Lucky us

What if Ida - Virumaa would have declared itself independent during the restoration of our independence? What would it have been like then? Would we have accepted it as a way to get rid of our minority issues? Would we have claimed it to be an integral part of Estonia and use every measure available to reassert our influence? Would we have accepted it by now?

Just something that popped into my mind after reading about Northern Ireland. It is basically the same as Ida-Virumaa for Estonia. Populated by migrants loyal to another regime and still clinging to that regime with the support of the imperialistic neighbour. Would there be an ERA (Estonian Republican Army) operating covertly? The threat of secession was not out of the picture even 15 years ago. Would the idea of an independent Estonia even be feasible with another chip of it's meager area?

heureka

Just something I stumbled upon.

Politicians use every opportunity they get to say something. They do it so often that nobody really even pays attention anymore. This is something of an exception. It may be the cream of crop or may it just sticks out. Whatever the case, this is the rare occurrence when the talk matters. Basically this speech is the gist our foreign policy. The way we view the world and ourselves is directly influence by the ideas expressed during this speech. Though probably not the first nor the last person to point it out, the Nordic image became our identity. As it is written in 1999, it is a little outdated but interesting to read nonetheless. To all of you who might be fond of a little pice of history and identity.

Terrorism for a cause?

I stumbled upon this clip back on Metacafe. like all normal civilised person I felt disgusted by the attack on defenceless civilians. All the perpetrators and their accomplices should be tracked down and punished. But then again, why this this happen in the first place. While the west pays no attention to similar or even worse events on a much grander scale in Chechnya, nobody could ignore this one. The loss of life is sad but the fact that it is the only option left for the combatants is even worse. This is no way to fight for one's freedom, this is an act of desperation. What would you do if you were a Chechen who cares about his or her country?

Well done Al

As we all known already, Mr Gore is the co-recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize. Though he is only known for his popular film explaining the risks of climate change, it has done more to arouse public interest than all the other efforts combined. I strongly support the decision as the climate change is something that probably will not affect us personally, but our offspring most probably. Like Mr Gore pointed out, the idea of what would happen if the world's most densely populated areas are to be flooded is terrifying. The exodus of all those chinese and indians will probably have the same effect on our society as the exodus of the huns had on the Roman one. I am as sure as you get, that the most probable safe haven the refuges aim for, is Europe. There is not much we could do about it. Actually there is nothing we can do about it but prevent it from happening. Unfortuanately that is not an option as long as there are people denying the obvious around.

Fahrenheit 451

A 1966 film by Francois Truffaut. Based on the book by Ray Bradbury. Based on a dystopian future society, where video killed the book star. The story is based on the life of Guy Montag (Oscar Werner), a fireman. It's his duty to search and destroy books as they are forbidden for some unknown reason. He has a nice house, a lovely wife Linda (Julie Christie) and in addition to that, he is boss' pet. All that is turned up-side-down, when he is approached by Clarisse (also Julie Christie).

I usually do not watch films, which are more than 40 years old, but this is an exception. I haven't seen something that good in quite a while. It basically makes one think about things considered natural. What would it be like when life would really be so messed up? What would I do if life were really that messed up? Would we really be noble and determined and willing to die for what we believe in or passively curse the system? I have a soft spot for books and movies portraying the fight against a totalitarian system and this film exploits this soft spot mercilessly.

I'd recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about the issues of censorship and totalitarianism. The idea of banning if not burning books, may I remind you, is still an issue. Even if not interested in philosophy or civil liberties, the film will still probably be found entertaining. Enjoy yourselves.

11 out of 10


PS. Does anyone have the book? I'd like to borrow a copy.

Leave me alone, please do

The lovely film by Man Ray, filmed in 1926, France.

I have always wanted to be sophisticated and cultured. Enjoying art at it's finest is an integral part of it. But here's the catch, something are NOT art. Getting high and covering the canvas with one's excrement is not art. Dumping molten glass into cold water is not art. Combining random images and effects is not art. But if put next to a sign which says art, people will be more than eager to dish out ridiculous sums of money to see it. Then they will claim to have seen the meaning or experienced enlightenment. Sorry, just because you saw something you didn't understand anything doesn't make you neither sophisticated nor smart. Just because it does not make sense and has not been done before, does not mean it's art.


I am not sure about the rating but unfortunately this piece cannot be graded. It is not a film, it's a cinepoeme. I am not sure what should you watch next in case you liked this film. I am sure however if it looked familiar to real life, you really need to go to rehab.

Early bird gets the worm?

Not that I would really have something important to say, I'd just like to point out that I just finished both my English and German. Odds are that I might even be able to catch some good 3 hours of sleep tonight. Merka is going to have me drawn and quartered if she catches me asleep once more. Hopefully I'll be able to get some shuteye during the German lessons. If I'm lucky then during the debate too. If no then no biggie, uni on nõrkadele anyhow. Probably going to need a strong cup of joe to get up, like I would drink the stuff at normal conditions. 3 hours and 20 minutes left. I should probably go.

Revolutionize me.

Another day, another uprising. Some crazy people down somewhere like Burma, thinking they could really make a difference by shouting slogans and marching along peacefully. Even crazier folks back here, who think this actually might have worked. Some of them even called it the Saffron Revolution in the spirit of the coloured revolutions

Firstly there is no such thing as a coloured revolution. The only one that actually can be classified as such was the one in Ukraine. Others are forcefully made to fit the mold. Well yeah, it has all been about the students demanding democracy more freedom and whatever else that comes into mind but since when haven't civil insurgencies been like that. The other common factor is that they all were financed by Mr Soros and the USA. Did I burst your bubble?

Secondly even if there actually were those things called spontaneous demonstrations of will, every authoritarian government on this god-forsaken planet should by now be well prepared to deal with them. It might work once or even twice but then reality catches up. The position of an ongoing colour revolution is basically jinxed. Since Ukraine, there has been not a single non-violent colour revolution, which has not been squashed by the authorities.

I strongly support all kinds of pro-freedom movement but calling every damned riot a miracle and a fabulous revolution is silly if nothing worse.

Greetings from Inner Space

I'd like to thank you all for this oppourtunity. It is truly a pleasure to be here today. Despite all the nasty obstacles that line my way, I have succeeded. It is not every day that i can honestly exclaim my utter lack of motivation of all kinds. It is that time of year once more, when normal busy minded folks just like me, get a little too bored to do what we should. Instead of doing homework or anything else even remotely constructive, the idea of watching Lord of the Rings yet another time, felt too tempting too resist. Another day, antoher chance to promise myself to get back to the routine.

Sometimes they don't care. Sometimes we don't care. Usually we don't dare. I've made up my mind, I'll go for it. I'm still not sure when or how, but I will. I couldn't forgive myself if i let this fade away. How's that for a decision?