And iPhone (up to its latest models) was/is a toy too. It was laughed at by all armchair "tech experts", who really thought that Nokia N900 is the future. Now, let's look at Apple and Nokia today, shall we?

Well, what can I say - good luck to you! Here, in Russia, it seems like we've lost our fight already.

So, everything is going exactly as planned, right? If so, why cut grant money from the research group who just proved that?

BTW, inthe same line of thinking, I think that NSA should silently award Snowden with some medal at least. He absolutely proved to them that no matter what they'll do, they won't even get a slap on the wrist. Not that such agencies are known for their sense of gratitude, of course.

Not necessary. Maybe there is some meta-study that measures a public reaction to such news. In that case, results will be very pleasing to the ruling oligarchs.

Man, you need to get out of your apartment more. There is real world besides your computer/TV screen. I'm telling you this as a Russian myself.

Yeah, it's all just great - investments in Crimea's infrastructure, halving the plane tickets prices and all that. But who's going to pay for all that? Oh, it would be simple Russian folk, who already sponsored Olympics with their pensions. And many of them still live in worse conditions than you've described - have you ever been in, say, Yaroslavskaya or Vologodskaya oblast? You know that in the eyes of many people Crimeans soon would look only marginally better than Dagestans or Chechens? With all their subsides, "relaxed" EGE exams and all that.

Besides, do you really think that there is less corruption in Russia? That all these subsides would really reach common Crimeans? Let's just wait an year or two and look at all that "glorious reunion" than - I'm not so sure everyone in Russia or even in Crimea itself would support it so unanimously.

It's a strange day when I have to agree with you more than with somebody listed as my "friend", but it happened today. Moving my personal emotions aside, your arguments are actually solid and sound. Well... kudos to you!

Perfect! Playful and powerful political prose is pretty precious presently. Please, proceed, promote personal prudence.

Really? Ever heard of Anschluss? Doesn't ring a bell?

Please, read this poem to the last line and tell me what do you feel about it.

Some of us here do remember them too, and most of us just can't still get over the shock of the speed with which the high tide of nationalism and chest-pounding has risen here. We still thought that old SU was left dead and buried back in the 1991, now just a horrible husk to warn the future generations. Nope, it seems to raise its ugly head once more, and suddenly there are so little sane people left, so little ways to change things back or even to run from them... Strange times here, really.

One People, One Empire, One Leader? Hmm, somehow sounds familiar...

Well, even the opposition (at least the sane ones) today admit that Putin's popularity is quite high - much higher than popularity of said opposition. Even in our social networks (including LiveJournal) there are many, many people who honestly believe that Putin is doing a great job. And the silent majority are mostly apathetic, because of "If not Putin, than who?" mentality. There is no reason not to trust these polling figures, as there is no political or social force strong enough to prove them wrong. Some historical parallels (1933-1939, anyone?) are quite scary, to be honest.

Well - try and tell them that it's bullshit propaganda. You'll be instantly branded as a "unpatriotic liberalist scum" and no further discussion would be possible. Propaganda works best when its seeds fall on the right soil. If most of the people in Russia wouldn't want it to be true, all this crude and blunt bullshit that's pouring from the official TV, radio and newspapers wouldn't work so good.

It's really painful to see young, bright and generally decent people honestly protecting this shameless invasion of the other country. It's a zeitgeist, not just a scam by some political and media crooks.

Well, it's nice to hope, but Putin's rating is at its highest in the last 3 years, somewhat about 71%. There is no realistic hope for any "push back" anytime soon. Its not like some crazy dictator and small group of his henchmen took over the country - no, its like the majority of population is winding up some sort of mass psychosis. Which is a much more terrifying thought, really.