Mr. Udugov, chehen rebels' press mann (as strange as that may sound), came out again to warn Russians of new attacks on their own land. i feel these kind of statement are gradually getting less and less responce from people. He also stated that the main cause chechen rebels are fighting for is the declaration of shariate law in the state of chechnya, and it officially becoming an islamic state. He also added that common chechens (some of who are moderate muslims without any of the above 'ambitions') don't need to be consulted on this. Not extreme at all. And mark the bull's eyes.

The Death of Klinghoffer

Watched film/opera 'The death of Klinghoffer'. PLF members taking over a cruise ship in 1985, based on true events, and end up killing 1 hostage. A balanced take on the situation, the intercuts show documentary and non-documentary footage of Jews and Palestinians in exile. Some parts are powerful although overall i'm not a huge fan of a hardcore opera in a cinematographic format. Not my thing. What is interesting is that since 2001 the opera, the stage vesrion, hasn't been performed, while being a sell out show prior to that (touring mainly in the States). Gets me every time when i come across obvious examples of censorship in the US. It's 'freedom should know boundries' kind of thing.

You don't care? Really?

This is part of an interview with a London bombings survivor Rachel North from a new book by Milan Rai '7/7 : The London Bombings, Islam and the Iraq War'. Ms North was on the King's Cross train when the bomb exploded 7 feet away from her. The train was so packed with people that she was shielded from the blast. I keep hearing from people, both Muslim and non-Muslim, some i even consider to be rather intellegent, that people don't care why those attacks happen and how they could have been prevented. Really? You guys don't care/ How about you'll be inviting me to your brother's funeral next time. And how about it would be your daughter missing her leg from knee down. And how about it would be you who won't be able to pee on his own as a result of post traumatic stress let alone go to work.

I hear Nord Ost and Beslan are the two most frightening topics for the Russian president. His two biggest nightmares. Not in a sense that he loses sleep over it because i'm sure he doesn't (not the kind) but in a sense that he doesn't want these subjects to ever be raised again as they give him that unpleasant, as kids say 'yucky' feeling. Which is hardly surprising. They are the most visible blood stains on his white shirt of a reputation. And as we know even if you try to wash the blood out it still leaves a pretty ugly yellowish stain.

Chess king Mr Kasparov has a very interesting political site Kasparov.ru only in Russian sadly. On it he and his allies are viciously outspoken and very antiPutin and his plan to resurrect Stalinism (or establish 'Putinism') and drown any hopes for a bright democratic future. The question remains: can Russia do Democracy? Can it really? Hmm.

Impressed...

French youths are fighting. Unpoluted by reality TV and not obsessed with Paris Hilton (lifestyle) they have a firm grasp of reality. Hats off.

In Your Hands

In Your Hands, By N. Pelevine. The play that was 'blocked' in Moscow. The theatre where the rehearsals were taking place was advised not to go through with the project. The poor theatre, heavily dependent on govenment funding, was left no choice...

In Your Hands, the political drama, based loosely on the events in Moscow in 2002, the hostage taking crisis in a theatre is set to open in London on the September 11th 2006. The play focuses on two women - a hostage and a hostage taker. Yes, there are differences between them. Cashmire sweater and a Saudi dress. Can you think of anything else?

War and Peace. Yes, by Leo

Theatre, it's power. The word power can be used in a positive sense.

The shot from War and Peace-the beginning by Moscow's Piotr Fomenko, a true genius.

Hello and welcome to..well..you'll see

Well, here it is. Good evening fun and peace loving friends. Nothing more i love than a good discussion.
Are you into politics are you wise people who stay away from it, and prefer dog walking masturbation and ugly rumours about your neighbours?