Classic Vysotsky Song, ‘Look at the Clowns,’ Held to be Discrediting to Putin’s General Staff

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 20 – The classic Vladimir Vysotsky anthem from late Soviet times, “Oh, Van, Look at the Clowns,” has been found to be impermissible by the Russian authorities because its words discredit Vladimir Putin and his general staff, some Russians joke bitterly (publizist.ru/blogs/107374/43824/-).

            This is just one of the collection of Russian jokes and anecdotes assembled and published this week by Moscow journalist Tatyana Pushkaryova. Among the best of the rest are the following:

·       The Kremlin is desperately searching for people to blame for how bad things are in Russia because it can’t ever admit that both the leaders and the led in that country are responsible.

·       In ancient times, rulers felt that thunder and lightning indicated that the gods were angry; now, in an update of this feeling, Russian rulers believe that thunder and lightning are phenomena paid for by Russia’s enemies.

·       The ancient rulers believed that when there is a thunderstorm and lightning flashes, it is they who disappointed the heavens with their actions and they give them a sign. The current dictators believe that they always do everything right, and if the heavens suddenly get angry, this action is paid for by damned enemies.

·       Russian media had a field day when gas prices when up in the US but ignored it when they fell. Not only is this a pathological condition, but it is yet another piece of evidence that in Russia, gasoline prices can’t fall.

·       Patriarch Kirill said that wealthy Russians should help others lest they go to hell, but of course, he didn’t mean that he should give up his yachts, residences and expensive cars.

·       Ramzan Kadyrov offered to resign so that he could be begged to remain in place.

·       Because of sanctions, Russians can’t produce metro cars; and as a result, Russians will soon be left without a subway. But that is a good thing: Russians will walk more and besides the metro is the perfect place for a terrorist bomb.

·       Putin is concerned about only one thing: he fears that some now alive may remain alive after he dies. And he is working to correct that injustice.