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Suck on that communism!

Pretty rad!

https://news.vice.com/article/a-ukrainian-artist-decapitated-a-statue-of-lenin-and-replaced-it-with-darth-vader?utm_source=vicenewstwitter

Sculptor Alexander Milov's Vader statute preserves Lenin's iconic pose: the left hand clenched into a fist, resting next to his chest. He lengthened Lenin's coat and transformed it into Darth Vader's cape — which is rumored to be laser-proof. At the statue's inauguration ceremony on Friday, actors dressed as storm troopers were also in attendance.

The facelift, of sorts, also includes a tech upgrade: The Darth Vader head will emit a Wi-Fi signal from its helmet.

that is seriously awesome

Intended irony in replacing the symbol of one totalitarian regime with another (however fictional)?

 cincydooley wrote:
Intended irony in replacing the symbol of one totalitarian regime with another (however fictional)?

Its more about replacing a Russocentric symbol with one that is closely associated with "The West" than anything else. Same spirit as when all the Soviet monuments were painted over as Superman, Capt America, etc.

 cincydooley wrote:
Intended irony in replacing the symbol of one totalitarian regime with another (however fictional)?

There was good in him though!

And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

Oh boy, guess you will have to suffice with the hundreds in russia now.

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

Destructioning, or reimagining?



Personally, I think it's an improvement

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

Methinks that's taking this a wee bit too dramatically.


One would think that, as Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire and subsequently the Soviet Union, at the time of the major events of the lifetime of Lenin, it's their cultural heritage as well, and given that it's in a Ukrainian city, it's hard to see what the problem is. It's not like he's going to Russia and doing something there to a Russia specific (as opposed to Soviet era) statue.

It looks better this way. I want one.

 Vaktathi wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

Methinks that's taking this a wee bit too dramatically.


One would think that, as Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire and subsequently the Soviet Union, at the time of the major events of the lifetime of Lenin, it's their cultural heritage as well, and given that it's in a Ukrainian city, it's hard to see what the problem is. It's not like he's going to Russia and doing something there to a Russia specific (as opposed to Soviet era) statue.

Honestly it reminded me of A hilarious one from those political ball cartoons that had too much swearing. Seriously though go find it online, it's amazing. The 5 stages of arguing with a russian nationalist, motyak

As funny as that was Ustrello the swearing in it is a no go.

 motyak wrote:
As funny as that was Ustrello the swearing in it is a no go.

Whoops my bad, honestly I gloss over the swearing in polandball sometimes

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

I think you mean the glorification of Russian imperialism.

 Vaktathi wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

Methinks that's taking this a wee bit too dramatically.


One would think that, as Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire and subsequently the Soviet Union, at the time of the major events of the lifetime of Lenin, it's their cultural heritage as well, and given that it's in a Ukrainian city, it's hard to see what the problem is. It's not like he's going to Russia and doing something there to a Russia specific (as opposed to Soviet era) statue.

Yes, it is especially ironic since Lenin gave Ukraine more freedom and autonomy than it had ever had up until that point, and did a lot to encourage Ukrainian language and culture. In fact, without Lenin, Ukrainian nationalism would not even have existed in Ukraine today and Ukrainian language would be in the same position as Belarusian language, which is almost non-existant in Belarus
.
But this is not about V.I. Lenin. It is about what the statues represent, which is as you have already noted, the shared Russian/Ukrainian culture and history. Ukrainian nationalists engage in a deliberate campaign of historical revisionism by trying to destroy any traces of Russian presence in Ukraine. They are basically creating a fictional history where Ukraine has always been a nation seperate from the Russian one, rather than a place that has been connected with Russia since the beginning of Slavic history. Needless to say, this is not good for the many ethnic Russians that live in Ukraine, who are now more and more considered foreigners in their own country.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Peter Wiggin wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:
And the destruction of Russian cultural heritage continues...

I think you mean the glorification of Russian imperialism.

Let us say that Pennsylvania seceded from the US, becoming an independent state. Would a statue of George Washington in Pennsylvania then suddenly become a 'glorification of American imperialism'? Because that is essentially what you are saying now.

Tossing things like "typical western ignorance" are rude, uncalled for and don't contribute to the discussion.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Let us say that Pennsylvania seceded from the US, becoming an independent state. Would a statue of George Washington in Pennsylvania then suddenly become a 'glorification of American imperialism'? Because that is essentially what you are saying now.

So you view Ukraine as nothing more than a subdivision of the Russian state which is in secession? Funny. The rest of the world has a very different opinion on the soldiers you've sent into the Donbas to stoke the fires of "revolution" and flop back into the Orthodox arms of Papa Kiril and Big Daddy Poot. Next up will be RUS shooting down another passenger airliner, huh?

Can't think of a strong reinforcement of the psychology of Russian Imperialism than your statements.

 Peter Wiggin wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Let us say that Pennsylvania seceded from the US, becoming an independent state. Would a statue of George Washington in Pennsylvania then suddenly become a 'glorification of American imperialism'? Because that is essentially what you are saying now.

So you view Ukraine as nothing more than a subdivision of the Russian state which is in secession? Funny. The rest of the world has a very different opinion on the soldiers you've sent into the Donbas to stoke the fires of "revolution" and flop back into the Orthodox arms of Papa Kiril and Big Daddy Poot. Next up will be RUS shooting down another passenger airliner, huh?

Can't think of a strong reinforcement of the psychology of Russian Imperialism than your statements.

You did not answer the question.
If Pennsylvania seceded from the US, would a statue of George Washington, built when Pennsylvania was still part of the US, be a 'glorification of American imperialism'?

Also, I did not say anything about my views on what Ukraine is. That is just you reading things into my post that aren't there. I am in fact, a Ukrainian citizen, and have no problem with Ukraine being an indepent state. Ukraine is a part, a region of Russia, but, that does not mean it should also be part of a unified Russian state. Before the tsars, Russia consisted of many independent states, I have no problem with that. I just don't like the historical falsification going on in Ukraine right now.

I didn't answer the question because the logic is inherently flawed.

Pensylvania is a state in the union of the United States of America. Ukraine is a sovereign nation, NOT part of the Russian Federation. The two are not comparable.


Let me put it another way. I'm from the Deep South. I was raised in Alabama. Thats part of my blood. Do I have a problem with folks removing the confederate flag from state property? Nope I damn sure do not.

And I applaud the Ukrainians for destroying every vestige of Communism (which was just ANOTHER extension of Russian Imperialist psychology) in their nation.

 Iron_Captain wrote:

 Peter Wiggin wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:

Let us say that Pennsylvania seceded from the US, becoming an independent state. Would a statue of George Washington in Pennsylvania then suddenly become a 'glorification of American imperialism'? Because that is essentially what you are saying now.

So you view Ukraine as nothing more than a subdivision of the Russian state which is in secession? Funny. The rest of the world has a very different opinion on the soldiers you've sent into the Donbas to stoke the fires of "revolution" and flop back into the Orthodox arms of Papa Kiril and Big Daddy Poot. Next up will be RUS shooting down another passenger airliner, huh?

Can't think of a strong reinforcement of the psychology of Russian Imperialism than your statements.

You did not answer the question.
If Pennsylvania seceded from the US, would a statue of George Washington, built when Pennsylvania was still part of the US, be a 'glorification of American imperialism'?

Also, I did not say anything about my views on what Ukraine is. That is just you reading things into my post that aren't there. I am in fact, a Ukrainian citizen, and have no problem with Ukraine being an indepent state. Ukraine is a part, a region of Russia, but, that does not mean it should also be part of a unified Russian state. Before the tsars, Russia consisted of many independent states, I have no problem with that. I just don't like the historical falsification going on in Ukraine right now.

As Peter Wiggin pointed out, your overall logic is flawed, but ignoring that:
Pennsylvania is a poor choice as far as states go for your example, so we will change it to New Jersey. The answer to your question is most likely yes, and I would expect something like the Vader statue to happen (heck, I'd support it right now)

Why isnt anyone talking about the wi-fi signal
Is it called
"May the Wifi be with you" or
"The Wifi is strong in this one"
maybe
"I find your lack of signal disturbing"

 Peter Wiggin wrote:
I didn't answer the question because the logic is inherently flawed.

Pensylvania is a state in the union of the United States of America. Ukraine is a sovereign nation, NOT part of the Russian Federation. The two are not comparable.

The logic is correct. Ukraine is a sovereign state right now, but until 1991 it was a state in the union of Socialist Soviet Republics. Before 1917 it was a province of the Russian Empire.
Pensylvania (or really any state that was part of the original 13 will do) is a state of the US right now, but in this scenario we are assuming a similar scenario with the US, as with the USSR. The USA collapses and a number of states decide to go on as independent states, while others stick with a new central government in Washington DC. Now are the monuments that were built by the old USA in the seceded states a "glorification of American imperialism"?

Also, you are confusing nation with state here. There are plenty of ethnic Ukrainians (the Ukrainian nation) living in the Russian Federation (which is a multinational state).

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Why isnt anyone talking about the wi-fi signal
Is it called
"May the Wifi be with you" or
"The Wifi is strong in this one"
maybe
"I find your lack of signal disturbing"

most important question

+1

 OneManNoodles wrote:

 hotsauceman1 wrote:
Why isnt anyone talking about the wi-fi signal
Is it called
"May the Wifi be with you" or
"The Wifi is strong in this one"
maybe
"I find your lack of signal disturbing"

most important question

+1

'I am altering the signal strength. Pray I do not alter it further.'
'The power of your wifi is nothing compared to the power of the Force.'
'Luke, I am your router.'


So on and so forth.

 Paradigm wrote:

'I am altering the signal strength. Pray I do not alter it further.'

Typical Comcast...

 Iron_Captain wrote:

 Peter Wiggin wrote:
I didn't answer the question because the logic is inherently flawed.

Pensylvania is a state in the union of the United States of America. Ukraine is a sovereign nation, NOT part of the Russian Federation. The two are not comparable.

The logic is correct. Ukraine is a sovereign state right now, but until 1991 it was a state in the union of Socialist Soviet Republics. Before 1917 it was a province of the Russian Empire.
Pensylvania (or really any state that was part of the original 13 will do) is a state of the US right now, but in this scenario we are assuming a similar scenario with the US, as with the USSR. The USA collapses and a number of states decide to go on as independent states, while others stick with a new central government in Washington DC. Now are the monuments that were built by the old USA in the seceded states a "glorification of American imperialism"?

I get it. You view Ukraine as Russian territory. Thats what your bolded statement equates.

You are incorrect. The entire world disagrees. The entire world also watched as Russia used that as an excuse to annex Crimea.

 Peter Wiggin wrote:

 Iron_Captain wrote:

 Peter Wiggin wrote:
I didn't answer the question because the logic is inherently flawed.

Pensylvania is a state in the union of the United States of America. Ukraine is a sovereign nation, NOT part of the Russian Federation. The two are not comparable.

The logic is correct. Ukraine is a sovereign state right now, but until 1991 it was a state in the union of Socialist Soviet Republics. Before 1917 it was a province of the Russian Empire.
Pensylvania (or really any state that was part of the original 13 will do) is a state of the US right now, but in this scenario we are assuming a similar scenario with the US, as with the USSR. The USA collapses and a number of states decide to go on as independent states, while others stick with a new central government in Washington DC. Now are the monuments that were built by the old USA in the seceded states a "glorification of American imperialism"?

I get it. You view Ukraine as Russian territory. Thats what your bolded statement equates.

You are incorrect. The entire world disagrees. The entire world also watched as Russia used that as an excuse to annex Crimea.

Stop using straw men, you are misrepresenting the truth.
What the bolded statement says is only that Ukraine used to be a republic of the Soviet Union and a province of the Russian Empire, but is now an independent state. That is literally all it says. You are seeing things that aren't there.

Then what do you actually expect? Lenin is a symbol of Communism and a major founder of the Soviet state. Regardless of his personal actions he is never going to be a popular guy in any country to looks poorly on those things. Especially not when the Soviet Union itself massively subverted the man himself to push its own goals. Further, given current events, why would anyone in Ukraine look on a major Russian figure (any Russian figure) fondly? It's like watching a bunch of Uber 'Muricans get pissed some guy in the Middle East is burning an American flag. It screams "out of touch" and "just not getting it."

At least it is better, than barbarous destruction of a monument.
But think:
The ban of all communistic is it a freedom? What to do to communists? to become refugees or to get to prison? is it democracy?
The ban of all Russian - language, names, the history, music and so on isn't in called genocide?

 LordofHats wrote:
Then what do you actually expect? Lenin is a symbol of Communism and a major founder of the Soviet state. Regardless of his personal actions he is never going to be a popular guy in any country to looks poorly on those things. Especially not when the Soviet Union itself massively subverted the man himself to push its own goals. Further, given current events, why would anyone in Ukraine look on a major Russian figure (any Russian figure) fondly? It's like watching a bunch of Uber 'Muricans get pissed some guy in the Middle East is burning an American flag. It screams "out of touch" and "just not getting it."

That really doesn't change the fact that it is extremely disrespectful to a symbol of a major period of previously unparalleled levels of freedom in the country's history. It might be a strengthening of the ties with Western culture (not necessarily a good thing, but not a bad one either), but it's the kind of thing that leads to persecution and ignorance.

Also, "why would they look on a Russian figure (any Russian figure) fondly?" Gee, I don't know, given current events, why would Americans look on a Muslim figure (any Muslim figure) fondly?