Bloodthirsty Liberal

You can take the communism out of Russia and China—but evidently you can’t take out the communists!

After four years of Dmitry Medvedev keeping the czar’s throne warm, Vladimir Putin is once again Russia’s president. There were no public celebrations to accompany Mr. Putin’s inauguration on May 7. Quite the opposite. Moscow’s streets had been cleared by a huge security presence; the city turned into a ghost town. This scene came the day after massive protests showed that the Russian middle class rejects Mr. Putin’s bid to become their president for life. With no independent legislature or judiciary at our disposal, Mr. Putin’s impeachment will have to take place in the streets.

Meanwhile, this modern czar is using the full power of the state to stamp out Russia’s growing democracy movement. Two young movement leaders, Alexei Navalny and Sergei Udaltsov, were arrested on May 6 and are still in jail on 15-day sentences. They’ve been charged with “violently resisting arrest,” even though several videos of the arrest show Mr. Navalny with his hands in the air shouting, “Don’t resist! Don’t resist!”

Naturally, the court has forbidden the admission of any video evidence in the case. It is possible that a criminal case will be added against them for “inciting mass violence”—Kremlin code for a political trial.

A similar case in St. Petersburg has even grimmer overtones of KGB repression. Activists of the Other Russia coalition were recently charged with “extremist activity” based on the testimony of agents and informants all in the employ of the Interior Ministry. Their crime is officially described as organizing “public events focused on inciting hatred toward high leaders of state authority”—just the sort of phrase that sends chills down the spine of anyone born behind the Iron Curtain.

We’ve covered China plenty, so this is Russia’s turn. The writer, Garry Kasparov, is a leading human rights figure in Russia—and a former world chess champion (probably the best player since Bobby Fischer’s insanity overtook his brilliance). He doesn’t like the look of the endgame.

The American reaction to the protests and the Putin regime’s vicious response to them was not long in coming. On May 8, with security forces still clearing the streets and raiding cafes, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave an interview with CNN that made the Obama administration’s position frightfully clear. In a phrase that quickly became infamous here, Mrs. Clinton said she hoped “Russia will be able to continue democratizing” during Mr. Putin’s new term.

The 12 years of Putin rule have marked a steady slide away from democracy in every way, so what message was this outrageous statement intended to convey? Are Russians still supposed to act grateful that we no longer live under Brezhnev or Stalin? Or is this the Obama administration’s way of telling Mr. Putin to carry on, that matters of human rights and democracy are safely off the table as long as NATO can use Russian territory for Afghanistan supply lines?

The myth that Russia and the U.S. have a mutually useful strategic partnership has been promoted by the Americans for years, but the fiction is becoming harder to maintain. Mr. Putin abruptly canceled his trip to the G-8 summit at Camp David and will instead make the first foreign excursion of his new term to the unalloyed dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko’s Belarus.

Let me say what Kasparov will not (doubtless out of civility): the Obama administration is a… no, I can’t say it either. I would instead observe that what Putin did was a kick in the ‘nads—but we are ‘nad-less.

And not just Hillary. Let me offer Andrew Breitbart’s $100,000 for any, ahem, hard evidence that anyone in this administration has a pair.

PS: I didn’t know that Putin had bailed on the G-8 summit to go to Belarus instead. Has the media covered the story and its implications?

And I thought the European elections meant a return to socialism.

Silly BTL:

Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn warned rivals and reformers Sunday that “the time for fear has come” after exit polls showed them securing their entry in parliament for the first time in nearly 40 years.

“The time for fear has come for those who betrayed this homeland,” Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos told a news conference at an Athens hotel, flanked by menacing shaven-headed young men.

“We are coming,” the 55-year-old said as supporters threw firecrackers outside.

According to updated exit polls, the once-marginal party will end up winning over six percent of the vote and sending 19 deputies to the 300-seat parliament on a wave of immigration and crime fears, as well as anti-austerity anger.

Exulting in the apparent breakthrough, Michaloliakos quoted Julius Caesar: “Veni, Vidi, Vici” — I came, I saw, I conquered.

Michaloliakos said his party would fight against “world usurers” and the “slavery” of an EU-IMF loan agreement which he likened to a “dictatorship”.

“Greece is only the beginning,” he shouted at reporters….

Oh Europe, again? Today Santorini, tomorrow Mykonos and Lesbos! Maybe you should turn into Eurabia after all. You might behave yourself under a Caliphate.

Who do you think the Golden Shower party means by “world usurers”, by the way? One has one’s suspicions, doesn’t one?

Too often, it has been the butt of jokes; its interests have come at the end of the line.

Hugo Chavez is putting his pelvis front and center, forcing us to give it its due:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has left Caracas for more cancer treatment in Cuba.

Mr Chavez, 57, is expected to undergo an operation on a lesion which he says is probably malignant.

He gave an emotional farewell to his supporters, telling them he would fight for his life, and promised to return to stand for re-election in October.

Last year, Mr Chavez said he was free from cancer after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in Cuba.

“With cancer or without cancer, with rain, thunder or lightning, nothing and nobody can prevent the great victory of 7 October,” he said referring to the date set for the presidential election.

Before boarding his flight to Havana, Mr Chavez said he would defeat “this new difficulty”.

The exact nature and extent of his illness has never been made public, leading to persistent rumours that his health is worse than officially acknowledged.

Mr Chavez had surgery and four rounds of chemotherapy in Cuba last year after a baseball-sized growth was detected in his pelvic region.

This puts your old pal BTL in a bit of a pickle. While he believes Chavez is a dangerous figure, a man who would laugh at holocausts and drink to America’s destruction… I also have a limit to my enjoyment of the misery of others. (Don’t hate me.)

So, I’ll have to ask others what they think: what say you, fellas?

It’s unanimous. I join other heads of state and world leaders in wishing Hugo Cavez and his pelvic region a full and speedy recovery. ¡Salud!

As Aggie notes, the Brits are so superior:

The prestigious London School of Economics was on Monday investigating claims that a Jewish student was assaulted during a Nazi-themed drinking game while on a ski holiday in France.

Drinkers reportedly hurled anti-Semitic abuse at the victim, a 21-year-old student at the London School of Economics, and broke his nose on a night out in the Alpine resort of Val d’Isere.

The fight broke out after the student took offense at other members of his group playing a game called “Nazi Ring of Fire”, involving cards arranged in the shape of a swastika, several reports said.

The only rule of drinking games among college students is that there are no rules. That said, here are the rules to the standard “Ring of Fire” drinking game. You or someone else in the game are required to take a shot (or more) depending on what card is turned up.

Now, here’s the Nazi version:

You know what? I’d almost give them a pass for the game itself. Put college-aged men and alcohol together, and there’s not bottom to the depths they would sink. Many would get to Nazi sooner or later. Suspend them, fine them—spank them—but I would hope it was the alcohol that was the problem, not Nazi sympathies.

But the beating and the broken nose—that is troubling to say the least.

“LSE Students’ Union Jewish Society (J-Soc) and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) are appalled by a reported antisemitic assault that occurred after a Jewish student objected to a Nazi-themed drinking game, that was being played by his fellow students on a recent LSE Ski Trip in France. Nazi glorification and antisemitism have no place in our universities, which should remain safe spaces for all students,” said Jay Stoll, president of the LSE Students’ Union’s Jewish Society. “There is simply no context for what has happened here. Those who believe the game was all in good humour need to realize that when a Jewish student is subject to violence and the Nazi ideology glorified it is no joke but a spiteful, collective attack on a community.”

Drunk people say and do stupid things. But only drunk Nazis beat Jewish fellow students for objecting to a Nazi-themed drinking game on a school outing.

North Korea’s highest generals in formation to assist Kim Young-Un in finding a lost Cheez Doodle.

Kidding. Sort of.

South Korea’s former First Lady Lee Hee-ho has met the North’s designated new leader Kim Jong-un during a trip to Pyongyang, Seoul officials say.

Mrs Lee, 89, had a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un during a visit to offer condolences for the death of his father, Kim Jong-il.

Seoul insists that she is on a private trip, and is not carrying any message from the government.

…

The South’s Unification Ministry said Mrs Lee met Kim Jong-un for only about 10 minutes.

A second delegation, led by Hyundai chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun, also met the presumed new leader.

The BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Seoul says whatever was discussed, the meetings are another sign of Kim Jong-un’s growing profile.

Is that some kind of fat joke? Leave those to me.

Mrs Lee met Kim Jong-il during a landmark summit in 2000, and said in a statement that she hoped her visit would help to improve relations on the peninsula.

“As chairman Kim Jong-il sent a condolence delegation to Seoul when my husband passed away in 2009, I believe it is our duty to express our condolences,” she said.

Perhaps. But I don’t believe “condolence” is the right word. Bacchanalia or rave are closer to the mark, or even just par-tay.

Carol, I forget what we were going to call Baby Kim, Kim Jabba Hutt. I’ve toyed with Kim Metric Ton, and I know you contributed Kim Jong Ugh, which comes closest to his name. We tentatively agreed on Kim Jong Chin (Chins would be better), but I’m still not satisfied (when am I ever).

Looking at those fat baby cheeks, though, reminds me of a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter.

So, how about Kim Al-Vin?

Kim Jong-un’s uncle has been pictured standing at the North Korea leader’s side in military uniform, suggesting a key position in the hierarchy.

Chang Song-taek had been expected to play a major part in smoothing the transfer of power to Kim Jong-un from his father, Kim Jong-il.

It is believed to be the first picture of Mr Chang in uniform. He has been more closely associated with the party.

North Korea is trying to carry on the world’s only Communist family dynasty.

Sounds like a sitcom, doesn’t it? Famine sets in as the wacky Kim family tries to carry on the family gulag business. Hilarity ensues.

PS: Am I the only one who thinks Baby Kim looks like he’s been pried reluctantly away from his Play Station and a bag of fried wontons? I picture his aged grandmother dragging him by the ear from his beanbag chair, screaming “There are people to starve, you lazy thing!”

Don’t take it so hard, kid. He left his supply of chicken wings to you.

Kim Jabba Hut bids farewell to his father, Korean strongman Ding-Dong Dead, in a public ceremony. Bystanders reported that Jabba’s last words to his father were “Are you going to finish that?”

Bloodthirstan extends its thoughts (hoch, ptui!) and prayers (may he rot in Hell) to the Kim family and the people of the Democratic (snort) People’s (chortle) Republic (guffaw) of North Korea.

My problem with ballet (unlike opera and classical concerts which I love) is that it’s like confectioners sugar or cotton candy, too sweet and insubstantial.

But leave it to the Chinese to add sex and violence. Now it’s not just Baryshnikov with a bulge in his tights! (Really, BTL, did you have to?)

Audiences at the prestigious Kennedy Center are being asked to applaud a ballet that celebrates a movement that went on to murder hundreds of thousands.

The Chinese National Ballet is performing on Sept. 22-24 “The Red Detachment of Women,” which glorifies the history of the communist land reform campaign in China, while concealing the reality of the violence that suffused it.

In 1931 Mao Zedong, head of the communist-controlled regions, signed off on a policy of land reform that would “Rely on the poor peasants and hired laborers, make allies of the middle-peasants, exploit the kulaks and exterminate the landlords.”

What followed in the 1930s, 40s, and into the 50s, was mass violence directed at “class enemies”: torture, arson, live burials, smashing and theft—a reign of terror designed to impose the political will of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on villages across the country. Hundreds of thousands were killed.

…

“They used this play to trick the Chinese people, and now they’re tricking Americans,” says Wu Fan, editor of China Affairs and co-author of an open letter that opposes the performance.

“They’re bandits and arsonists attacking wealthy people, taking their property and splitting the profits, and they’re portrayed as heroes,” he said in a telephone conversation. “Americans would not stand for a ballet that made Hitler seem glorious. Why should they accept one that makes Mao heroic? Both are mass murderers.”

Take Verdi’s Don Carlo, perhaps my favorite opera of all. It features the Grand Inquisitor and the Spanish Inquisition, perhaps as cruel and autocratic as Mao and his Communist Party.

But not as heroes! They’re bad! They’re the villains! Here, the Chinese glorify mass murder on an unimaginable scale. What’s next, Pol (Pot) Dancing? Famine, the Musical?

I try to keep my criticism of the Chinese government apart from criticism of Chinese people (not one of whom do I know well). But politically and culturally, this is [bleeped] up.

This is what coddling sociopathic dictators begets:

Shot over several months by an undercover North Korean journalist, the harrowing footage shows images of filthy, homeless and orphaned children begging for food and soldiers demanding bribes.

The footage also shows North Koreans labouring on a private railway track for the dictator’s son and heir near the capital Pyongyang.

…

The video shows young children caked in filth begging in markets, pleading for scraps from compatriots who have nothing to give.

“I am eight,” says one boy. “My father died and my mother left me. I sleep outdoors.”

Many of the children are orphans; their parents victims of starvation or the gulag.

…

In the footage, a party official is demanding a stallholder make a donation of rice to the army.

“My business is not good,” complains the stallholder.

“Shut up,” replies the official. “Don’t offer excuses.”

It is clear that the all-powerful army – once quarantined from food shortages and famine – is starting to go hungry.

“Everybody is weak,” says one young North Korean soldier. “Within my troop of 100 comrades, half of them are malnourished,” he said.

Jiro Ishimaru is the man who trained the undercover reporter to use the hidden camera.

“This footage is important because it shows that Kim Jong-il’s regime is growing weak,” he said.

“It used to put the military first, but now it can’t even supply food to its soldiers. Rice is being sold in markets but they are starving. This is the most significant thing in this video.”

…

“The priority for Kim Jong-il is the succession,” said Mr Ishimaru.

“But Kim Jong-un is still very young, just 27 or 28. He doesn’t have any experience and hasn’t achieved anything. So opposition to a third generation of the Kim family taking over is growing.”

Any deal that had the intended or unintended consequence of keeping Kim in power a day longer than yesterday was an immoral deal. From Carter, through Clinton—the people are still starving, still tyrannized. What has appeasement accomplished?

Allahpundit is right that this whole thing is a publicity ploy, but

Hundreds of Osama bin Laden supporters clashed with English Defence League extremists today as a “funeral service” for the assassinated terror leader sparked fury outside London’s US Embassy…

US leaders were branded “murderers” by radicals, who warned vengeance attacks were “guaranteed” and shouted: “USA, you will pay.”…

It was organised by controversial preacher Anjem Choudary, who told reporters after the ‘service’ that America had created a new generation of Islamic terrorists.

He said: “There will be one million Osamas. Muslims will remember Osama as a great man who stood up against Satan. Many will want to emulate his acts.

“In Britain we have other options – like political action, but in other countries if your land is attacked or your family are put at risk you must defend yourself.

Ironic that Isaac Newton was English, because for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction:

Choosing between the radical Islamists and the English Defense League is like choosing between the connected mob guys and the motorcycle toughs in A Bronx Tale (see scene below, if you have the stomach). You end up rooting for a gang of vicious thugs in spite of yourself. They may be violent criminals, but they are at the very least resisting an alien, offensive, and triumphalist attitude. I’ll leave it to you to figure out who’s who in that scenario.

Via the WSJ’s Notable and Quotable item:

First, although Libya is far from a democracy, it also doesn’t feel like other police states that I have visited. I caught no whiff of an omnipresent security service — which is not to say that they aren’t there — and there were fewer police or military personnel on the streets than one saw in Franco’s Spain. The Libyans with whom I spoke were open and candid and gave no sign of being worried about being overheard or reported or anything like that. The TV in my hotel room featured 50+ channels, including all the normal news services (BBC World Service, CNN, MSNBC, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, etc.) along with contemporary U.S. sitcoms like “2-1/2 Men,” shows like “Desperate Housewives,” assorted movies, and one of the various “CSI” clones. A colleague on the trip told me that many ordinary Libyans have satellite dishes and that the government doesn’t interfere with transmissions. I tried visiting various political websites from my hotel room and had no problems, although other human rights groups report that Libya does engage in selective filtering of some political websites critical of the regime. It is also a crime to criticize Qaddafi himself, the government’s past human rights record is disturbing at best, and the press in Libya is almost entirely government-controlled. Nonetheless, Libya appears to be more open than contemporary Iran or China and the overall atmosphere seemed far less oppressive than most places I visited in the old Warsaw Pact.

Everything he wrote may be accurate in the detail—and utterly misleading on the whole.

Who is this modern day Duranty (Walter, not Jimmy)? Why, none other than Stephen Walt, co-author of the modern day Protocols of the Elders of Zion, The Israel Lobby. Way to go, Steve. Right again.

And the UN’s tribute to Cuba’s human rights record will begin in three… two… one:

An empty chair will represent Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas Wednesday when the European Parliament awards him a top human rights prize.

As of Tuesday, Farinas had not received the exit visa required by the Cuban government in order to travel abroad. The government did not immediately comment.

The European Parliament said in a statement Tuesday that Farinas would send a recorded speech for the awards ceremony in Strasbourg, France.

Farinas was named the winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in October. The award includes a 50,000 euro ($66,975) prize, according to the European Parliament web site.

He won because he was “ready to sacrifice and risk his own health and life as a means of pressure to achieve change in Cuba,” said European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek in a statement.

Farinas endured a 135-day hunger strike earlier this year, demanding the release of political prisoners. He was eventually hospitalized and accepted intravenous liquids, but refused to eat. The activist has gone on more than 20 hunger strikes.

Whether he went or not, at least they wouldn’t have to set a place for him.

Hey, I’m just trying to find the silver lining!