all Republicans should be running as far away from @Heritage
as possible, especially on Ukraine issues. This pattern of inside influencing is exactly the typical Russian game plan. Knowlingly staying involved with them after this connection is known is not a smart move and might be very seriously problematic. Republicans at least should fact check what they have been told by Heritage since its recruitment by Hungary.
For detailed description of the recent Heritage Ukraine position and its misleading contents: https://twitter.com/randymot4/status/1695405958455853505?s=20
Part 3 with discuss Tucker Carlson.
The American Conservative split over Ukraine.
Conservative European perspective on Tucker/Heritage/CPAC
Had Tucker Carlson, CPAC and Heritage Foundation wanted to partner up with a new democratic Eastern European country devoted to conservative principles that was successful and very pro-American they could have picked Poland (one of our strongest – if not strongest – allies).… pic.twitter.com/ua2mgYp34N
— Randy Mott (@randymot4) August 27, 2023
Had Tucker Carlson, CPAC and Heritage Foundation wanted to partner up with a new democratic Eastern European country devoted to conservative principles that was successful and very pro-American they could have picked Poland (one of our strongest – if not strongest – allies). Instead they picked Hungary – economically struggling and with a close relationship to Russia. The dark horse in Europe.
Was that decision to go with Hungary and promote Viktor Orban based of the work of Tucker’s father? Did Heritage decide to go seek a Hungarian institute to team with or did the idea come to them?
I fear that my party has been led down a rocky road that ends up going over a cliff. Time to change direction. #ViktorOrban #TuckerCarlson #HeritageFloundation #CPAC
Heritage, it seems, did an especially hard pivot, and is in a feud with one of their former members: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-reply-to-the-heritage-foundations-smears/
Why Heritage Foundation Flipped to be Pro-Russia
The #HeritageFoundation as late as October 2022 was taking an aggressively pro-Ulkrainian stance. "In the months leading up to the vote on the Ukraine aid bill, Heritage’s policy experts argued in favor of an aggressive American…— Randy Mott (@randymot4) August 26, 2023
Why Heritage Foundation Flipped to be Pro-Russia
The #HeritageFoundation as late as October 2022 was taking an aggressively pro-Ulkrainian stance. “In the months leading up to the vote on the Ukraine aid bill, Heritage’s policy experts argued in favor of an aggressive American role in the conflict, including huge amounts of aid.” NYT, May 27, 2023.
https://heritage.org/defense/heritage-explains/the-path-forward-ukraine
In March 2023, @Heritage
made a deal with the Danube Institute, owned by the Hungarian Government, i.e. Viktor Orban. Did they receive funding from Hungary? What exactly changed hands?Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement
After that date, #HeritageFoundation completely flips its position on Ukraine, actually opposing U.S. aid. “Jessica Anderson, the executive director of Heritage’s lobbying operation, released a searing statement — its headline blaring “Ukraine Aid Package Puts America Last” — that framed the measure as reckless and ill-considered.” NYT, May 27, 2023. Then comes the Heritage ad buy in August 2023.
What communications did they have on this with the Hungarian Government through the Danube Institute or otherwise?
Orban has been an unspoken supporter of Russia in the Ukraine war, repeating many common Kremlin propaganda lines. It seems to be no coincidence that @Heritage
has now picked up many of the same themes. This is especially suspicious since Heritage did not change its defense policy chief adviser. He was bypassed on the op ed and ad buy. Did Heritage staff from Hungary participate in the Ukraine material?
Hungary is accused of supporting Russia and opposes sanctions of Russia. Does Orban have financial connections to the Kremlin that may extend beyond his government’s energy dealings?
@Heritage
has flipped in position 180 degrees to echo many of Orban’s own comments. This is probably not a coincidence.
Heritage has briefed the Freedom Caucus (many of whose members voted to oppose vote) as well as Senator Hawley from Missouri and Governor Ron DeSantis, who based much of his position on Heritage briefings. Hawley has security clearances did he know of the connection to the Hungarian Government?
Is Heritage Foundation registered under FARA as an agent of the Hungarian Government? [on-line search foiund none].They have been advocating policies to US decision-makers. Do any of their staff have security clearances? Why was the Roberts’ op ed piece published without the normal internal review at Heritage? Did the Danube Institute review it in advance? The Hungarian Government?
@RonDeSantis
and all Republicans should be running as far away from @Heritage
as possible, especially on Ukraine issues. This pattern of inside influencing is exactly the typical Russian game plan. Knowlingly staying involved with them after this connection is known is not a smart move and might be very seriously problematic.Heritage Foundation and Danube Institute Sign Landmark Cooperation Agreement
For detailed description of the recent Heritage Ukraine position and its misleading contents:
https://twitter.com/randymot4/stat
Watching Reactions to Yevgeny Prigozhin’s Death
Let’s talk about NATO expansion
Kamil Galeev on the English culture of compromise, which does NOT exit in Russia
3:28 / 9:12 Hidden Ukraines Inside Russia?
Russian Statements about the Use of Chemical Weapons in Azovstal
https://www.mk.ru/politics/2022/04/11/basurin-predlozhil-brat-azovstal-khimicheskimi-voyskami.html
Представитель народной милиции ДНР Эдуард Басурин сообщил о сложностях штурма завода “Азовсталь” в Мариуполе, где находятся 3-4 тысячи участников украинских добровольческих батальонов. В этой связи он предложил обратиться за помощью к “химическим войскам”.
“Там подземные этажи, поэтому брать данный объект штурмом смысла не имеет”, – объяснил Басурин в эфире Первого канала, добавив, что это может привести к гибели большого количества солдат наступающей стороны, а противник потерь практически не понесет.
В связи этим Басурин предложил разобраться с блокировкой завода и найти все входы и выходы.
“А после этого уже обратиться, я думаю, к химическим войскам, которые найдут способ, как выкурить кротов из своих нор”, – отметил представитель народной милиции ДНР.
Он затруднился назвать точную цифру бойцов украинской стороны, которые находятся на заводе, но предположил, что их может быть от трех до четырех тысяч человек.
“Поверьте, для хорошо укрепленного района это большая цифра”, – заметил Басурин.
True Believer from Zaporizhia Region Discovers “Banderivtsi” are not the problem
She is in hysterics after watching Russian soldiers rape and shoot children.
—–
This is evidenced by a telephone conversation intercepted by the SSU between a militant of the so-called DNR (whose unit is now stationed in Kherson region) and his relative who lives in Tarasivka villiage, Zaporizhia region.
Influenced by Russian propaganda, the woman had a different image of ‘liberators’, but the reality is shocking.
‘Seryozha, come here and see what’s happening here! I’m not telling you some bullsh*t! I always believed you! I believed, as you explained to me about the Banderites – I hated them. Now, who should I hate?’ the woman asks her nephew.
She does not know how to protect her 14- and 10-year-old granddaughters from the ‘liberators’. ‘We give them sausages, and they break into houses, rape children and shoot in the legs,’ the woman cries. ‘What should I do? They walk around the village, ask where the young girls are and offer diesel for them…’
The relative advises: ‘If there is an opportunity – go somewhere. To the rear, somewhere to the city.’
—–
Russia organized both sides of a Texas mosque protest in 2016
Russian actors organized both anti-Islam and pro-Islam protests in the same location at the same time on May 21, 2016, using separate Facebook pages operated from a so-called troll farm in St. Petersburg, the Senate Intelligence Committee disclosed on Wednesday.
A Facebook page named Heart of Texas, whose link to Russia was first reported by Business Insider, organized a rally at noon on May 21 at the Islamic Da’wah Center in Houston to “Stop Islamization of Texas.” The account paid to promote the event, which was viewed by about 12,000 people, said the committee’s chairman, Sen. Richard Burr.
Another Russia-linked account, United Muslims of America, organized a counterprotest — a “Save Islamic Knowledge” rally.
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-trolls-senate-intelligence-committee-hearing-2017-11