30 September 2008

How little things change...

From a recent LA Times article on rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia in Crimea:

In a scene that seemed cut from tsarist times, Russian navy officials
and Orthodox priests sat at a long table, knocking back shots of vodka
and proclaiming emotional toasts.

"The West shuddered 150 years ago when Russia showed its sword, and
the Black Sea turned red with blood," said Igor Bebin, a pink-robed
priest who rose to his feet, vodka glass held high.

"That was the supreme truth. And the truth is that now, for the first
time, the sword of Russia is shining again. Be afraid of the sword."

The Russians cheered, and took a deep drink.

So when you try to tell me aggression isn't endogenous to Russian mentality and culture, you can save your breath.

No comments: