Russian politician says Apple CEO Tim Cook 'should be banned' from country after coming out as gay

[Newsjock]

Source: The Independent

Hours after Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly addressed his sexuality for the first time, a St Petersburg politician has called for him to be banned from Russia.

According to a translation by Buzzfeed, anti-LGBT campaigner Vitaly Milonov, a member of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, drew on stereotypes of homosexuals to suggest Tim Cook could bring "Aids and gonorrhea" to Russia.

He told the FlashNord website: “what could he (Cook) bring us? The Ebola virus, Aids, gonorrhea? They all have unseemly ties over there. Ban him for life."

Milonov is well-known for his opposition to LGBT rights, and was the architect of a local law which became the basis for an internationally condemned country-wide ban on “gay propaganda”.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/russian-politician-says-apple-ceo-tim-cook-should-be-banned-from-country-after-coming-out-as-gay-9829670.html

[RKP5637]

1. Ramblings of a totally fucked up individual! Sheer evilness on display in the form of a politician!

[NYC_SKP]

2. Did he tweet that out using his iPhone6?

Or do Russians use Androids?

[rurallib]

3. Sounds like someone secretly has the hots for a certain CEO

[longship]

4. No iPhones for you!!

[alp227]

5. Ebola? EBOLA? WTF? nt

[Cha]

6. Putin's anti-gay Russia and then there's this idiot making the head Dictator all proud.

Good on Tim Cook!

"In a moving open letter published on the Bloomberg Businessweek today, he wrote that he is “proud to be gay” and considers being gay “among the greatest gifts God has given me”.

“Being gay has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be in the minority and provided a window into the challenges that people in other minority groups deal with every day,” he added."

[NYC_SKP]

7. One day they'll advance into the late twentieth century.

FFS.

[Cha]

8. Maybe. :(

[rpannier]

13. Just wait. They Putinistas will soon appear

to tell us how the man is misunderstood or "What about Alabama?"
Even though our country is moving toward equality while under Putin has moved further away from it

[Cha]

14. They're everywhere.. pushing how great Putin's Russia is and how bad our Country is.. I really wish

they could actually go to live there since they love it so much and hate the USA.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. They're heeeerrrrree!

We are not supposed to speak out against shit like this until a laundry list is completed.

[davidpdx]

29. Yes

It is amazing how the homophobes are allowed to stay at DU despite their blatant support for Russia's policies.

[King_David]

46. Fuck all Homophobic Russians.

Fuck Putin !!

[leftofcool]

9. Works for us

Now, send back all your Apple products, get the hell off of ITunes and don't go away mad. Asswipe!

[7962]

10. They should stop using anything invented by gays or minorities.

since they have such a problem with them.

[area51]

55. +1 n/t

[closeupready]

57. And disown Tchaikovsky.

[SoapBox]

11. If Apple products are in Russia...

Pull and refuse to support any of them.

[Monk06]

12. Meanwhile the life expectancy of hetero Russian males is 58 and the birthrate is zero.

Ask any Russian women if she would marry a Russian man and she'll ask to borrow your passport. So she can head West as fast as she can.

[MattSh]

21. How many BS statements can one spew in one post?

Quite a few, it seems...

It took 1 minute to find this one on Google? Can you Google? Sure, I knew you could!!!



Ohhhh, sorry. I'm interrupting your two-minute hate. My bad...

[newthinking]

36. Thank you

Amazing how much ignorance there is around this subject. Well, maybe not amazing, since there has been so much propaganda.

I used to be surprised when during a discussion with a friend or acquaintance they would mention Russia as still a communist country. But that did not happen all that often years ago. Now I am no longer surprised.

Something is definitely happening to our country. And the way it is happening is new. Most western media reporting has become completely tabloid; lacking depth, or worse ignoring or falsifying facts. And at the same time some of the ignorance based angry attitudes and bigotry that used to be pretty much confined to conservatives seems to be becoming a core part of much of the American experience.

[MattSh]

22. And this one is 5 years old...

And the numbers are even less now...


MARRIAGE TO A FOREIGNER NO LONGER A RUSSIAN DREAM

By Natalya Krainova
The St. Petersburg Times
Published: October 2, 2009 (Issue # 1514)

MOSCOW — For years, the dream of many young Russian women seemed to be to marry a European or American man and move abroad.

Not anymore.

Women have grown more sophisticated as they travel the world and pore over Western women’s magazines like Cosmopolitan, sociologists say. In fact, one new poll indicates that only 9 percent of single women want to marry a foreigner nowadays, compared to 46 percent just four years ago.

“The Russian woman has become more emancipated,” said Olga Makhovskaya, a psychologist and author of the book, “The Seduction of Immigration, or To the Women Flying Off to Paris.”

Makhovskaya said women’s values have changed remarkably in the 18 years since the Soviet collapse. The main “prize” in life for a Soviet woman was marriage, but the prize for the modern Russian woman is a good career, she said.

Women interviewed in the recent survey gave a number of reasons for their reluctance to marry a foreigner, including a different mentality, culture, language, laws and concerns about the future of common children in case of a divorce.

The online survey of 1,800 women aged 18 and older was conducted by Superjob.ru, a leading job recruitment web site. It put the margin of error at 2 percentage points. Superjob.ru conducted a similar poll of 2,100 women in 2005.

http://www.sptimes.ru/index.php?story_id=29927&action_id=2

Google and learn. Stop repeating BS propaganda.

[Monk06]

33. I should have mentioned Russian men whose drinking behavior was the object of this study.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/31/russian-men-losing-years-to-vodka

Younger women are more favorably inclined to Russian men, which is why Vlad the stud has an 85%
favorable rating.

That does not reflect favorably on either Russian men or women and is a distinct danger to gay Russians.

[daleo]

45. The birth rate is zero?

Do you actually know what the term birth rate means?

[Monk06]

49. Should have said stagnant not zero

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-reverses-birth-decline-but-for-how-long/502325.html

[sakabatou]

15. O NOES!

[newthinking]

16. Russia has rightests that say crazy things just like we do.

It has been US evangelicals and groups like the international Republican institute that has been able to capitalize on the ignorance in the country of what it means to be religious.

Conservatives from the US have been planting their theology there for 20 years with hardly an alternative movement to counter them.

We need to stop the convenient narratives and start to look at what is happening around the world realistically. Putin is not part of the neocon faction in Russia. But he has to deal with them as they are powerful. Yet whenever a righttard there says anything it gets attributed to him or the government.

I am not sure how much good it does to paint this kind of a brush and alienate the general population, most of whom are fairly moderate.

[joshcryer]

17. Heh. "Most of whom are fairly moderate."

Yet RT and the anti-gay law defenders said that, in fact, Russians support it.

[newthinking]

18. On LGBT rights and attitudes you can't distringuish (truthfully) Russia and Ukraine

They are both behind in their attitudes. Ukraine has the heaviest population of conservative Fundamentalist Christians in Europe. It was the "favorite" of these groups for missionary activity. The government even allowed missionaries to conduct activities there in schools for a while.

It is so difficult to try and cut through the narratives that are political and not reality based.

Yes, it is possible to make Russia look worse, as indeed there are incidents. But I have posted here multiple times sources that show that Russia and Ukraine have similar records on LGBT rights. That is just fact.

Russia is also often touted as having more antisemitism which is totally manufactured. Ukraine is rated higher as are a number of East European EU countries.

I write this stuff from firsthand knowledge. Man, for a democratic site this place has real trouble dealing with facts over politics.

[joshcryer]

27. OP is about Russia.

I am from USA. Ukraine has no relevance here.

I can criticize Russia's anti-gay policies.

[JustAnotherGen]

31. +1000

And I have your back on that criticism. The tide is slowly turning in America - Russia not so much.

[King_David]

47. Fuck the Russian Homophobes,

Fuck Putin and Fuck the Gay hating moronic Gangs that Lure gay guys on Grinder and humiliate and torture them.


Fuck all the Gay hating twits in Russia from Putin down.

[newthinking]

19. Antigay Pastor Says 'Upscale Sodomites' Spread Ebola at Starbucks

That is a story right now in General.

If the US were covered like Russia is the story would stereotype our entire culture. But we all know that this person does not represent the attitudes of the US as a whole.

That is one of the reasons I post here. I have watched this kind of bigotry and stereotyping and reactive thinking for years. Most of of this kind of stereotyping used used to come from conservatives, who excel in it. But in the last 15 years it seemed to have infiltrated the ranks of democrats as well. My posts around these topics are no different than I have discussed regarding other similar things... My views have not changed changed over the years.

[joshcryer]

26. Pastor, not elected official.

[Cha]

24. Mahalo for this, josh.. Look at the Putin Protector trying to distract with ugly RWingers in America

Facts and Myths of RTs Gay Rights in Russia: Facts and Myths

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113729757

Like the head dictator in Russia isn't a homophobe himself.. whereas President Obama supports Gay Rights and Marriage.

[Cha]

23. ah yes.. the obligatory Putin Protector... like Clockwork.. trying to Distract from Putin's Russian

Homophobic state.

Whereas the USA.. at the very top supports Gay Rights..

[newthinking]

35. Your approach is heavily politicized. I am an intellectual and deal in trying to inject honesty into

these things.

My views, though humanly imperfect, are completely intellectually and liberally supportable.

It is actually you and some of the other people here that express overly simplified views that incidentally end up doing much the same thing (types of hate and lashing out using vitriol) that you are at the same time trying to oppose.

Here is a video of an interview of specialists discussing Dugin (the most predominant) and his fascist movement in Russia. It is not political, it is a FACTUAL discussion. Marlene Laruelle says almost precisely the point I brought up.

Marlene Laruelle: From Paris to Moscow: Rise of New Far Right Movements Across Europe
Carnegie Council Events feature speakers that are prominent people in the world of international affairs, from acclaimed authors, to Nobel laureates, to high-ranking UN officials. Their remarks are followed by a lively and well-informed…

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/54578361

You can try and paint people with more nuanced (and quite frankly often more experienced and traveled) understandings of what is going on in these countries as some kind of evildoers, but you will have to live with your own conscience; because whether you and similar others here understand it or not: You are actually expressing a mindset of that which you claim to revile (and I also revile) in the mindset that we so often see in Republicans and their ilk.

Because there is so much (inaccurate) painting on this subject I am thinking about adding this as an OP along with the transcript. it may be helpful.

[Adrahil]

51. And so modest!

Your opinions are certainly justifiable in your own head. But many of us aren't buying the bovine fecal matter you're selling, Mr. Intellectuctual.

It's actually shocking to me that a self-professed intellectual fails to recognize the innate subjectivity of rhetoric, and ignores that what facts you choose to present and how to present them is ALWAYS a political act.

Another bubble I'll burst for you: there is no such thing as objectivity. All facts exist within a context and exist subjectively.

[newthinking]

54. Feel better now?

Did you actually listen to the interview?
Ever been to that part of the world?

[Adrahil]

56. Yes and Yes.

You never come off well when you try to take the "well, I'm an intellectual" route. Especially when you ignore basic epistemology

[muriel_volestrangler]

25. 'Recognizing same-sex unions brings us closer to apocalypse' - Head of Russian Orthodox Church

Don't try to blame Russian homophobia on "US evangelicals and groups like the international Republican institute"; the traditional church is completely homophobic, and that's who Putin works with:

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill sees the recognition of same-sex unions by Western countries as a portent of doom. He called upon Russians to ensure that sin is never formalized by the rule of law.

"We face enormous temptations when countries start approving sin and codifying it into law in order to justify it,” Itar-Tass quoted the patriarch as saying after the Sunday service in the Kazan Cathedral on Red Square.

Those who follow their conscience and “fight such laws imposed by the minority are subjected to repressions,” he added.
...
“This is a very dangerous apocalyptic symptom, and we must do everything in our powers to ensure that sin is never sanctioned in Russia by state law, because that would mean that the nation has embarked on a path of self-destruction,” Kirill stated.

http://rt.com/news/church-same-sex-unions-404/

And, far from your claim of "most of the general population are fairly moderate", "88 per cent of Russians supported the amendments to the law; only 7 per cent said they are against. 54 per cent staid that homosexuality should be banned and be criminalized. "

Putin’s God Squad: The Orthodox Church and Russian Politics

A few years ago, Ostrakovsky and his vigilantes seemed like marginal curiosities in Russia, burning copies of the Harry Potter books in protest of “witchcraft.” But as Vladimir Putin’s third presidential term comes into focus, the cross-wearing thugs are now right in line with the ideology emanating from the Kremlin—and from the Russian Orthodox hierarchy. After near extermination under Communist rule, the church and religion are back at the heart of the country’s politics. And they have been critical in helping Putin recast the liberal opposition’s fight against state corruption and alleged electoral fraud into a script of “foreign devils” versus “Holy Russia.”

Since Putin’s reelection, a parade of priests have been loudly denouncing forces aligned against the president. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, took to TV to say that “liberalism will lead to legal collapse and then the Apocalypse.” On another occasion, he called Putin’s rule “a miracle.” And Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov has warned in a media interview that “one needs to remember that the first revolutionary was Satan.”
...
“People are wrong when they think Christ said ‘forgive everybody,’?” declared Mikhail Leontiev, Russia’s premier political TV personality, speaking on the trial during his primetime show. “You have no right to forgive enemies of the Fatherland and enemies of God.” When Alexander Bosykh, a religious-nationalist aide to the deputy P.M., was photographed punching a female Pussy Riot protester, he responded: “You only turn the other cheek to people you know. I don’t know her so I hit her.”
...
For its part, the state has gone from persecuting the church to co-opting its ancient tropes. A 2008 primetime documentary, The Lessons of Byzantium—hosted by Putin’s personal confessor, Archimandrite Tikhon—told the story of how the culturally superior Byzantium flourished under a centralized government and an emperor unified with the church, but was supposedly brought low by a combination of “barbarians” from Western Europe intent on pillaging its wealth; corrupt oligarchs; and mendacious Venetians.

http://www.newsweek.com/putins-god-squad-orthodox-church-and-russian-politics-64649

[rpannier]

32. Putin has been promoting the anti-gay idiocy for the past few years

He's in league with the Orthodox Church
He could, if he wanted, go in another direction
He chose the path and loudly bangs the drum of the bigots
He does nothing to dissuade it or try to stop it. Hell, he doesn't even try to slow it down

Before you make the claim that it's the unfair media narrative
I get my info on Russia from my sister-in-law's family who all live in or near Moscow
So, I don't need to hear from western media
I know people who have a front row seat to Putin's demagoguery and gay bashing

[ozone_man]

50. What? The US has homophobes?

I'm shocked!

[Turbineguy]

28. Louie Gohmerts genes

seem to be everywhere.

[MADem]

30. But...but...but... Russia is MISUNDERSTOOD??? PUTIN is a GOOD guy...! He doesn't MEAN it!!!!

I boycotted Sochi for a reason.... and whoop, there it is!

[chrisa]

37. Also, remember that at some time, some where, someone in the US was a bigot!

Therefore, all criticism of Russia is invalid, and Putin should be allowed to do whatever he wants without consequences.

[MADem]

38. Ha ha ha! But of course--how could I forget!!!! nt

[Cha]

40. Exactly, chrisa.. but that shite doesn't with thinking people and neither does the ol hypocritical..

"you're politicizing it". lol

[Cha]

39. And, I get told my "approach is heavily politicized".. Rofl.. by pointing out that Putin is a

homophobe and President Obama is Pro Gay Marriage. The distractions the Putin Pretzels come up remind of..



Pravda (Hearts) Tea Party: American Conservatism Embraced By Russian Right-Wing And Vice Versa

"...kneeling at Christ's Holy Sepulcher which Obama never does when visiting Jerusalem. They see him going to church when they know Obama favors Muslims who attack Christians and their churches. They see Putin establishing laws to protect the church and laws against homosexuality. This they admire and this brings them hope. Hope in their upside down world where there is a leader willing to follow Christ. They have no Reagan but they see Putin whom they wish was their president."

"There you have it. Obama is an anti-Christian, Muslim lover, while Putin is the Second Coming of Ronald Reagan. A devout, law and order Christian who can inspire the Teabagging masses. Putin is their 21st century savior who can restore America and the world. The article even includes emails that the author received from Americans wishing Putin could be the U.S. president. And to top it all off, it closes with an evangelical sermon lambasting the "lamestream" media and exalting Putin's piety and the glory of Christ's guidance to the "Truth." [FYI: Pravda, in Russian, means truth]."

Bullshite.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/09/18/1239872/-Pravda-Hearts-Tea-Party-American-Conservatism-Embraced-By-Russian-Right-Wing-And-Vice-Versa

[MADem]

41. Putin-Palin 2016!!!!!

Their campaign slogans

"Hey baby, I can see you from my front porch!!!"

"Have another drink, comrades !!!"

I can see why the wingnuts would love that combo!

[Cha]

42. Yeah, they're both full of Moose shite!

[King_David]

48. I think Putin probably a closet case.

When a person is soooo fucking Homophobic they usually turn out to be.

[yellowcanine]

34. Many of the comments on the story link are anti-gay and homophobic.

[Shankapotomus]

43. This is just barbaric

These kind of people should just be forcibly removed from power and left on an unclaimed island somewhere. They have no intention of ever bowing to reason.

[theHandpuppet]

44. Yeah, I'm sure Cook would be heartbroken to be banned from Russia

NOT.

[Adrahil]

52. But where will he his....

Ummmm..... Oh well, never mind, I guess Russia has jack shit he might want.

[lexx21]

53. Interesting remark because...

The Russians are more likely to get aids from their Chinese and Thai fun girls during their sex vacations.

When you really stand back and look at the stance that Russia takes on LGBT issues, it seems to me that someone in their government "doth protest too much". Draconian measures like that, IMHO, indicate skeletons in the closet and they are over compensating for it. But, just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

[LeftishBrit]

58. 'Milonov' is the Russian word for 'Santorum'?

And seriously: Russians, especially Russian males, have more serious health problems to worry about than Tim Cook bringing in AIDS, gonorrhoea and Ebola (Ebola? WTF?). Russian men have a lower life expectancy than those in a number of developing countries, and 13 years lower than their female compatriots.