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Russians attacked in Moscow for wearing 'Western' symbols
BBC ^ | 7 October 2014 | Rafael Saakov

Posted on 10/08/2014 3:35:59 AM PDT by wetphoenix

An outpouring of Russian patriotism has accompanied the war in Ukraine and Russian support for the rebels fighting the Kiev government's forces in the east.

In some cases, Russian antagonism towards the Kiev authorities and the West has spilled on to the streets. And Muscovites themselves have been the target.

Journalist Anna Ratafyeva was travelling on the Moscow metro when she was slapped in the face by an elderly woman who didn't like the picture of cartoon character Snoopy waving a Union Jack on the front of her sweatshirt.

The incident happened in September, Ms Ratafyeva wrote on her Facebook page.

"(The woman) approached me, called me 'an American whore' and slapped me in the face. Welcome to the new reality," she wrote.

Anna Ratafyeva's decision to wear a union jack Snoopy sweatshirt prompted an unprovoked attack

That new reality involves a Russian ban on many food imports from the European Union and the US, in response to Western sanctions imposed on Russia for its actions in the Ukrainian crisis.

Another unpleasant incident emerged during the annual Moscow marathon on 21 September.

One of the runners, Alexandra Boyarskaya, was wearing a T-shirt in the yellow and blue colours of Ukrainian flag and carrying the word "Ukraine". When she stopped during the race for a drink, she was attacked.

A woman leapt from the cheering crowd, knocked the cup from Ms Boyarskaya's hands, spat in her face and shouted: "You bastard! Go back to your country. You dishonour my city and have no right to run in our marathon!"

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Russia
KEYWORDS:
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To: 1rudeboy
And we Americans can look forward to when the state owns our media, too.

Yeah, look forward to about 1970. Catch up slowpoke.

21 posted on 10/08/2014 5:59:09 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (America, a Rule of Mob nation)
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To: 1rudeboy
"And we Americans can look forward to when the state owns our media, too."

I get the point, I have been under the impression by observation, that for at least the last 6 years, most of the media is state owned, of course I do acknowledge the state has not announced that fact officially yet. /s

22 posted on 10/08/2014 6:03:54 AM PDT by PoloSec ( Believe the Gospel: how that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again)
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To: wetphoenix
On the other hand it is BBC reporting.

BBC always has a Leftstream press agenda, and no part of it is to do Russians or Americans any good.

23 posted on 10/08/2014 6:04:51 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (America, a Rule of Mob nation)
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To: Cowboy Bob

I don’t get your reasoning. In what way does the old lady think it’s American versus from the UK?


24 posted on 10/08/2014 6:23:09 AM PDT by LittleBillyInfidel (This tagline has been formatted to fit the screen. Some content has been edited.)
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To: odds

Something proven beyond reasonable doubt is considered a fact. Russia as a nation never had any friends: either slaves or enemies. The national character is just a summary of individual characters of it’s members. Therefore, hate is a prevalent characteristic of typical Russian. I can illustrate this by quoting their common-use terminology towards non-Russians, suppressing my gag reflex, but it’s just superficial - HATE runs in their veins.


25 posted on 10/08/2014 6:33:06 AM PDT by Samogon (Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something. - Plato)
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To: wetphoenix

Was it the Union Jack that gave it away?


26 posted on 10/08/2014 6:51:23 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Navy Patriot

I think this definition fits most of the press these days, Patriot.


27 posted on 10/08/2014 6:57:24 AM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: LittleBillyInfidel

The old lady thought she was an American because she was wearing a shirt with the Union Jack.


28 posted on 10/08/2014 7:09:35 AM PDT by Cowboy Bob (They are called "Liberals" because the word "parasite" was already taken.)
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To: Cowboy Bob

Ahhhh! I misread the piece. Got it!


29 posted on 10/08/2014 8:09:37 AM PDT by LittleBillyInfidel (This tagline has been formatted to fit the screen. Some content has been edited.)
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To: PoloSec

False comparison. Despite all of the obvious faults of FOX News, our government has not yet shut it down.


30 posted on 10/08/2014 11:12:31 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: wetphoenix

Except the Russian press, which is a step beyond what you Russians care to admit.


31 posted on 10/08/2014 11:13:19 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: bert
The state does control our media now.

Not in the Russian sense. The fact that you fear it might simply indicates that you are not Russian.

32 posted on 10/08/2014 11:15:35 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Samogon

Interesting. Don’t havw time right now but will reply a bit later.


33 posted on 10/08/2014 12:24:46 PM PDT by odds
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To: Samogon; wetphoenix
Fact is a few European nations, including those who were colonial powers at one time or another, have very much an entrenched national ‘hatred’ of anything, or at least most things, foreign. They also feel infinitely superior to others.

It’s a combination of nationalism, political, social, cultural and historical factors. Various ‘targeted’ anti-hate, anti-racism, anti-discrimination laws, largely, have not changed the national psyche.

By the way, I’ve lived in a few Western European countries for extended periods, and speak related languages (terminology & nuances included); therefore, have firsthand experience and observations too. Not ‘hate’ directed at me personally, but minority ethnic and religious groups (even those born there and/or 2nd generation), as well as other Europeans, particularly Eastern Europeans; it is still very prevalent.

Wetphoenix may correct me; my understanding is the rise of radical nationalism in today’s Russia is a reaction, by some, to criminal activity by some ethnic groups from Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus, and illegal immigration. The other contributing factor is economics, for example during the GFC.

I wouldn’t say “hate” is unique to Russia or the Russians (“runs in their veins”). The Russians are still learning to be more affable, politically correct in their expression and actions, relative to Western Europeans and Americans and as superficially. Actually, Russia in surveys (global and Europe only) I’ve seen does not rank in the top 5 for being the most racist or hate-driven.

As a side note, if we’re going to talk about slavery and enemies, the U.S. being a nation of immigrants, and in its very short history of just over 200 years, has not been immune to mentioned events and sentiments. Blacks, Hispanics, U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry during WWII, KKK, now the Muslim U.S. citizens; racial tensions alone are still very much alive. Although, the U.S. overall is a more tolerant society.

34 posted on 10/08/2014 5:08:57 PM PDT by odds
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To: Samogon; odds

~Something proven beyond reasonable doubt is considered a fact. Russia as a nation never had any friends: either slaves or enemies. The national character is just a summary of individual characters of it’s members. Therefore, hate is a prevalent characteristic of typical Russian. I can illustrate this by quoting their common-use terminology towards non-Russians, suppressing my gag reflex, but it’s just superficial - HATE runs in their veins.~

Any language has ethnic slurs. The fact that you have fond analogues in Russian is not an evidance of any unique out of limit Russian racism.

I think right opposite is true.


35 posted on 10/08/2014 9:08:17 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: 1rudeboy

~Except the Russian press, which is a step beyond what you Russians care to admit.~

No, but there are independent free press left in Russia and it presents quality journalism, being often staffed with professionals of higher qualities than higher budget government or their crony-run press.

I wouldn’t say it about most American ‘opposition’ media. They almost all have distinctive ‘right-wing’ nuts mark, you can literally hear tin foil rustle while reading it.


36 posted on 10/08/2014 9:16:05 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: wetphoenix

On a lighter note, French, a fantastic language, is my favorite language to curse with! :-P


37 posted on 10/08/2014 9:20:08 PM PDT by odds
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To: odds

You might be a smart person. How many languages do you know?:)


38 posted on 10/08/2014 9:23:59 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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To: wetphoenix
How many languages do you know?:)

Cursing only or regular? lol - I don't speak many languages, some things are relative. Four plus English, understand a couple of others and related dialects. To speak at least one other European language in addition to English, while in Europe, is very helpful. Personally, always been interested in languages & linguistics.

39 posted on 10/08/2014 9:33:42 PM PDT by odds
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To: odds

Four plus English sounds like many languages to me:)


40 posted on 10/08/2014 9:46:17 PM PDT by wetphoenix
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