All Russian media now is controlled by the government—just like in Soviet times. The Kremlin runs a multi-hundred million dollar propaganda machine—can it be sanctioned? Russia Today alone is a $400 million operation. In March, the Kremlin put Chinese government-like restrictions on the Internet, and cracked down on the few remaining independent news outlets and bloggers left in Russia. The Guardian revealed that the Kremlin has a paid network of bloggers and commenters, “some are paid as much as 600,000 roubles ($16,700) for leaving hundreds of comments on negative stories about Putin.”
Never underestimate the power of propaganda or consider yourself immune to it. Propaganda is persistent, powerful, and pervasive. The courage and integrity of Norwegian statesman Vidkun Quisling (1887 ~ 1945) sets him apart from all but a very few great men. Yet, his name is synonymous with base treachery and cowardice.
Soviet tanks in occupied territory at the Poland/East Germany border
NKVD DIRECTIVES FOR OCCUPIED COUNTRIES OF EASTERN EUROPE – 1947
A secret documented unearthed in 1981 reveals the destructive directives from Moscow regarding the manner in which occupied countries of eastern Europe (and east Germany) shall be treated post-WW2. The document was elaborated by Laurent Beria, head of the NKVD (today’s KGB), and was released on June 2, 1947.
In one of these lonely Orkney Isles There dwelled a maiden fair Her cheeks were red, her eyes were blue She had yellow, curling hair
Which caught the eye and then the heart Of one who could never be A lover of so true a maid Or fair a form as she
Across the lake in Sandwick Dwelled a youth she held most true And ever since her infancy He had watched those eyes so blue
The land runs out into the sea It’s a narrow neck of land Where weird and grim the Standing Stones In a circle there they stand
One boony moonlight Christmas Eve They met at that sad place With her heart in glee and the beams of love Were shining on her face When her lover came and he grasped her hand And what loving words they said They talked of future’s happy days As through the stones they strayed.
They walked toward the lovers’ stone And through it passed their hands They plighted there a constant troth Sealed by love’s steadfast bands He kissed his maid and then he watched her That lonely bridge go o’er. For little, little did he think He wouldn’t see his darling more.
CHORUS
Standing Stones of the Orkney Isles Gazing out to sea Standing Stones of the Orkney Isles Bring my love to me.
He turned his face toward his home That home he did never see And you shall have the story As it was told to me.
When a form upon him sprang With a dagger gleaming bright It pierced his heart and his dying screams Disturbed the silent night.
This maid had nearly reached her home When she was startled by a cry. And she turned to look around her And her love was standing by His hand was pointing to the stars And his eyes gazed at the light. And with a smiling countenance He vanished from her sight.
She quickly turned and home she ran Not a word of this was said, For well she knew at seeing his form That her faithful love was dead. And from that day she pined away, Not a smile seen on her face, And with outstretched arms she went to meet him In a brighter place
CHORUS
Standing Stones of the Orkney Isles Gazing out to sea Standing Stones of the Orkney Isles Bring my love to me.
