I Actually Agree ...

 ... Dostoevsky is not for everyone and he is definitely not my favorite Russian writer. So one British dude contemplates ...

On the back of my copy of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1869 novel The Idiot, there’s a quote from the English philosopher A.C. Grayling that tells you what to think of it. “One of the most excoriating, compelling and remarkable books ever written,” it reads, “and without question one of the greatest.” That “without question” bothered me. Why assume that every classic deserves its reputation? We should make up our own minds after having read one, as we do with any other book.  

That wasn’t the only reason why I treated Grayling’s claims with skepticism as I edged my way into this gargantuan novel (I can’t remember exactly when that was, but I know I was a much younger man at the time). Having kicked and dragged myself through the same author’s late “masterpiece” The Brothers Karamazov (1880) last year, I knew what I was in for. And now, having almost finished The Idiot, I can say with confidence that Dostoevsky is a dreadful writer. Dreadful.   

Obviously he didn't read Solzhenitsyn in original, Russian language, version--this is the rape of taste and mind 101, while there is a lot to be said about Nabokov. I would suggest Mark Nayler read Sholokhov's Quiet Flows the Don (that will blow his mind). But, I want to remind you about Sir Michael Caine (as the last vestige of an English culture, euphemism for England, we all used to love and admire--not anymore). 

And his story telling which is exemplary. 

Sea Control 2.0.

 Or release rapists and pedophiles. 

If You Think That This Photo ...

... is unremarkable and is nothing more than some groceries--you are wrong.  

These are Russian foods from Russian Far East's farmers in grocery stores in Pyongyang. Recall, when Russia broke through blockade, signed REAL allied treaty with DPRK and that stunned the world? Including China, whose relations with North Korea have always been strained. Now, the economic dimension of it becomes increasingly visible. It will only grow and good for Korean people who in 1990s and 2000s went through horrendous famines. Consumer variety, especially in food, matters a great deal, to put it lightly. 

MOSCOW, July 19 — RIA Novosti. President Vladimir Putin met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hi in the Kremlin. He noted that relations between Moscow and Pyongyang are developing in all directions, and once again expressed gratitude to the DPRK for support for the special military operation. "The valor, bravery, courage and heroism of your soldiers have been awarded state awards of the Russian Federation. We will never forget their feat, we will honor Korean heroes on an equal basis with our compatriots," the head of state said. Choe Son-hi, for her part, stressed that the DPRK will continue to support Russia's efforts to defend sovereignty, security interests, territorial integrity and eliminate the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine.

Yes, the relations will continue to grow. So will North Koreans' standard of living. They proved themselves real friends of Russia and there are huge benefits which come with that. 

Open Thread.

 Busy today. Go at it. 

Ah, OK.

Sure, there will be takers. This is how low he stooped.

US President Donald Trump’s social network Truth Social will start selling investors early access to posts from prominent accounts, most likely including his own, the holding company has announced. Critics argue that the move could create an unprecedented new way for the president to profit from his office, given his family controls Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the platform’s publicly traded corporate parent. The move was announced on Thursday, when TMTG unveiled Truth API, a business-to-business data feed providing “real-time access to posts from the highest-ranking Truth Social accounts.”

He really is not governing (he and his ilk do not know how) he is fleecing. The only thing they know is how make money by selling BS.

He is NOT the most powerful man in the world(c), neither is the US a premier military power--it is an obsolete force. Doctrine-mongering is no substitute for modern TOE and effective fighting doctrine. Yep, here is Jordan and American air defense in (lack of) action. 

But no worries, Hollywood will produce Top Gun-III and even IV. 

WC 2026.

The Third Place match tomorrow)))

Sea Control ...

 ... and how "sunk" Russian Black Sea Fleet chocked 404 shipping.