[oilfieldtrash]

I am sure they will protect the southern border if they are anything like Taras Bulba.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

As a kid I loved reading Tolstoy's stories of Cossacks fighting the Tartars along their borders. Sounds like they have not lost their ardor for the good fight.

[SevenofNine]

OH COOL Destro

Seem that ole Vlad bring back some of Tsars's guards LOL!

[Odyssey-x]

A rank-and-file Cossack made a typical statement in a recent televised report: "Today both [Islamic extremists] and our 'Western friends' are making attempts to split Russia again. Russia needs to muster its spiritual power. Something has to be done to oppose the rat race, the cult of violence and drug addiction. Who will serve in the Army tomorrow? Weaklings. We don't want this to happen. This is why we, the Cossacks of Russia, are restoring our traditions."

Interesting...

[Hayley]

"should it become law some 600,000 Cossacks will officially be able to guard the country's borders, support law and order, and even fight against terrorism."

Mounties who can kick some *%#!

[Majic]

"Who will serve in the Army tomorrow? Weaklings. We don't want this to happen. This is why we, the Cossacks of Russia, are restoring our traditions."

Whatever you might think about the Cossacks, you have to admire that attitude.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Has anyone on this thread read the long poem about the duel between the Russian and the Muslim. I cannot place it, but it is long and the Russian is named Ivan ..... ..... . I think it was written in the last half of the 1800s but it is quite relevant today.

Can someone help me on this, please?

[Malacoda]

The Don atamans sent him a prompt reply: "Send us 20,000 French women, and in 20 years you will get 20,000 Cossacks. But they will serve Russia nonetheless."

I had heard they liked to wrestle bears as training...guess any hairy creature will do in a pinch.

[redhead]

When I was young and in my natural prime (hey! that could go in a song!), I frequented a bar owned by a Cossack. His name was Kristof Botagov, and he had a ferocious, snow-white moustache. He used to joke about us getting married, running back to Russia and raising lots of little redheaded Cossacks! LOL! Those were sure the days!