by Greg Mayer
After security forces abandoned the Ukrainian presidential palace amidst street-fighting in Kiev, protesters seized control of the opulent mansion and its grounds (which include a zoo and a pirate-themed restaurant). The protesters, who seem well organized, did not loot the palace, but have opened the grounds for the people to tour, and have opened the house for limited guided tours. One of the tours was given to the NY Times, which posted a video of the tour here.
At 2:17, it shows two little cat statues playing golf, then a bronzish cat statue, and then, finally, the cat above, apparently sleeping on a couch. A voice is heard to ask “Is he alive?”, to which a slightly accented voice replies, “No. It was alive.” Full video below.
I’m glad the Ukrainians have a chance at a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Here’s hoping they don’t make the same mistrakes we have in the US.
b&
They will make their own mistrakes. I just hope they aren’t too bad. And then there are those that can be made by big meddling powers next door and around the world. But for the moment at least, it is a moment of hope.
Seeing as the protesters were paid $25 a day, financed by the US and drug lords among others, there is little chance of that. The US saw the Ukraine slipping out of its control, thus weakening its efforts at surrounding Russia with military bases and nuclear missiles, so it did what it reckoned it had to do. It exploited the people of the Ukraine for its own interests, it doesn’t give a flea’s fart for the welfare of the Ukrainian people.
I have a Ukrainian friend who would disagree rather robustly with your characterization of the protest movement.
Proof that the people of the Ukraine have been manipulated by Western governments.
I too have many Ukrainian friends, some of whom not only took part in the demonstrations but did it for the $25 a day because their monthly salaries are four times or less that much.
That makes no sense at all. My friend disagrees with you and this is proof that he’s manipulated by Western governments?
Please.
If he disagrees with me, it proves he was fooled by the mainstream media or was manipulated. Is your friend actually in the Ukraine right now, in Kiev, or in the USA? Either way, your friend is out of touch or manipulated.
So if someone agrees with you, that proves you’re right, and if someone disagrees with you, that proves you’re right. I second gbjames: please. How can you expect anyone to take you seriously when you write something like that?
I generally am right, as in the present instance.
Found something for your edification:
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/02/17/us-eu-paying-ukrainian-rioters-protesters-paul-craig-roberts/
Plenty more, but this one should be sufficient.
Oh, and your reasoning works both ways:
So if someone agrees with me, that proves I’m wrong, and if someone disagrees with me, that proves I’m wrong? Because that is exactly what you are implying.
The simple answer is “neither” (in Kiev or in the USA).
Your reasoning is so laden with absurdities and false assumptions that there is little reason to take anything you say seriously. I’ll not do so and will now disengage.
For your further edification:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Will-NATO-annex-Ukraine-by-Pepe-Escobar-NATO_Neo-fascists_Revolution_Russia-140225-821.html
I’ll bet Monsanto is behind all this.
No, John Taylor. I’m pretty sure it is the Illuminati.
On a more serious note, the line “western countries are paying the protestors” is *the* typical propaganda used by anti-west dictators. I’ve heard it multiple times in my own country and the lie doesn’t get more ridiculous than that.
Do you think CIA is running ads on Ukranian newspapers saying “Come to streets, risk your lives and we’ll give you a one time 25$ payment!” Also, how is the money given to them? Bank transfers? Bit coins? One guy flies with a suitcase full of 100$ bills from Washington, and distributes money on the streets?
If my wife (technically Ukrainian) heard you type that, I’d need a new screen. And keyboard. If they’re lucky, they’ll get a choice of kleptocratic tyrants.
To be fair, they have a chance at a less-insane government. They also have a chance to get fucked over again again. But they do have the chance to get it right this time — it’s only at times like this that those sorts of chances emerge.
I may be an hopeless romantic, but I’d like to think that maybe, just maybe, they’ll get it right this time….
b&
Pirate-themed restaurant? I’m just letting that sink in.
I’m thinking it must have something to do with globally-warmed marinara.
b&
It is good to see that the Ukranians take their Pastafarianism seriously.
Walk-the-plank steak?
Ah, so that was how Janukovics was vanishing so rapidly. He was cataputted out of his couch.
Professor Ceiling Cat is appalled at the stuffed cat–and the other stuff, too. But especially the stuffed cat.
Yeah, that’s pretty bad.
To the extent that there’s any dignity in death, a cat in repose is at least better than a feline helicopter.
😉
no self respecting cat would have stuck around that kitty palace!!!!!!
Me too. Yuck. It’s so distasteful and creepy.
Second the creepy!
If you have stuffed cats as decorative props, you’re kinda, sorta missing the point. (high sarcasm)
There was far more than enough money “invested” in that castle to provide forever homes for all the homeless cats in the Ukraine, including spaying, neutering, vaccination, microchipping, the works.
Perfect example of misplaced priorities.
b&
Yes. Makes the stuffed cat even more creepy.
Anyone notice the huge icons and blue prayer book in the video? 😐
Collectors’ pieces worth fortunes.