Russia to ban marriages to Americans?

[mendeleyev]

Interesting opinion column in the Moscow Times on their view of further restrictions regarding US citizens and Russian relationships. It should be noted that this is an opinion column, not an announcement of news.

I have personally begun to see some of the changes for journalists who are US citizens so at least that part rings true to me. But will the current government at some point ban marriages between Russians and Americans? Will Russian students no longer be allowed to obtain an education in the USA? Interesting questions.....

From Michael Bohm in the Moscow Times:

For these reasons, the anti-U.S. campaign will surely continue in 2013 and perhaps even intensify. It will likely focus on the following three areas:

1.  A crackdown on U.S. journalists

Andrei Lugovoi, a Liberal Democratic Party deputy whose only claim to fame is being implicated in the polonium murder of Alexander Litvinenko in London, has co-authored a bill that would ban journalists who have foreign citizenship from working on state television if they criticize Russia. The idea was borne after legendary journalist  which means "fool" in Russian, during his Dec. 23 weekly television program on Channel One. Seemingly offended by the slight, Lugovoi said Pozner, who holds U.S. and French citizenship, had no right to "discredit" Russia with such statements. (Notably, the ban would only apply to foreign journalists who criticize Russia; if a Russian journalist made the same criticism, presumably this would be a lesser crime.)

The next logical step would be to target Russia-based U.S. journalists who also "discredit" Russia by criticizing the Duma and other government institutions and Putin and other government officials. After all, these journalists could be secret U.S. agents and part of a larger State Department plan to defame Russia. By producing "anti-Russian" reports, the argument goes, U.S. journalists mobilize global opinion against the Kremlin and provide the ideological and propagandistic foundation for the opposition and its U.S. sponsors to stage a revolution.

To these ends, United Russia Deputy Yevgeny Fyodorov has sponsored another "patriotic bill" that would require "politically oriented" media outlets that receive more than 50 percent of their financing from foreign sources to register with the Justice Ministry as "foreign agents."Alexei Pushkov, head of the Duma's International Affairs Committee, laid the groundwork for these initiatives, saying during an Oct. 22 Duma hearing on U.S. human rights violations that the U.S. media "act as the ideological hand of the United States … and serve the political interests of the government."

The government's crackdown on U.S. journalists could take the simple form of denying them Russian visas. It could also force the foreign-funded media outlets that they work for to shut down by prosecuting them on trumped-up charges of tax evasion, extremism or defamation, the latter of which was recently returned to the Criminal Code.

2. A ban on U.S.-Russian marriages

Fyodorov, the United Russia deputy, submitted another bill that would forbid government employees from marrying foreigners. He believes that having a foreign spouse is much like owning foreign real estate: Both raise questions of loyalty to the motherland and should be outlawed.

Fyodorov's idea is not new. In 2005, the Liberal Democratic Party submitted a broader bill that would forbid all Russian women from marrying foreign men, mirroring a Josef Stalin law from 1947. LDPR's concern was that the U.S., the largest destination for young Russian women who marry foreigners, was "stealing" the country's most beautiful women and ruining the country's gene pool. The bill went nowhere, but with a renewed focus on Russia's demographic problems and anti-Americanism, the Duma could easily revive this initiative in 2013. Just like the adoption ban, which was packaged as a way to stop "selling" Russian children to abusive U.S. parents, a marriage ban could be spun as a way to stop "selling" Russian brides to lecherous American men.

3. A ban on U.S. scholarships for Russian students

Much like "buying up" Russian brides, the Kremlin may also be concerned that the U.S. is buying up Russia's most-talented students by giving them full scholarships and stipends to study in U.S. universities. After graduating, most Russian students stay in the U.S. and make value contributions to the U.S. economy, not Russia's. They then marry Americans and give birth to a new generation of talented Russian-Americans

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/expect-more-anti-americanism-in-2013/474155.html#ixzz2IL88hzmq
The Moscow Times


What do you think?

[CDW]

Not surprised though, and glad it is to USA - not UK 

[roykirk]

I was actually going to post this in a different forum.  I showed this article to my wife and it makes her so sad to see what is happening over there.  Some might think the MT article is over the top, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.  Putin and the Duma actually have Russians convinced that Americans adopt Russian children to harvest their organs and use them as sex slaves.  Once you have that level of mind control over the populace, everything else is easy by comparison.   

[Faux Pas]

I was actually going to post this in a different forum.  I showed this article to my wife and it makes her so sad to see what is happening over there.  Some might think the MT article is over the top, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least.  Putin and the Duma actually have Russians convinced that Americans adopt Russian children to harvest their organs and use them as sex slaves.  Once you have that level of mind control over the populace, everything else is easy by comparison.   

Sure there will always be a segment that is going to believe what the government controlled media tells them to believe but, by in-large, I have a difficult time believing that most or the majority of Russians will not fall victim to that mind control or belief.

That said, it doesn't mean squat as to what Putin and cronies will enact for laws to serve their own means. More particularly frightening than banning government marriages and marriages in general is what they are proposing to do to the journalist and media. They are developing a boogeyman for Russians to fear

[Anechka]

I personally prefer the bill projects that Milonov offers: fines for having sex loudly, fines for the noises made by cats or the last one: if a girl doesn't have a child by the age 23, she has to serve in the army! Bingo!  love that guy, reading about his new insane ideas are so much fun... I hope nobody takes him seriously

[Shadow]

In general the actions of Putin consider a reciprocal approach. It might be interesting looking at the intended policies of the US towards Russia.

[Anechka]

As per the article, it's sad to admit that we might have an iron curtain back    it's not just about this particular article, but from what I'm reading in US, Russian and french newspapers

[Sailor291]

Sure there will always be a segment that is going to believe what the government controlled media tells them to believe but, by in-large, I have a difficult time believing that most or the majority of Russians will not fall victim to that mind control or belief.

Just like in the U.S. that elected a completely unqualified moron to be president, twice.

[roykirk]

In general the actions of Putin consider a reciprocal approach. It might be interesting looking at the intended policies of the US towards Russia.

Outside of the much talked about Magnisky Act, what other recent U.S. policies would approach what Russia is proposing?  I ask that not as a challenge but more for education.  I don't follow Russian - American politics as closely as some.  If anything it seems to me that the U.S. ignores Russia most of the time and doesn't give her much regard or take her seriously.  Now that may be a stupid political move on its own, but it doesn't seem to even come close to what Russia is moving towards.

[roykirk]

"Just like in the U.S. that elected a completely unqualified moron to be president, twice."

Bush has been out of office for over 4 years now.  We need to let that go.   

[Anechka]

In general the actions of Putin consider a reciprocal approach. It might be interesting looking at the intended policies of the US towards Russia.

I read yesterday that the US court assigned a 50 thousand dollars a day fine if Russia doesn't return some historical Jewish library to a Jewish community (I guess the descendants). Half of the collection was nationalized in 20's and the other half was brought back to the USSR after WWII... So we'll see, I doubt that Russia will be willing to pay or return the collection...
Then they will have to return all nationalized property, including the Hermitage collection of art

[calmissile]

Another great example of how ego driven politicians from two countries develop a foundation for the eventual conflicts and wars.  No doubt both sides will continue to escalate this type of thing with propaganda to influence public opinion to serve their childish interests.

Didn't this start with some 'Human Rights' complaints by the US over the murder in Russia of someone that was not even an American?  One thing we do not do well in the US, is mind our own business!  Considering our current economic condition, and an executive branch that is trying to continue to remove our freedoms  one at a time, perhaps we should focus on cleaning up our own mess at home and leave the rest of the world to solve their own problems.

Having sad that, I still believe in a strong military to protect  ourselves and our allies.  Keeping them at home instead of sending them to every conflict around the world might be a better strategy.

I notice that France has recently requested the support of US drones and other military equipment to support their military in a current conflict.

Clearly, we need to support our allies in defending against Muslim terrorists and bringing them to justice, but it's time to quit being the worlds policemen!

[ECOCKS]

Another great example of how ego driven politicians from two countries develop a foundation for the eventual conflicts and wars.  No doubt both sides will continue to escalate this type of thing with propaganda to influence public opinion to serve their childish interests.

Didn't this start with some 'Human Rights' complaints by the US over the murder in Russia of someone that was not even an American?  One thing we do not do well in the US, is mind our own business!  Considering our current economic condition, and an executive branch that is trying to continue to remove our freedoms  one at a time, perhaps we should focus on cleaning up our own mess at home and leave the rest of the world to solve their own problems.

Having sad that, I still believe in a strong military to protect  ourselves and our allies.  Keeping them at home instead of sending them to every conflict around the world might be a better strategy.

I notice that France has recently requested the support of US drones and other military equipment to support their military in a current conflict.

Clearly, we need to support our allies in defending against Muslim terrorists and bringing them to justice, but it's time to quit being the worlds policemen!

Agreed generally.


I don't mind selling France whatever they need and training them to use it (as long as they pay for the training costs) but Obama keeps getting us into more and more police actions and fighting which is going to come back [again] to haunt us. Iran is already promising to take the fight back to American soil as a result of such actions.


Let the world spend a decade or so policing themselves without our troops and money unless we are actually threatened. We need the time to look inward amd solve some economic and social issues.

[calmissile]

Agreed generally.


I don't mind selling France whatever they need and training them to use it (as long as they pay for the training costs) but Obama keeps getting us into more and more police actions and fighting which is going to come back [again] to haunt us. Iran is already promising to take the fight back to American soil as a result of such actions.

I am surprised that I am not alone in this thinking.   LOL



Let the world spend a decade or so policing themselves without our troops and money unless we are actually threatened. We need the time to look inward amd solve some economic and social issues.

[Belvis]

But will the current government at some point ban marriages between Russians and Americans? Will Russian students no longer be allowed to obtain an education in the USA? Interesting questions.....
...What do you think?

Sigh... Russia is widely believed to be crazy, but certainly not silly. Political decisions have inner logic and motivation, though can be presented under different sauce for propaganda.
Teens like to discuss at military fora future global wars between  USA, Russia, China. Ban on marriages between Russians and Americans lays in the same vein, the former nonsense is even more realistic.
Iron curtain again is not the complete absurd, however as a matter of fact the visa system became easier in last years.

[GQBlues]

There is simply too many journalists with nothing to do these days but to report non-news....
 
Russia to ban marriages to Americans? LOL...
 
One would think the first thing they ought to do is check the actual annual count of these marriages (<400 +/- per year ?) to see if it's even worth the time to cut paper dolls with these bills...
 

...LDPR's concern was that the U.S., the largest destination for young Russian women who marry foreigners, was "stealing" the country's most beautiful women and ruining the country's gene pool. The bill went nowhere, but with a renewed focus on Russia's demographic problems and anti-Americanism, the Duma could easily revive this initiative in 2013....

The country's most beautiful women? LOL...I've attended far too many of these AM/FSUW marriage gatherings and immersed myself with enough of these crowds to state matter-of-factly - *pretty* FSUW wives would be a stretch by a very wide margin. No absolution but a vast majority aren't all that, man...
 
Besides, aren't the majority of these women *supposedly* the social left-overs that RMs don't even have the time for?
 
Now students running around under the radar, now that's a different story altogether. Many are very pretty but they're ALREADY out of the country (Russia) - and stealthly working in Vegas, etc...on the weekends while living in LA/OC & SD during the week. 
 
The jerk-chain had been dragged around far too long, boys.

[tfcrew]

What GQB wrote...

+1

[calmissile]

Sure there will always be a segment that is going to believe what the government controlled media tells them to believe but, by in-large, I have a difficult time believing that most or the majority of Russians will not fall victim to that mind control or belief.That said, it doesn't mean squat as to what Putin and cronies will enact for laws to serve their own means. More particularly frightening than banning government marriages and marriages in general is what they are proposing to do to the journalist and media. They are developing a boogeyman for Russians to fear

Common sense would suggest that I would agree with you, however when I run into a lot of Ukrainian women that believe and fear that they will become sex slaves or be scrubbing floors if they come to America it suggests that the propaganda is affective.  As far as I can tell Ukraine and Russia are very similar in the propaganda department.

[roykirk]

Another great example of how ego driven politicians from two countries develop a foundation for the eventual conflicts and wars.  No doubt both sides will continue to escalate this type of thing with propaganda to influence public opinion to serve their childish interests.

Didn't this start with some 'Human Rights' complaints by the US over the murder in Russia of someone that was not even an American?  One thing we do not do well in the US, is mind our own business!  Considering our current economic condition, and an executive branch that is trying to continue to remove our freedoms  one at a time, perhaps we should focus on cleaning up our own mess at home and leave the rest of the world to solve their own problems.

Having sad that, I still believe in a strong military to protect  ourselves and our allies.  Keeping them at home instead of sending them to every conflict around the world might be a better strategy.

I notice that France has recently requested the support of US drones and other military equipment to support their military in a current conflict.

Clearly, we need to support our allies in defending against Muslim terrorists and bringing them to justice, but it's time to quit being the worlds policemen!

Every President since I was born (Johnson) has involved us in some sort of foreign police action, if not outright war.  I'd like to think we could stop being the world's policeman, but politics always comes in to it.  Woodrow Wilson didn't want to have anything to do with World War I, until everyone said Britain would fall if they didn't get help.  Clinton tried to keep us out of Somalia, until the rest of the world kept saying, "You're the richest country with the mightiest military, you have to do something."  So we send our people in and get our ass handed to us.  Suddenly Clinton was the idiot for sending troops in.  You'll similarly recall that Obama tried to initially keep us out of Libya, until he was excoriated by the Republicans that he had to "do something."  As soon as he did, the criticism started.  The same has happened time and time again with Republican presidents as well.

I'm all for keeping our nose in our own business, but history has shown that's not likely anytime soon.

[roykirk]

Common sense would suggest that I would agree with you, however when I run into a lot of Ukrainian women that believe and fear that they will become sex slaves or be scrubbing floors if they come to America it suggests that the propaganda is affective.  As far as I can tell Ukraine and Russia are very similar in the propaganda department.

It really is scary the level of mind control the press exerts over there.  People can joke all they want about MSNBC or Fox News, but they don't hold a candle to what Russians will believe when they watch television.  My wife has lived here several years now, and I've slowly convinced her that Putin is not all he's cracked up to be and have slowly taught her to regard mainstream press with a healthy dose of skepticism.  She's an educated woman, two masters degrees, very sharp.  But when I told her these stories Russian politicians were making up about Americans adopting babies to harvest their organs she immediately says, "but I've heard stories about that.  They say it's been happening for years."  When I asked her where she heard the stories she said, "On the televis...."  Her face turned bright red as she realized how hard it is to get away from that mindset of believing everything you're told.  It's the way she was raised, and it's going to take a while before she can really start thinking on her own.  Imagine how hard it is for people who still live there. 

[knighta]

Is there a version of this article in Russian?  Thanks.

[Faux Pas]

It really is scary the level of mind control the press exerts over there.  People can joke all they want about MSNBC or Fox News, but they don't hold a candle to what Russians will believe when they watch television.  My wife has lived here several years now, and I've slowly convinced her that Putin is not all he's cracked up to be and have slowly taught her to regard mainstream press with a healthy dose of skepticism.  She's an educated woman, two masters degrees, very sharp.  But when I told her these stories Russian politicians were making up about Americans adopting babies to harvest their organs she immediately says, "but I've heard stories about that.  They say it's been happening for years."  When I asked her where she heard the stories she said, "On the televis...."  Her face turned bright red as she realized how hard it is to get away from that mindset of believing everything you're told.  It's the way she was raised, and it's going to take a while before she can really start thinking on her own.  Imagine how hard it is for people who still live there.

That's not my experience with my wife. She's not a fan of Putin nor the Russian government/power brokers. Most of her family and circle of friends in Russia are pretty skeptical as well. My wife also holds two post grad degrees. One of which is history Soviet style. Maybe that explains it I dunno. I do find that while she is a staunch critic of Putin and all his media I have to reel her in at times on the US media and remind her that it isn't a lot different than the Russia media in that regard

[mendeleyev]

Is there a version of this article in Russian?  Thanks.

This is from Moscow's largest English language newspaper, primarily staffed by Russians but published in English and serving Moscow's international business community.

[jone]

Every President since I was born (Johnson) has involved us in some sort of foreign police action, if not outright war.

I thought the Civil War was over when Johnson took over.

[cc3]

In general the actions of Putin consider a reciprocal approach. It might be interesting looking at the intended policies of the US towards Russia.

Agreed...if we reciprocated against the growing anti-American sentiment within Russia with laws against Russian ex-patriate activities in the US, I believe the exile Russians would unite and bring effective pressure against the Duma and Putin.