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GLOBAL POLITICS
Russia Rising
By G. Arnold
The selection of Vladimir Putin as Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” has proven to be a controversial choice that caught many Americans off guard. Used to thinking about post-communist Russia as a chaotic hotbed of corruption and thuggery, Americans for the most part have failed to take much notice of the dramatic changes in Russia since the beginning of Putin’s presidency in 1999. Indeed, American political leaders, the mainstream news media, and the general public have paid little attention to a nation that was once the heart of its decades-long Soviet nemesis. In the wake of September 11 and the advent of the global war on terrorism, it has been far too easy to think of Russia, when at all, as a now-minor player on the world stage, a fallen behemoth that is mostly irrelevant in the post-9/11 world.
This is unfortunate. People used to talk about Russia and the Soviet Union as a “sleeping bear,” but in 2007 it is not Russia that is sleeping. While the U.S. has been busy with attempts to end terrorism and simultaneously assure that it will remain the world’s only superpower, Russia has been on the move. The American public may not have taken much notice, but Russia is not prepared to sit idly by and watch the United States assert unilateral dominance in international politics. Rather, the still-new millennium finds Russia gathering strength and vigorously preparing regain its position in what its leaders clearly think will be a coming multi-lateral world.
Although not an outright provocateur, Russia has recently made several decisions that have rankled American political leaders. It has shipped nuclear materials to its neighbor Iran; it has shown an ample willingness to use its vast oil and natural gas reserves to display its power to Europe; it has declared a desire to upgrade its military capabilities to be more on par with the U.S., at least in some respects. These and other actions have an underlying similarity. They all reveal a Russia that sees itself as a major player in world affairs.
Meanwhile, President Putin has played Russian politics with a virtuosity not unlike that which the great Soviet pianist Sviatoslav Richter displayed in music. To the alarm of the Western world and a relatively small set of domestic political opponents, Putin remains wildly popular among the general Russian population. Although the Russian presidency has term limits and he must soon retire from that post, critics and political foes cannot even take solace in the coming end of his second term as president. He has endorsed—more like selected—a successor who will almost surely be elected. Should that happen, Putin has already been offered the job of Prime Minister, which he indicates he would accept. It certainly seems that Putin is not going away anytime soon.
In the United States, politicians such as John McCain and Mitt Romney have already voiced their disapproval of Time’s choice of Putin as “man of the year.” For the most part, however, they seem to think that the designation is meant to be an honor, which it never has been. (Hitler and Stalin have also held the designation.) Instead, it is simply a designation that is bestowed on a person whose influence has arguably been most profound over the course of the year. McCain and Romney seem to think that Gen. Petraeus, who was born about three weeks after Putin, was the obvious choice. Because the war in Iraq looms so large in American politics, there may be an argument for that.
Yet, there is no denying that under Vladimir Putin, Russia has reemerged as a potent force in world politics. For that reason alone, Time’s selection of person of the year may serve a useful purpose. American political leaders and news media organizations would do well to pay more attention to Russia than they usually do.
One day in the not-so-distant future Russia is determined to thwart America’s claim to a unilateral world by returning to the world stage with renewed power and influence. Whether it will be successful or not, nobody knows. Still, the time to more fully engage Moscow in meaningful and substantive dialogue and diplomacy is not then, but now.
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G. Arnold is co-editor of Bread and Circus.
FILM
It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas…
By Sarah Katherine Mergel
Yesterday, as I watching the snow fall peacefully over my mom’s backyard, I really began to think about the fact that Christmas will be here before I know it. What I wanted to do most, in light of all that snow, was bury myself under a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and watch some of my favorite Christmas movies. I did not want to make my way to the airport and hope that I would make it home in time to give my last final exam. In any event, I thought I would diverge from this month’s history commentary to share with you a list of my favorite holiday movies (the ones I would have watched if I could). If you have not already seen these you should definitely check them out-they may just get you in the holiday spirit.
- You might call this a top-five list, if not for the fact that two movies have tied for the fifth slot. While I am not a huge fan of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, I cannot help but love A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). Perhaps it is a life-long affinity for the Muppets, but I find this rendition of Scrooge’s holiday-time redemption a worthwhile view. Somehow, Gonzo as Charles Dickens and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit singing their way through the story makes it a little more interesting. My second choice coming in at number five a Christmas might not even be considered a Christmas movie per se, but nevertheless Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) has some very touching holiday moments. The movie tells the tale of the Smith family, who all year long await the arrival of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World’s Fair in the spring 1904. During the winter vignette, the family faces the reality that they must soon leave their beloved St. Louis for New York City. Two reasons make this movie a keeper for me. One, it has a semi-historical setting-after all it was at the St. Louis World’s Fair brought us the ice cream cone. Two, Judy Garland’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” sung to comfort her co-star Margaret O’Brien is one of my favorite Christmas songs.
- Coming in at number four on my list is Home Alone (1990). When I first saw it, I thought it was a funny and it still amuses me when I come across it on TV. Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, the movie’s protagonist, can at times be a bit over the top. But his antics fighting off the Wet Bandits, played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern, keep you wondering what all of them will do next. Throughout the course of the movie, Kevin discovers that he does in fact need his family who he thought me made disappear. And of course, his family realizes that they need him too. If nothing else, it provides a comical take on the Christmas spirit.
- When I first saw A Christmas Story (1983), my pick for number three, I did not really think it was all that funny. Perhaps, I was too young to appreciate its humor. The more I watch this film, the more I enjoy it. Many other people seem to have had the same reaction, because the movie has become increasingly popular over time. As adults, most of us can remember that one present we wanted more than anything else as a child. Like Ralphie Parker hoping for a Red Ryder BB Gun, we pined for that one gift and wished above all that Santa (or our parents) would deliver what we most longed for. The movie has some great family anecdotes that remind me of some of the more comical events during my own family’s past Christmas celebrations as well.
- My runner-up is A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). This TV special appeals not only because I like the Peanuts, but because I cannot resist the earnestness of Charlie Brown and his forlorn Christmas tree. If any of you are of the age where you or someone you knew had a shiny aluminum Christmas tree-the kind Lucy wanted Charlie to buy for the pageant-you really have to appreciate Charlie’s bold choice. Each year, like Charlie Brown, I look for the true meaning of the holiday, beyond the hustle and the bustle of shopping, wrapping presents, and generally rushing to get things done in time. Of course, in addition to the story itself, I love composer Vince Guaraldi’s setting of some of my favorite Christmas songs.
- Topping my list of favorite Christmas movies is White ChristmasHoliday Inn (1942) is the better Christmas film to showcase Berlin’s wonderful tunes, but I would disagree. White Christmas seems more like a Christmas story to me because buried in it is a message about the meaning of true friendship and the holiday spirit. I like the humor too-in part because Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye make a good on screen pair in this movie. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is Crosby and Kaye lip-syncing to the song “Sisters.” Kaye makes that scene. His facial expressions are perfect. Finally, one of my favorite movie lines of all time, “forty-five minutes all to myself” comes from White Christmas. The solution Danny Kaye proposes to have some time alone-marry off Bing Crosby-might not be my solution, but sometimes I really do wish I had more time to relax. When I am overwhelmed with work, that line comes to mind. (1954). As a fan of Hollywood musicals from the 1930s to the 1950s, it is no wonder that this Christmas tale set to the music of Irving Berlin ranks highest on my list. Now some people will tell you that
I suspect that you too have your favorite holiday movie. Hopefully you will find the time this season to relax and enjoy it. If you have extra time, be sure to check out one of my favorites too and let me know what you think.
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Sarah Katherine Mergel, Ph.D., specializes in American political and intellectual history since the Civil War. Her primary area of research is the rise of modern conservatism and its effects on political developments, cultural trends, social issues, and international relations.
Image: National Christmas Tree, 1978. Courtesy National Archives & Records Administration.
By Kimberlee A. Cloutier-Blazzard
At this time of year, we all feel the hustle and bustle of the holidays swirling around us. Most of us look forward to time spent with family and friends around a heavily laden dining room table, exchanging gifts and good wishes.
But, not everyone is so fortunate. As local food banks this year grapple with a double-whammy of increasingly short supplies and increasing demand, wouldn’t it be great if we could share some of our good fortune and get part of our holiday shopping done at the same time? Sound too good to be true? You can!
For example, here in the Boston area folks can take a minute to jump online to “Project Bread” (www.projectbread.org) and buy things like holiday cards and even some simple gifts while at the same time donating to a worthy cause. Just think, you can check those stocking stuffers, Yankee swap- or Secret Santa items right off your list!
It’s a win/win situation! You get some of your holiday chores done, have a happy heart and those in need get some help.
And, food banks are just one option. Homeless shelters, women’s shelters and many other charitable organizations are now making this type of donation available.
Give it a try, and pass along some good cheer.
Good luck, and Happy Holidays.
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