Russia

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: To No One’s Surprise

camille-rowe-victoriassecret14-22I noticed something about this batch of links. A lot of them are articles about things that should be blindingly obvious but some people still can’t quite believe. We should have seen some of these coming but I guess that doesn’t mean that everyone does.

Anyway, it’s now time for the links. And it shouldn’t be a surprise that we lead off the links with Camille Rowe.

Much to no one’s surprise, Sochi has been abandoned now that the Olympics and Paralympics have left town. Tens of billions of dollars down the drain for nothing. Good work, Vlad. (English Russia)

Also much to no one’s surprise, Russia has imposed sanctions against Canadian political players for imposing sanctions against Russian politicians. (Russia Today)

Illegal drug spending in the US is $100 billion. Government spending to combat the drugs trade is $200 billion. Spending on cocaine has plummeted over the last five years and has been replaced by marijuana spending which states are going easier on. It’s funny how law enforcement works (or doesn’t work) in America sometimes. (MarketWatch)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Time is Short

rachel-mortenson-fredericks14-01It’s a slightly shortened version of the links today. For some reason, I just couldn’t find much in the way of interesting stories to link. That’s just the risk you run with regular linkdumps. Some days are better than others.

Anyway, let’s get the links going. Here’s returning favourite Rachel Mortenson.

A Toronto judge says there’s a video of Rob Ford inhaling from a glass pipe. Reporters at City Hall asked Mayor Ford what was in the pipe. Jesus Christ! What do you think he was inhaling? (The Globe and Mail)

Russia is answering American sanctions against prominent Russians with sanctions against America’s political elite. (New York Times)

It wasn’t just international relations hurt by Ed Snowden’s NSA revelations. A number of US tech companies were hurt financially by news that the NSA was accessing their data. (Times of India)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Russian Armed Farces

miranda-kerr-wonderbra14-02Well, the Crimean referendum went about as well as everyone expected seeing as it was a giant farce. That wasn’t even the only farcical election of the last week but that’s a different and funnier story.

Anyway, let’s get today’s links on the road. And we kick things off with Miranda Kerr who is the subject of rumours for a couple of obvious reasons.

It seems as though Vlad Putin is drunk on power and that may guide him to make increasingly reckless decisions. (Foreign Policy)

By the way, Ukraine is not backing down from Putin and may be gearing up for war over Crimea. (Kyiv Post)

And the US have followed up the alleged referendum in Crimea by slapping several prominent Russian businessmen / Putin allies with big sanctions. (Business Insider)

Continue reading →

1 Comment Posted on by Steve Murray Columns, Sports

Why I’m Boycotting the Sochi Olympics

sochi-olympic-boycott-headerThere was seldom a moment during the London Olympics that I was tuned away from live broadcasts, especially during handball. I was one of the two-thirds of Canadians who watched Sidney Crosby end the Vancouver Olympics with an overtime goal to win the men’s hockey gold medal.

This time, I won’t be watching. I don’t care if Patrick Chan sets another world record in figure skating or Canada plays Russia for the gold medal in a game that goes to overtime. I won’t be watching my Winter X-Games favourites, slopestyle and halfpipe, or the curlers from my hometown battle for gold.

While the Olympics are supposed to be about coming together, the spirit of unity, and a celebration of sport and national pride, none of that is on display in Sochi. The Russian government, Sochi Olympic organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee have created an Olympic games that does none of that and I want no part of these Olympics.

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Sunday Link-Off: Foreign Relations

emily-ratajkowski-nastygirl13-14It’s the end of the week which means that it’s time for the links. I’m starting to worry that I’m spreading myself a little thin since I’m struggling for ideas for posts. I’ll figure something out. I usually do.

For now, it’s time for the links. Since Blurred Lines has been declared the song of the summer, here’s Emily Ratajkowski who starred in that music video.

The GOP is so hell-bent on killing the Affordable Care Act that they’re threatening to shut down government to get rid of it. I think they’ve lost all touch with reality. (New York Magazine)

Old white men on news TV tend to be the worst. This includes Lawrence O’Donnell who you’d think wouldn’t be bad because he’s on MSNBC but he can be idiotic like the rest of the old white men on TV. (New Republic)

Sir Stephen Fry wrote a powerful letter to the IOC explaining why they shouldn’t just let Russia persecute homosexuals. (Gawker)

Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Columns

The Humanoids: The Long and Short of It

On this week’s Humanoids, it’s more bang for your buck. Not quite the usual nine targets but as much written about them as if it was nine. It’s been an interesting last seven days in Canada. We threw the biggest party in the history of the world and we even held the Olympics out in Vancouver. Heroes were born, legacies were crafted, and the podium was owned. And after the great Canadian coming out party, it’s back to the status quo. We Canadians will move on with our quiet, self-deprecating lives while the rest of the world ignores us. But for this week, let’s hold onto the fun we’ve had for the last couple of weeks and look back. Continue reading →

1 Comment Posted on by Steve Murray Columns

The Humanoids: The Five Rings of Hell

This is apparently the worst Winter Olympic Games in the history of the world if you ask the British press. But they’re a fickle bunch so I pay them little to no attention. I think these are a pretty Olympic Games. Of course, I’m watching them through maple leaf shaped glasses. That doesn’t mean that these games are perfect. There are some issues and people overshadowing what should be the greatest games ever. And, no, I don’t mean the broken cauldron. That was fairly embarrassing, though. Let’s blame that on the Newfies. Continue reading →

1 Comment Posted on by Steve Murray Link-Off

Wednesday Link-Off: Very Lively

Blake Lively was the star of this past Sunday’s Emmys. That red dress has launched her into the realm of the A-list celeb.

Former Russian President Boris Yeltzin was notorious for his love of alcohol. It wasn’t just at home that he loved to drink. Bill Clinton’s empty liquor cabinet can attest to that. (Daily Telegraph)

You can say a lot of things about Oregon Ducks football coach Chip Kelly. One thing you can’t say is that he isn’t a class act. A fan demanded his money back from his trip to a bad road game and Kelly sent the man a cheque. (EDSBS)

Is it sad when the fan that paid to get into the Russian soccer game is better than the overpaid capitalist dog that’s a star player. I guess in Soviet Russia, stars cheer you. (Off the Post)

After the jump, the end of the Lego house, the greatest basketball shot ever, and the failure of the Dallas Cowboys’ Party Pass tickets. Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by J Sports

World Hockey Championship Roundup: Hockey is a Cruel Sport

It was the final day of the World Hockey Championship. Canada was seeking revenge from the loss in the finals to Russia in Quebec City last year while Swedes and the Americans battled for bronze. Continue reading →

Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Sports

World Hockey Championship Roundup: Road To Gold

It was semi-final Friday at the Ice Hockey World Championships today. Russia battled the USA in one game while Canada met Sweden. The winners would have their tickets punched to Sunday’s championship final. Continue reading →