In Which Politics are Discussed

06.11.2008

I feel kind of sick and sad. For many reasons, I'm sure, I don't know. This morning I was in a fine mood -- Only two days of classes, this week, not too much work ... I don't know. Several things changed that mood. School things, the fact that I had two classes I just absolutely hate, and really NOT wanting to learn the language. Then, learning that Proposition 8 passed in California... That just kind of made me sick. Yeah, it passed in a lot of other states, too, and was passed in Kentucky like four years ago, but CALIFORNIA? What the fuck? Who the hell in California DOESN'T have a gay friend? Well, actually, that might be the problem.. I'm just kind of sick right now.

What makes me most angry is not the fact that the proposition itself passed. As far as that goes, that's democracy – Yeah, the system is fucked up, but it's better than most. The minority gets screwed over every now and then. However, the massive amount of PROPAGANDA that was spread against gay marriage just was absolutely terrifying. And of course that was entirely centred around money. Generally, such propositions only receive such media attention when people PAY for that media attention, and those interest groups generally have a lot at stake in said propositions. ... But, who had anything at stake in Proposition 8? Well, those of the same sex who wish to marry or are already married. And that's just about it. So you'd think that most of the money would be flowing in the direction AGAINST proposition 8, yeah? So who the HELL spent SO MUCH MONEY on getting proposition 8 passed? I HONESTLY CANNOT think of a SINGLE interest group who has ANYTHING AT STAKE if gay marriage exists. The church, I guess? But they don't ACTUALLY have anything at stake, and American churches aren't on the scale of companies and other NGOs, in terms of finances. So my only conclusion is that a bunch of crazy ass moralistic rich people emptied their bank accounts to spread lies and propaganda. And THAT is NOT democracy.

In any case, does anyone know if it's possible to change the consitution AGAIN? I don't think that this amendment can be abolished that easily, especially since this has all gone full circle through the state government. I think the only thing that can change it at this point is a federal legalisation of same-sex marriage. Which isn't going to happen any time soon, I don't think.

Well, Tatyana is at least happy over Obama's victory. She was terrified of McCain -- kept going on about how old he was, and how old politicians just need to give up. Probably a phobia developed from living under Brezhnev, Andropov, and that third Soviet leader who only lasted a couple months before he died. I always forget his name. Speaking of Russian leaders, Medvedev' made a speech here a couple days ago... And after reading it, I am quite terrified. I mean, rhetorically, it is completely and totally democratic. But the implications are quite the opposite. He talked about changing the Russian constitution so that the presidential term in the Russian Federation is extended to six years. He said this is in reaction to the financial crisis, in order to create more stability in the country -- And then said that France did the same after World War II, and it worked. The thing is, he is working entirely under the rule of law, which is completely democratic... but... I don't know. One interesting thing is, though, that he is asserting himself as president. I've thought for a while, but now I'm fairly convinced, that Medvedev' is not just a Putin puppet. He is a powerful political figure, and a COMPLEMENT to Putin. The double headed eagle of Russia, I think, is a bit more than symbolic at this point.

Political scientists and human rights activists in Russia are afraid of what the near future holds. The 90's, while full of economic turmoil, was one of the most politically free periods in Russian history -- right next to the 20's, which were also filled with economic turmoil right after the Bolshevik takeover. Then, right after the Bolshevik takeover, the government (AKA Stalin, and even Lenin before him) clamped down on everything once they regained stability. Well, Putin (what the hell is with all the "ins"? Hell, Lenin and Stalin weren't even their real names, but Putin IS his real name.. hmm) has regained stability in Russia, and freedoms have been lost. Which is terribly backwards, in both cases, really, since the usual development of things is a dictatorship during periods of total unstability and a relaxation of restrictions during periods of calm. But Russia's strange. Of course, I wouldn't call the current administration a dictatorship by any means -- just a mild authoritarian regime. In any case, any time the U.S. criticises Russia of human rights abuses, the human rights situation here actually becomes more DIFFICULT. (Kate, just out of curiosity, is this the same case with China?) In any case, I have no idea what will happen in the next few years. And neither does anyone else. I've had this discussion with Professor Vertkin, Andrei Vladimirovich, and Darya Bolotovna, or at least heard them speak of it, and NO ONE has any predictions for the future, which is especially strange since they're all political scientists, and usually political scientists have a prediction for everything, no matter how unfounded it might BE. The only things I've garnered are that Communism is gone forever, nationalism is on the rise for no particular reason, and the government is up to something.

On a more local level, I have to say that I feel more secure, here, when there are old women around. And less secure when there are police around. Here's why: Police extort people, and can basically do whatever they want. I've been lucky enough to not have been harassed, yet (Probably because I apparently look Russian). But I still get unnerved whenever I pass a policeman. But when I'm around old women? I feel PERFECTLY safe. Mostly because I feel like no one's going to whack someone when an old woman's around. Even the hooligans seem to respect the crazy old ladies.