"The pleasure of finally having the children has smoothed over much of the last month’s distress and the women expect to leave Russia with favorable memories."
What started it all:
"Russia threatens to respond tit-for-tat to US bill" by Vladimir Isachenkov | Associated Press, December 08, 2012
MOSCOW — Moscow has strongly criticized US legislation that calls for sanctions against Russian officials accused of human rights abuses and warned that it will respond in kind. A leading anticorruption crusader, however, hailed the bill as ‘‘pro-Russian.’’
The legislation is primarily intended to end Cold War-era trade restrictions and was hailed by US businesses worried about falling behind in the race to win shares of Russia’s more open market, but its human rights component has outraged President Vladimir Putin’s government.
Related(?): Russia Joined WTO
Money gets 'em to move.
Related(?): Russia Joined WTO
Money gets 'em to move.
The measure, dubbed the Magnitsky act, is named for Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was arrested by officials he accused of a $230 million tax fraud. He was repeatedly denied medical treatment and in 2009 died after almost a year in jail after being severely beaten by guards. Russian rights groups accused the Kremlin of failing to prosecute those responsible, while independent media said such tax frauds are widespread.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry responded to the US Senate vote late Thursday by calling it a ‘‘show in the theater of the absurd.’’ It warned that Russia will respond to the new legislation in kind, adding that the United States will have to take the blame for the worsening of US-Russian ties.
‘‘Probably people in Washington forgot what year it is and are thinking that the Cold War isn’t over yet,’’ the ministry said in a statement, adding that ‘‘it’s weird and strange to hear human rights-related complaints against us from the politicians of a country where torture and abductions of people all over the world were legitimized in the 21st century.’’
That last bit isn't lost on the rest of us, either.
That last bit isn't lost on the rest of us, either.
--more--"
Related:
Obama praises efforts to secure Soviet nuclear weapons
No agreement yet because it's tied to the adoption issue??
Putin avoids stance on banning US adoptions of Russians
Russian parliament bans adoptions by US citizens
Related:
Obama praises efforts to secure Soviet nuclear weapons
No agreement yet because it's tied to the adoption issue??
Putin avoids stance on banning US adoptions of Russians
Russian parliament bans adoptions by US citizens
Adoption ban threatens US-Russia ties
Russia will honor adoption deal with US until 2014
The real plight of the orphan-hostages
Russia will honor adoption deal with US until 2014
The real plight of the orphan-hostages
With adoption ban, Putin uses children as pawns
Not that globe-kicking empire-builders and their mouthpiece media don't. All I can think of is the Palestinian kids denied a chance at an education because of what Israel wants.
I know I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but I'm sick of the agenda-pushing hypocrisy.
Of course, we know why the mouthpiece media doesn't like Putin. He chased the Jewish mafia out of Russia and he is being a real impediment to the Jew World Order.
But this post is about the children:
"US-Russia tiff stuns adopting couples" by David M. Herszenhorn and Erik Eckholm | New York Times, December 28, 2012
Not that globe-kicking empire-builders and their mouthpiece media don't. All I can think of is the Palestinian kids denied a chance at an education because of what Israel wants.
I know I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but I'm sick of the agenda-pushing hypocrisy.
Of course, we know why the mouthpiece media doesn't like Putin. He chased the Jewish mafia out of Russia and he is being a real impediment to the Jew World Order.
But this post is about the children:
"US-Russia tiff stuns adopting couples" by David M. Herszenhorn and Erik Eckholm | New York Times, December 28, 2012
MOSCOW — US officials have urged the Russian government not to entangle orphaned children in politics. Obama administration officials have been debating how strongly to respond to the adoption ban, given other aspects of the country’s relationship with Russia.
Who is entangling things?
Who is entangling things?
The United States relies on overland routes through Russia to ship supplies to military units in Afghanistan and has enlisted Russia’s help in containing Iran’s nuclear program.
The bill that includes the adoption ban was drafted in response to the Magnitsky Act, a law signed by President Obama that will bar Russian citizens accused of violating human rights from traveling to the United States and from owning real estate or other assets here. The Obama administration had opposed the Magnitsky legislation, fearing diplomatic retaliation, but members of Congress were eager to press Russia over human rights abuses and tied the bill to another measure granting Russia new status as a full trading partner.
For parents with their hearts set on adopting Russian children, the political discourse has been little more than background noise to their own agony....
I recognize my newspaper, yeah.
I recognize my newspaper, yeah.
--more--"
Related: Return to Russia, Address Unknown
That might have something to do with it, too.
"Vladimir Putin signs ban on US adoptions" by Jim Heintz | Associated Press, December 29, 2012
Related: Return to Russia, Address Unknown
That might have something to do with it, too.
"Vladimir Putin signs ban on US adoptions" by Jim Heintz | Associated Press, December 29, 2012
MOSCOW — The law also calls for the closure of nongovernmental organizations receiving American funding if their activities are classified as political — a broad definition many fear could be used to close any nongovernmental group that offends the Kremlin....
Translation: Russia is cracking down on AmeriKan instigators and spies.
Translation: Russia is cracking down on AmeriKan instigators and spies.
The ban is in response to a US measure signed into law by President Obama this month that calls for sanctions against Russians assessed as human rights violators.
That law stems from the case of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who was arrested after accusing officials of a $230 million tax fraud. He was repeatedly denied medical treatment and died in jail in 2009. Russian rights groups said he was severely beaten.
A prison doctor who was the only official charged in the case was acquitted by a Moscow court Friday. Although there was no demonstrable connection to Putin’s signing the law a few hours later, the timing underlines what critics say is Russia’s refusal to responsibly pursue the case.
The adoption ban has angered both Americans and Russians who argue it victimizes children to make a political point, cutting off a route out of frequently dismal orphanages for thousands of children.
‘‘The king is Herod,’’ popular writer Oleg Shargunov said on his Twitter account, referring to the Roman-appointed king of Judea at the time of Jesus Christ’s birth, who the Bible says ordered the massacre of young Jewish children to avoid being supplanted by a prophesied newborn king of the Jews....
Little bit of hyperbole there, no?
Little bit of hyperbole there, no?
Vladimir Lukin, head of the Russian Human Rights Commission and a former ambassador to Washington, said he would challenge the law in the Constitutional Court.
The US law galvanized Russian resentment of the United States, which Putin has claimed funded and encouraged a wave of massive antigovernment protests that arose last winter.
That last part is also true. It is the kind of thing the CIA has been doing for decades to overthrow or destabilize governments.
The Parliament initially considered a relatively similar retaliatory measure, but amendments have expanded it far beyond a tit-for-tat response.
As long as the kid can suck on the tit I'm fine.
That last part is also true. It is the kind of thing the CIA has been doing for decades to overthrow or destabilize governments.
The Parliament initially considered a relatively similar retaliatory measure, but amendments have expanded it far beyond a tit-for-tat response.
As long as the kid can suck on the tit I'm fine.
UNICEF estimates that there are about 740,000 children not in parental custody in Russia while about 18,000 Russians are on the waiting list to adopt a child. The United States is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children — more than 60,000 of them have been adopted by Americans during the past two decades.
Russians historically have been less enthusiastic about adopting children than most Western cultures. Putin, along with signing the adoption ban, Friday issued an order for the government to develop a program to provide more support for adopted children.
Russians don't care about kids?
Russians don't care about kids?
--more--"
Some do:
"20,000 protest ban on US adoption of Russian children" Associated Press, January 14, 2013
Some do:
"20,000 protest ban on US adoption of Russian children" Associated Press, January 14, 2013
MOSCOW — A far bigger number than expected in a sign that outrage over the ban has breathed some life into the dispirited anti-Kremlin opposition movement....
The U.S. and its mouthpiece media will use anything to advance the agenda.
The U.S. and its mouthpiece media will use anything to advance the agenda.
The adoption ban has stoked the anger of the same middle-class urban professionals who swelled the protest ranks last winter....
Related: Sunday Globe Specials: Russian Protests Are Fun
That's the first tell that they are opposition controlled by foreign intelligence services. The second is that those very same people have been benefiting from Putin's policies.
Since President Vladimir Putin began a third presidential term in May, the protests have flagged as the opposition leaders have struggled to provide direction and capitalize on the broad discontent.
Then obviously the discontent is not as broad, and once again I must register by exhaustion at the never-ending agenda-pushing spin of my mouthpiece media.
Related: Sunday Globe Specials: Russian Protests Are Fun
That's the first tell that they are opposition controlled by foreign intelligence services. The second is that those very same people have been benefiting from Putin's policies.
Since President Vladimir Putin began a third presidential term in May, the protests have flagged as the opposition leaders have struggled to provide direction and capitalize on the broad discontent.
Then obviously the discontent is not as broad, and once again I must register by exhaustion at the never-ending agenda-pushing spin of my mouthpiece media.
Opponents of the adoption ban say it victimizes children to make a political point.
Eager to take advantage of this anger, the anti-Kremlin opposition has played the ban as further evidence that Putin and his Parliament have lost the moral right to rule Russia.
That's funny. My stink government has also lost the right, and they exploit anger by leading us into wars based on lies.
That's funny. My stink government has also lost the right, and they exploit anger by leading us into wars based on lies.
The Kremlin, however, has used the adoption controversy to further its efforts to discredit the opposition as unpatriotic and in the pay of the Americans.
Did they take payments for speeches like Chuck Hagel?
Did they take payments for speeches like Chuck Hagel?
The adoption ban was retaliation for a new US law targeting Russians accused of human rights abuses.
But it's the Putin and the Russians who are being the pricks?
But it's the Putin and the Russians who are being the pricks?
It also addresses long-brewing resentment in Russia over the 60,000 Russian children who have been adopted by Americans in the past two decades, 19 of whom have died.
Yeah, that was sort of mentioned yet quickly forgotten because everything Americans do is good.
Yeah, that was sort of mentioned yet quickly forgotten because everything Americans do is good.
Cases of Russian children dying or suffering abuse at the hands of their American adoptive parents have been widely publicized in Russia, and the law banning adoptions was called the Dima Yakovlev bill after a toddler who died in 2008 when he was left in a car for hours in excessive heat.
Those opposed to the adoption ban accuse Putin’s government of stoking anti-American sentiments in Russian society in an effort to solidify support among its base, the working-class.
Yeah, thank God AmeriKan politicians don't do such things (like bash China or something) for political gain.
Yeah, thank God AmeriKan politicians don't do such things (like bash China or something) for political gain.
--more--"
Families wait as Russia sorts out adoptions
The law’s hasty enactment left many questions unresolved.... a legal cul-de-sac.
The law’s hasty enactment left many questions unresolved.... a legal cul-de-sac.
Russian official reassures US adoptive parents
Tens of thousands of people rallied in central Moscow on Sunday to protest the law, which the demonstrators said victimizes children to make a political point.
I'm making my own, aren't I?
Tens of thousands of people rallied in central Moscow on Sunday to protest the law, which the demonstrators said victimizes children to make a political point.
I'm making my own, aren't I?
I guess the Russians do care about their kids.
"Russia cancels US aid accord; Pact helped fight drugs, abuses" by Kathy Lally | Washington Post, January 31, 2013
MOSCOW — In another apparent tit for tat provoked by the Magnitsky Act, Russia on Wednesday said it was withdrawing from an agreement that provided help from the United States in fighting narcotics and human trafficking and improving the rule of law.
I'm sure another reason is because since NATO has taken over Afghanistan the drug trade has once again flourished and heroin has become a major social problem in Russia.
The decision was announced on a government website, in a statement from Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. His order canceled a 2002 agreement that also was meant to improve enforcement of intellectual property rights. In his statement, Medvedev said the agreement ‘‘does not address current realities.’’
Now that is going to piss the U.S. off.
The move comes after a back and forth set off by the Magnitsky Act, which imposes visa and financial sanctions by the United States on corrupt Russian officials.
They are finally getting it right regarding what started all this.
Russia countered with a ban on American adoptions, and last week the United States withdrew from a Russian-American group on civil society, saying Russian policy made such a panel ineffective.
Which is why Russia took this next step.
‘‘Withdrawal from this agreement means that we have become absolutely self-sufficient both organizationally and financially,’’ Alexei Pushkov, the head of the State Duma’s international affairs committee, told the Interfax news agency Wednesday. ‘‘This is our course toward getting rid of some dependence on the US.’’
That can only be a good thing, right? Russia like an AmeriKan welfare mom.
Pushkov said it was unlikely the action could lead to further deterioration of relations.
‘‘After the Americans passed the so-called Magnitsky Act, they themselves added serious tension to our relations and negative consequences from the adoption of that act are much worse than the decision to pull out of the intergovernmental agreement,’’ he said.
Since 2002, hundreds of Russian prosecutors and investigators have participated in US-sponsored programs in Moscow and have traveled to the United States. Their American counterparts have gone to Russia to improve cooperation in fighting crime worldwide.
Spies!
The programs, overseen by the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, were funded at $6.1 million in 2011.
In this age of austerity at home?
Russia also announced Wednesday that effective Feb. 11, it would ban American pork and beef imports because of the use of a controversial feed additive called ractopamine.
And that is where my newspaper leaves it?
The move, which affects about $500 million a year in imports, was expected.
--more--"
You know, the kids may be all right but our relationship with Russia isn't doing so well.
"Russia cancels US aid accord; Pact helped fight drugs, abuses" by Kathy Lally | Washington Post, January 31, 2013
MOSCOW — In another apparent tit for tat provoked by the Magnitsky Act, Russia on Wednesday said it was withdrawing from an agreement that provided help from the United States in fighting narcotics and human trafficking and improving the rule of law.
I'm sure another reason is because since NATO has taken over Afghanistan the drug trade has once again flourished and heroin has become a major social problem in Russia.
The decision was announced on a government website, in a statement from Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. His order canceled a 2002 agreement that also was meant to improve enforcement of intellectual property rights. In his statement, Medvedev said the agreement ‘‘does not address current realities.’’
Now that is going to piss the U.S. off.
The move comes after a back and forth set off by the Magnitsky Act, which imposes visa and financial sanctions by the United States on corrupt Russian officials.
They are finally getting it right regarding what started all this.
Russia countered with a ban on American adoptions, and last week the United States withdrew from a Russian-American group on civil society, saying Russian policy made such a panel ineffective.
Which is why Russia took this next step.
‘‘Withdrawal from this agreement means that we have become absolutely self-sufficient both organizationally and financially,’’ Alexei Pushkov, the head of the State Duma’s international affairs committee, told the Interfax news agency Wednesday. ‘‘This is our course toward getting rid of some dependence on the US.’’
That can only be a good thing, right? Russia like an AmeriKan welfare mom.
Pushkov said it was unlikely the action could lead to further deterioration of relations.
‘‘After the Americans passed the so-called Magnitsky Act, they themselves added serious tension to our relations and negative consequences from the adoption of that act are much worse than the decision to pull out of the intergovernmental agreement,’’ he said.
Since 2002, hundreds of Russian prosecutors and investigators have participated in US-sponsored programs in Moscow and have traveled to the United States. Their American counterparts have gone to Russia to improve cooperation in fighting crime worldwide.
Spies!
The programs, overseen by the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, were funded at $6.1 million in 2011.
In this age of austerity at home?
Russia also announced Wednesday that effective Feb. 11, it would ban American pork and beef imports because of the use of a controversial feed additive called ractopamine.
And that is where my newspaper leaves it?
The move, which affects about $500 million a year in imports, was expected.
--more--"
You know, the kids may be all right but our relationship with Russia isn't doing so well.
