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March 21, 2015
Open Thread 2015-15
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#91 Hoarse: Yes, Tomahawk submarine-launched nuclear cruise missiles and Jericho III ICBMs are so 1990. I’m sure Washington, Tokyo, and Moscow have nothing to worry about. Israel would never launch a pre-emptive war, and would never shoot Americans in any case, after all. They only fight holy wars on the side of good. We are completely safe.
Exclusive: Israel Tests New Jericho ICBM, Rattling Sabers Against Iran
Posted by: Imagine | Mar 27 2015 23:57 utc | 101
@james #99, Laguerre #100:
I guess that Lufthansa doesn’t place much value in its passengers, other than as a source of revenue, given that it entrusted its passengers’ lives to someone who it knew was mentally ill.
People with a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder should not be stigmatized. (Even though a psychosis cannot be cured, but only treated and controlled.) And everyone has a right to realize their career dreams, so long as they pass all the required tests.
This liberalism is going to destroy Europe.
@rufus magister | 93
While I lean towards believing a deal has been struck between Kolomoisky and Poroshenko (at least for the short term), some of the reports I cite believe it to be a tactical withdrawal. I believe J. Hawk (quoted at 66) is correct in calling it a Pyrrhic victory (3rdEye has a link at 62 to the source). Both Poroshenko and Kolomoisky live to fight another day.
Via Russia Insider, RFE/RL recognizes that things could get out of hand, noting Ukraine Risks ‘Feudalization’ as Conflict with Oligarchs Boils Over.
I would recommend reading (if you understand Russian, or maybe online translators help) http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/2112653.html
US has complete control over Ukies oligarchs, one phone call and intransigent Kolomoisky completely capitulated over one night, there was nothing Pyrrhic about that (he might want revenge sometime later, but it wont happen unless he gets US behind him), nor “things could get out of hand”, as we seen from this feud.
I agree that DC is clearly behind Poroshenko now, but I do think it matters who the local leadership is. Human nature being what it is, no subordinate is 100 pct. reliable (see, e.g. Malaki, Diem).
Malaki example doesnt work here, because Iran has greater influence over Iraq than US, while in Ukraine US has complete control over their leadership, oligarchs, media and Western Ukies were brainwashed for decades. I have never seen such control over foreign country in my life. Lets say Parasha or Yats gets out of control (it could happen, as you mentioned), they would simply be replaced by another puppet. US influence doesnt end with just leadership, its on all levels top to bottom.
but if the lesser oligarchs feel threatened enough, they might be moved to act.
Act how? They would end up “suiciding” and/or their assets would be confiscated, while media and judicial system would make them pariahs.
I would expect Kolomoisky to regroup and plan ahead, but Russia Insider has an unconfirmed report that he is calling for a demo on Saturday.
Yes, that demo was initially suppose to be anti-Kiev Maidan, which suddenly become “Ukraine unity” demo. Thats how quickly US fixed oligarchs feud.
Posted by: Harry | Mar 28 2015 7:13 utc | 103
Posted by: Demian | Mar 27, 2015 8:24:22 PM | 102
Interesting Germanwings article. They seem to be one step away from committing to a smear campaign. Someone must like skating on thin ice…
One problem with this approach is that it could quickly degenerate into a debate about the definition, and responsibilities, of “professionalism.”
i.e. If an expert is capable of deducing how potentially “dangerous” the co-pilot was, with sufficient authority to paint him black in the eyes of the world, how much more, or less, professional would his conduct have been had the “professional” alerted the authorities to his client’s condition, given his client’s implied vocational responsibilities?
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Mar 28 2015 16:34 utc | 104
Thought experiment…
In a Wired for Everything World, and given the US Military’s ability to fly ‘drones’ to and from anywhere in the world with acceptable precision, from bunkers filled with remote-control and remote killing specialists in America; should commercial passenger planes be fitted with Information Awareness displays for the edification of passengers?
There’s space available on the passenger’s side of the bullet-proof bulkhead for an electronic display mimicking traffic lights. The Green lamp would indicate hands-on control by the pilot. Amber would indicate control by the computer. Red would indicate control by an anonymous entity located beyond the confines of the aircraft.
Would such a modern-as-tomorrow gizmo be a blessing or a curse?
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Mar 28 2015 19:22 utc | 105
Harry at 103 —
I do not consider that people can be bought, just leased short or long term. Compradors do not totally abdicate their self-interest. No subordinate in any hierarchy is ever 100 pct. under control.
Poroshenko is clearly moving with Am. backing to try to consolidate his power. The analysts previously cited note that Poroshenko is not strong enough to destroy Kolomoisky, as Putin did to Khodorkovsky.
It seems that Kolomoisky has lost just his governorship and control over refining and product distribution. His key holding, Privat Bank, remains in his possession, and he still has his paramilitaries. RFE/RL seems to think that he has plenty of ways and means to make his presence felt.
Financial superiority, a loyal and secure base, adequate paramilitaries (if needed), well played can prevail against a weak and increasingly discredited state.
Should this be the opening salvo in a general campaign against the disobedient oligarchs, a number of greater and lesser boyars are at risk. Poroshenko will need to divide and conquer, Kolomoisky could be the keystone of a “union” of oligarchs.
Kyiv Post certainly hopes that this is the start of a campaign against the oligarchy, but seems uncertain about how far Poroshenko will go. It asks, Does Kolomoisky’s exit signal start of real crackdown against oligarchs? It certainly would like it to be and helpfully has Poroshenko Bloc deputy and journalist Serhiy Leshchenko argue that Kolomoisky has been too powerful for too many years.
I would think we are in the opening moves rather than the endgame.
I looked at the good Colonel; I believe the MSM has noted Biden’s involvement. Given that his son and other assocs. have a direct interest in Ukraninian gas, that he has the point on Wash’s. drive is a little unseemly. I find Cassad’s conclusion interesting. “Now it remains to do business and wait for better times in the hope that ‘colleagues’ do not devour.”
Posted by: rufus magister | Mar 28 2015 20:00 utc | 106
Demian #96:
It would be interesting to see where the intellectuals who developed the ideaa of the Russian World got their ideas. It is very possible that the ultimate source is Hegel.
Sure enough, that is the case. From Consortium News: Distorting Putin’s Philosophers
[Il’in’s] fame early in the Twentieth Century stemmed largely from a celebrated academic study of Hegel’s writings, a work still lauded both in and outside of Russia as among the best ever produced.
@rm #98:
The need for a universal human culture is self-evident, IMHO.
You just can’t shed your liberalism and American imperialism and chauvinism, can you? Under present conditions, what could a “universal culture” possibly be but the “popular” culture produced by American corporate mass media, combined with American exceptionalism and messianism and the idea that a human being is nothing more than a passive consumer who perhaps exercises his “freedom” by doing nothing more than voting every two or four years? Wanting there to be a “universal human culture” is nothing more nor less than enthusiastically affirming the idea of and need for American full spectrum dominance.
From the same article:
Berdyaev’s perspective here is particularly helpful if we want a world made safe for both unity and diversity. A global civilization that would level all differences is ugly, while a messianism that would exalt one nation over others is evil. [N. Berdyaev, Sud’ba Rossii [The Fate of Russia], (Moskva: Eksmo-Press, 2001), p. 353 and 361]
@107
‘ The need for a universal human culture is self-evident, IMHO. ‘
Amazing to relate, I found that statement as repulsive as you did. I think (I hope) he means something like a universal respect among humans for all cultures …
But I came over to note ‘news’ of a thirty year old film that I found very good and very satisfying, on youtube, and with English subtitles, I Remember You – directed by Ali Khamraev. I did watch Stalker on Benu’s advice, but I found this one much more to my taste. I suppose you’ve seen it already, but others may enjoy it.
There is also a personal reminiscence on the film’s genesis at wsws.org, which is where I saw reference to the film itself.
It is something enriching and enjoyable to pursue as we wait for WW III to begin in the Middle East. Or Ukraine. Washington has it up on both burners now.
Posted by: jfl | Mar 29 2015 12:15 utc | 108
In re to 107 & 108.
I fail to understand why a shared human culture for our shared planet is “repulsive.” Extrapolation of my casual remarks was unduly expansive. Straw men are always the easiest opponents.
On human culture, I’m rather like John the Baptist. I speak of one to come, whose parameters I am unworthy to define.
We have problems on a global scale, requiring a global solution and a global culture. Such a culture is being created by the blind forces of the market. I am not particularly fond of this market-based reduction of human values to cash.
Let’s not put the cart before the horse, comrades. Culture follows and reflects the mode of production, it does not proceed it.
A radical restructuring of political and economic institutions is required to bring them under popular control. We need long-range planning for human needs and not the rapaciousness of the 1 pct. I earlier suggested that we need a minimum 10K year horizon, as we have created wastes that will endure that long.
Having prevented the destruction of the planet and its environment, at that point serious discussions about universal human values can actually begin.
I thought that I made it clear that I see this shared universal culture as a common addition to the cultural repertoire. “I think it is possible, indeed, desirable and even necessary to retain one or more particular, localized cultures within that general human culture.” Even now each of us operates in various, overlapping cultures; I see no need to sacrifice cultural diversity for political unity.
One world, one love, one heart. Peace out, moi droogs.
Posted by: rufus magister | Mar 29 2015 14:32 utc | 109
jfl @ 108
Fascinating story at your link. Thanks for that. I look forward to watching I Remember You. Have you ever seen The Color of Pomegranates by Sergei Parajanov? It’s one of my favorite films of all time. I think you might like it; it’s very poetic and visually lush.
Posted by: Benu | Mar 29 2015 15:38 utc | 110
Englightenment values are also based on Christianity.
Posted by: Harold | Mar 29 2015 16:10 utc | 111
Perhaps if someone drew a spreadsheet of these values they would find considerable overlap between Western and Russian.
Posted by: Harold | Mar 29 2015 16:48 utc | 112
Harold at 112 — Catherine the Great was a friend of Voltaire and Diderot. As was Frederick the Great of Prussia.
Posted by: rufus magister | Mar 29 2015 17:11 utc | 113
…
Israel would never launch a pre-emptive war, and would never shoot Americans in any case, after all. They only fight holy wars on the side of good. We are completely safe.
Posted by: Imagine | Mar 27, 2015 7:57:53 PM | 101
We are indeed. Despite all the tough guy insinuations from Israeli Nukular fantasists, the Top Brass will never forget that (tiny) “Israel” is a one-bomb country: hardly the safest (or smartest) place from which to precipitate a Nuclear tit for tat. They don’t need Nukes and they haven’t got any.
Someone should be asking what happened to the money…
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Mar 30 2015 15:15 utc | 114