We allow just about anything to be posted here including things we don't agree with. And some of what has been posted here in the past in the comments section has been nonsense to my way of thinking. But we post it.
We have been careful to allow everyone to have their say even if they want to remain anonymous to say it. So I will be deleting any comments that refer to anyone by name who wishes to remain anonymous nor w2ill I allow the same to be published when the3y come up for moderation.
By the way, people in our area are not buying what here is called sausage but what is more like bologna. That is what the shop owner down the street is saying. That is almost a staple in the diet here. And they are not ordering things like cakes and the like. So Roshen is not going to be sending much of anything this way.
And one home improvement supply store--not a chain--that was busy before September of last year with cars and trucks going in and out at all times of the day, now sits with the parking lot empty quite a bit. (They were very happy we stopped in and ordered a load of drywall and other things.)
Anecdotal yes, but real nonetheless.
And the leaders bicker.
We tuned into Radio Era the other day and head s session of the Rada. They were taking about some kind of bill to establish some sorts of relations with Morocco and Albania. When one deputy said that this was frivolous in light of what was happening out in the country, he was told, "Your two minutes are up."
I am surprised though at how patient the people still are. Maybe they've seen it all before? Maybe they figure it makes no difference?
Since when has Tymoshenko wished to remain anonymous?
ReplyDeleteOh, man, this hurts. I hope I don't get long-winded, and I apologize in advance if I do.
ReplyDeleteIf there is one thing the Ukrainian people know how to do, it is - to suffer. And to survive. It is truly, as Andrew Wilson said in the title of his book, An Unexpected Nation.
One of the best things about Ukraine is the talent of the people to get around the government. One of the worst, one of the most maddening things about Ukraine is the talent of the people to get around the government.
Armies have come and gone, back and forth, over Ukraine, but the people, the villages, the peasants, the cities, are still there.
How did people survive during the sovok era? With little plots of land. The sovoks didn't admit it, but they sort of ignored - and encouraged - all those little private gardens - so people could survive.
Everyone pretended to believe all the sovok blather. And then stole like crazy from the workplace, in order to survive.
When independence came in 1991, and it was "sovoks gone wild" - same thing. Keep you head down, keep your mouth shut, or you might get killed, get AROUND the government.
The brave people that actually tried to change the system - they got killed by the "sovoks gone wild."
Along comes Yushchenko - вірю, знаю,можу - I believe, I know, I can.
The Orange Revolution - people put their faith, their hope, their trust in Yushchenko, who was going to change the system, get rid of "sovoks gone wild," get rid of Kuchmism.
HORRIBLE DISSAPOINTMENT!!
Yuschchenko, for some reason, protects Kuchma, makes a deal with the Party of Roosha, totally betrays the Orange Revolution.
So - Ukrainians, not being stupid, cover themselves. Little garden plots, grow all sorts of things, protect yourself.
"Shadow economy" - protect yourself.
And why not? Look at the "political elite," the bunch of scumbags in office that rob the country blind?
The tallest man in the world, Mr. Stadnyk, lives in a village in Ukraine. He's a very nice man, studied to be a veterinarian.
Does he care about the gas crisis? He lives in a village, where he grows his own food with the help of friends, and doesn't depend on gas.
Quite a few Ukrainians have their own little plots of land where they grow things to survive - and can them for the off-season.
Why should they trust "sovoks gone wild"?
Ukrainians know - you can't trust the government.
And here is the absolutely worst thing, the thing that makes one mad - instead of CHANGING the government, they continue to get around it.
Goddamn clever stupid smart Ukrainians.
Too patient for their own good!
They have seen it all.
And they should know that it does indeed make a difference.
And they do know that it does indeed make a difference.
They just haven't figured out how to replace the "sovoks gone wild."
They know they need to - and soon.
I hope they do indeed figure it out [how to replace the "sovoks gone wild"] - and soon.
Goddamn Ukrainians.
God Bless them.
God Bless Ukraina!
In case you are monitoring, and doubt my comments:
ReplyDeleteHere's an article from November 2008, an interview with Khoroshkovsky about systemic corruption.
http://www.mw.ua/1000/1550/64564/
and
another article from last October about what the geniuses in Ukraine were doing about an economic stablilization plan:
http://www.mw.ua/2000/2040/64384/
I am surprised though at how patient the people still are. Maybe they've seen it all before? Maybe they figure it makes no difference?
ReplyDeleteYes, Ukrainians have learned to not rely on government,In this sense they will survive but they ill also lose much in the process. The saddest thing of all is the loss of confidence.
To a large extent I blame Yushchenko for much of the loss of confidence in government. He not only betrayed his supporters bu he has betrayed Ukraine and the value of democracy. His unlawful attacks on Ukraine's constitutional court was unfathomable and must not be forgotten. This one aspect is sufficient enough, along with his attack on the administrative courts grounds warranting his impeachment.
It is this loss of confidence that has a ever lasting impact and loss of trust. In the west you tend to trust people until they lose that trust.In Ukraine you trust no one.Not even your family unless they win that trust, even then you have cause for doubts. Regaining that trust is the hardest challenge facing Ukraine today.