Don Giovanni at Wiener Staatsopera

Don Giovanni at Wiener Staatsopera. Excellent cast, great singers. Mixed feelings about the production. The stage is minimalist, with what seems dark solidified lava… Interesting and funny, musicians on stage in some party scenes, once playing the “farfallone amoroso” tune from The Marriage of Figaro. During the play, all the weapons are replaced by stones.… Read More »

Ukraine War – are realists right? A Munk Debate

Excellent debate on the Ukraine war between realism and freedom. The question posed to the audience was badly formulated – “ending the war starts with acknowledging Russia’s security interests”.In essence both sides accept the proposition.Everybody agrees that we must strive to end the war as soon as possible.The discusion then is about what are these… Read More »

Quem beneficia dos nossos impostos?

Brilhante vídeo de Juan Ramon Rallo, a explicar o Estado Leviathan. Exemplo de Espanha. Por cá certamente anda é pior. Para distribuir 2% do PIB a 2 milhões de famílias em risco de pobreza (pensionistas e os que vivem de subsídios), cobra a15 milhões de famílias mais de 40% do PIB em impostos e contribuições.… Read More »

Bill Maher on the excesses of gender policies

Bill Maher, excelente, sobre a influência das políticas activas de “género”… Como liberal, defendo que cada um possa viver a vida como quer. Mas a sociedade não se muda por decreto. Percepções instaladas levam gerações a mudar. Preferencialmente, essa mudança faz-se de forma orgânica e gradual. Não por comando central. A alternativa de querermos acelerar,… Read More »

Russians in Germany clash over the war in Ukraine

On May 9, Russians’ demonstration in Berlin showed huge divisions. Many Russians have been brainwashed by Kremlin’s propaganda. Some showed clear support to Putin and to his narrative of the “special operation” to erradicate nazism from Ukraine. Others opposed the war and some even supported Ukraine. German authorities had to show neutrality and prevent political… Read More »

Russia and the Myth of NATO Provocations

Peter Zeihan, geopolitics analyst and author, on the myth that Nato provoked Russia and therefore is to blame for the Ukraine invasion: Zheian has been focussing on the tensions within Russia and around its borders. This piece written in December 2021, 2 months before the invasion provides interesting insights into Russia’s possible motives.https://mailchi.mp/zeihan/a-ukraine-war-and-the-end-of-russia I’ve seen… Read More »

The Cold War Never Ended – Ukraine, the China Challenge, and the Revival of the West – by Stephen Kotkin

A great essay by Stephen Kotkin appears in the May/June issue of Foreign Affairs. It is an essential read to understand the current geopolitical situation. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2022-04-06/cold-war-never-ended-russia-ukraine-war Excerpts: Does anyone have a right to be surprised? A gangster regime in the Kremlin has declared that its security is threatened by a much smaller neighbor – which,… Read More »

Reality distorsion in Russian media – Ukrainians under Stockholm syndrome for their government?

The level of reality distorsion by Russian official media is amazing. This article at RIA Novosti claims that Ukrainians suffer from the Stockholm syndrome at the hands of its government that has been keeping them hostage for years.(Probably since 2014 when they deposed a russian puppet president, and subsequently held free elections the last one… Read More »