Category: Fourre-tout

Today, any sane person would unquestionably say “no” to starting a war… but this is what Russia did in Ukraine almost a year ago.

It happened against the will of many Russian citizens, but their early protests were met with harsh retribution by the police and lengthy prison terms.

Since then, protests have been few, but it does not mean that every Russian citizen agrees with Vladimir Putin’s imperialist ambitions. Many don’t, especially the younger generation. Most speak English and want good relations with their neighbors, but now, due to NATO sanctions, it is almost impossible.

As previously mentioned, I follow a few independent Russian YouTubers to form an opinion (notably Daniil Orain) and I trust his candid, slightly mocking street interviews to take the pulse of his nation.

Based on his quick questions and answer sessions, I gather that most of the Soviet Era generation wholeheartedly support Putin. They never traveled outside Russia, don’t speak English and firmly believe the official nonsense about de-nazifying Ukraine… this is especially true in rural areas. Unbeknownst to many, could Volodymyr Zelenskyy be a secret Nazi? A little far-fetched…

The younger set is much more skeptical; many of them speak English but they are visibly afraid to answer pointed questions. Many declare that they are apolitical and not at all interested in what’s going on in Ukraine. This is exactly what Putin wants. Just behave, he tells them, and I will let you have a little piece of the pie… but don’t ever interfere with my politics… or else!

Some citizens though dare to express some heartfelt feelings about Putin and his belligerent policies. But this is more the exception than the norm. Fear is omnipresent and palpable. Most young women (not all) are against the war. Some mothers and wives, braving the police, are starting to question the authorities about what happened to their missing kinfolk. Troubles brewing…

Many Russian citizens are totally brainwashed into thinking that Putin knows best and will prevail in all his enterprises. He is a cunning fox; he knows what he is doing they say. Eerily reminiscent of “Il Duce ha sempre ragione” (Mussolini is always right).

What’s in the cards for Russia’s czar and his “special operation”? Difficult to predict, but many so-called strongmen were ultimately proven to have “feet of clay” (the Book of Daniel).

Alain

“Vladimir Putin Travels to an Eastern European Country. He walks up to the customs agent who asks
-Name?
Vladimir Putin
-Country of Origin?
Russia
-Occupation?
“No, no. Just visiting.”

“Sex is… perfectly natural. It’s something that’s pleasurable. It’s enjoyable and it enhances a relationship. So why don’t we learn as much as possible about it and become comfortable with ourselves as sexual human beings because we are all sexual?” Sue Johanson

I am a big fan of YouTube. I discovered that anytime I am confronted by a problem or a technical question, I could turn to that site for an answer. And 95% of the time, through various instructional videos, I am shown how to solve my problem.

YouTube is a well of knowledge. People from all walks of life show you how to do almost anything and many of the lecturers are women; it seems that they have taken the lead in shedding light on the mystique of sex. If you are in the dark, or fuzzy about any sexual practice, be it foreplay or oral sex, they will painstakingly describe and clarify how those things should be done.

No subject is taboo, and it is refreshing to finally hear out loud what has been whispered for years by prudish and inhibited people. In the eyes of the religious establishment, sex was only meant for procreation. But you cannot spend a lifetime procreating… you need some entertainment and “le café du pauvre” is the cheapest and most satisfying kind of pleasure.

“Is sex dirty? Only when it’s being done right.”— Woody Allen

There is a big difference between procreation and recreation and the techniques are widely different. Procreation could be equated with planting potatoes; it is a simple and straight operation that does not require much learning. Recreation, on the other hand, demands much more imagination and specific knowledge of human anatomy.

But even if you are totally ignorant of some of the Kama Sutra teachings, don’t despair, YouTube is there. Its priestesses are online 24h a day and eager to enlighten you.

I daresay that instead of catechism, many people would be better off and better prepared for life if exposed to the Joy of Sex in their formative years.

“There’s a reason why God designed our bodies so that, when we lie down in bed, our hands naturally come to rest on our genitals.” Caitlin Moran

But YouTube is not exclusively a sex workshop. I query that site for news about the Ukrainian conflict, politics, tour videos, educational/tutorial videos, cooking recipes, product reviews, movie reviews, music videos, prank videos, babies, animal videos, etc.

If you don’t know how to do something (a Covid test for example), I advise you to turn to YouTube first.

Alain

The New Oxford American Dictionary defines patriotism as “Devotion to, and vigorous support for one’s country.”

At first glance, this definition sounds innocuous, but it is only one of many others. Numerous people embrace a much different interpretation of this polarizing subject.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW for instance said, “Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.”

Doesn’t it sound familiar?

You might wonder why I suddenly came up with this topic, and the answer is: the relentless, abominable war taking presently place in Ukraine.

It would seem, that most people would be against such blatant aggression, but many Russian “patriots” seem to support it. I came to this conclusion after watching many videos produced by a Young Russian YouTuber named Daniil Orain .

This young software engineer is using his channel called 1420 to record the present mood and the opinions of his countrymen. It is a risky enterprise in a country tightly controlled by the police, but he seems to be very cool about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uefwbuEzeyw

Many Russian citizens are Nationalists, while some are Patriots, but as George Orwell pointed out, Nationalism is different from Patriotism.

“Nationalism is about power: its adherent wants to acquire as much power and prestige as possible for his nation, in which he submerges his individuality. While nationalism is accordingly aggressive, patriotism is defensive: it is a devotion to a particular place and a way of life one thinks best but has no wish to impose on others.” Orwell 1968 

Nationalism is not only inherent to Russia. It seems to exist everywhere, notably in the US as proven by the infamous January 6 violence. It is noxious and threatening.

“Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.” James Bryce

 Righteous, is the key word to remember.

Alain