The Russians flew into town to talk to me last week. The result, from Russia Today, their huge worldwide English-language satellite/news outlet, follows (appx 3.5 mins)…
For the record, I take little joy or comfort in detailing, to folks from Russia, just how bad the current state of democracy is in the U.S.. Describing the failures of our corporate media to them was not much fun either. But I call ’em as I see ’em.
Describing our elections these days as “Russian Roulette,” however, did seem to make some kind of perverse sense on Russian television, even if it’s not the first time I’ve used that turn of phrase that way. But I looked Anastasia Churkina in the eye, found her to be very straight-forward and trustworthy, and we had a very good dialogue. In fact, I was able to get a sense of her soul, so I knew I could trust her.
POST-SCRIPT: Anastasia headed up to Portland to speak to the good Thom Hartmann, on many of the same topics, the day after she was here to interview me. The RT interview with Thom is here.
UPDATE 10/25/08: RT has run another report, with a broader look at the e-voting concerns in our ’08 election, featuring clips from Anastasia’s interviews with both myself and Thom. The video of that report is now posted here…
Dude, I can see her soul from here!
She’s a hottie IMO,
Now, I didn’t know you could speak Russian…And you did your own translation voice-over too. 😛
What a guy.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR AWESOME WORK BRAD, BRADBLOG, AND FRIEND OF BRADBLOG IN THE ELECTION INTEGRITY COMMUNITY!
You are the third person I’ve heard was interviewed by Russian press recently. The other two are Thom Hartmann, and Vincent Bugliosi. It makes me wonder why this sudden swell of interest in US politics is happening, and especially in the people that are openly scrutinizing US policies and politicians.
Perhaps Palin saying that we may have to go to war with Russia made an impact? Surely our loud vocal support of Georgia DID.
I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but I find it fascinating. Another commonality, you three are all being shunned by the mainstream – for the most part anyway.
I LOVE when you said, “With all due respect, the US is starting to look like the former Soviet Union” – totally HOT!!! It reminds of when Putin (when president) and their press had countered Bush’s comments on Russia’s need to become more democratic with essentially, “What about your electoral college, and the firing of Dan Rather?”
I have to ask about the last question you answered about when the election system will change. I’m thinking that the Democrats will win on both local and national levels in many areas (just because it is unprecedented for the party of a failing administration to continue to hold very many seats). I also think that the Republicans are ready to say that they were screwed, and that they will argue everything from the “Bradley effect” to ACORN. Surely the ACORN thing is preparation for exactly that, and we all know they are going to challenge the crap out of every left-vote cast. However, I’m not so sure that alone will change the system. Why are you so sure it would? And why on earth would they blow the whistle on something that could very easily still work well for them in the future?
I’ve been a frequent reader here for almost two years now, and I heard you on Randi Rhodes today. I’m really glad you are getting the attention you deserve, Brad. your work is more important than EVER; and like Randi said, “You’re my new best friend” until AND beyond Election Day! Thank you for all you do.
So, you’re with the enemy, eh? McCarthy is watching you!
Funny, we have to see an interview with Brad on Russian TV, and he’s talking about how bad our media is. Irony.
I have a theory I’m working on: the “liberal media” are the ones calling themselves “the liberal media.” I was trying to find a real person I know who thinks the corporate media is liberal. I came to the only logical conclusion: they’re the ones calling themselves “the liberal media.” Anyone know why? I think it’s some kind of scam. IE: they’re trying to get drum up business, so they figure they’ll get “the liberals” if they accuse themselves of being liberal. Does anyone agree with this?
Media matters says the “liberal media” said “bill ayers” 1,800 times. I bet they got ZERO on the hit “Sarah + Palin + witchdoctor.”
I guess the voice sync doesn’t start screwing up til around the 2 min mark before it lags.
The anchor that brings in the Hartmann spot is not too shabby either
Brad:
“But I looked Anastasia Churkina in the eye, … I was able to get a sense of her soul, so I knew I could trust her.”
LOL. A bit of satire there Brad? You’re either being naughty or thinking of running for Preznit; either way I’ll support it.
Good interview, though it’ll probably get your FBI file moved farther up in the ‘special’ pile 😉
Good one, Brad! Just make sure you let Russians look in your ear when you look them in the eye, if you want any credibility. When Putin met duhbaya he looked in his ear and saw daylight on the other side and decided that duhbaya was a person he could do business with…
LOL, bippy!
You know, guys, when * first said that it was not an encouraging sign, but since bothering to pay close attention to the Russians — not on our press — I have come to think that was the single most insightful thing * ever said.