Rich Make Money on War while Poor Lose Their Children, Russians Reflect

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 18 – If and when Putin’s war in Ukraine ever ends, a new and bitter Russian anecdote suggests, the powerful will celebrate their triumph, the rich will count their profits, but poor Russians will only be able to commune with their children by going to cemeteries where they will be interred.

            This is only one of the latest jokes and anecdotes Russians are now telling that have been collected by Moscow journalist Nataly Pushkaryova (publizist.ru/blogs/107374/43449/-). Among the best of the rest are the following:

·       Putin says Europeans are non-traditional in all things not just sexual but in energy production as well. But Russians are traditional in everything and will continue to rely on gas rather than wind.

·       Putin complains about the so-called “golden billion,” ignoring the fact that he has managed to promote himself and 100 of his friends into its ranks.

·       The Night Wolves, a biker band Putin has befriended, are at risk of losing their wealth abroad. Police there are raiding their palaces. Who could imagine that they had anything more than guns and drugs?

·       A St. Petersburg resident has been arrested for carrying a sign, “Putin, take your pills and not decisions.” The man has been charged with discrediting the Russian army.

·       Coca-Cola is “just chemistry,” Putin says. Does it follow that Boeings, Toyotas and Mercedes are “just physics” – or are we going to have to go back to riding horses before that happens?

·       Putin also says that Russians often don’t know their rights. What rights are these? The right to places in morgues? The right to receive some kind of treatment in prison hospitals? Or the right to watch rich Russians drive about in luxury cars?