I'm a Russian woman in America now

[Blues Fairy]

Funny thing is it is the most conservative and republican parts of Cali that are in the worst shape.  SF is holding its own on employment and property values while the republican strongholds in the central valley are being abandoned.  What you don't understand is it is the places like SF and NYC that are constantly re-inventing themselves and innovating that survive these kinds of messes.

And how are these "republican strongholds" supposed to hold up if the socialist havens in SF and the like are consuming all the state tax money?  Are they supposed to collect their own taxes while ignoring the state and federal taxes? 
Sure, SF and NYC will reinvent themselves when they chase out the Democrats and close their crazy social programs.

[Natasha_S]

Dear Natasha,

I know I am a little late in welcoming you, but better late than never.

I hope we'll become friends.

Tamara

Thank you Tamara for the friendly welcome. I'm sure we will. 

Natasha, sorry that your thread is being hijacked; but if you want to stick around you better get used to such things.
I welcome you and hope you have fun here on RWD.  Also, allow me to commend your excellent English skills!   

Thank you for the welcome Blues Fairy and for the compliment.
It's ok about the hijack; I find it very interesting.

Natasha

[Lee08]

It's ok about the hijack; I find it very interesting.

Natasha

I think I'll hijack my wifes thread while she's getting ready for bed. 

I believe I've found her a new hobby.

[ECOCKS]

I think I'll hijack my wifes thread while she's getting ready for bed.  

I believe I've found her a new hobby.

 

[Sculpto]

And how are these "republican strongholds" supposed to hold up if the socialist havens in SF and the like are consuming all the state tax money?  Are they supposed to collect their own taxes while ignoring the state and federal taxes? 
Sure, SF and NYC will reinvent themselves when they chase out the Democrats and close their crazy social programs.

hahahaha.  if only that were true.. given the ratio of tax dollars SF generates versus what it gets back your comment is really way off base.  Do some homework BF.  lot of good info here

http://www.nationalpriorities.org/taxday2009

[possum]

Not to steer this thread further off topic, but those of you singing the praises of the recent employment initiatives by the Russian department of labor really need to take a look at the positions they're offering.. these are mostly the same low-paying jobs the employment office has always offered, except now there's a greater demand for them. So they hired a bunch of psychologists to help make janitors out of engineers, big friggin' deal!. Anyone with an ounce of self worth would rather pay a commercial recruitment firm to find a job for themselves than waste their time at a government employment office rejecting one janitor position after another.. 

As for the First Step program, I'm sure it's a scam and a money laundering scheme for the regional government.. If the government cared about small businesses at all they'd go for tax and rent breaks rather than a one-time handout, and they would certainly do something about the bureaucracy and corruption that small businesses suffer the most from.. 

PS. Hi Natasha!. Congratulations on making it to the Land of the Free..

[ECOCKS]

Night and Day Possum, Night and Day.

[Ooooops]

I believe I've found her a new hobby.

Be careful what you wish for!   Internet is highly addictive!   

Welcome to USA and RWD, Natasha!   

[Ronnie]

I think I'll hijack my wifes thread while she's getting ready for bed. 

I believe I've found her a new hobby.

Lee,

From what we've heard so far from Natasha, you've chosen very wisely, very wisely indeed.

Not only have you chosen wisely, it seems, but you a managed to find the proverbial needle in the very large haystack.  What?  A Muscovitcha who doesn't see the idea of living in a small village as akin to being sent to Dante's Inferno?  How ever did you do that? My wife is from Dnipropetrovsk but she looks at me horrorstruck whenever I openly long for the serenity of my former home in Grass Valley, California, where the only reason to close the doors at night is to keep the deer and raccoons from raiding the fridge.

[possum]

Night and Day Possum, Night and Day.

No kidding.. I wonder if my perspective would be different if I were a Russian government employee..

[Ronnie]

I find it absurd that an American would support Putin and criticize Republicans.

Gator, it may seem absurd to a reasonable person but if you read what the left publishes on sites like progressive.org or democracynow.org to name a few, it is all about finding fault with America.  What's interesting is they don't much care which party is/was in power at the time of the reported grievance or perceived wrong..it's America and it's bad.  Take the charge that Russians are portrayed negatively in American movies and so we engage in propaganda.  Nevermind that those making the charge are from the left of the political spectrum, the same side the makers of those movies are on.  Yet through some twisted disconnection of reason, America, especially conservative America is to blame. 

Here's the heart of the matter - if you are a critic of America and her free-market, capitalist system (i.e. you favor socialism) and someone who may be as disgusting as Vlad Putin shares your distain for America (albeit for entirely different reasons), you will do as humans often do - you will defend the little monster.  And, in so doing you have given proof that your humanitarian ideals mean less to you than your political ideology.  As the Arab and Chinese proverb goes, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Ronnie, I am surprised that you did not mention in your list of wrongdoings the 1999 apartment bombings.  Of course, no one can prove any connection with the FSB (or otherwise they would be killed).

Here's what I wrote...it was in the context of Litvinenko's murder..

Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned by Andrey Konstantinovich Lugavoy at Putin's behest.  Litvinenko, had written a book naming the Russian security services as being responsible for blowing up several apartment buildings (killing innocent Russian families) in order to bring Putin to power.  

About 300 innocent Russians were killed in their homes at night by these "false flag" bombings.  And yes, the FSB was caught red-handed in the city Ryazan on September 23rd after planting a very large hexagen bomb in an apartment building there.  BTW only the military has hexagen in quantity and a former army officer in position to know reported that the FSB placed a large order a few months before the bombings.

The whole story is very interesting to anyone who cares about Russia and can be found here.

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-satter043002.asp

[Ooooops]

Guys, may be you can take your political battles to another topic?       

[Sharp]

Wellcome to forum!... hope you will enjoy with uss....

[OlgaH]

Not to steer this thread further off topic, but those of you singing the praises of the recent employment initiatives by the Russian department of labor really need to take a look at the positions they're offering.. these are mostly the same low-paying jobs the employment office has always offered, except now there's a greater demand for them. So they hired a bunch of psychologists to help make janitors out of engineers, big friggin' deal!. Anyone with an ounce of self worth would rather pay a commercial recruitment firm to find a job for themselves than waste their time at a government employment office rejecting one janitor position after another..  

Low-paying jobs are also in US and everywhere as well. And the Tomsk Department of Labor offers jobs and vacancies from 4500 rub to 300 000 rub (if you look their website) and the commercial recruitment firms offer the same.

As for the First Step program, I'm sure it's a scam and a money laundering scheme for the regional government.. If the government cared about small businesses at all they'd go for tax and rent breaks rather than a one-time handout, and they would certainly do something about the bureaucracy and corruption that small businesses suffer the most from..  

About the program I guess you tell by your own experience  
Several of my friends have their own business they don't complain.  Regarding corruption: other side is if people prefer give a bribe than to report there always will be corruption. Demand and supply.

PS. Hi Natasha!. Congratulations on making it to the Land of the Free..

and how much free do you think?

It took 30 years to honor Hugh Thompson.
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0112-29.htm
If you think that the corporate media in US is absolutely free some US journalists have other thoughts http://blog.buzzflash.com/editorblog/107  Some members here are bright example of the US corporate media work   and of course they even will not question why Britain investigation such a mystery http://www.nysun.com/foreign/specter-that-haunts-the-death-of-litvinenko/73212/ , they are sure that FSB is involved in the 1999 apartment bombings, but they will not question the role of their own government in 9/11.

I recommend you to read Seymour Hersh who said "...true that the current conflict hides a real geopolitical American strategy in the Middle East. This strategy is the consecration of a "neo-conservative cult" that gained control of the U.S administration now in power".  

 
"Propaganda is not found just in totalitarian states," Mr. Pilger says. "There, at least they know they are being lied to. We tend to assume it is the truth. In the U.S., censorship is rampant."
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_896.shtml


"It seems that the US government’s interest in addressing mass graves and war crimes extends only to our opponents and that we tolerate such inhuman behavior among those who support our political agendas. The corporate media’s complicity in this hypocrisy is a glaring example of the need for widespread media reform in the US" - Peter Phillips is Department Chair and Professor of Sociology at Sonoma State University and director of Project Censored; a media research organization.

[Sculpto]

real freedom in the US ended a long time ago.  Now, it is pseudo freedom.. they let you do enough so you dont complain. but, if you really challenge the system.. forget it.

[Faux Pas]

real freedom in the US ended a long time ago.  Now, it is pseudo freedom.. they let you do enough so you dont complain. but, if you really challenge the system.. forget it.

When exactly did real freedom end Sculpt and who is "they"?

[AugustD]

I am with Faux Pas.  Who is "they"?  And what is this an example of no chance to "challenge the system"?  Would smuggling illegal drugs into the country in a hat band be an example?

[Sculpto]

well, for example i posted a video the other day of a group of musicians being arrested in NYC.  "They" in that instance happened to be the City Hall and police of NYC.  If you dig deep enought here are plenty of examples of how civil liberties have been trounced on and the supposed rights of free assembly are no longer allowed.  The permit system is used to control dissent when public demonstration is planned and there are a variety of other methodologies used.  The mainstream press is far too influenced by financial considerations to any longer be considered independent or unbiased. 

here is a specific example of someone I know...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Wolf

[Shadow]

Can not tell about the USA, as it is up to the people who live there to decide on what they call freedom.
As for Europe, the government knows all about any move of the citizens, you are not allowed to lift a finger without a permit. Freedom of speech ? Well as long as your speech is 'politically correct'.
If you consider freedom the right to complain about the government, then we are free. If you consider freedom the possibility to do what you want as long as you do not disturb anyone, then I believe there is a lot more freedom in Russia.

[Sculpto]

Shadow understands what I mean.

[Jazzyclassy]

Natasha welcome

Ronnie , how can you possibly ask such inappropriate question about feeling herself one day American, that is totall  nonsense, will you ever feel yourself belonging to some other nation i wonder?

And few words about culture shock , i do not think it is sincere saying that one never had any, it is inevitable to experience a lot of unknown  and crazy customs and strange traditions different nations have. I think i still have a culture shock being abroad for 9 months, especially when you come from Moscow to a village...

I am not saying everybody should have culture shock in this particular maybe rough way , but you might feel homesick from time to time as well

[Shadow]

And few words about culture shock , i do not think it is sincere saying that one never had any, it is inevitable to experience a lot of unknown  and crazy customs and strange traditions different nations have. I think i still have a culture shock being abroad for 9 months, especially when you come from Moscow to a village...

The good thing is that coming from Moscow almost anything except NYC will be like a village.

[Faux Pas]

well, for example i posted a video the other day of a group of musicians being arrested in NYC.  "They" in that instance happened to be the City Hall and police of NYC.  If you dig deep enought here are plenty of examples of how civil liberties have been trounced on and the supposed rights of free assembly are no longer allowed.  The permit system is used to control dissent when public demonstration is planned and there are a variety of other methodologies used.  The mainstream press is far too influenced by financial considerations to any longer be considered independent or unbiased. 

here is a specific example of someone I know...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Wolf

The trouncing of civil rights or the perception of civil rights had been existing and happening since the beginning of time and throughout history. If that is the only incident you can cite is demonstrations by permit Sculpt, I dare say you have  so much freedom you are drunk with it.

City Hall and the police of NYC have not squashed a single freedom of mine. If you are going to make outlandish statements, shouldn't have something to base it on? Musicians being arrested or a videographer being jailed hardly substansiates me losing my freedom.

Probably what you don't understand here is that I don't really disagree with you on our freedoms or the mainstream media. Your definition of whom "they" are is so vague you obviously don't even know who "they" are. Yet you blame them ("they"). You seem to just need a boogeyman blame.

[groovlstk]

If you consider freedom the possibility to do what you want as long as you do not disturb anyone, then I believe there is a lot more freedom in Russia.

Funny enough my wife and I met a Belorussian guy at a birthday party for a friend on Sat. night. He complained that there were "too many rules" in the US and he longed for his native country, where he felt more free.

(BTW, he wandered off from the restaurant after a cigarette break and I volunteered to look for him. I found him passed out at a gas station and ended up giving him a ride home.  )

[Sculpto]

The trouncing of civil rights or the perception of civil rights had been existing and happening since the beginning of time and throughout history. If that is the only incident you can cite is demonstrations by permit Sculpt, I dare say you have  so much freedom you are drunk with it.

City Hall and the police of NYC have not squashed a single freedom of mine. If you are going to make outlandish statements, shouldn't have something to base it on? Musicians being arrested or a videographer being jailed hardly substansiates me losing my freedom.

Probably what you don't understand here is that I don't really disagree with you on our freedoms or the mainstream media. Your definition of whom "they" are is so vague you obviously don't even know who "they" are. Yet you blame them ("they"). You seem to just need a boogeyman blame.

I cited two specific examples.. but that isnt good enough for you.. ok, here is a personal one

in 1991 there were mass protests of the gulf war here in SF.  I was there.  All at once the police declared the protest a riot and came marching down the main street in SF in riot gear with something akin to a tank.  They came from both directions.  I wasn't rioting, there was no riot that I could see from where I was standing.. but they arrested EVERYONE, including people who were just coming out of their offices after work.  over 10,000 people were arrested that night.  They herded us into a warehouse without any facilities, no toilets, no drinking water, NOTHING.  We were charged with rioting.  We were handcuffed, finger printed, photographed, and processed.  It took over 8 hours to get out of there.  Later the DA dropped all the charges.  Nevertheless, do you think that incident remains on my permanent record?  What if.. and of course this is highly speculative, the worst happened and the government decided for whatever reason to round up people who might be trouble makers?  Where do you think they would start? 

So, just because YOU have no specific reason to get up in arms about anything doesn't mean that the general trend towards limitation of rights is not going to bite you in the arse at some point in the future.  Not that we have reached the point of despotism in this country but god forbid we ever do it is exactly people like you who ignore the degredation of civil liberties who will be asking, "how did this happen". 

It is not relevant that civil rights have been trampled throughout history.  This country, and what makes some of the people here so patriotic, has for a long time stood against the kind of tyranny we are discussing.  We preach to everyone else that our freedoms are greater and that this is the best place in the world to live, so, there is a certain idealism we wish to promote and believe that we have which is supposed to make this country a better place to live.  So, when you dismiss the degradation of those exact things which do/did make this country  better all you are doing is confirming that we are in fact no better a place to live than a lot of others. 

The points that have been made about freedom in Russia or Belarus of all places are valid.  One of the reasons I like Mexico is because there is no one in your face all the time telling you how to live.  Not all societies are ruled by concerns over liability and safety and all kinds of other almost arbitrary and totally ridiculous structures. 

"They" are as follows.. the politicians.. the LE that enforces the rules, the corporate concerns that lobby for their best interests which often are not in the best interest of the country nor the citizens and the legal system that is abused punatively to extract payment.  I am probably leaving out some other "theys" but I think I made my point.