BLOOMBERG / Commentary...by Tatyana Tolstaya
BL: "Legend has it that more than 1,000 years ago, when Vladimir the Great was deciding which religion to accept, he rejected Islam specifically because it proscribed alcohol. “The joy of Rus’ is to drink:” That phrase, attributed to Vladimir, determined the nation’s destiny for the next thousand years. Back then, people drank relatively weak beverages such as mead, beer or kvas. Vodka wasn’t invented until the days of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century."
AND: "Perhaps, though, the explanation of Russia’s relationship to alcohol can be found in a national character prone to extremes, rather than in czars or religion. Any form of moderation, from politeness to prudence, is seen as weakness. The Russian macho won’t stop until he’s had his fill and dropped dead."
Popular Posts
- POLAND: Warsaw Lauds LOT Pilot Wrona For Safe Crash Landing.
- SERBIA / LIBYA : Are Serbian Mercenary Pilots Bombing Protestors In Tripoli?
- HONDURAS : 4 Nov. UPDATE: 176 Police Arrested For Corruption; Lobo Sacks His Top Cops...Sends Troops Into Sula, Tegucigalpa.
- PERU: Chaos Reigns In Lima's Streets With Unregulated Taxis And Ancient Buses.
- COLOMBIA: Corrupt Police Aided Bogota's Fake Torture Brothel.
- ITALY / EUROZONE : New Greek Crisis Delays Berlusconi's Love Songs CD Release.
- MEXICO : Zetas Founder/ Leader "Lucky" Hernandez Lechuga Captured In Veracruz.
- SERBIA / KOSOVO / EU : President Nikolic Talks Tough About Pristina.
- CHILE / CANADA : Court Suspends Barrick Gold Pascua Lama Mine Production.
- USA : 07 May UPDATE: Famous Fat Cat Meow...Dies On Diet.