Natalia Antonova

Michel Friedman = embarrassment to humanity

His story was not covered in American media, but I found a reference to him on the IMDB message boards for Lilya 4-Ever, one of those films about trafficking that makes you want to cut your heart out with a rusty spoon. The German-language Wikipedia article on the jerk is here. The son of HolocaustContinue reading “Michel Friedman = embarrassment to humanity”

OH NO

Liebe Professor Borchardt, in the immortal words of Kate Atkinson, you were the alpha and omega of storytellers. You single-handedly reminded me of the fact that the humanities ought contain more than politics and witty repartee, and that this “more” should not be so easily brushed aside. You never knew it, but you changed myContinue reading “OH NO”

Question

Let’s say you’re a young (blue-eyed, snotty, snarky) writer who just doesn’t bloody write like this or this, for example (not that you don’t have tremendous respect and admiration for people who do). Your education cost nearly $200,000, and you realize that you still have no idea what post-modern means, aside from the fact thatContinue reading “Question”

Гниды

Sometimes the news is so embarrassing that you hardly want to acknowledge it. Although this should be acknowledged, because it’s a nice example of how totalitarianism works in Russia. With standards of life low, it’s easy to convince people to turn into a herd of bloodthirsty baboons. The baboons have to take their anger outContinue reading “Гниды”

What can I tell you about Ukraine?

I can tell you that this is not necessarily a good thing, considering a culture of brutality that has been quietly festering within our troops (although this is mostly from anecdotal evidence – and I have tremendous respect for military personnel). Riot gear or no riot gear. Although I hope it’s all just stupid posturingContinue reading “What can I tell you about Ukraine?”