EDITORIAL: The Horror of Eurovision

EDITORIAL

The Horror of Eurovision

No politics at Eurovision?

Last weekend the “Eurovision” song contest wound up in Moscow. The world could only stand slack-jawed gaping at the unbounded horror of it all.

Eurovision has a rule that says “no politics allowed” during the contest.

But that didn’t stop host Russia from decorating the stage with an inflatable fighter jet and an inflatable tank and having the Russian army choir perform the keynote song.

No politics allowed?

The Same old Song and Dance

The New York Times reports on the utter sham and humiliation that is Russia’s participation in the Eurovision song and dance contest:

One year it was the thinly veiled taunts of a doughy Ukrainian drag queen in silver-sequined accouterments that chafed Russian sensibilities. This year has brought a Georgian disco troupe with a song poking fun at the Russian prime minister, Vladimir V. Putin, along with a Swedish techno group that recently set off a minor diplomatic dispute with a show featuring Russian soldiers, go-go dancers and a man in a bear suit dancing to the Soviet anthem.

It’s all part of an international melodrama, playing out to the pounding, thump-chick, thump-chick of the Eurovision Song Contest, the half-century-old European pop music carnival famous more for its glitter and fluorescent spandex than for its catchy melodies. And more often than not, in recent years, Russia has found itself the butt of the jokes, satires and downright nasty remarks, as artists wrangle over the unresolved complexes and insecurities born of the Soviet collapse and the pains of European integration.

This year, though, the commentary promises to carry a special bite, because Moscow will host the competition, similar to “American Idol,” in just under a month.

EDITORIAL: Craven Europe, Appeasing Russia

EDITORIAL

Craven Europe, Appeasing Russia

We condemn the craven act of the European scoundrels who administer the Eurovision song contest for blocking Georgia’s entry from being performed in the contest because it might offend Russia’s “prime minister” Vladimir Putin.  One must wonder whether Europe would have been as quick to censor a song that teased George Bush. You can sign a petition to protest this action here.

EDITORIAL: Salt in Russia’s Wounds

EDITORIAL

Salt in Russia’s Wounds

From our earliest days here on this blog, it has been our policy to  pour salt in the wounds of Vladimir Putin’s Russia at any opportunity.  Our purpose in doing so has been quite simple:  To dispel the notion that Putin is running a successful state and deserves the 75%+ approval ratings he routinely gets in polls.  It was yeoman’s work, of course, when Putin had the convenient cover of oil prices at $150/barrel.  A monkey could have ruled Russia during that period and looked somewhat effective.  Now, it’s more like child’s play.

Which brings us, grinning from ear to ear, to young Miss Anastasia Prikhodko, winner of Russia’s national round of the Eurovision song contest. Not only isn’t Ms. Prikhodko Russian, but — of all things — Ukrainian, her song “Mamo” is not sung in Russian either, but also in Ukrainian.

Ouch.