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49K views 217 replies 18 participants last post by  monkey247 
#1 ·
Marat's back in the Duma today. :) Watch it live on Vesti.ru (better transmission quality) or UStream.

Yes, I have a lot of time on my hands, like this guy. :p It's half term, it's Bank Holiday, and therefore 11C outside :rolleyes: ...

 
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#59 ·
Re: News & Articles Part 3 - The Return of the Yeti

Marat with 5 children, I need to see that! :lol: :haha:

Awww Irochka, your illusions crushed already! :awww: :sad: Yeah well probably, you cannot beat 'the system', 'the system' devours you.
 
#65 ·
Re: News & Articles Part 3 - The Return of the Yeti

Mashenkaaaa :hug: Miss you tons! I am doing great, thanks! I hope you do too... apart from certain someone's choice of career :ras:
 
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#69 · (Edited)
Re: News & Articles Part 3 - The Return of the Yeti

I really thought I had made my last comment after reading his views in this latest 'interview - especially following on from the previous article........but I am a wordy bitch and can't resist throwing my six-penneth ( or two) into the debate:

Sadly, I can no longer give him the 'benefit of the doubt' or even, to be honest, believe that he has somehow been 'corrupted' by the system - frankly, it's easier, but less palatable - to conclude that he went into politics BECAUSE he tacitly agrees with Putin's view of the world - namely, Russia is in the middle of the universe and everywhere else is just an ignorant inconvenient impediment to Russia's ascent back to greatness and the rest of the world's opinion doesn't matter becasue they just don't "understand" - which has alwasy been Putin's rallying cry - of course Marat is correct - Russia IS a huge contry with (Theoretically) HUGE potential - but not until they throw off the shackles of the mentality of the Peasant and the Baron - the history of Russia is and remains essentially FEUDAL

Sure, the peasants are no longer owned by the Tzar, or owned by a communist dictator - now they are owned by the Kremlin which in turn has subdued the influence of the oligarchs who live under the shadow of show trials and jail - so still, there is no sense of what personal freedom - and the attendant concept of individual responsibity - actually means within the ordinary Russian's mind-set - the social ills that have beset the population as a result of the catastrophe of the Yeltsin era are clear for all to see in the terribel drug and alcoholism issues that have pushed the average Russian man's life expectancy down to third world levels...

Reading MArat's twitter comments from October he basically recognises this - but as Monkey has pointed out, he appears oblivious to the contradictory nature of his stamenents - now - MArat has ALWAYS had a tendency to do this - but its just more blatant in this context - and a lot less endearing....incidentally, I am willing to bet that he gave up twitter around June- ever since his sudden re-appearance at the begining of the month, NONE of his tweets ring true, to be honest - the spelling and the phrasing are totally at odds with what we know to be his grasp of English...but anyway - some minion for ER no doubt posting in his place these days....but I wish they would report the troll who I think we all know who is busy trashing his timeline with gay porn - not a good look for an ER poli.....and pretty much puts anyone else off tweeting genuine questions..

That aside - his dismissal of Pussy Riot in the terms he used, and apparent inability to make anything like a measured,thoughtful assessment of the impact of their actions on the wider political sphere and actually take part in a debate about the issues their actions have raised within the wider communuty - both domestic and international, merely confirms something else that has become increasingly obvious in his statements reflecting his attitude to women...

Marat apparently finds it incomprehensible that women ("girls" - some of whom are actually mothers) may actually have a BRAIN in their heads and make a conscious decision to do something that involves personal risk in order to make a powerful statement - it would seem that in Marat's world, women are facile, insignificant creatures with nothing to contribute other than stay at home looking after the 5 kids, making a 'home', servicing her 'husband' and looking the part - in other words, women should just shut up and suck it - and not get involved in matters that are beyond their flimsy intellects to understand - like important matters of state...as for his adoption of the yellow-press version of his personal life - LOL at that ....and a s awoman, what does that say about his alleged and invisible 'other half' with whom he is supposedly living in domestic bliss- must be scrubbing those wooden floors in between international modelling assigments) well, that sure puts new meaning to the phrase "trophy wife" don't you think?

Rant over - better get back to work
 
#74 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: News & Articles Part 3 - The Return of the Yeti

Mer and Monkey: Great observations about our once revered Marat. Don't know if he was always really this way or if the past year has changed him but I think some of it was lurking all the time. The Pussy Riot remark was, in my opinion, a show of "women need to know their place," the same attitude he has about his own "relationship" with the walking manikin. He does what he wants and she takes it. Of course that's her lack of self esteem in my view. Anyway, overall, it is what it is and we are just followers of this whole thing can just take it in and make our own opinions. You two, however, speak with intelligence and foresight. Perhaps he should have a face to face with you two and let us see how he comes out!! Good job.

You too Inez, especially you. Great observations and comments. You pretty much said it all.
 
#76 · (Edited)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

EdRo Deputy Marat Safin on his new responsibilities: "You can't think that there's only black and white, and the deputies are idiots ... We don't harm people. We're not stupid little people who sit in the Duma. We're sane adults too".

EdRo Deputy Marat Safin on Pussy Riot: "They are worthless, stupid girls who want attention, and who got it, and more than they expected".


Tweet

These days he makes my blood boil - but not for any GOOD reason.....i just want to slap some sense into him.
I hear you. :( In case anyone was wondering about the quotations above the photo, I just wanted to put his words side by side with his looks, and see whether my steadfast admiration of his beauty could be tested by such a repulsive attitude. I'm not at all sure I can look at him in the same way again.
 
#77 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

I hear you. :( In case anyone was wondering about the quotations above the previous photo, I just wanted to put his words side by side with his looks, and see whether my steadfast admiration of his beauty could be tested by such a repulsive attitude. I'm not at all sure I can look at him in the same way again."
...yes, I hear YOU.....he is still physically beautiful....and always will be of course ...but is it 'enough' ?...and... we HAVE, at the end of the day,always suspected this.....although its a real sickener to have to accept - for me its the deal-breaker......and has to be, for anyone - any woman - with any real sense of worth as an individual....but I am now in danger of ranting again.....:(:(
 
#79 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

I hear you. :( In case anyone was wondering about the quotations above the previous photo, I just wanted to put his words side by side with his looks, and see whether my steadfast admiration of his beauty could be tested by such a repulsive attitude. I'm not at all sure I can look at him in the same way again."
c'mon monkey....
is that the reason your avatar change :p hehe

but well...... I don't know what to say either
 
#90 · (Edited)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

c'mon monkey .... is that the reason your avatar change :p hehe
Handsome is as handsome does. ;)

every person who enters in political group becomes corrupted (speaking about values). and marat is the same of course there must have been a grain in him (that is why he joined this party) but now that he is actually in it he will say whatever the political party opinionates.
Easily said with the benefit of hindsight, but when Marat did the rounds last year in the primaries, it was as a non-partisan candidate advocating better sports facilities and a healthier lifestyle. Fairly neutral ground, politically speaking, and certainly nothing to indicate conclusively that he would one day "say whatever the political party opinionates".

Also I question whether people are automatically corrupted by the mere fact of entering party politics. It depends very much on the individual.

what did you expect people ... going to the bottom of this. Marat was a tenisman. He was not an academic genius or a political revolutionaire so to expect that he will somehow rebel against the party and be a political figure with his own speech and stand is delusional.
People seem more disappointed than delusional to me. Perhaps you could share a few personal feelings on the subject, instead of taking forum members to task, based on your own (rather extreme) assumptions about their thinking. To have generalised hopes about Marat's political career isn't the same thing as forging "delusional" expectations that he'd "rebel against the party" and "be a political figure with his own speech and stand". All he had to do was keep his mouth shut, as mer said. He didn't need to say anything contentious.

Ana D is uglier or is just me?
I think the last year must have worn on Anna D (D for dumb). Can't see a bright woman accepting the rules he sets down in a relationship
It's not a particularly flattering photo, but belittling her for her looks and intelligence is pointless and on the same level as Marat's remarks about Pussy Riot. At least she doesn't dress like a sex object or blab to the press about her relationship. Whatever doubts she may have about him or their relationship, I'm sure she would be heartbroken at having to walk away, if her self-respect commanded it. She may even love him and stand by him precisely because he's such a primitive. :lol: :rolleyes: Either way, she's probably better than he deserves.

Hi all, especially Monkey! Have been dealing with "life," lately, so haven't been on here at all. The man is still gorgeous, but I'm going to have to "break up with him." It's been leaning that way for awhile, but I just cannot abide by what he states and stands for anymore, and it makes me sad. ... I'd still like to drop by and see how everybody is here. :) Hope all is well with everybody!
Miko! :wavey: I hope Life is treating you with due reverence! Don't be a stranger, OK? :hug: As for me, should I stay or should I go? Hmmm ...
Well, at this point, I think the only way Marat can possibly redeem himself (seeing as he can't secure Pussy Riot's release) is to do a Gangnam Style parody "Moscow Style", with him, Putin and Patriarch Kirill dance-fighting in balaclavas in the Kremlin. :p Instead of a cokestorm @0.39, maybe some rubles blowing about. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll forgive him ...

 
#80 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

Hi all, especially Monkey! Have been dealing with "life," lately, so haven't been on here at all. The man is still gorgeous, but I'm going to have to "break up with him." It's been leaning that way for awhile, but I just cannot abide by what he states and stands for anymore, and it makes me sad. His politics, which I always knew were conservative, have just become so much more so, and are just not something I agree with. To each their own, of course, he's free to express himself how he wishes, but it goes against everything in my nature to agree or respect him any longer, especially his stand on freedom of expression, and, more disturbing, his support of a Putin-led government. That's just my opinion, of course, but I'd still like to drop by and see how everybody is here. :) Hope all is well with everybody!
 
#82 · (Edited by Moderator)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

what did you expect people every person who enters in political group becomes corupted(speaking about values). and marat is the same of course there must have been a grain in him(that is why he joined this party) but now that he is actually in it he will say whetever the political party opinionates. And now... going to the bottom of this. Marat was a tenisman. He was not an academic genius or a political revolutionaire so to expect that he will somehow rebel against the party and be a political figure with his own speech and stand is delusional.

Ana D is uglier or is just me?
 
#84 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

I think the last year must have worn on Anna D (D for dumb). Can't see a bright woman accepting the rules he sets down in a relationship--I do what I want, you stay home and take care of my five kids. Don't think this is any great love affair, do you? His politics seem to run right in line with this idea of a relationship. Good luck to all.
 
#85 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

J. Gimellstob said when he heard that Marat was in the Duma , "he'll be president of Russia some day ". If Marat has that ambition, guess he needs to follow the party line . I had such a different impression of the man when he was playing tennis and wonder how much of his retoric now is to stay politically correct with the powers that be. If so, woe to Marat for playing that game. As for Ana D, looks like she had a "lip filler gone bad" experience.
 
#87 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

J. Gimellstob said when he heard that Marat was in the Duma , "he'll be president of Russia some day ". If Marat has that ambition, guess he needs to follow the party line . I had such a different impression of the man when he was playing tennis and wonder how much of his retoric now is to stay politically correct with the powers that be. If so, woe to Marat for playing that game. As for Ana D, looks like she had a "lip filler gone bad" experience.
Actually I think it was Pete Sampras who said that originally. In any case, watch out Russia. As for Anna, that downturned mouth may say it all.
 
#89 · (Edited)
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

It seems a shame that the livliest discussions of late revolve around the dawning on us guys from the western world at least - that our worst fears about MArat are being confirmed ie :his innate sexism - (or, as we in Australia have just re-defined the modern useage of the term thanks to our PM finally kicking the ass of our insufferable Leader of the Opposition) - his mysoginy - and what appear to us to be ultra-conservative political views - something I still find intriguing since he spent most of his life - literally, boy to man - happily making the most of his life travelling the world as free as a bird - and of course,making millions of dollars that provide him the freedom he now has - something not within the reach of the huge majority of his fellow countryfolk - not that that is a criticism - he deserves all of his success of course - he worked hard to achieve it .....but somewhere between the extremes, I think lies the 'truth', and here's how I see it:

I think we know Marat was always patriotic - in the way (and speaking of an ex-pat myself) many of those who live long periods of time away from their country of birth often are - in a rather... shall we say, nostalgic way - I remember how, when questioned about why he played Davis Cup he replied "I have to"....as though he was expressing a sense of obligation...

when he finally gave up on the circuit ( easily a season later than he really wanted to) he had a genuine sense of being, for the first time in his life, one suspects, unsure about what he was going to do next...and I think there were a couple of false starts...
(remember his odnoklassnikki updates like: "Moscow - where dreams die" and..."for sale - going cheap" (or words to that effect) I know mer will correct me if I am wrong..)anyway...I think he found that first year or so quite tough...

Then, when Marat first started talking about his aspirations in going into politics - after the initial "I want to give back to tennis for what tennis gave to me" sentiment wore off - and the brevity of his involvement with the Olympic committee and the RTF indicated to me that he rapidly realised (with the failed attempts in regard to tournaments and generating revenue for tennis specifically etc)- that he was backing a loser in the overall scheme of things there- and he soon transferred his enthusiasm to NN and the concept of promoting the healthy lifestyle and the sports centres generally - with all the attendant chatter about starting a family and "paying for the things he had done wrong in the past"....or words to that effect....at this point it's all a novelty and He's still full of the idea that he can 'help' people - make life better for them somehow - and there's the fun of going out and about meeting people and doing tennis 'workshops' - playing with the kids...these were all part of his 'introduction' into the life of a local party representative - all nice friendly stuff well inside his safety zone - remember his comments in Zurich about political systems...how there's no one way to run a country etc.... but then the bigger , harder issues such as alcoholism and other social problems get onto the agenda and the REALITY of the machinations of the Party and the Duma and the sheer enormity of the tasks is taking it's toll...he has been absorbed into the Party machine, it's true - and no doubt he SEES things from the "Party" perspective more and more - but nothing changes the reality that he is a multi millionaire moving in political circles awash with people of influence and money - and when he wants to, he can jump on a plane and spend his summer in Ibiza - or anywhere else he fancies, a long, LONG way away from the ugly, grubby reality of life and the concerns and experience of so many of his constituents - with whom Marat has little, if anything, in common regardless ofhis claims to have been brought up 'on the streets'...lol - yeah - the treadmill of the pro tennis circuit really prepared him well- and I am not arguing that that makes him an exception to the rule - I suggest that is true and almost inevitable for ALL politicians regardless of where they are in the world or what views they represent...I just contend that the contrast is starker in Russia due to that nation's political and social history....

Ultimately...we never heard Marat speak about anything political during the entirety of his tennis career - apart from the rather droll - or, it being Marat we are talking about here - ironic observation about the players union and the arguments that went round and round there - I can't remember now but it was responding to something Andy Roddick said and Marat basically said something along the lines of "that's what I said months ago"...or whatever - but there was no indication that he took a particular interest in player politics - so I guess his emergence into the much bigger and potentially dangerous pool of Russian politics has come as a shock to us - AND, I would suggest - to HIM....now that the "honeymoon" is over....
For me, its just the cumulative effect of everything he has been saying for -probably ever - but certainly the last couple of years.... all the quirky little asides, the quips about women in particular, going back(and I am paraphrasing here) to the old days of "the wife who is never happy..." to "the more beautiful a woman is ,the more money she needs"...to the 'classic' ..of course I clean my own floors..."I am not some stupid blonde who does not know how to do".....right up to the stupid attention seeking girls....taken together they just don't make an attractive package...especially if you play them back against the backdropof what we know about his relationships with women (which I KNOW is very limited but nonethless seems to vindicate his stated views) which, IN CONTEXT - probably aren't as extreme as they appear to us - and that goes for his political views as well..but which even so seem to hark back to 50 odd years ago in the west, at least - that the womans place is in thehome and men should be the dynamic ones making a living and supporting the '5 kids'....(no wonder the trophy wife is looking a bit haggard these days,although it is unforuunate they caught her while she was -I dunno - blinking - or maybe just had a headache - or was tired and having a nap - or bored out of her brains - anyhow, anyway you look at it - those pics are a minefield of innuendo if you want to read between the lines...but one thing is for sure -there have not been too many pics of her smiling have there ..and they are light years away from last year's Kremlin Cup photos..but that's another story and I have to stop ranting and get to the gym ....
 
#91 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

Hello All - I was thinking of moving some of the posts on this page, plus the reactions/responses to Marat's "Bez Galstuka" interview in News & Articles, to the Political Discussion Thread. If people think the posts should stay where they are, please say.
 
#92 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

I don't know if its important on which thread this is posted. We are all going to read it, have our opinions and hopefully be able to voice those opinions without being disrespectful. And you are right, we shouldn't judge Anna by this one picture, but as far as her judgment is concerned, when you go back to a guy who has dumped you twice in the past, tells the whole world he is not going to marry you and he will "have fun until it's over", one really has to wonder. Politically speaking, each country and each participant has their own view on things and hopefully can say what they feel, Marat included. If he thinks they are stupid girls, I guess that's what he thinks.
 
#98 ·
... we shouldn't judge Anna by this one picture, but as far as her judgment is concerned, when you go back to a guy who has dumped you twice in the past, tells the whole world he is not going to marry you and he will "have fun until it's over", one really has to wonder.
If this is an open relationship, she does have the same leeway as him, to be fair. Also, I think Marat said marriage, in a general sense, wasn’t for him, not "marriage to Anna". As for "we'll have fun till it's over", that statement is so open-ended, it could mean anything. I imagine that was the idea when he said it, who knows? But it's really their business.

Politically speaking, each country and each participant has their own view on things and hopefully can say what they feel, Marat included.
Two young mothers got two years’ hard labour for saying what they felt, and Marat dismissed them with complacent, self-righteous indifference. And even if he were sympathetic to their cause, he wouldn't be free to say so, if he wanted to keep his job.

... If he thinks they are stupid girls, I guess that's what he thinks.
That's the level at which he thinks. So far it doesn’t appear that he grasps the bigger picture.
 
#94 ·
Re: 2012 Photo Thread

Sorry, put the posts wherever you like, just wanted to say about the "falce starts" that inez was talking about. Yep the RTF and tennis academy project in Moscow weren't obviously getting anywhere without enough financing. :eek: He may be many things but stupid he is not, I think he's very smart and that's good. So I still hope he can do some good things for the sports etc in Russia.
 
#99 ·
"Two young mothers got two years’ hard labour for saying what they felt, and Marat dismissed them with complacent, self-righteous indifference. And even if he were sympathetic to their cause, he wouldn't be free to say so, if he wanted to keep his job." Thank you, Monkey, that is perfectly stated, IMO. It's simply disheartening to have watched this man grow up, follow his career for so many years, and then find out that he's not really the person you thought he was, based upon 100's of interviews.
 
#100 ·
.... It's simply disheartening to have watched this man grow up, follow his career for so many years, and then find out that he's not really the person you thought he was, based upon 100's of interviews.
There seems to be quite a bit of that going on lately! Jimmy "So Vile" Savile, Lance Armstrong etc. I realised Marat had rather dinosaurish tendencies in his attitude to women, but who would've suspected him to be quite so hypocritical, conformist, authoritarian conservative in his outlook, especially, as you say, after all those many interviews, most notably 2007 Marie Claire: "the first thing which is important for me is for the girl to be someone as an individual ... for her to have her own identity, and not be afraid to express her opinion and stand by it". Welcome to the world of Pussy Riot, Marat.
 
#108 ·
I don't know, mer. I'd guess that a person who doesn't consider himself innately superior to half of the world's population simply on the basis of his gender would NOT make silly sexist statements in public - and would not be a tyrant at home either.

I'm with monkey on the point of it not being women's "fault" that some men (and some women, too) are sexist.

It's a bit like racism, to me.

If I do not want to be racist then I am the only one responsible for whether or not I examine my views and beliefs and change those which are racist - including those which I have imbibed by virtue of the society in which I live. It seems to me that if I blame the subjects of any remnants of racism which might exist within myself, then what I am saying to myself is that I do not care whether I am racist or not.

So - to me it's a question of taking responsibility for the person which I wish to be. The same is true for Marat - his continuing to hold on to sexist views is both his responsibility and his choice.
 
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