Wrestling Another Bear; Putin Stares Down the World

Putin Defiant In Speech In Face Of Sanctions, Economic Woes

          Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual State of the Union address on Dec. 3, and stood firm against the waves of criticism and economic sanctions which have been leveled against him in recent months. A pertinent intro would be his statement that he wasn't interested in a long term arms race with the West, but that his country would do what it needs to defend itself ... A very scary, very subjective proposition. 

Putin stands atop a glass castle at the moment, balancing the cease fire in Ukraine, the age old tension of dissemination from the west, and, importantly, the fire storm of Crimea.  

Putin speaks with the Patriarch of Russia

A major portion of the head of state's speech was about Crimea. Putin insisted today that the invasion of Crimea was a "historic reunification." "Crimea is of huge and sacred importance to Russia, just like the Temple Mountain is to those who follow Judaism," he said.

Not just is Putin speaking to a multi-confessional room full of his top officials, but he is trending towards a theocracy, one of the most clear bastardizations of religion possible - and one the most dangerous. When a political leader is granted by the people the authority that comes with divine appointment, the tendency is for that country to count that administration as infallible - and then the real horrors begin. Unchecked information monopolies, mass genocide, societal repression - the usual suspects that make the skins of most people crawl. 

So, Putin's address raises more than a few concerns. 

Putin seems to believe in a role reversal
from Cold War times.

Putin also addressed what he believes has been a move by the West to divide Russia up like Yugoslovia, and alluded to a belief that isolation has always been the Western goal - the creation of proverbial Western "Iron Curtain." The leader briefly discussed the problem of oil prices globally and the impact on the Russian economy, providing the foundations of a plan to fix the problem. Finally, Putin spoke about the attacks in Чечня coming only hours before and the impact they would have on the country, as well as his hard line response.

All in all, Russia has a plate full of not very appealing food. It will be interesting to see where the current adminstration begins, and how it all ends.  

Let's Talk About Food: Тушеная Капуста и Ватрушки

Тушеная Капуста

Ватрушки

      One of the many activities I enjoy partaking in would be cooking and when I can put two loves together in one, it's magical! So I would like to share two of many loves I have: food and Russian. I found a website created by a Russian cook and her family. They put traditional Russian recipes with little twists up on their website but they also like to put twists on many other types of food. If you like to cook and try new recipes go to their website at: http://natashaskitchen.com/
     The two recipes that I will be trying out soon and have pictures of above are Тушеная Капуста (Russian braised cabbage) and Ватрушки (Sweet cherry filled buns). Everything about Тушеная Капуста is about the same as it was originally made in the past but Ватрушки is not originally made with cherries, they are typically filled with just farmer's cheese. Both dishes are very popular in Russia and Ukraine. Тушеная Капуста can be made for a main dish for dinner and it's major components are cabbage, pork, and shredded carrots. Ватрушки is clearly a dessert but it could also be eaten for breakfast, it's major components are dough, farmer's cheese, sugar and red cherries. If you want to try these recipes out soon like I am going to over holiday break here are the links to deliciousness!
Тушеная Капуста - http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/01/19/russian-stewed-cabbage-тушеная-капуста/
Ватрушки - http://natashaskitchen.com/2014/06/18/sweet-cherry-filled-buns-vatrushka-recipe/

Бременские музыканты

Aka the Town Musicians of Bremen.
This is an old Soviet cartoon based on the folktale recorded by the Brothers Grimm. Despite the title, the musicians never arrive in Bremen.

"In the story a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster, all past their prime years in life and usefulness on their respective farms, were soon to be discarded or mistreated by their masters. One by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians there.

On the way to Bremen, they see a lighted cottage; they look inside and see four robbers enjoying their ill-gotten gains. Standing on each other's backs, they decide to perform for the men in hope of gaining food. Their 'music' has an unanticipated effect; the men run for their lives, not knowing what the strange sound is. The animals take possession of the house, eat a good meal, and settle in for the evening.

Later that night, the robbers return and send one of their members in to investigate. He sees the Cat's eyes shining in the darkness and thinks he is seeing the coals of the fire. He reaches over to light his candle. Things happen in quick succession; the Cat scratches his face with her claws, the Dog bites him on the leg, the Donkey kicks him and the Rooster crows and chases him out the door, screaming. He tells his companions that he was beset by a horrible witch who scratched him with her long fingers (the Cat), an ogre with a knife (the Dog), a giant who had hit him with his club (the Donkey), and worst of all, the judge who screamed in his voice from the rooftop (the Rooster). The robbers abandon the cottage to the strange creatures who have taken it, where the animals live happily for the rest of their days."

Got that summary of the plot from Wikipedia.

I like the cartoon better than the story. Cute music and even cuter artwork.