Today in Moscow, four Russian journalists went on trial — in a single proceeding — on charges of having worked with an “extremist organization” in 2021. That organization: the late Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF). The “crime” with which they have been charged carries a penalty of up to six years in prison. All four have, rightly, pled not guilty.

Three of the four — Gabov, Favorskaya and Karelin — had already made it onto my earlier hostage list; Artyom Kriger will be added now.**

Favorskaya and Kriger worked with SotaVision, an independent Russian news outlet that covers protests and political trials. Gabov, a freelance producer, has worked for multiple organizations, including Reuters. And Karelin, a freelance video journalist, has also worked for Western media outlets, including the Associated Press. [Dasha Litvinova, Associated Press, October 2, 2024.]

Unusually, the defendants were permitted to speak from behind the glass of the prisoners’ box before the court declared the proceedings closed. Kriger advised independent journalists remaining in Russia to leave, saying, “It is not a joke, any person can be charged with anything.” [Id.]

And Favorskaya took advantage of the opportunity to strike a note of hope: “Everything that is happening now, the darkness that surrounds us, it is not forever, and we will definitely see the country that Alexei (Navalny) dreamed of, we will definitely live in a country where rights and freedoms will be (respected) and journalists and other people will not be jailed for their views.” [Id.]

And then the doors were closed, at the request of the prosecution, despite defense objection. As in the other politically-motivated cases, the verdict is assumed to be “Guilty,” with only the length of the sentence remaining in question.

In an interview with the Associated Press, SotaVision founder Alexandra Ageyeva said that her journalists are regularly detained while working. She specifically mentioned instances when Kriger and Favorskaya were followed — Kriger while covering protests, and Favorskaya while reporting on Navalny’s court cases.

She said as to the trial, “. . . we expect the worst. And we expect a further crackdown on our news outlet. Of course, we’re not violating any laws, we’re working completely openly. But, apparently, independent journalism is too dangerous for the current regime.” [Id.]

That statement alone required an act of great courage on Ageyeva’s part.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/2/24

** NOTE:

The list of hostages originally included four Americans who were among the prisoners released in the historic spy swap of August 1, 2024:

Evan Gershkovich
Vladimir Kara-Murza
Alsu Kurmasheva
Paul Whelan

Those remaining, to my knowledge, are:

Ilya Yashin
Staff Sgt. Gordon Black
Robert Woodland Romanov
Marc Hilliard Fogel
Ksenia Karelina
Stephen James Hubbard
Robert Gilman
David Barnes
Eugene Spector
Michael Travis Leake
Boris Akunin
Asya Kazantseva
Ilya Barabanov
Aleksandr Skobov
Antonina Favorskaya
Oleg Orlov
Boris Kagarlitsky
Oleg Navalny
Ksenia Fadeyeva
Lilia Chanysheva
Vadim Ostanin
Sergei Udaltsov
Danuta Perednya
Olesya Krivtsova
Konstantin Gabov
Sergey Karelin
Sergey Mingazov
Artyom Kriger

And perhaps more . . .

It’s almost that time of year again: time for the annual BRICS summit. This year’s gathering will be hosted by Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24, presumably with all of the pomp and ceremony for which Russians have long been known.

BRICS is an organization that was supposed to have been created “to highlight investment opportunities, . . . [but] evolved into an actual geopolitical bloc . . .” [Wikipedia, last edited July 26, 2024.] And they have been meeting annually, and sometimes in between, since the group’s inception in 2009.

Current membership consists of the five founding members — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — plus Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and most recently, Saudi Arabia. Their real purpose: to create a new world order, carved in their own image.

And one of the topics on this year’s agenda will no doubt be Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, and the involvement of the United States and its Western allies in the defense of Ukraine.

In these weeks prior to that summit, we’ve heard repeated threats from Vladimir Putin and other members of the Russian hierarchy to the effect that any attack on Russian soil, even with conventional weapons, could well result in nuclear retaliation. Is the timing of these increased warnings coincidental, or will Russia be seeking the support of its fellow BRICS members in its stance against Western aid to Ukraine? We shall see.

And now, another voice — that of Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov — has been added to the din. Ryabkov, who is in charge of overseeing arms control and relations with Washington, was quoted yesterday as follows:

“We must prepare for a long-term confrontation with this country. We are ready for this in every sense. We are sending all the warning signals to our opponent so that it does not underestimate our determination.” [Guy Faulconbridge, Reuters, October 1, 2024.]

* . * . *

Yes, it’s more of what we’ve been hearing from Putin, from Lavrov, from Medvedev, from Peskov. But the repetition alone, the frequency of the threats, and the number of people from whom the threats are issuing, all combine to create a sense that they’re not just making conversation.

Might it be bravado? bullying? bluffing? bluster? bullshit? It’s possible, of course. And I’m not saying we should make a mad dash for the nearest shelter. But we — our U.S. government and its allies — shouldn’t ignore it either. I’m reasonably certain they’re not, but . . .

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/2/24

You probably think you’re afraid of the possibility of a broken bone, or a concussion. But what it really is, is the embarrassment. Especially if you can’t get yourself back up without help. And you have to call 9-1-1, even though you’re not hurt. You know that commercial that goes, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”? It’s not so funny when it’s you . . . all alone . . . down there on the floor . . . on your ass.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s go back five or six years . . .

There I was, the consummate City Girl, happily living by myself in my big, beautiful apartment in a big, beautiful high-rise apartment building in northern Virginia, just eight miles outside of big, beautiful Washington, D.C. I’d lived in the D.C. area since the age of 13, and in that apartment for some 30 years — the last 25 or so on my own. I had even done a couple of solo overseas expat stints, in Prague and Moscow, back in the early ‘90s. Fiercely independent, I knew how to take care of myself.

But even the smartest, the toughest, the most careful of us stumble now and then. On this occasion, I was merely bending over to pick up a piece of paper I had dropped, lost my equilibrium, and felt myself going — oddly enough, not in the forward direction toward which I had been aimed, but backward. And in slow motion.

“Oo-o-o-o-o-o-h . . . no-o-o-o-o-o-o!!!!!”

. . . I heard myself moaning in an unnaturally deep voice. Or at least that’s how it sounded in my head, as I ever-so-slowly (I thought) drifted toward the floor, trying desperately to grab for something solid that wasn’t there.

And then I hit the floor with a thud that must have had the folks on the floor below thinking the building had been hit with a wrecking ball. And as I snapped out of my slo-mo state, I realized I had simply sat down hard, landing on the best-padded part of me, and luckily not hitting my head or twisting any limbs. I was fine, though my backside was going to be one massive bruise.

But I had this long-standing problem — an orthopedic one. Actually, several of them. Two artificial (steel and titanium) knees; five fused lumbar vertebrae; two surgically-repaired rotator cuffs; four calling birds; three French hens . . . No, not the last two. But all the others.

And all of that makes it difficult — sometimes impossible — for me to haul myself up. But I had to try. So I butt-crawled to the nearest living room chair to use as a prop, but it was too tall. Next I tried the stone-top coffee table, but it was too low. And as I looked around, I realized there was no “Goldilocks” piece of furniture that I could grab onto in order to pull myself up off the freakin’ floor.

The one thing I did have was my phone. So I made the call.

And here’s where I felt about as stupid as I ever had before or since. That is, until I heard the 9-1-1 operator’s question. I told her what had happened, that I was not injured but had mobility issues and couldn’t get myself up from the floor. She said she’d send the EMTs, and I remembered to tell her that I had latched the safety chain on my apartment door, so they would need to bring heavy-duty bolt cutters with them. And she said:

“Well, can you take the chain off before they get there?”

[Pause for laughter and snide comments about intelligence.]

My first thought was, “Yeah, lady, the chain is down here at floor level.” But what I said was, “Ma’am, if I could stand up to reach the chain, I wouldn’t need to call you for help.”

I wish I could have seen her face as she paused, then apologized and said the EMTs were on their way . . . with the bolt cutters.

The nearest fire station was just five minutes away, so they arrived post haste — all four of them. Three men and a woman, just to pick little old me up from the floor. I had managed to butt-scoot over to the door and reach the door knob to unlock it and to prop the door open slightly, so that when they arrived I could simply tell them to cut their way in. And when they snapped that chain and walked in, there I was — sitting like Buddha’s mother in the middle of the living room rug, laughing myself silly. Because it really was funny.

And they smiled, but were professional enough not to laugh outright, though they obviously wanted to. They insisted on checking my vitals and asking a few questions, and finally one huge guy stepped around behind me, put his big meathooks under my armpits, and in one motion lifted me up so easily and so quickly I thought he was going to toss me up in the air. Which would have been fun too, as long as he caught me on the way down again.

And that was it. They did their job; the building management was kind enough to replace the door chain without charge; and I got to tell my story over and over, to everyone who would listen. Because (I repeat) it really was funny.

We all have embarrassing moments in life. As long as everything turns out all right in the end, there are two ways to react: you can agonize over the short-term embarrassment; or you can look at it as a great story to be repeated, for the rest of your life, when the occasion arises. Like now.

I recommend going for the laugh; it’s good for the soul.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/2/24

Happy 100th birthday, Mr. President. Another major accomplishment to add to your already impressive list.

The world could use a great many more individuals of your caliber.

Respectfully,
Brendochka
10/1/24

Actually, it was just yesterday that I commented on the results of Austria’s parliamentary election and the astonishing victory of the far-far-far-right Herbert Kickl and his Freedom Party of Austria (FPO).

And on the heels of that story comes another — this time about Austria’s former Foreign Minister, Karinn Kneissi, and her notorious curtsy to the star guest at her wedding in 2018: none other than Vladimir Putin. [James Crisp, The Telegraph, September 30, 2024.]

What’s that? You’re skeptical? Well, here you go — an actual photograph, not AI-generated. And don’t they look like the best of friends!

Yes, it is ancient history; Ms. Kneissi is no longer Foreign Minister. But the party that appointed her back then — the FPO — is the same party that just won the general election. And that party has a “friendship pact” with Putin’s United Russia party.

In 1955, the Soviet Union’s approval of the withdrawal of Allied troops from Austria was conditioned upon Austria’s promise of permanent neutrality, which is why Austria has never joined NATO. And although it is a member of the EU, its aid to Ukraine has been limited. Now, the FPO is attempting to form a coalition government that would give Kickl the authority he desires to oppose any further aid to Ukraine, as well as to attack the EU’s sanctions against Moscow. [Id.]

That authority would also be a boon to Kickl’s allies in Hungary — Viktor Orban — and in Slovakia — Robert Fico . . . both outspoken pro-Putinists.

This European slide toward the extreme right and growing alliances with Russia could not be more disturbing. And all that we average citizens can do is sit here and watch it happen.

And vote.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/1/24

September has long been considered an unlucky month on my mother’s side of my family. I celebrate October 1st each year to give thanks for not having died in September.

Being Jewish automatically brings with it a certain amount of . . . well, tseuris (grief), of course . . . but also superstition; and the “September curse” is my cross (so to speak) to bear. That, and knocking on wood for practically everything.

It all started when I was eight years old. My great-grandmother died while I was sitting by her bed, holding her hand and talking to her, though she wasn’t really responding. Suddenly her hand went limp. I eased my fingers out from under hers, tried unsuccessfully to wake her, and then walked out to the kitchen — where the family was gathered on death watch — and authoritatively announced, “Baba’s dead.”

In unison, they all began assuring me that she must just be asleep; they were so certain I would be traumatized, and wanted to protect me. But I just shook my head and matter-of-factly declared, “No. She’s really dead. I checked.” One of my uncles then went into her room to see if this snippy little eight-year-old knew what she was talking about, and a moment later he returned nodding in confirmation. She had quietly slipped away while holding my hand. It was September.

And three days later, my grandfather — who had been in the hospital following successful gall bladder surgery, and had not yet been told that his mother-in-law had died — had a sudden, completely unexpected heart attack and passed away. It was still September.

Since that time, in September every gas pain is a heart attack, and you can’t convince me otherwise.

*. *. *

But sometimes they really are more than just gas. In 1960, my mother, my sister Merna and I were moving into a new apartment in D.C. There were no cell phones in those days, but luckily the phone company arrived on time to install our new house phone. Almost immediately, it rang — which was rather spooky since no one had our new number yet, except for the “Information” operators, who were very efficient in those days. It was my mother’s younger sister in Rhode Island, calling to tell her that their older sister had passed away in her sleep during an afternoon nap. It was only July, but she had had a heart attack without waiting for September. We thought perhaps the “September curse” had been broken.

Until two months later, when my grandmother succumbed to . . . you guessed it . . . a heart attack. In September.

*. *. *

Three decades passed quickly. Then it was my mother’s turn. The year was 1991. I had spent the summer working overseas in Prague, and had been back home for only about a week when she was rushed to the hospital with chest pains. She had had congestive heart failure for a number of years, so it was not totally unexpected. She spent a few days in the hospital, came home, then returned to the hospital a week or so later. She died on September 18th — which also happened to be my sister’s birthday. Double whammy.

So even being born in September can be unlucky. Merna’s birthday celebrations were never the same after that.

*. *. *

And the September curse nearly took away Merna’s life as well. It was 2017, and she was terminally ill with malignant pleural effusion. It was only her determination to see her beloved Washington Redskins (we do not acknowledge the recent name change) play for at least part of the season that kept her going as long as she did. She barely made it through the month, entering hospice in early October. The doctor gave her an estimated three to ten days; she lasted three weeks. The nurses told me they had never seen such a stubborn patient. But sadly, the Redskins had to finish the season without her.

*. *. *

And the “being born in September curse” applies doubly, this time to my granddaughter Emily. She was born prematurely — at 26 weeks — in September of 1995. Through the twin miracles of medical science and motherly love and determination, she survived, but not without serious medical complications that ultimately took her from us at the age of 26, just over two years ago. That was the hardest loss of all.

*. *. *

So you can see why I hold my breath for 30 days every year at this time. The world lost quite a few souls this past month, as it inevitably does; but I’m happy (and more than a little relieved) to say that my family — what’s left of it — is still intact.

This September we had a hurricane named Helene instead. It blew away more than 100 lives in the southeastern United States. And not one of them was a relative of mine.

There are no guarantees, of course; but perhaps I can breathe a little easier for the next eleven months.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/1/24

We’re not all born beautiful. This bird — the Northern Bald Ibis, once native to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East — certainly wasn’t. But when she was hovering (no pun intended) on the brink of extinction, some Moroccan conservationists thought this rare, ancient species worth saving. And now these flocking birds are increasing in numbers once again. The Moroccan population is more than 500, and its status there has been changed from critically endangered to endangered. [Joshua Korber Hoffman, CNN, September 30, 2024.]

In addition, a unique reintroduction program has brought the ibis migration in Europe back for the first time since the 1600s — more than 300 years! — with a managed migratory population currently numbering around 270 birds. [Id.]

It isn’t about being beautiful. It’s about everyone having a place in this world.

I wonder why we humans can’t feel the same acceptance and concern toward each other.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/30/24

Oh, this is so not good.

At the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, September 28th, Russia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sergei Lavrov, lambasted the West with accusations of “global domination and machinations in Ukraine,” and followed up with perhaps the most virulent threats of nuclear retaliation to date.

He started by accusing the West of using Ukraine as a tool to try to defeat Moscow strategically, and “preparing Europe for it to also throw itself into this suicidal escapade.” [Edith M. Lederer and Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press, September 28, 2024.]

And continuing: “I’m not going to talk here about the senselessness and the danger of the very idea of trying to fight to victory with a nuclear power, which is what Russia is.” [Id.]

At a news conference following his speech on Saturday, he added:

“Whether or not they [the U.S. and other Western allies] will provide the permission for Ukraine for long-range weapons, then we will see what their understanding was of what they heard.” [Id.]

Earlier in the week, following a meeting in the Washington White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walked away with an additional $2.7 billion in military aid — but without the long-range weapons Lavrov was talking about, and without the okay to use such weapons to strike farther into Russia. Presumably, though, that option remains open.

And Lavrov wasn’t finished yet. About the geopolitical and military expansion of NATO, he had this to say:

“It is now trying to take root in the south Caucusus [sic], in central Asia, creating direct threats to the security of our country. And now the same is happening in the Asia-Pacific region, where NATO infrastructure is creeping in to contain or deter China and Russia.” [Id.]

He accused the United States of seeking “to preserve their hegemony and to govern everything,” and made reference to NATO’s relations with New Zealand, Australia, South Korea and Japan; as well as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (commonly called the “Quad”) encompassing the U.S., India, Australia and Japan, an alliance which — he neglected to mention — had been formed as a counter to China’s growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

What he also conveniently omitted was any mention of BRICS.

Conceived by Vladimir Putin, BRICS was formed in 2009 as BRIC, an acronym from the initials of the four founding nations: Brazil, Russia, India and China. South Africa joined shortly thereafter, when the name was changed to BRICS. Since then, membership has doubled to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates; and no fewer than 40 additional countries are said to have applied for or expressed an interest in membership.

Though its original purpose was said to be directed toward identifying investment opportunities, BRICS has clearly evolved into a geopolitical bloc. According to BBC.com (Feb. 1, 2024):

“The group was designed to bring together the world’s most important developing countries, to challenge the political and economic power of the wealthier nations of North America and Western Europe.”

In other words — in fact, in Lavrov’s very own words — “to govern everything.”

But he carefully sidestepped that.

*. *. *

At some point, the U.N. photographer must have asked Sergei Lavrov for a photo op. It clearly was not the best timing, because this is what the world got to see:

Sometimes you just don’t feel like smiling.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/30/24

Actually, September 30th is a really boring day for celebrations; but I found a few promising ones for tomorrow and decided to skip right ahead to October 1st:

To begin with, it’s the very first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So let’s all take a moment to reflect on taking care of ourselves and our loved ones, and perhaps making a contribution — whatever you can afford — to help fight this terrible disease.

And on a more cheerful note, tomorrow we have both . . .

International Coffee Day and National Homemade Cookies Day. I don’t know whether that was planned or coincidental, but it sure sounds like a good way to spend the beginning of a new month. Make mine good, old-fashioned chocolate chip, please.

National Fire Pup Day. What a fantastic idea! This is a day set aside to honor the pooches that work with fire departments across the country. I love that. An extra treat for each and every one of those 101 Dalmatians — and all the other breeds that fill those important and dangerous jobs.

Urticaria Day. Had to look this one up. It turns out to be an icky-sounding skin disease. I don’t know why it rates its own day, and I’d rather not find out. I’m just thankful I don’t have it, and I wish happy healing to those who do.

International Day of Older Persons. Finally! A holiday for me. Don’t send me flowers or chocolates, because one dies and the other just goes directly to my hips. But theater tickets would be lovely, thank you. And promise to be nice to all the older people you know. We’ve been through a lot, and we deserve it.

International Music Day. Just make those theater tickets to a musical, and we’ve done a twofer.

National Hair Day. Yes, please . . . I’d like to get back what’s come off in my hairbrush over the years.

And finally . . .

World Vegetarian Day. I know of some cows and chickens who would like to throw a party for this one. Just be sure to get your complete protein, and you’ll be fine without the meat.

So, lots to look forward to tomorrow. You’d better get busy baking those cookies and ordering my theater tickets. And have a very nice day — today, tomorrow, and every day.

TTFN,
Brendochka
9/30/24

First of all, has anyone outside of Austria heard of Herbert Kickl? I have to admit that I had not, until I learned that he and his Freedom Party seem to be headed for a general election victory. And since I am writing this on the day of that election — the 29th — we may have those results before I publish.

However, it seems that even a victory over the opposing People’s Party won’t guarantee that he will be able to form a coalition, since — as so colorfully expressed by incumbent Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the People’s Party — “it is impossible to form a government with someone who adores conspiracy theories.”

Well, you know that got me digging into Mr. Kickl’s background in a hurry. And I have to be honest: he’s a scary guy. Aside from being described generally as “far right” (“far” anything worries me), and has been known to refer to himself as Volkskanzler (The People’s Chancellor).

— According to his biography on Wikipedia, his political positions include the following:

— In 2016, he was keynote speaker of the “Defenders of Europe” conference in Linz, which had been organized and was attended by far-right, antisemitic, and racist groups and individuals. He has since maintained ties with many of the same groups.

— In 2017, he stated that his goal in politics was to “make society more fair,” which he described as being “when one can support one’s family through gainful employment and live a self-determined life without ‘social dependence.”

— During the COVID-19 pandemic, he regularly attended and spoke at rallies alongside far-right activists, including neo-Nazi Gottfried Kussel.

— Kickl strongly opposes immigration, and feels that Islam has no place in Europe. His stated goal is to make it virtually impossible for anyone to apply for asylum in Austria. At the start of 2023, he launched a poster campaign with the slogan: “Fortress Austria – closed borders – security guaranteed.”

— He has suggested that Austria should withdraw from human rights agreements if they “prevent us from doing whaat is necessary,” saying that he believes “it is up to the law to follow politics, and not for politics to follow the law.”

And those are just his views on internal affairs. As to foreign policy . . . well, it just gets worse. He is a supporter of close relations between his party and Vladimir Putin’s United Russia. He has rejected criticism of Putin’s authoritarian policies, and says that sanctions imposed against Russia since the 2022 invasions of Ukraine constitute a violation of Austrian neutrality. He has opposed Austria’s acceptance of Ukrainian refugees, and in March of 2023, walked out of parliament during an address by Ukrainian President Zelensky.

I think you get the picture. If elected, and if his party is able to form the necessary coalition to lead Parliament, Herbert Kickl will take his place on the growing list of those Eastern and Central European leaders whose political policies are swinging ever closer to those of Vladimir Putin: most prominently, Aleksandr Lukashenko (Belarus), Viktor Orban (Hungary), and Robert Fico (Slovakia).

I’m afraid to ask, but I have to wonder: Who’s next?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/30/24

ELECTION RESULT: Not surprisingly, Herbert Kickl’s Freedom Party has secured the first far-right parliamentary election victory in Austria since World War II. Preliminary results showed his party finishing first with 29.2% of the vote; Chancellor Nehammer’s People’s Party second with 26..5%; and the center-left Social Democrats third with 21%. The second- and third-place parties say that they will not form the coalition needed by the Freedom Party in order for it to hold a parliamentary majority.

In a TV appearance following the announcement of the election results, Kickl said, “We don’t need to change our position, because we have always said that we’re ready to lead government, we’re ready to push forward this change in Austria side by side with the people. The other parties should ask themselves where they stand on democracy . . . [they should] sleep on the result.” [Associated Press, September 29, 2024.]

About 300 protesters gathered outside the Parliament building Sunday evening, carrying signs with anti-Freedom Party slogans. Some of them read, “Kickl is a Nazi.” [Id.]

Good luck, Austria. Without a clear majority in Parliament, life should be rather interesting, to say the very least.

9/29/24 – 11:39 p.m.