1984 Newspeak

I realize that ragging on the former Soviet Union is so 1984. But why is it that even in their 15 year adventure into democracy that so many of those republics continue to hang onto the same Orwellian tendencies they were supposed to have abandoned? Truth is falsehood and falsehood is truth. Everything is OK because we say it is.

I think many of those countries just have a hard time admitting that they're completely wheels off. Remember about four years ago when that Russian sub sank? For about a week, Russia said they didn't need any help, everything was cool. Meanwhile a Norwegian ship was close by and could have helped. The U.S. offers to send a ship to raise the sub up. Instead, all of the sailors on the sub died from lack of oxygen. Better to have people die than ask for help.

Then last week, President Bush visits the Republic of Georgia. A hand grenade is discovered about 100 feet from the podium from where Bush stood. But no no, the Georgians say, it was a dummy training hand grenade that had been placed there by some unknown person. Today the Georgians admit that it was a "live" grenade thrown into the crowd. But in true former soviet fashion, the grenade explosion mechanism didn't work right. So being wheels off might have saved Bush's life. But I think the stock of the former Soviet countries would rise significantly if they'd just admit that they're a bit wheels off. Better to be totally out of control with some credibility, than wheels off and nobody trusting a word you say.

Meanwhile, john-clarke is trying desparately to cancel his vacation travels plan to Tblisi, Georgia. I got a really cheap deal.