Sochi 2014

[Bryy]

Yeah, no.

[obyknven]

Good article: "How the American media misrepresent Putin, Sochi and Ukraine".

http://www.thenation.com/article/178344/distorting-russia

 

The degradation of mainstream American press coverage of Russia, a country still vital to US national security, has been under way for many years....

 

There are notable exceptions, but a general pattern has developed. Even in the venerable New York Times and Washington Post, news reports, editorials and commentaries no longer adhere rigorously to traditional journalistic standards, often failing to provide essential facts and context; to make a clear distinction between reporting and analysis; to require at least two different political or “expert” views on major developments; or to publish opposing opinions on their op-ed pages. As a result, American media on Russia today are less objective, less balanced, more conformist and scarcely less ideological than when they covered Soviet Russia during the Cold War...

 

For weeks, this toxic coverage has focused on the Sochi Olympics and the deepening crisis in Ukraine. Even before the Games began, the Times declared the newly built complex a “Soviet-style dystopia” and warned in a headline, Terrorism and Tension, Not Sports and Joy. On opening day, the paper found space for three anti-Putin articles and a lead editorial, a feat rivaled by the Post. Facts hardly mattered. Virtually every US report insisted that a record $51 billion “squandered” by Putin on the Sochi Games proved they were “corrupt.” But as Ben Aris of Business New Europe pointed out, as much as $44 billion may have been spent “to develop the infrastructure of the entire region,” investment “the entire country needs.”

Overall pre-Sochi coverage was even worse, exploiting the threat of terrorism so licentiously it seemed pornographic. The Post, long known among critical-minded Russia-watchers as Pravda on the Potomac, exemplified the media ethos. A sports columnist and an editorial page editor turned the Olympics into “a contest of wills” between the despised Putin’s “thugocracy” and terrorist “insurgents.” The “two warring parties” were so equated that readers might have wondered which to cheer for. If nothing else, American journalists gave terrorists an early victory, tainting “Putin’s Games” and frightening away many foreign spectators, including some relatives of the athletes.

Autor is this guy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_F._Cohen

 

Stephen Frand Cohen (born 1938) is an American scholar of Russian studies. His academic work concentrates on developments in Russia since the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and the country's relationship with the United States.

Since 1998, Cohen has been professor of Russian Studies and History at New York University, where he teaches a course titled Russia Since 1917. He previously taught at Princeton University. He has written several books including those listed below. He is also a CBS News consultant as well as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

 

 

[Mor]

I mean, it's 'nice' that so many people are outraged on behalf of the poor oppressed Russian people and really want them to benefit from good clean western corruption rather than that dirty eastern sort, it's just sad that it's distracting from the actual sport dogpile of anything even slightly wrong with journalist's accommodation and complaints about Russia's policy on gays being massively less oppressive than that of Saudi Arabia.

outraged? no, I just found that Mars rovers and beluga caviar comparison amusing. Also the Olympics are about sportsmanship and flashing our differences to bring us closer, not some nationalistic hard on..

 

Some Russians problem is that they keep pointing finger all around, especially at the US(even though they stopped caring about you a long time ago). I think it is pointless to argue about this so I'd just leave this for your consideration (1) corruption list by country which is better then your coin analogy about "west vs east" (2) Censorship which might give a clue as to why journalist are upset with russia.(see the company in which you are in).

 

Also I know that just like with those two ranks, by most Russia is almost a "third world" country, but do you really went so low as to compare yourself to Saudi Arabia?

[obyknven]

corruption list by country which is better then your coin analogy about "west vs east"

Do you show  this "corruption " list from Transparancy International as proof? Lol.

Transparancy International has ben created by World Bank ex-president and has been funded by US government. They show major US enemies as more corrupt than US it's so surprising .

 

 

My impression is that the over-riding message given off is an attempt to restore our faith in big business and the trustworthiness of the ‘corporate community’ amidst all the scandal, rip-offs, failure, profiteering etc. But what of the CIA connection that Pope denied. It is actually quite simple to establish. Nancy Zucker Boswell, a Member of the Board of Directors, and President of Transparency International (USA) also sits on the Advisory Board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) long thought to be an offspring of the intelligence world—it has included figures such as Michael Ledeen and many others. Beside Boswell on the CSIS board is William Webster a Former Director of both the FBI and the CIA. As we note below, Jeremy Pope has started up his own organisations Tiri with similarly high level funders plying much the same trade. On the Academic Council of the CSIS is Fredrik Galtung, Chief Executive Officer of Tiri. That is a bit suspicious. The Hills Program at the CSIS that Boswell oversees was founded by Roderick M. Hills and Carla A. Hills, who the CSIS tell us:

 

…currently serves as a member of the board for American International Group, ChevronTexaco Corporation, Lucent Technologies Inc., and Time Warner.

 

Oil, war and its mediation. Scroll down on the same page and under Hills is Jerry Hyman, who serves as both a senior adviser at CSIS and also as president of its Hills Program on Governance:

 

 

He serves on the Advisory Council to the Center for International Media Assistance of the National Endowment for Democracy. Dr. Hyman served with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1990 to 2006, and was director of the Office of Democracy and Governance from 2002 to 2007.

 

The CSIS was founded in 1964 by Admiral Arleigh Burke who oversaw the Naval aspects Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and fell out with Kennedy over it. He then set up the US’ secret team of assassins, the Navy Seals. It was also started by David M. Abshire,responsible for the public diplomacy mission to make sure cruise missiles were stationed in Europe in the 1980s (until he was brought back to dig Reagan out of the mess of Iran/Contra). Are Transparency International far away from the CIA or the NED? No: they interlock.

 

Boswell was part of a 2008 White House Summit, here she is described as: “a cleared advisor to the US Government, serving on the State Department Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy.” Organised by USAID, they described themselves as part of the projection of US power:

 

Through our close cooperation with the Defense Department we are actively implementing the “3Ds” of U.S. National Security Strategy –Diplomacy, Development, and Defense [...] USAID has been forging ahead strengthening its institutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. USAID has launched the Development Leadership Initiative (DLI) to significantly increase the size of its permanent Foreign Service Officer corps enhancing the impact of its programs with more “development boots on the ground.” Our increased size and presence enables us to further strengthen country ownership and implement smaller, more tailored programs that will have a great impact. We are at the frontlines of America’s smart power.

 

 

Other contributors to the Summit included Admiral Tim Ziemer who went abroad to:

 

Vietnam to fly during the war. During this tour, he flew 550 combat sorties in support of the Navy Seals and riverine forces.

 

 

He now works with USAID. Other participants include Robert Mosbacher, Jr., who inherited the huge Mosbacher Energy Company of Houston, Texas, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. For Boswell TI is independent from government, but I can’t see evidence of this and plenty of evidence to the contrary is easy to find. So who are TI.

Edited February 14, 2014 by obyknven

[Zoraptor]

outraged? no, I just found that Mars rovers and beluga caviar comparison amusing. Also the Olympics are about sportsmanship and flashing our differences to bring us closer, not some nationalistic hard on..

 

Some Russians problem is that they keep pointing finger all around, especially at the US(even though they stopped caring about you a long time ago). I think it is pointless to argue about this so I'd just leave this for your consideration (1) corruption list by country which is better then your coin analogy about "west vs east" (2) Censorship which might give a clue as to why journalist are upset with russia.(see the company in which you are in).

 

Also I know that just like with those two ranks, by most Russia is almost a "third world" country, but do you really went so low as to compare yourself to Saudi Arabia?

 

 

Bro, my country is #1 in the perception of corruption- curse you, Danes, if only there'd been a Danish Viennese Pastries for votes scandal we'd be #1 alone! Indeed, we've been =#1 for every year that wiki article lists.

 

I just happen to know that just because we're #1, the best and greatest, top of the pile etc doesn't actually mean we're perfect and could just mean we're collectively stupid or self righteous enough to think there isn't any corruption here, or that it doesn't really count or whatever. But I'm also far more concerned about fixing my own country than blowing my own trumpet and being holier-than-thou about how much better we are than all the grubby corruption riddled others.

 

And I mainly wish that these Olympics were more about the sport instead of masturbatory, nationalistic superiority peddling from the supposedly quality western media and assorted others.

Edited February 14, 2014 by Zoraptor

[alanschu]

I never understood Curlng, however, after another reflection many people find activities which involve bending over and rubbing exciting.. so who knows ...

I have played it a few times and actually really started to enjoy it. BioWare QA had a curling team building event for fun (most of us are brutal) and my team was able to win! B-)

 

I find it actually a pretty skillful game with interesting strategy. The sweeping warms the ice juuuuust a bit and will let the rock slide farther and is used as a way to exert control over the shot. It's basically a big physics exhibition which is probably why I find myself enjoying it, once I watched a few games with a fan that could help me understand it.

[Malcador]

Really hope Chan falls today or just ends up with the silver, tired of hearing the media wank it to him here.

[obyknven]

Meanwhile our team win game vs Swiss team.

[Volourn]

"a country still vital to US national security"

 

L0L

 

Also.. The King sucks? Stupid backstabbing Swedes shouldn't spit on their only hope for a gold. R00fles!

[Mor]

Quick summary:

 

 

You can find list of events and the actual people behind those numbers/countries here.

[obyknven]

Sweden lose game vs Chiha.

 Freken Bok lol

[Malcador]

Loved seeing Chan fsck up. Canadians excusing his failure and saying he did great are also amusing

[Volourn]

 Actually, he did do great. he got 2nd. That makes him 2nd best in the entire world. How is that a **** up? LMAO And, I don't give a crap about skating or their silly medals.

[Guard Dog]

Men's Hockey USA 3 Russia 2. That game was epic!

[Hurlshort]

TJ Oshie is now a legend.

[Malcador]

 Actually, he did do great. he got 2nd. That makes him 2nd best in the entire world. How is that a **** up? LMAO And, I don't give a crap about skating or their silly medals.

 

Made about 3 blatant mistakes when the guy he's chasing for gold screwed up.  That's a screw up and if a flawed skate like that is great, that's disappointing. 

[Volourn]

2nd best in the world. That is definition of great.

[kirottu]

Men's Hockey USA 3 Russia 2. That game was epic!

Best hockey game so far. No doubt about it.

[Fighter]

Not a deep connoisseur of Ice Hockey rules but damn that should have been a goal.

[Bryy]

Man.

 

Reading about the history of sex at the Olympics after hearing Alexander's comments the other day really depress me.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

Man.

 

Reading about the history of sex at the Olympics after hearing Alexander's comments the other day really depress me.

Huh?

[Keyrock]

Gah, the media coverage here is so irritating.  We had one of the closest finishes in Olympic history, with gold being decided by 3 thousandths of a second in the men's 1500m speed skating, and 95% of the talk was the suits, the suits, the suits.  Stop making ****ing excuses for the disappointing performances of the 'Murican speed skaters and give some credit to the guys and gals that are performing.

Edited February 16, 2014 by Keyrock

[AGX-17]

So has Russia's ocular assassination attempt on Bob Costas succeeded yet?

 

Gah, the media coverage here is so irritating.  We had one of the closest finishes in Olympic history, with gold being decided by 3 thousandths of a second in the men's 1500m speed skating, and 95% of the talk was the suits, the suits, the suits.  Stop making ****ing excuses for the disappointing performances of the 'Murican speed skaters and give some credit to the guys and gals that are performing.

If there aren't women in spandex catsuits or leotards to broadcast it really isn't newsworthy. The 18-49 male demographic is the most coveted, after all.

 

 

Weird how much broadcasters covet ****. Whatevs, I'm all for LGBT equality.

 

Edited February 16, 2014 by AGX-17

[Bryy]

Huh?

 

Jamie Alexander made a public comment about the Olympic dating pool.

 

But there are entire websites based on the.... adventures.... of the athletes.

[Labadal]

9 medals for Sweden. Not bad, not bad at all. I expected our guys and girls to choke, to be honest.