The Russians Are Bad Guys Again, and It's About Damn Time

[TexasTowelie]

Things are getting a mite testy down Crimea way:

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainians in this nation's capital prepared themselves for war after results from the disputed referendum in the Crimea showed an overwhelming majority in favor of joining the Russian Federation.

Crimea's election committee said that 97% of voters backed a union between the largely ethnic-Russian peninsula and the huge neighboring country.

"I have a feeling that today is the last calm day," said Lubna Petrova, a grandmother who was watching TV coverage of events in Crimea. "Tomorrow Putin will start a war against the Ukrainian nation, and he won't stop until he takes over the entire country."

Good times. But even with all the fears for Ukraine's sovereignty and the possibility of armed conflict between Russia and the West, there is some good news. Specifically, it's now safe for Hollywood to make Russians their main movie villains again.

Hollywood producers would be the first to tell you they got lazy during the Cold War, assuming -- like many of us -- the stalemate between U.S. and U.S.S.R. would continue indefinitely. Having used Commies as adversaries since the 1940s (Walk a Crooked Mile is the first I can think of), there didn't seem to be a reason to stop.

And why would they? The Soviets were *great* enemies. They could be a straight up military threat -- whether conventional (Red Dawn, Amerika) or nuclear (The Day After. They were a constant spy menace (Ice Station Zebra, The Manchurian Candidate, SMERSH in the Bond movies, a zillion others), and also threatened us in ways that made all Americans feel vulnerable: the sporting arena (Rocky IV, uh, The Cutting Edge).

More at http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2014/03/the_cold_war_returns.php .

[Cirque du So-What]

1. Russian baddies never really went away after the end of the Cold War

Seems like every other 'action' movie features evil Russian mobsters - so evil, in fact, that they made Sicilian mafiosi look absolutely genteel.

[davidpdx]

2. Very soon Ukraine will be united with "mother" Russia

It's just a matter of time.

[MNBrewer]

3. Russia doesn't threaten the US in the slightest

I wouldn't want to be living in a country on their doorstep, however.

[hollysmom]

4. But But But the conservatives think they are models to be copied! n/t

[Cha]

5. I hope this doesn't come to pass.. :(

"I have a feeling that today is the last calm day," said Lubna Petrova, a grandmother who was watching TV coverage of events in Crimea. "Tomorrow Putin will start a war against the Ukrainian nation, and he won't stop until he takes over the entire country."

Thanks TxT