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James Kirk's avatar

Looking forward to the conclusion.

When I studied russia in the aughts, this - along with much of how power actually was wielded under Yeltsin - was always glossed over. But plays a part in the dolchstosslegende driving a lot of in-country commentators (and elites, who were actually on both sides of this) today, along with 1991, the election in 96, and the financial crisis in 98.

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Dave Kamper's avatar

I was in college when this happened. That Sunday I saw a Russian exchange student I knew and told him what we were seeing on CNN. “Oh, shit. Civil war” was his response.

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PJRichards's avatar

John your recent posts had me think of this:

Territories

Song by RUSH

Lyrics

I see the Middle Kingdom between Heaven and Earth

Like the Chinese call the country of their birth

We all figure that our homes are set above

Other people than the ones we know and love

In every place with a name

They play the same territorial game

Hiding behind the lines

Sending up warning signs

The whole wide world

An endless universe

Yet we keep looking through

The eyeglass in reverse

Don't feed the people

But we feed the machines

Can't really feel

What international means

In different circles

We keep holding our ground

Indifferent circles

We keep spinning round and round

We see so many tribes -- overrun and undermined

While their invaders dream of lands they've left behind

Better people -- better food -- and better beer

Why move around the world when Eden was so near?

The bosses get talking so tough

And if that wasn't evil enough

We get the drunken and passionate pride

Of the citizens along for the ride

They shoot without shame

In the name of a piece of dirt

For a change of accent

Or the color of your shirt

Better the pride that resides

In a citizen of the world

Than the pride that divides

When a colorful rag is unfurled

Songwriters: Alex Zivojinovich / Gary Lee Weinrib / Neil Elwood Peart

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