Must watch. Vice Ukraine Dispatch 19. (Comments in thread.)

[joshcryer]

I am frankly, completely blown away by this video, completely. The Ukrainian soldiers who wanted to leave Crimea were allowed, those who wanted to stay, stayed. The breakdown was obviously among family lines (those who had family in Crimea stayed, those who didn't, left).

The single most important part of this video, the single most important part, is the soldier calling out the parliamentarian for being part of a corrupt oligarchy. I have never seen a soldier call out a politician like that before. This is such a positive, and truly revolutionary view point we have not seen before in this conflict. The soldier called out the parliamentarian for not giving orders, for telling them to "sit tight" for 23 days. His anger, his hate for the oligarchs, it is seething.

If you can't be bothered to watch the entire video, skip to 11:30, it's where the soldier calls out the parliamentarian. The parliamentarian before that part makes a very loud, public, disgusting politically opportunist speech, and there are parts earlier on where the soldiers blame the intrim Ukrainian government for the fall of Crimea, so I'd still recommend watching the entire thing.

Still, powerful, I've never felt that Ukraine can get its shit together and get rid of the oligarchs before now. If the soldiers are expressing that sentiment, maybe there's a chance. If Ukraine can get rid of the oligarchs, then it has a chance, small though it may be, to be rid of the western and Russian influence into its collective agency. It's a small chance, but I have always been cynical about this situation, and this is the first time I ever felt that maybe they see the light of day and maybe they will fight for their own self-determination and no longer be held as serfs. It's unlikely, I know, the oligarchs and western elites are too strong. But I can hope now.

That one soldier. What a hero.

[rdharma]

1. Meet the new boss ...same as the old boss

And you were expecting a different outcome?

Same old, same old.... but with RW oligarch flavored IMF austerity berries.

[joshcryer]

3. Did you not read my post?

I in fact, quite literally, expected the more of the same. But I saw that soldiers commentary and it has given me hope. I am literally taken aback by your attempts to slander me and the video you posted. Are you just trying to screw with me? Really?

[rdharma]

4. I was just wondering what outcome you expected...

... when you were applauding the putsch.

And now you're trying to put a "happy hopeful face" on the mess that has resulted.

One tired soldier venting at some low level politico will not change the fact that Ukraine is going to be one giant fire sale. The vultures are already circling in anticipation of the IMF feast.

[joshcryer]

5. It is likely that Ukraine and Crimea are a "giant firesale."

Did you not fucking read my post?

I post about a glimmer of fucking hope and you act as if I'm celebrating in the streets. What a joke. Watch the video, shit.

[rdharma]

6. Crimea isn't part of the IMF "fire sale" nt

[joshcryer]

7. Worse, it is in the grasp of Russian oligarchs.

Watch the fucking video.

[rdharma]

8. No. Not worse.

Just continue to watch the slow motion train wreck taking place in Ukraine and you'll see what I mean.

[joshcryer]

9. Time will tell.

Watch closely.

[rdharma]

10. It is already apparent what's going to take place in Ukraine...

.... Or should I say "New Greece"?

[joshcryer]

11. Nope.

[MattSh]

16. New Greece, if they're lucky...

that may be the best they can hope for right now.

[barbtries]

2. thank you for posting.

the comments at youtube were educational. what a complicated situation.
all i know is i don't want any more war. biggest fear for me. in the meantime i am touched and saddened as families are separated and hatreds fomented and for what. for what.

[ballyhoo]

12. God, what video! So the question remains: Is it better for Crimea/Ukraine

to be ruled by Russian Oligarchs or American Oligarchs? And where will Nuland's Nicompoops strike next? Also, is the entire world now run by oligarchs, and ALL those under them merely sock puppets?

[joshcryer]

13. It's better that no oligarchs rule.

Which is why this video is so fascinating to me, seeing a soldier call them out.

[ballyhoo]

14. Yes, I agree... but

that state is not going to occur by merely writing emails and staging protests with garish signs held by folks with blue hair. It will take (I don't want to say the word) a lot more. And if this "lot more" doesn't occur soon, the only way change will come is through something very horrible.

[rdharma]

15. Which "oligarchs" did the soldier call out?

I must have missed that. Either that, or it didn't happen. Who to believe....... joshcryer or my lying eyes and ears?