Eurovision reverses course, says Russia will not be allowed to compete

Organizers said on Friday that Russia will not be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, according to a statement. The decision comes less a day after the European Broadcasting Union initially decided it would allow a performer to represent the country, which this week invaded Ukraine, in the competition.

“The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” the statement said. “The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.” Ad Feedback

Ukraine had petitioned to the European Broadcasting Union to bar Russia from participating in the competition in light of the invasion, according to a statement that was translated by NPR. The request was made in a letter that was primarily asking the EBU to remove Russian media from the association.

Rap group Kalush Orchestra was selected to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to take place in Turin, Italy in May.

The EBU said before making Friday’s decision it “took time to consult widely among its membership.”

EBU’s most recent statement also reasserted its position as an “apolitical” body.

“The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service,” the statement said. “We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage.”

On Thursday, after initially allowing Russia to compete, Eurovision organizers faced backlash. Hanna Stjärne, CEO of the Sweden’s Eurovision broadcaster...

Hahaha

The nerd picking a fight with the captain of the football team.

Hahaha

I don’t even think the Germans could deploy one division. Not one. Italians, they don’t want to fight. Spaniards, they don’t want to fight. Hungarians, they don’t want to fight. So let’s rephrase it once more. We’re the nerdy scrawny kids, that don’t really mean it, telling the other nerd “we have your back,” if you go to the locker room and pick a fight with the captain of the football team.

Unless we are willing to pay and bleed, we meaning the USA, this nerd has no more than a bunch of scrawny pimple faced nerds telling him how they have his back, but not willing to make a move when fists start flying.

The only allies we have that we can count on are the Aussies (super tight), UK, South Korea (under rated, ROKs military is very competent).

The French are a loud yappy dog without a bite (the little dog that thinks it’s big), the Germans were neutered, and the Poles have the heart (they fight!) but are too small to make a big difference. The Italians, they are always on the winning side even if they need to switch sides mid fight and the Spaniards have learned that it’s not so bad being on one’s knees (as soon as they were bombed they withdrew from Iraq). The Romanians are shitting their pants about now and the Serbs would be happy if the Russians did come into Europe (they’re buddies). The Greeks won’t move because all they keep their eye on is Turkey (In case NATO goes to war with NATO)... In the end, we have just a few allies that have any capabilities, the size needed to make a difference and the will to fight. The rest just have support militaries. They send a few here or there, a token force in a support and noncombat role, in a more secure and stable place preferred, and then claim they contributed. Worthless-

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