sigma, are you fluent in Mandarin?

[callmeslick]

....just wondering, because it may become useful, sooner than later:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ ... ar-AA9m6mP

[Tunnelcat]

I'm glad the U.S. isn't the only one owned by China.

[callmeslick]

ours is a mutual ownership, they'd collapse without us, and visa versa.

[Spidey]

Until they develop that consumer base, and nationalize their industry.

One is in the works…the other is a distinct possibility. (been done before, by other countries)

[callmeslick]

and then, the government would be paying to support the consumption. Works ok, temporarily, but not long term. I'm not particularly worried, they have too much of a stake in our economy and our currency.

[sigma]

For any foreigner who wants to live or work in Russia, it would be better to know the Russian language the same way as for a foreigner in Europe or the United States would be better to know English. If you are in Russia and do not understand the Russian language, you will be a good gift for criminals.

Of course, the US would be more profitable to become an ally and friend of Russia, to avoid long-term confrontation with the authoritarian China. But apparently, the US think otherwise. We'll see.

[callmeslick]

couldn't read the article I linked, could you, sigma?

[sigma]

Firstly, there are too many inaccuracies.
Second, have you seen who is the author of this article?
Third, you know the reason of bankruptcy Yukos Oil Company?

[youtube]fuLFiJv85-E[/youtube]

(In fact, at this meeting Mikhail Khodorkovsky questioned the authority of the President Vladimir Putin)

[woodchip]

For any foreigner who wants to live or work in Russia, it would be better to know the Russian language the same way as for a foreigner in Europe or the United States would be better to know English. If you are in Russia and do not understand the Russian language, you will be a good gift for criminals.

Of course, the US would be more profitable to become an ally and friend of Russia, to avoid long-term confrontation with the authoritarian China. But apparently, the US think otherwise. We'll see.

Too bad Putin became a warmonger or we could of been friends....

[sigma]

For any foreigner who wants to live or work in Russia, it would be better to know the Russian language the same way as for a foreigner in Europe or the United States would be better to know English. If you are in Russia and do not understand the Russian language, you will be a good gift for criminals.

Of course, the US would be more profitable to become an ally and friend of Russia, to avoid long-term confrontation with the authoritarian China. But apparently, the US think otherwise. We'll see.

Too bad Putin became a warmonger or we could of been friends....

The real problem in American cartoons, comics and movies. In the brain of American children with childhood cultivated mental illness, which is called "Super Hero". That is an American can not live without a thought that around enemies and he has to fight them. At first the little Americans play Clark Kent, Batman, Hulk, Peter Parker, Rambo, Terminator, then they become cynical, sharp and rigid armed to the teeth with sociopaths who attack with a firearm even on their classmates. Then already grown Americans can no longer get rid of schizophrenia and start to attack other countries, otherwise American will lose its raison d'être and faith in the meaning of life. Therefore, for an American does not matter who the enemy is - Slobodan Milosevic, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, Kim Jong Il or Vladimir Putin. If there are no enemies, so they need to create. Let it be even Al-Qaeda or ISIS.

[callmeslick]

scary bunch, those Americans.......it's a wonder I can even walk down the driveway to get my paper in the morning, safely. Look, sigma, I see your point, insofar as Russians and Americans see one another with comical stereotyping(really, that is where you're going, I hope). Still, your nation, to an impartial observer, is in deep trouble, both economically and governmentally. Sorry you don't see it, but the KGB has taken back the control and is driving your nation into the ground.

[sigma]

In the early 90's, when Gorbachev ruined the USSR, the USA much praised reforms in Russia and the Americans were endless talk about lending and all other forms of support to Russia, but in fact the real volume of resources allocated to Russia, proved to be very small in comparison to, say, that now was for a little Greece. West can understand. Investments in Russia - it is an investment with a high degree of risk. Or you get a fantastic profit, or the result will be zero. While Americans rightly decided that the rescue of drowning - the handiwork of drowning. But in the end it turned out that the era of democratization in Russia is now associated with the impoverishment, and the Putin era - with prosperity.

[callmeslick]

if you associate your current status with prosperity, you must be one of the lucky few.

[sigma]

Look, sigma, I see your point, insofar as Russians and Americans see one another with comical stereotyping.

I'm serious. This is not a joke. The United States and Russia have reached a stage of conflict that constantly accuse each other in all sorts of atrocities. If you look at the problem from only one side, the enemy sees the devil incarnate. Washington Putin - a tyrant who seeks to revive the former empire. For Moscow, the United States - an empire that seeks to control the world and does not tolerate independent Russia.

[sigma]

if you associate your current status with prosperity, you must be one of the lucky few.

I will give an example, with your permission. In 1998, during the debt default Russian people bought up in stores salt, matches, cereals and canned foods, in December last year during the collapse of the ruble, people bought up in stores almost all cars and expensive appliances (TVs, computers, refrigerators, etc.)

[woodchip]

In the early 90's, when Gorbachev ruined the USSR, the USA much praised reforms in Russia and the Americans were endless talk about lending and all other forms of support to Russia, but in fact the real volume of resources allocated to Russia, proved to be very small in comparison to, say, that now was for a little Greece. West can understand. Investments in Russia - it is an investment with a high degree of risk. Or you get a fantastic profit, or the result will be zero. While Americans rightly decided that the rescue of drowning - the handiwork of drowning. But in the end it turned out that the era of democratization in Russia is now associated with the impoverishment, and the Putin era - with prosperity.

Russia was impoverished long before Gorbachev. With all of Russia's resources,
It is a shame they have to trade military equipment for food.

[sigma]

I agree with you partly. Indeed, Russia will starve, but have a strong army and the best weapons in the world. Every Russian knows that after the bombing of Japan nuclear bombs, the US planned to drop nuclear bombs on the territory of the USSR. Therefore it is better to eat less, but have a good whip for the United States. US every day prove to everyone that they are inadequate, unfortunately.

[Krom]

Funny, the Japanese have a proverb: "You can't go to war on an empty stomach.".

[Spidey]

But they have best weapons……

[woodchip]

Every Russian knows that after the bombing of Japan nuclear bombs, the US planned to drop nuclear bombs on the territory of the USSR.

Only because Stalin lied to them to control them.

[sigma]

Funny, the Japanese have a proverb: "You can't go to war on an empty stomach.".

No, the army is very well supplied. I will give an example.
When I served in the army, for me, spoiled urban youth was not very comfortable the first six months of service. Then I got used to the army regime and I become a real soldier. But in our battalion were guys from all regions of Russia, of different nationalities and social status. One guy from Siberia, who had been a hunter since childhood, and he made a living only from the sale of skins of sables for buyers, he said that the army for him paradise. He was very pleased that there is free food and clothing and many opportunities for career.

[Spidey]

Textbook oppressive regime…

Well-fed fat cats…
Well-fed Army…to keep them loyal…
Starving population.

[sigma]

Strong army allows us to have their own independent opinion. In the European Union there is virtually no own army, except the American NATO bases. Therefore, even when that great and proud Germany, which controls the entire European Union, in fact, became a prostitute for the US and is not entitled to their own opinion.

Who forcing France spoil his reputation and not comply with the terms of the contract for the timely delivery for the customer of Mistral? Stalin?

[Spidey]

Someone tell Angela Merkel Germany is our ★■◆●…I don’t think they got that memo.

Nobody is forcing France to do anything…no wait…they must be our ★■◆● as well.

Damn…we gots a lot of bitches.

[sigma]

Textbook oppressive regime…

Well-fed fat cats…
Well-fed Army…to keep them loyal…
Starving population.

I'm not sure that the consumer basket ordinary citizen in the United States is very different from the consumer basket ordinary citizen in Russia. In my opinion, the Russians even eat more and tastier, in contrast to ordinary Americans. At least, most Russians have the opportunity to grow organic foods on their plot of land (In Russia, it is very popular to have at least two places of residence. Of course I mean the middle class). Typically, urban residents live in apartments in the city, but they are surely to have a country house with vegetable garden and orchard. I have three suburban home, for example

[sigma]

For Russia these two Mistral not needed actually. We have our own shipyards to build such Mistral. This contract was just a gesture of friendship for France. Now we are interested in only one thing - in France there are still remnants of conscience and honor, or they are completely dependent on the United States and they are ready to suck dick even if they do not want.