Posted on 03/01/2010 12:17:32 PM PST by cajuncow
MOSCOW (Reuters) President Dmitry Medvedev ordered Russian Olympic officials to quit or be fired on Monday and demanded drastic changes to training procedures after a poor showing at the Winter Games dented national pride.
Once mighty Russia limped in 11th in the medals table with just three golds, its worst ever tally. The result was especially embarrassing because Russia is due to host the next Winter Olympics in 2014 at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
"Those responsible should take the brave decision and sign a letter (of resignation)," Medvedev said in televised comments. "If they can't we will help them."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
What's your point? Can you not appreciate something just for what it is?
I do appreciate the beautiful melodies for what they are, but for me me hearing them is bittersweet, knowing they are the crowning expressions of monstrous regimes that killed 100 million people. Those songs also have lyrics expressing ideas that are murderously at odds with me. I'll give another example - could a Jew that lived through the Holocaust listen indifferently to the beautiful strains of "Deutschland Uber Alles" without remembering some bitter associations? I grew up in the cold war period and have no love for Communists, including the one in the White House. Some music conjures up such memories. That's my point.
Try sometime to just listen to it for what's there, and to remember that the vast majority of people are just like you and me. Most Russian people who are stirred by the beautifully haunting melody and harmonies have as much contempt for the Soviets as you and I do.
You might enjoy watching this high-watermark of Mao worship, since you can disassociate the art and the regime. It has great tunes, great sets and costumes and great choreography. As one reviewer said, “One of the very best unintentional comedies ever filmed.” I also heard that the musicians playing western instruments were killed for that sole reason during the Cultural Revolution. Enjoy!
http://www.archive.org/details/The_East_is_Red
Probably similar to the 1937 Census Board.
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