Society's Child
The reproduction stamps, which were being sold for 290 rubles ($3.80) each, came to investigators' attention after they were reported on by a local TV channel. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the products have now been withdrawn from sale.
During World War 2, Oryol was occupied by Nazi Germany for nearly two years, and was almost completely destroyed. The news report explained that the stamps were printed in Karelia, in Russia's north-west, by the organization "For the Motherland." In a statement provided to the media, the organization's head Vladislav Grin explained that the photo is not copied from a propaganda poster, but a genuine portrait from the era. "It is, on the contrary, a strengthening of the heroic context of the great Victory over criminal fascist Germany," he said. The stamp is sold with a warning about the prohibition on Nazi propaganda.
According to the Prosecutor, both the head of the kiosk company and the director of the commercial service at the printing company were warned not to infringe the law. Earlier this year, Russia's Investigative Committee initiated a criminal case after pictures of Hitler and SS leader Heinrich Himmler were found on the website of Immortal Regiment, a movement that celebrates Soviet veterans of World War II.
Reader Comments
R.C.
"Ah! Comrade Commissar Grykov, it is magnificent!! We have so many potatoes that if we piled them up in one heap, they would reach almost unto the feet of God!!"
"Come, come, now, Comrade Manager! This is the new Soviet Russia. You know perfectly well that there is no God! we have left all that fairy-tale superstition behind."
"True, true, Comrade Commissar! A wonderful thing that you understand what you call fairy-tales. You see, there are no potatoes either."
An American visiting Moscow and a Russian are having an argument about which country is better. The American says: "America is the greatest country in the world. For example, the very first Amendment to our glorious Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech, which you do not have in Russia."
Igor says: "What you mean, this freedom of speech? For example, how?"
American says: "Well, for example, I can stand in front of the White House and shout, 'Nixon is a crook! A liar! A criminal! He should be thrown in jail!' And nothing will happen to me."
"But we have the same freedom of speech in Russia!" scoffs Igor. "The same as you! I can stand in front of the Kremlin and shout 'Nixon is a crook! A liar! A criminal! He must be sent to jail!' And nothing will happen to me either."
Two CIA and KGB spies sitting at a bar in D.C. bemoaning the end of the cold war and who has it worse:(That’s from recollection. I recall it being funnier and I bet it’s my wording.)
Aldrich: We got hosed by the NYT, WaPo, while you guys had a completely controlled press...
Ivan: Yes, but your people believed your press...
R.C.
Ivan: "Da? Residence Dalashenko."
"Comrade Dalashenko? This is Commissar Platonov of the Transport Ministry."
"Da? So happy to know you. What can I do for you, Comrade Commissar Platonov?"
Platonov: "I have for you some good news. You have been approved to purchase a Lada automobile."
Ivan: "Why, thank you, thank you Comrade Commissar! That is truly wonderful!! We have been waiting years for this day. When and where may I come to get my car?"
Platonov: On this date, ten years from now, you may come to the Transport Ministry and pick up your car."
Ivan: "Oh my! That may be a problem, Comrade Commissar. Do I need to come in the morning or the afternoon?"
Platonov: "Are you joking me, Comrade? Why you ask me this question? Ten years from now, what difference is it, morning or afternoon?"
Ivan: "My apologies, Comrade Commissar. Please excuse my question. You see, ten years from today, in the morning, is coming the plumber, to fix the toilet."
Ps, Re Smzlt, "sometimes they are" - yeah! What is up with that? For a long time, they were . . almost 'spammish'. Some will say that's just his/her/its automated intelligence (or whatever that's called) began working, but I don't think so.
RC
Comment: These petty Russian bureaucrats need to chill out. The difference between propaganda and a victory trophy is entirely a matter of personal interpretation. But when you have ridiculous nanny-state laws, interpretation doesn't matter. Just the mindless bureaucrats and their obsessive-compulsive drive to control other people's lives.