Staunton, April 2 — Political developments come so thick and fast that they are often forgotten only hours or days after they occur — unless they leave traces in the language and thus redefine how people, who make use of words and phrases used to encapsulate them, view a larger range of events. Many Americans, […]
Tag: Orthodox Church
‘Russians! Don’t Call Your Children Elektrifikatsia – or Viagra!’
Staunton, November 10 – Some members of the Russian Duma want to take a step that even the Soviet government never did: they want to prevent the residents of the Russian Federation from giving their children names that someone in authority deems “ahistorical” or “inappropriate.” Thirty years ago, the author of the standard five-volume dictionary […]
Twenty-Five Questions for Putin
In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a very long press conference. However, many organizations were not allowed to attend, and the kind of hard-hitting questions we’d expect if there were freedom of the press in Russia were not asked. Three days before the event, The New Times published this brave piece of journalism – […]
Jail for Those Offending the Feelings of Believers
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the Russian Federation Criminal Code introducing punishment for offense of the religious beliefs and feelings of citizens. The maximum measure of punishment under the new law will be deprivation of freedom up to three years. A fine of up to 500,000 rubles as well as compulsory and […]