Tracking Russian figure skating's support for the war

[Ananas Astra]

Nevertheless, Plushenko uses her song in his shows and skaters are ok.
How I like it and how convenient it is. We will call everyone who does not fit into the portrait of "good russians" idiots and everything will immediately become fine.

Plushenko is another idiot. As we all know, regarding his views about the war, Putler etc.

But this Elena Rodina person really is nobody to take seriously and if Plushenko thinks it's a great move to use her "music", the joke's on him and this fact alone exposes him as a dimwit with a horrible taste.

 

[airgelaal]

As I already wrote, the skaters do not care and they will continue to participate in the plushchenko show. He pays well. He pays the money he receives from the state for his propaganda.
Their silence costs Ukrainians their lives, but their wallets are getting thicker.
Stop making excuses for them.

 

[Ananas Astra]

As I already wrote, the skaters do not care and they will continue to participate in the plushchenko show. He pays well. He pays the money he receives from the state for his propaganda.
Their silence costs Ukrainians their lives, but their wallets are getting thicker.
Stop making excuses for them.

Nobody is making excuses, all I said was that Rodina and Plushenko are well-known idiots.

And I fail to see how skating in Plushenko's shows is killing Ukrainians.
What should those KIDS do instead?

 

[Karen-W]

Nobody is making excuses, all I said was that Rodina and Plushenko are well-known idiots.

And I fail to see how skating in Plushenko's shows is killing Ukrainians.
What should those KIDS do instead?

You think that skating in those shows doesn't inspire some non-skaters into supporting the war or even taking up arms against them the next time Putin calls for more recruits?

 

[Ananas Astra]

You think that skating in those shows doesn't inspire some non-skaters into supporting the war or even taking up arms against them the next time Putin calls for more recruits?

Sure, young "tough" Russian men are going to watch these figure skating shows and think: "Wow! This is so inspiring! Let's go to Ukraine and kill some people!"

What kind of show was this, btw? @airgelaal provided a link to a little girl performing to one of Rodina's "songs".

 

[caseyedwards]

Nobody is making excuses, all I said was that Rodina and Plushenko are well-known idiots.

And I fail to see how skating in Plushenko's shows is killing Ukrainians.
What should those KIDS do instead?

Obviously the kids should March on the kremlin to overthrow Putin

 

[hanca]

It seems to me that some people are so desperate to prove that all Russians are evil, that they will consider as a proof a little kid skating to song written by a dodgy morally objectionable Russian woman. May I point out that no one was objecting to kids skating to Jackson who is a child molester? Why don’t people put more effort into tracking and outing the Russian soldiers, or the super rich oligarchs whose money are sheltering them from the consequences of war. But I guess it is easier to be picking up on tiny kids and brainwashed teenagers.

 

[On My Own]

I'm very confused as to how a girl who doesn't even look like she's 10 yet is supposed to prove anyone's point about Russian skaters being evil, but I don't think that was the point. The point seems to be that Rodina is being used in those shows, and she's a nasty person, which is completely valid. And that they're clearly starting them very young indeed, when it comes to propaganda and brainwashing. And that the older Russian skaters could choose not to work in these shows, yet apparently some still are.

About Karen's post:

You think that skating in those shows doesn't inspire some non-skaters into supporting the war or even taking up arms against them the next time Putin calls for more recruits?

I don't think this is what is happening. Rather, I think it's to keep the Russians aware of the "greatness of Russia", with all their "beautiful art and culture", despite it being "attacked by the evil West". Just a propaganda show. Not going to influence anyone to take up arms, but definitely going to keep them brainwashed.

 

[airgelaal]

When russian skaters skate in shows like this, they normalize the war. They show the society that everything is fine in their country. Why oppose the war. They don't get paid for this. If they are asked to speak in support of pedophiles, will they also smile and agree? And why not, because they don’t decide anything here, and money doesn’t smell.
Plushenko openly supports the war. How many people left his school? How many skaters train at CSKA? But that doesn't matter. Athletes continue to train in clubs that openly support the war, but at the same time they want to remain "good russians" for everyone. You can't be a little pregnant. If you support those who support the war, then you yourself support the war.

 

[Nadya]

You think that skating in those shows doesn't inspire some non-skaters into supporting the war or even taking up arms against them the next time Putin calls for more recruits?

If Putin calls up more recruits, believe me, not one person will be interested in their inspiration levels. Mobilization isn't voluntary.

 

[airgelaal]

If Putin calls up more recruits, believe me, not one person will be interested in their inspiration levels. Mobilization isn't voluntary.

Tarasenko

 

[Nadya]

Tarasenko

what's the story

 

[Ananas Astra]

Tarasenko

what's the story

He probably saw one of those shows his boss Plushenko was staging and thought to himself: "Wow! This is so inspiring! I might go and kill some Ukrainians."

irony/off

 

[nlloyd]

It's difficult to understand the naivety of those in this thread who dismiss the integral role Russian skaters are playing in the war effort. Armed forces don't get mobilized to go to war without a thorough and compelling propaganda campaign. How else do citizens allow for the possible deaths of their sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, fathers and mothers and friends? To accept that level of sacrifice requires an all-encompassing belief in the nation, its leaders and the war itself. It requires a compelling image of the nation which the citizenry can endorse and hold onto during times of loss. Hearts and minds need to be won.

In the Russian context, this means creating an understanding of Russia as innocent, pure, strong, undefeated, worthy of pride -- all of which these skaters convey on ice and in shows that support the war effort, either implicitly or explicitly. Putin and his cronies are well aware of the importance of nationalism to his war effort. And while Russians in the larger cities may not yet have been called upon to make the sacrifices concommitant on enlisting in the army, they are experiencing other types of loss. All of which a focus on figure skating, and successful figure skaters, helps ameliorate.

 

[Hedwig]

It's difficult to understand the naivety of those in this thread who dismiss the integral role Russian skaters are playing in the war effort. Armed forces don't get mobilized to go to war without a thorough and compelling propaganda campaign. How else do citizens allow for the possible deaths of their sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, fathers and mothers and friends? To accept that level of sacrifice requires an all-encompassing belief in the nation, its leaders and the war itself. It requires a compelling image of the nation which the citizenry can endorse and hold onto during times of loss. Hearts and minds need to be won.

In the Russian context, this means creating an understanding of Russia as innocent, pure, strong, undefeated, worthy of pride -- all of which these skaters convey on ice and in shows that support the war effort, either implicitly or explicitly. Putin and his cronies are well aware of the importance of nationalism to his war effort. And while Russians in the larger cities may not yet have been called upon to make the sacrifices concommitant on enlisting in the army, they are experiencing other types of loss. All of which a focus on figure skating, and successful figure skaters, helps ameliorate.

this.

Why was there a Hitler youth and why was it so important? To groom the children, of course, but also to make the thinking of a superior race normal in the brains of everyone.

 

[airgelaal]

In the Russian context, this means creating an understanding of Russia as innocent, pure, strong, undefeated, worthy of pride -- all of which these skaters convey on ice and in shows that support the war effort, either implicitly or explicitly. Putin and his cronies are well aware of the importance of nationalism to his war effort. And while Russians in the larger cities may not yet have been called upon to make the sacrifices concommitant on enlisting in the army, they are experiencing other types of loss. All of which a focus on figure skating, and successful figure skaters, helps ameliorate.

That is why these shows received impressive grants from the state.

 

[tmari]

Just be honest: the dead do not count if they are brown and Muslim.

Do they count to you? Just be honest.

So why have you decided to whatabout in defense of Russia, which:

- systematically bombs Muslim civilians in Syria

Russian–Syrian hospital bombing campaign - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

- murdered thousands of Muslim civilians in Chechnya

Chechen–Russian conflict - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

- has a long history of genociding other Muslim groups, as well as native Siberian ethnic groups:

Circassian genocide - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Deportation of the Crimean Tatars - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Territorial evolution of Russia - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

and continues committing horrific crimes into the 21st century:

Crimean Tatar tortured to death for silent protest - Hero of Ukraine and symbol of Russian lawlessness

It is four years since Reshat Ametov was abducted from his silent protest at Russia’s invasion of his native Crimea and savagely tortured to death. On the eve of the anniversary, President Petro Poroshenko entrusted to Refat Ametov his brother’s Hero of Ukraine honour and posthumous Gold Star...

khpg.org

disemboweling civilian women in the Central African Republic:

Putin’s Private Army Accused of Most Heinous Massacre Yet

Witnesses are pointing a finger at the Wagner Group over a series of gruesome killings that allegedly involved disemboweling several women.

www.thedailybeast.com

and proudly erecting statues of Stalin, a murderer of millions...

New Stalin busts unveiled in Russia

Stalin busts unveiled as Russians indulge in nostalgia for the Soviet Union's superpower status.

www.euronews.com

 

[PRlady]

Russia’s track record in Chechnya is all you need to know about their love for Muslims. And it was their occupation of Afghanistan and the radicalisation of the Taliban there that created the conditions for the American invasion. And the cannon fodder they are disproportionately drafting from Dagestan are primarily Muslim.

Russian racism towards non-white people makes the US look happily egalitarian.

 

[Hedwig]

or against gay people - but sure, go on defending Russia.

but sure, other people and other wars are only convenient when it suits your own narrative

like all the people suddenly so worried about mental health or school during the pandemic who never give a shit about either (very important) issue otherwise

 

[Vagabond]

And the cannon fodder they are disproportionately drafting from Dagestan are primarily Muslim.

Disproportionately Buddhists too, though not from Dagestan, particularly Buryats, Kalmyks, and Tuvans.

 

[On My Own]

I believe Nadya herself is Muslim? Have a foggy memory of her saying so, but it's also obvious from her screen name. I don't think she's being whataboutist, although I have no doubt Caseyedwards is. Nadya's posts in the Israel thread also show she does genuinely care about Palestinians.

When some bring up the US's crimes in the middle east, it's because they really are unspoken of and ignored by many. To wit - "What evils have these nations recently perpetrated?".

Again, I don't even like the religion. But some of the posts on here are just lol.

 

[Hedwig]

People also make the mistake to think that nearly everybody here is from the US (no, we are not, or at least not all of us) or that they did not protest against other decisions in the world or other wars (I was on the first anti-war rally in 1991 still as a child, but I admit I do not know about every war during my life time or what went on when - sadly there are too many and it is not always even easy to see if there is a clear culprit)

 

[Nadya]

I believe Nadya herself is Muslim? Have a foggy memory of her saying so, but it's also obvious from her screen name. I don't think she's being whataboutist, although I have no doubt Caseyedwards is. Nadya's posts in the Israel thread also show she does genuinely care about Palestinians.

When some bring up the US's crimes in the middle east, it's because they really are unspoken of and ignored by many. To wit - "What evils have these nations recently perpetrated?".

Again, I don't even like the religion. But some of the posts on here are just lol.

I'm neither of these things. Let's focus on ideas and not on personal stuff.

 

[Nadya]

Do they count to you? Just be honest.

They do. And let's be honest: Russia received way more grief for their actions in Chechnya than the US for their collective adventures in the Middle East, despite a massive difference in the body count.

 

[Nadya]

Russia’s track record in Chechnya is all you need to know about their love for Muslims. And it was their occupation of Afghanistan and the radicalisation of the Taliban there that created the conditions for the American invasion. And the cannon fodder they are disproportionately drafting from Dagestan are primarily Muslim.

Russian racism towards non-white people makes the US look happily egalitarian.

Chechens and Dagestanis are white like you and I.

 

[On My Own]

I'm neither of these things. Let's focus on ideas and not on personal stuff.

OK, sorry, must be remembering someone else. However, which is the other thing I said you are?

 

[PRlady]

Chechens and Dagestanis are white like you and I.

Ah, depends on definition of whiteness which is complex. They certainly have been discriminated against by ethnic Russians and they are not Christian which adds to their otherness.

 

[On My Own]

Ah, depends on definition of whiteness which is complex. They certainly have been discriminated against by ethnic Russians and they are not Christian which adds to their otherness.

I think it's not necessary at all to bring up their skin colour when talking about their discrimination. There are bad faith arguments out there saying "Uyghurs are white, so Chinese aren't racist towards them". Discrimination is discrimination.

 

[Nadya]

Ah, depends on definition of whiteness which is complex. They certainly have been discriminated against by ethnic Russians and they are not Christian which adds to their otherness.

The stories I could tell about Chechen discrimination against non-Chechens would make you weep crimson tears.

Let's just agree othering is human nature.

 

[caseyedwards]

Russia’s track record in Chechnya is all you need to know about their love for Muslims. And it was their occupation of Afghanistan and the radicalisation of the Taliban there that created the conditions for the American invasion. And the cannon fodder they are disproportionately drafting from Dagestan are primarily Muslim.

Russian racism towards non-white people makes the US look happily egalitarian.

And you know the United States funded the groups that became the taliban