The first one is terrible; each of the following ones is worse than the last.
Let’s start with a woman whose head is deep in her ass, delightedly smelling the source of her own farts.
This one is equally narcissistic, but somehow its bland opportunism is more appalling than the Tweet from Ms. Apocalyptic vibes above.
This one, what can I say? CW: Rape.
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.
.
Yipes.
H/T — I found these, like the screenshot in the last post, in the IAmATotalPieceOfShit subreddit, which is a something of a gold mine of awful.
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On the OT: Ugh. That’s about all I can say. Ugh.
As I mentioned before, I’ve been hearing bits on an art site I follow, from some Russian artists I’ve previously commissioned work from. All of them are against this war as well, especially (for obvious reasons) the one whose husband is half-Ukrainian and who still has family in Kyiv. Fortunately she just posted recently that her in-laws are currently alive and about half of them have already been evacuated to safer locations.
Unfortunately the fact that a number of payment processors are blocking payments into Russia is going to cause a lot of collateral damage with some of these artists who never wanted anything to do with the war.
Also, someone on the same art site who’s been curating a list of Ukrainian artists that need support pointed out that PayPal usually takes 2 or 3 days to get anything to Ukrainians, and they recommended Paysend and Payoneer as faster methods.
Most of the crap takes I’ve seen so far are along the lines of “Why are they siding with Zelenskyy and not Putin” as if this were a bad thing, and then concluding either “because Putin is anti-SJW” or “because Zelenskyy is one of them (((jeeewwz))).” While I haven’t seen any yet (aside from the one in the OP) I knew there were definitely going to be lolrape takes somewhere, because that happens every. single. damn. time. there’s a major military conflict.
I hope that the people around Putin decide that he really needs a nice, permanent vacation to Kamchatka. Or anywhere far from Moscow, really.
What about the related “Putin is actually a radical feminist because he hates trans people, and he will protect vulnerable Ukranian women from being asked their pronouns!”
Note: the same people giving that take also said the same thing about the Taliban.
I’ve only just discovered this chap’s videos; but they’re really good. He’s basically collated reportage of the conflict and summarises the situation really well.
@Krasnaya Koshka
I’m sorry to hear all of that. Big hugs if you want them and I hope everything turns out okay.
For the record, I don’t think any decent person is against the Russian people, just Putin and his cronies. In fact, I admire the bravery of the Russian protesters in the face of all the crackdowns and pushback.
@Jenora
It’s also a shame to hear that Russian artists and others may suffer because of this idiotic war.
Like, how stupid and self-centered are these people? Can nothing have meaning outside their own little bubble? Can they not comprehend that other countries have their own problems and might not give a shit about ours?
Oh, and anyone else know more about this saber-rattling Putin is supposedly pulling with putting his crews with the nukes on standby? I think he knows he’s fucked if he actually goes in that direction, but wants to scare the international community into backing off with the sanctions and stuff.
@ QOTH
The most reassuring take on this is that Putin is “escalating to deescalate”.
That is to say, he raises the stakes, so he can then later withdraw the threat and look like Russia is the one willing to compromise.
This all hinges on Putin being a rational actor though, and arguably he falls within the Goldwater Rule exception.
One problem with the Putin regime is that he has successfully eliminated all political rivals and is surrounded by sycophants. So there’s no one in his inner circle as a moderating force. Hopefully though the world’s intelligence services are making approaches to potential alternatives. I note that the UK, and to an extent the US, have been briefing in a way that makes it clear they have lots of sources in the Russian military. Whether that’s true or not; it’s clearly intended to get Putin worried about a putsch.
Bit more here on the politics of the announcement though.
https://www.ft.com/content/e12976cf-59be-414e-b90f-56875df79753
As for the practicalities, most military commentators have said any use of nuclear weapons is likely to be some specialised tactical systems they have. Some of those are in the single kiloton range. Essentially designed to be used like the RAF Grand Slam; for taking out infrastructure. Without getting into the bizarre language of nuclear posture; the current set up is that, even if there was an Art 5 qualifying event, NATO would only respond in kind. Still worrying; but not a prelude to Armageddon.
@ QOTH
The most reassuring take on this is that Putin is “escalating to deescalate”.
That is to say, he raises the stakes, so he can then later withdraw the threat and look like Russia is the one willing to compromise.
This all hinges on Putin being a rational actor though, and arguably he falls within the Goldwater Rule exception.
One problem with the Putin regime is that he has successfully eliminated all political rivals and is surrounded by sycophants. So there’s no one in his inner circle as a moderating force. Hopefully though the world’s intelligence services are making approaches to potential alternatives. I note that the UK, and to an extent the US, have been briefing in a way that makes it clear they have lots of sources in the Russian military. Whether that’s true or not; it’s clearly intended to get Putin worried about a putsch.
Bit more here on the politics of the announcement though.
https://www.ft.com/content/e12976cf-59be-414e-b90f-56875df79753
As for the practicalities, most military commentators have said any use of nuclear weapons is likely to be some specialised tactical systems they have. Some of those are in the single kiloton range. Essentially designed to be used like the RAF Grand Slam; for taking out infrastructure. Without getting into the bizarre language of nuclear posture; the current set up is that, even if there was an Art 5 qualifying event, NATO would only respond in kind. Still concerning; but not a prelude to Armageddon.
By way of update…
Belarus has just held a referendum and has now renounced its non nuclear status. That means it could host Russian weapons, or ostensibly an independent deterrent.
This just seems to be more posturing though; and it is very unpopular with a lot of the population. So this could backfire as the actual invasion did.
Personally I suspect this may be another throwaway bargaining tactic. Like the role US missiles in Turkey played in resolving the Cuban Missile Crisis.
But more here on the referendum.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/launchpad-russias-assault-ukraine-belarus-holds-referendum-renounce-non-nuclear-2022-02-27/
Also, the Kremlin is blaming their escalation on Liz Truss.
She was Lord Chancellor for a while, so in charge of the legal profession. The general consensus was what she’s one of the thickest people on the planet so it wasn’t exactly reassuring that when we got rid of her she got the Defence job. Still, her comments this time weren’t that controversial; although possibly legally incorrect.
@Alan Robertshaw: I wouldn’t trust any referendum which came out of Belarus as an accurate view of what the people of Belarus want, regardless if it came from the public or the politicians. For all that we say about the potential nightmare of a Republican minority controlling the votes in the US, Belarus gives a pretty good idea of what that might look like for real. Regardless, Lukashenko has more claim to the title of “Putin’s lapdog” than Trump ever did, and if Putin stays in power it’s likely that Russia will re-annex Belarus even if they fail to do so with Ukraine.
Belarus could afford an independent nuclear deterrent if they develop a nuclear potato that can be grown in a field and delivered with a potato gun. Otherwise, they’d be hosting nukes for Russia.
Points for original horrible takes I guess?
I feel like we might need to launch a public service campaign about how reality and movies/video games/fiction in general are different. It’s clear some people really don’t get this.
Okay, this is darkly humorous: In response to the Belarusian government’s support of Russia’s invasion, Thiskanoushaya, the second-place vote-getter in the 2020 election (and likely, though unconfirmable, actual winner) has declared that Lukashenko is a traitor and she is now the president of Belarus. On one hand, that’s not usually how democracy works and either speaks poorly of her for declaring that or poorly of the political system of that country that it could even be a realistic outcome; on the other hand, big middle finger energy.
Just had a bit of an “Oof” moment. Been sent links to a couple of videos. I’m pretty desensitised but they are very grim so I’ll put the description behind a spoiler tag.
The first shows Igor and his son in a car with two dogs. They come under fire from Russian troops. Igor is hit multiple and ends up lying in the road. He is begging his son to finish him off. His son though is pinned down behind the car but manages to film on his mobile. The firing continues for some time. Then the video stops.
Second video is from people who discover both Igor and his son’s bodies, them having been dumped in a ditch. One dog is shot dead. But the surviving dog is guarding the bodies.
The vids were provided by some Ukrainian affiliated animal rights activists; but they really do highlight the real human tragedy and the brutality of this conflict.
But to give the safe(r) version, this guy (Igor) is a cynolgist. Which I found out today means someone who studies and takes care of dogs. He’s no longer with us; nor is this big boy. But this is a lovely photo to remember them by.
In slightly more uplifting
The label says “Putin is a Dickhead”.
Another bit of amusement: supposedly, when a Russian warship attempted to coerce a Georgian ship into giving them fuel, one of the responses was “If you’re out of fuel, use the f**king oars!”
In a similar vein, the Ukraine govt ordered road signs to be obscured (as you do in an invasion) but the people have changed all the directions to variants of “Go fuck yourselves”
Putin’s delusion that “his people” love-admire-respect him is about to get a huuuuuge reality check. It’s bad enough that people are finding out that their relatives have been captured-wounded-killed in Ukraine. Now they’ve lost their jobs, their cash and their businesses – in one massive simultaneous hit.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/the-damage-is-done-russians-face-economic-point-of-no-return
Regardless of how soon or how well/badly the war itself ends, the economy is fukd. Completely. And to add insult to injury, Russia’s now out of the World Cup and every other important soccer competition. I have no doubt that every other international sporting organisation will elbow-stampede-trample every other organisation out of the way in trying to be first, or at least not last, in following suit.
Way to go! Vlad.
I’m back, capable of being a real human for a bit. Pretty sure the top picture of Alan’s signs was a confirmed photoshop job, but it’s still beautiful.
The translation I’ve gotten, for anyone curious:
“F*** yourself”
“Again, F*** yourself”
“F*** yourself back to Russia”
It’s a good sign. I hope a real one or four get made, honestly.
There’s also info going around about how many of the Russian troops were underprepared and underinformed, and didn’t even know they were invading. Not all, and I think you know what you’re doing by the time you get to the point of shelling residential structures.
I would like for Putin’s War if the Ego to be done now, thanks. The death toll is horrific (Ukraine claims 354 Ukrainian deaths and over 5000 Russian losses, with Zelensky citing 4,500 dead: Russia admits to not a single death) and Putin seems to have no problem throwing more bodies at Ukraine.
While Ukrainians care about the death toll and structural damage of Ukraine, Putin does not seem to give a fig about the Russian death toll, and seems like he’d be perfectly happy to kill every one of his troops in Ukraine so long as he managed to also kill all the Ukrainians.
I have more hope today than I did a few days ago, though.
@ contrapangloss
I imagine everyone in Ukraine with a printer and the right glossy paper will be making the signs now.
But yeah, there’s also the real tragedy of the war. I fully support the Ukraine people’s right to fight back with any methods at their disposal. But I am glad they are treating the POWs humanely. I think they recognises that they really are just unwitting and, for the most part, ignorant pawns. And of course it doesn’t hurt the optics.
I’ve seen a lot of videos of POWs just baffled by being there. I do believe the ‘training exercise’ thing that they say they were told. In the Czechoslovakia invasion the grunts were told it was a training exercise in Suez. Presumably the average conscripts geography skills might not have been up to much.
And it does seem that at least some units just lay down their arms as soon as they realised they were in Ukraine.
This may explain of course why the campaign is going so disastrously wrong. I’ve seen some theory that Putin put in the cannon fodder troops first to test defence and is holding back the elite as reserves. But that seems a bit contrary to doctrine. And also there are Spetnatz units already there.
Alan, I’ve seen a lot of that as well, and I absolutely agree.
As much as I do kind of enjoy Ukrainian papers showing photos of captured soldiers with “These two idiots ran out of gas and ASKED US for a top off” and videos of soldiers looking absolutely shamefaced while a little old dude scolds them and asks what they were even thinking, like an angry grandpa…
Or the (now 16) Ukrainian kids killed, or the dog trainer and his son from your post.
War is awful.
I hope more Russian soldiers lay down arms. It’s the only way I can see this ending without even more horrific casualties. Outside a frankly miraculous change of heart and ego from Putin.
@ contrapangloss
I was a bit wary at first thought of videos of POWs. Arguably they’re a breach of the Geneva Conventions, and I didn’t want to be complicit.
Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.
But, whilst there’s obviously propaganda value in letting POWs call their families or make statements to camera; it does seem to at least give the POWs an opportunity to let their families know what’s happened to them. I doubt the Putin Govt is passing on that info to families.
Those texts though are very poignant. They remind me of the notes they found on WW1 soldiers. Just goes to show, the technology may change, but ultimately it’s still just kids missing their families as they die.
It’s only one story among many, but the news about the man and his dog is making me tear up. My parents got their dog a week and two days ago. But thanks, Alan, for the tribute.
Plus, a big thanks to Contrapangloss for the links; I was able to give a little bit to the targeted Ukrainian relief effort.
I hope Putin realizes he’s shooting himself in the foot at this point. I’m a bit cynical at the moves to freeze his wealth, since I’m sure he’s got illegal stashes – offshore accounts and whatnot – but the mounting pressure from inside and outside his country must give him pause.
Still, it’s hard to know the right thing for other countries to do, not to escalate the situation into further violence while holding Russia’s government accountable.
Oh, a big thank you to Alan for that video. I’ve now added that bloke to my newsfeeds.
Alan, good point on the Geneva convention. If it makes you feel better, the soldiers in the video being scolded by a grandfatherly (albeit a cussing grandfather) figure were free kids?
I won’t link, but it was from when Putin was claiming Melitopol had been taken and everyone there was super happy to be liberated by brave Russian forces.
There absolutely is a line between treating POWs as “subject to intimidation or public curiosity” and humanizing both them and the folks holding them captive to both armies. Most of what I’ve seen seems to be in the humanizing camp in the “Hey, these kids are underprepared, why are you doing this to them/making us do this to them?” sort of way, but I can see how it could really, really easily go bad.
It’s absolutely a propaganda tactic to a degree: “see how we’re treating these kids like foolish younger siblings who made bad choices? If you surrender, we’ll treat you this way too, instead of killing you!”
I’m not a lawyer, or a human/animal rights specialist. Thanks for reminding me about important details like aspects of human rights that are easier to not think about.
Editing to add: If you have younger siblings prone to poor life choices, I do not advocate handcuffing them, holding them captive, and making a video for your mum. Just figured maaaaybe I should clarify that.
Alan wrote:
Yet another eerie parallel to Winter War – I’ve lost count of such details. Here in Finland it was a vodka distillery assembling Molotov cocktails (filled with petrol etc.) for the military using their own bottles. The special labels had attached matches, though no insults (I think).
Mentions of Molotov cocktails started popping up since the current war started. While the device itself wasn’t invented in Winter War, the name “Molotov cocktail” together with “Molotov bread basket” was a Finnish joke in reference to these:
Molotov bread basket – Wikipedia
Recently, it occurred me that a current meme equivalent to these “bread baskets” should be something like “Putin’s peacekeeping”, since that’s what the invasion was initially billed as. Technically, the current equivalent of Vyacheslav Molotov would be Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, but Putin himself seems to be the public face of the invasion. In accordance with that, I thought some iconic weapon used by Ukraine (perhaps anti-tank missiles) could be nicknamed as “Putin’s bread and salt”, referring an old Slavic welcoming ritual:
Bread and salt – Wikipedia