If the original group consists of, say, 100 people, then I suppose that losing a third of its population could be considered a mass exodus. But 34 people from the entire United Kingdom suddenly deciding to ditch the “woke” society of their homeland and seek a better, more “spiritual” life in Russia . . . I think I’d be more inclined to label that as a localized outbreak of delusion . . . resulting from the confusion . . . caused by an illusion . . . created by . . . I’d have to say stupidity here, even though it doesn’t rhyme. Sorry.

Add to this number a Canadian family of ten (the Feenstras) and an American family of five (the Heyers) (see my previous posts), and you’ve got 49 people — eleven of them minors dragged along by their parents — moving to a place about which they obviously know absolutely nothing, but believe to be a land of opportunity, morality, and security.

And how did this happen? Well, somehow this handful of people got the word that Vladimir Putin has offered to “save” the folks in the West who identify with Russia’s “spiritual and moral values [from Western] destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes.” [Kieran Kelly, The Telegraph, September 23, 2024.]

And in order to expedite his humanitarian undertaking, Lord Putin even had the immigration laws changed by Executive Order on August 19th, removing the former requirements that applicants for permanent residence must speak Russian and have knowledge of the “history and fundamentals of Russian legislation.” [Id.]

Of course, the Russian propaganda machine jumped right into action to take advantage of this boon. According to a report on Kremlin-connected Tsargrad TV:

“In the West, it seemed like they were just waiting for Putin’s document to appear … Tired of the liberal agenda — that’s how everyone who contacted the Russian diplomatic mission explained their decision.” [Id.]

And Major General Irina Volk, speaking for the Russian Interior Ministry, said that such moves are the result of “the abolition of traditional moral and family values in American society, as well as the low level of education.” [Id.]

(The above is shown as the official photo of the Interior Ministry. But am I the only one who think it looks more like an AI-created picture? Check out the hands, and the Adam’s apple, the too-perfect eye makeup, etc. Or maybe I’m just super-sensitive to the recent AI bombardment.)

Anyway, back to the subject at hand . . .

*. *. *

Consider the contrast: 878,500 immigrants from around the world who became citizens of the United States in 2023; 202,000 new citizens of the U.K. in the same year; and . . . what was that number again? . . . oh, right . . . 49 applicants in Russia thus far in 2024. They’re just beating on the doors over there, aren’t they?

And as an added incentive, Putin has said that any of these misbegotten souls who might be insane . . . er, eager enough to consider joining the Russian fighting forces in Ukraine would be welcome to do so. It seems that at least two from the U.K. already have: Ben Stimson and Aiden Minnis.

British historian and Executive Director of Mayak Intelligence, Mark Galeotti, said that Russia would have “no qualms” about accepting these immigrants into the military to fight in Ukraine, and would consider it to be “a great PR advantage.” But he feels that the greater advantage is the propaganda that would be directed at the Russian populace:

“It is not the same as recruiting a bunch of Nepalis whom you can pay peanuts to. This is more about the propaganda, which is about being able to say, ‘Look, these Westerners are so sick of wokeness in the West that they recognise Russia is much better.’” [Id.]

I wonder how many of those Russians — the ones trying to find a way out of the country, or whose relatives or friends are in prison for speaking out against the Putin regime — are actually buying that sh*t.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/23/24