Putin aide: 'Tanks don't need visas,' says Russia to West in war game smack talk

[DonCoquixote]

http://www.examiner.com/article/putin-aide-tanks-don-t-need-visas-says-russia-to-west-war-game-smack-talk

from the article:

Rogozin was speaking on state television, and was asked about the European and American concerns over Moscow’s increased military presence in the energy and mineral rich Arctic.

“I've always joked about it,” Rogozin said. “So what if they won't give us visas, put us on sanctions list... tanks don't need visas.”

Rogozin is known for his combative orations and inflammatory outbursts. Reports The Diplomat: “Dmitry Rogozin’s most recent comment on Russia’s ties with the West was published yesterday on his Twitter account: ‘It’s not Russia that threatens the West. Its foundations will crash down under the pressure of ISIS and gays.’”

and this fine gem:

Writes the Inquisitor: “Rogozin, who also became one of the first seven persons who were put by President Obama under executive sanctions to freeze his assets in the U.S. and stop him entering the United States, has previously gone on record stating that the sale of Alaska was a ‘betrayal of Russian power status’ and that Russia should also have the ‘right to reclaim our lost colonies.’”

Now, I do believe that many war hawks here are doing their best to get us into war with Russia, and I certainly have little sympathy for the neo Nazis that hid under the banner of freedom in the Ukraine, however, I do hope Putin keeps this guy on a leash. While I would gladly give him Sarah Palin, the idea of reclaiming a lost colony is savage.

[Igel]

1. How do you know he's not on a leash?

Appointed to a critical industry, allowed to represent Putin at the highest levels, featured on state-approved TV and writing a preface for a nationalist screed?

Yup, yup, yup, and yup.

A good agitprop compaign has many parts. These days it's got a cutting edge--stuff so bold as to elicit gasps; a series of statements and time which, over which the gasp-inducing stuff becomes something to be contemplated; more statements and time during which the masses are conditioned to thinking that not only was it not cutting edge, it was acceptable and actually quite banal in its implications and goals; then it gets made into formal policy with the full support of the population, who sees Putin as catering to what they've always wanted. Then, when it's executed, the only question is why it hadn't already been done; dawdle, and the population gets ahead of you and you're criticised for not living up to your PR.

Madison Avenue and professional PR firms, eat your heart out.

At one time, white flour was pricey even for the rich. Now it produces the crappiest of low-class bread.

Rogozin does cutting edge. But much of his cutting edge is now media Wonderbread.

[DonCoquixote]

2. so in other words

expect tanks in alaska?