Russians Again Waiting for Playing of Swan Lake on TV and Rumors that the Leader’s Inner Circle have Done Him In

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Mar. 6 – Just as 70 years ago, Russians are again waiting to see and hear the playing of Swan Lake on their televisions, the traditional way that Moscow announces the passing of a leader; and they are also waiting, some say, for rumors to spread that again the leader’s inner circle have taken action to bring such a development to pass.

            That is just one of the anecdotes Russian journalist Tatyana Pushkaryova has assembled and published in her latest collection (publizist.ru/blogs/107374/45294/-). Among the best of the rest are the following:

·       A Russian doctor tells his patient to take a pill each day after meals. The Russian wants to know where he can get so much food.

·       Russians have important rights, including the right to drive a car, and for many, that right is far more important than any other.

·       Russians are unsure of how to explain to their population that a patriot is someone who loves his country rather than someone who hates aliens.

·       The Russian police arrested a photographer who was holding up a blank sheet of white paper to test the light balance. They were sure he was engaged in a political protest, and he will be charged for that.

·       Some Moscow TV personalities have gone to the frontlines in Ukraine. Unfortunately, they have lived to tell the tale unlike so many other Russians.

·       A year ago, no one would have believed that a battle over Bakhmut would be the main story in the Russian media. But that’s what has happened. Russia may eventually get a ruined city after losing thousands of soldiers, but so far, it hasn’t got the city but it does have their graves.