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1. I'll repeat what I posted last time: the problem of "grandfathers" (dedovshchina) in the Russian Army is huge, and it's much worse than it was in Soviet days. There have been countless injuries, deaths, and suicides documented. Some of the hazing is allegedly racially motivated.

   It's sad, though, that gay prostitution is presented as something even more scandalous than the physical violence and torture that takes place. Prostitution in the Russian army is nothing new: Kuzmin writes about soldiers dabbling as prostitutes at the turn of the last century. After the collapse of the Soviet Union two factors contributed to the boom in army prostitution: economic collapse meant the soldiers earned practically nothing and the army could barely afford to feed and clothe them, and the corruption in the army meant that superiors turned a blind eye to prostitution as well as dedovshchina (grandfathers).

   From what I've heard, the vast majority of prostitution is not coerced. I've had soldiers walk up to me on the street in Moscow and ask for a cigarette (the usual opening line). Sex with men, especially if one plays the active role, as these soldier-prostitutes usually do, is not stigmatized as much as in the US or Britain (which was obvious from the report).

   Needless to say the dedy (grandfathers) will take advantage of prostitution for financial gain and humiliation of new conscripts, and this is not good. But making this out to be a bigger problem than dedovshchina in general shows a bias in the media against both prostitution and gay sex.

   Posted by: KevinVT | Feb 17, 2007 11:43:11 AM

   
   

2. Dave, I believe I apologized, or attempted to, for overreacting and not giving people the benefit of the doubt. I also believe I pointed out that I should have considered that some people misunderstood what the story was about.

   Sorry my apologies weren't sufficient or comprehensive enough for you but it seems they were sufficient for those to whom they were directed; and that's what really matters to me.

   Posted by: Zeke | Feb 17, 2007 12:52:05 PM

   
   

3. Jack!, I attempted to send you a personal email to apologize, immediately after doing so publicly here, but it came back undeliverable.

   Posted by: Zeke | Feb 17, 2007 12:56:15 PM

   
   

4. I don't put my real email address in because I don't want messages sent to me. Sorry about that.

   Posted by: Jack! | Feb 17, 2007 2:47:23 PM

   
   

5. Its sad that anyone should be subject to any sort of abuse. I am sur ethat should any of those who are saying how hot it is, would be the first to take your employer to court if you suffered the same sort of idignity. To cause the loss of use, or loss of any limb is hideous by any means and we should be condeming such. Next time one of you who thinks its "HOT' gets beaten up, roobbed, or loses some body function, dont get upset if no one takes up your casue, because its karma!

   Posted by: Wayne | Feb 18, 2007 6:13:50 PM

   
   

6. "This used to be a fun place to read unconventional thoughts and comments about the issues that concern us."
   Posted by: dave |

   I hope I'm not one of the people who contributed to 'ruin' the mood over here? cause I'll admit to being very serious. Too serious sometimes.

   I mean, I'll try to crack the occasional joke here and there so as not to appear completely humorless, but other than that there's no changing me at this point. So I reserve the right to sound heavy and 'staid', as long as I defend the rights of others to express their unpopular opinions..which I try to do as much as possible ;)

   Posted by: Da | Feb 19, 2007 2:35:34 PM

   
   
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