Proving yet again how out of touch the publication can be, the October 12 issue of Newsweek seriously asked the question: "Was Russia Better Off Red?" The "Back Story" page of the magazine featured a graphic comparing life under communism to now and bizarrely asserted: "Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has seen an increase in oligarchs and Louis Vuitton outlets. But by many other measures, Russians are worse off."
Yes, despite the fact that 20 million people were murdered in Soviet Russia, this unsigned feature in Newsweek contrasted the crime rate under communism, the number of hospitals and the total number of cinemas (among other factors) to those in the country today. Sadly, there are only 1,510 movie theaters today. Under the brutal repression of communism, however, there were 2,337.
(JPG image, via a scan, that matches the full size of the Newsweek page and so is readable.)
For sources, Newsweek cited the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Labour Organization, National Statistical Office of Federation, UNESCO and the World Health Organization. The publication didn’t explain why readers are supposed to assume that the original communist numbers are accurate.
Other statistics compared: Population, life expectancy at birth, divorces, diseases, agricultural land (in acres), forest land (in acres) and alcohol consumption. All of these, according to Newsweek, were better under some undated time of communism.
The magazine did not ask: Are more people being sent to the gulag or murdered now than they were under communism?
Newsweek's Web site no longer includes most of the printed magazine and so this page is not online. But, readers can find it on page 62 of the October 12 edition -- or click on the jpg link above for a scanned image.
The magazine’s tone seems reminiscent of Mike Wallace on the February 11, 1990 edition of 60 Minutes. The co-anchor famously declared, "Many Soviets viewing the current chaos and nationalist unrest under Gorbachev look back almost longingly to the era of brutal order under Stalin." And of course, conservatives will recall this headline from the New York Times:
A Gulag Breeds Rage, Yes, but Also Serenity
-- New York Times story on last Soviet political prisoners being released, February 12, 1992.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Hmmmm, somebody more
October 7, 2009 - 17:07 ET by rockyracoonHmmmm, somebody more suspicious than I would think that Newsweek magazine is enthralled with either communism, or socialism, or both.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
The dems
October 7, 2009 - 18:23 ET by ahusser/libs are secret admirers of the Gulag and Stalin. Wishing they could send conservatives there. You know it is much more tidy and serene if their is only one party and no opposition to the messiah.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
Two words sum it up - Penal
October 7, 2009 - 18:50 ET by BDTwo words sum it up - Penal Battalions.
Sure Russia was better off
October 7, 2009 - 17:12 ET by mattmSure Russia was better off red...but Russians weren't.
What I mean is that totalitarians need a good system to keep their power in tact, communism served the totalitarians well for the better part of a century.
Cinemas?
October 7, 2009 - 17:19 ET by slickwillie2001Communist Russia had more 'cinemas' because the people could not afford televisions. Geez.
Yeah, and did you ever see a
October 7, 2009 - 18:37 ET by BDYeah, and did you ever see a Soviet Era film produced for those 2000+ theaters? Trust me, you do not want to.... Imagine a Michael Moore flick set to music....
Soviet flicks
October 7, 2009 - 21:36 ET by UnsaneI would agree...except for the Eisenstein flicks. Those were cool.
Congrats on the retirement! I have 13 years to go here...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
I've seen Potempkin and it
October 8, 2009 - 08:30 ET by BDI've seen Potempkin and it was okay.
Regarding the retirement, looking back the last few years just flew by. Hard to imagine it has been 24 of them since I joined it really feels like about 19-20.
State mandated Cinema...'nuff said (but I'll say more)
October 7, 2009 - 20:27 ET by bulletproofI know that we should allow functionally retarded persons in the workplace, but come on, should they really be writing stories in Newsweek?
The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, giving it to whomever He will, and setting over it the lowest of men
This is a question better
October 7, 2009 - 17:31 ET by Radical1979This is a question better answered by the Russian people. Since they have not risen up to bring back communism, I'd say they prefer freedom to communism.
Except of course, the
October 7, 2009 - 18:10 ET by MidAmericaExcept of course, the Soviet Union was not a communist state but rather just a totalian dictatorship.
The propaganda put out by the government was that they were a 'collective' and every citizen was part owner of the countries assets and responsibilities. Nothing was further from the truth. All so-called communist states are ruthlessly run by a ruling elite.
I recall my first trip to
October 7, 2009 - 18:50 ET by BDI recall my first trip to the east block in 1987. Everything made of a depressing concrete and each ten year old building already had repair scaffolding surrounding it. Essentially construction jobs never ended - as crews finshed a government building they simply started repair jobs as the poor construction fell apart.
I remember going to a store to purchase something - something the average local could not afford and found a single display case in a shop the size of a modern 7/11. In that display case were a single example of each item for a grand total of three items on display and behind the display case were three ladies who showed absolutely ZERO emotion. I was the sole customer in the shop and I proceded tot he display case.
I asked to see the sample of the item I was interested in and the first lady took it from the display case and held it before me while the other two stood impassively by.
When I took out some money and tried to give it to the woman who was showing it to me, she retreated in a horrified manner, it seems the money had to be presented to the second woman who took the money and wrote up a receipt for me while the other stood by like statues. When she was done she indicated that I should present the receipt to the third woman who disappeared into a closet with the receipt. She returned with my product after a few minutes and impassively presented me the item.
The whole process was conducted without a smile by any of the three women and it dawned upon me that it was the method of maximum employment. Usefulness was not important, providing everyone a job with minimal governmental wages was.
Newsweek - Yeah they were SOOO well off back then.
BD, don't you know the
October 7, 2009 - 19:14 ET by Carl KolchakBD, don't you know the Berlin Wall was built for truth and justice? Maybe we'll here that Europe was better off with the Berlin Wall, and East Germany was better off with the Stasi and someone might make a recommendation for the re-birth of the Stasi.
Surely, Carl, you know that
October 7, 2009 - 19:56 ET by MikeBSurely, Carl, you know that the Berlin Wall was to keep the poor, oppressed proletariat in West Berlin from running into East Berlin and overwhelming their free medical care facilities. /sarc (as if that was needed)
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Honecker
October 7, 2009 - 21:38 ET by UnsaneYep, Charite Hospital did WONDERS for Erich Honecker!
Wait a minute...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
7 October 1949
October 7, 2009 - 21:45 ET by UnsaneCarl, interesting that you write that post on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik.
Twenty years ago today, the SED leadership, celebrating year 40 of East Germany, were taking in the usual litany of parades when they began hearing shouts of "Gorby! Gorby!" and "Gorby, please save us!" Someone, I forget who, noted "Those are the party activists! This is the end!"
Indeed it was. East Germany, little did they know, was not to make it to year 41.
Doubtless Newsweak can't figure out why...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Yeah, here in the west the
October 8, 2009 - 08:39 ET by BDYeah, here in the west the closet communists had no where to point towards so theyapparently went in to journalism, community activism, or the environmental movement.
Peculiar note, I have a photo of me in front of the wall about 200M down from Checkpoint Charlie on the western (Painted) side from the mid 80's. When the wall fell I watched TV as that chunk of the wall came down and felt a peculiar sense of sadness and wished they would just keep that 10M stretch up as a memorial "So I could take my kids there" and show them it.
I have not been to Berlin since the fall, and hope they have done a decent job to show important historical sites such as Checkpoint Charlie.
I am sitting here with 2
October 7, 2009 - 19:22 ET by general companyFormer Russians, one is now a citizen the other working on it. They are both amazed at how nieve our press realy is.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Memories...
October 7, 2009 - 21:41 ET by UnsaneBD, roughly 25 years ago this month I went to Berlin with my old man. He was on a TDY and he took me along. Few things in life have happened to me in my youth that were as impressionable as that.
That purchasing agreement you describe sounds exactly like what I encountered in China. (Part of the reason why, though I view China warily, I view them as a growing power with issues of their own.)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Other questions Newsweek
October 7, 2009 - 19:02 ET by ThisnThatOther questions Newsweek could ask, which make about as much sense:
Wasn't the U.S. black population better off as slaves?
Weren't the colonies better off under King George?
Weren't we all better off without modern medicine?
The list is long. Life is short. Thank God for Newsweek to choose the most important things in life for us.
__________
"mmm, mmm, mm. Barrack-Hussain-Øbama↓." - The liberals coolaid drinking song
Here is another question:
October 7, 2009 - 20:46 ET by needleWouldn't we all be better off without Newsweek?
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
- I didn't leave the Republican Party; the Republican Party left me.
"Newsweek" is almost as
October 7, 2009 - 19:12 ET by Carl Kolchak"Newsweek" is almost as good as "Pravda" truth and justice.
Sincerely
Lavrenty Beria
Reminds me of all the
October 7, 2009 - 19:49 ET by deerjerkydaveReminds me of all the articles I read in recent years by these liberal Marxists who said life under Saddam was better because at least it was under control.
I for one would not trade in my liberty for security. Clearly these limp wristed liberals not only would allow it but desire it.
Leftists love control don't
October 7, 2009 - 19:55 ET by GregELeftists love control don't they? Fits nicely. Saddam had control. They want control..........of you, and of me.
Next week, Newsweek will
October 7, 2009 - 19:53 ET by GregENext week, Newsweek will seriously ask:
"Are we better off in the red?".........which will be a glowing article on the out of control spending of Washington.
Kerry scooped Newsweek on this one
October 8, 2009 - 05:43 ET by ohiochiliHe said the recession is helping the planet. He is so glad those pesky little workers are not driving to work anymore. I am wondering why they are pushing so hard for health care. Those 45,000 who die every year with no insurance are helping the burden on the planet.
I feel like I am at the circus on a free ticket.
Kerry scooped Newsweek on this one
October 8, 2009 - 05:43 ET by ohiochiliHe said the recession is helping the planet. He is so glad those pesky little workers are not driving to work anymore. I am wondering why they are pushing so hard for health care. Those 45,000 who die every year with no insurance are helping the burden on the planet.
I feel like I am at the circus on a free ticket.
Kerry scooped Newsweek on this one
October 8, 2009 - 05:44 ET by ohiochiliHe said the recession is helping the planet. He is so glad those pesky little workers are not driving to work anymore. I am wondering why they are pushing so hard for health care. Those 45,000 who die every year with no insurance are helping the burden on the planet.
I feel like I am at the circus on a free ticket.
I apologize for the mutliple posts
October 8, 2009 - 05:45 ET by ohiochiliI was not patient enough. Forgive me.
Well, any comment on my
October 7, 2009 - 21:27 ET by jdhawkWell, any comment on my continued conjecture that the government run media are socialist propagandists? Anyone?
What's next from Newscrap, a review of Cancer Ward by Solzhenitsyn with the conclusion that if they could cure cancer patients back then, a single payer system in the U.S. would be even better?
Newscraps tag line, "100 million deaths but let's give communism another chance!"