Should Russia Break Apart Into Smaller Units.

[The Vagabond]

Originally posted by Serb
WTF?

Considering that there is no such thing as "The People's Central Air Defense Headquarters. " in Omsk, it could only be a...James Bond movie?

Perhaps "People's" means "Chinese"?? Like in People's Republic of China.

Uh, I definitely have a bout of paranoia today. The Russian national remedy would certainly be of help now.

[Serb]

As always
And DanS sure need a couple of glasses too

[The Vagabond]

I tell you, Serb. Now I am almost sure. "People's" in DanS's quote means "Chinese". It's like the Chinese Army is referred to as People's Liberation Army, the Chinese Navy is called People's Navy, etc. Therefore "People's Central Air Defense Headquarters" in Omsk means ... you understand what.

Anyway, whatever it means, I am against it.

[Kepler]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
You sold it fair and square. Don't start whining now because we got the better end of the deal.

Actually, they didn't. The guy who negotiated with Seward exceeded his authority, and tried pocketing about 1/5th of the purchase price by lying about it to the Czar.

But it's ours because we're there. We're about as likely to leave as the Israelies are to leave the West Bank and Gaza.

[The Vagabond]

The czar couldn't foresee the ensuing Cold War with America even in his worst nightmares. Otherwise he would have never sold it.

[Serb]

Bah...who cared about America in those times?

[The Vagabond]

Yeah, those were the times...

[Serb]

Originally posted by The Vagabond
I tell you, Serb. Now I am almost sure. "People's" in DanS's quote means "Chinese". It's like the Chinese Army is referred to as People's Liberation Army, the Chinese Navy is called People's Navy, etc. Therefore "People's Central Air Defense Headquarters" in Omsk means ... you understand what.

Anyway, whatever it means, I am against it.

Yeah, I guess you right.

We demand explanations DanS.

[Saras]

It's actually called Peoples Liberation Army Navy and Peoples Liberation Army Air Force.

I tell you, they're evil

[Serb]

Tell us more....

[Seeker]

Canada 'trembles'?!

Ha! Many of us west of Ontario would be quite happy to see the French go, and take their Quebec politicians and favouritism with them...

"But what about the enormous sufferings of the Russian people that will ensue should the Russian Federation be destabilized? You don't seem to care about that."

Suffering is the Russian's natural condition. He can't understand any other way of life. The Russian submerges his Self in the 'great ocean' and thus is able to stolidly endure anything. They'll get over it, and it would be in the interests of freedom anyway.

[DanS]

Serb: Omsk is famous.

Y'all have never seen Dr. Strangelove?

[DaShi]

Originally posted by JCG
Only as much as the U.S. and China should break up....

WHat?!! How long have they been going out? Why am I always the last to know about these things?

[Bas]

Just out of curiosity: what Russian regions actually have a strong independence movement (ie at least a significant minority in favour of secession), besides Chechnya?

[Sprayber]

A lot of your problems could be resolved by a reorganization of your system. You guys have to find a way to dump the old Soviet system of giving automomy and special rights to some and not others. Set every region as equals under a central government. Give everyone the same stake in the central government. But you must always be prepared for the evetuality that some may not want to be apart of Russia. The decision then becomes do you force a region to submit for just your benifit. If you do, then be honest about it and don't pretend it's for the little Chechens own good.