Anyone every heard of the traditional card game
"Durak?" Apparently it is Russia's most popular
card game having dislaced "Preferans."

Some of these postings remind me of the game.

Another Russian word also comes to mind when reading posts
defending Putin's actions - "Podkhalim!-

To those defending Putin's actions in the Ukraine
you can now pick up "The Putin Flying Fickle Finger
of Fate" award, at your nearest Russian embassy.

But you'd better hurry - as Putin may not be around
for much longer. He's WANTED FOR WAR CRIMES!

Bronwyn,

"That was when Russia was being ‘led’ by Boris Yeltsin...."

Yeah sure Bronwyn. Russia was a paradise pre-Yeltsin and again post-Yeltsin. But was a disaster during Yelstin. If you believe that I have this bridge I'd like to talk to you about.

I've been visiting Russia since 1981, at least yearly up to 1993 and then less often after. Russia is indeed a third world country. So do you agree that those in the US on the poverty line have a standard of living similar to the top quartile in Russia?

I've not taken sides in the Ukrainian conflict. Its just realpolitik in the 21st century. Its been going on for millennia. But in realpolitik terms, Putin has made a horrendous error. The problem is that those who rhapsodise over the erstwhile worker's paradise such as yourself just fall for all the propaganda. The claims about routing out Nazis is nothing but a cover for imperialism. As I've previously shown you, if Putin really was concerned about Nazis he'd do something about those in his own country. Even if true, quite why he'd be concerned about Nazis in a country that can't possibly threaten Russia is left (deliberately) unsaid.