We Awarded The World Cup To This Country?

Really FIFA? Really IOC?

You may have heard how critical I was of the decision when it was made in early December. One of the criticisms of the Russian bid was safety concerns. Russia is hosting two important world events in the next 8 years. How has this happened?

When you have events like this:

But Monday's bombing, which killed 35 people and wounded more than 150, highlighted the persistence of terror attacks in the Russian heartland. Terrorists have struck the capital twice in the past 10 months, breaking a relative lull in attacks there that had lasted for several years.

You're going to put the world's people in the line of fire? I'm not saying that there will be a terrorist attack or a suicide bombing during the games, I hope there isn't one. But why take the risk?

These games are a time where we take a break from the rivalries and the fighting to contest them on the fields, the tracks, the swimming pools. The games are a time of peace. It is up to the host nation to maintain the peace. We've seen the consequences of a lack of peace in the past, in Munich 1972. Who is to say something similar cannot happen in a country where these kinds of events occur regularly?

Oh, that's right...money in your pocket is what's important. Corruption in sport is the worst. I hate it. It's absolutely ridiculous that Russia got the 2018 World Cup when safety was the number one issue and Qatar got the 2022 World Cup which they may move to winter because of weather concerns. It's particularly ridiculous when they beat the likes of England:

Events like these really annoy me because they show a lack of attention. These type of things need to be prevented, not just in Russia, but through out the world. I know that you can just as easily walk into a US airport. May be there should be further securities to prevent these measures. Airport are high capita areas and easy targets as a result. I know flying is a hassle, but what's the cost of a human life?

Sanctions on Iran

Poland buries Kaczynski

The nation buried its president Sunday:

The leaders of Poland and Russia attending the state funeral of Polish President Lech Kaczynski said on Sunday his death in a plane crash in Russia must serve as a catalyst for reconciliation between the two Slavic nations.

Many leaders could not attend because of the flight bans, but Medvedev made it a point to go, flying despite the bans. Other leaders, like Barack Obama, could not make it despite previously committing to attending.. As unfortunate as the circumstances might be, it's always interesting to see how different countries bury their leaders.

US and Russia sign Nuclear Disarmament Treaty

Assessing the Treaty:

Shocker

Russia has set a minimum priced aimed to reducing the country's alcoholism:

From January 1, any 0.5l vodka bottle selling at below 89 rubles (almost $3) will be outlawed.
The price ban is one of the first government steps toward regulating the domestic alcohol market.

This is not the first time that Russia has attempted to reduce alcoholism with measures against alcohol sales:

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced prohibition in the Soviet Union in May 1985 in an attempt to put a halt to the rampant alcoholism that was already taking its toll on the nation's economy and health system. His efforts to steer the Soviets to abstinence were ultimately unsuccessful, however, and the illicit production of moonshine - 'samogon' - rocketed, not to mention a sudden rise in sales of medicinal and industrial spirit. The never-popular policy of prohibition was later quietly dropped.

I'm actually very interested in seeing how effective this measurement is. Prohibition already failed in Russia as it did in the US and I wonder whether the minimum price will lead to more unregulated distilleries/production of moonshine. I think it's highly unlikely that this measure works, though I hope it does.