You’ve found some good resources in the Current Digest for this post. And I like the way you discuss how interconnected the economic and social aspects of limiting the alcohol supply were.
Month: April 2018
Comment on I’m Not Drunk, You’re Drunk! by A. Nelson
Agree! The Tsar briefly tried something like this during WWI, but with terrible results.I really like the way you (Anderson) discuss the anti-alcohol campaign as a social and economic challenge. And great reference to the conversion of Rus’!
Comment on The Sobering Truth by A. Nelson
I think it sort-of worked. But it also prompted a huge uptick in bathtub breweries/ distilleries. One reason sugar was rationed in these late 80s was because so much of it was diverted toward moonshine production!
Comment on The Soviet Union- BYOB by A. Nelson
So many good posts on the anti-alcohol campaign this week! You’ve used some really compelling images here — did you notice that they all seem to suggest that drinking is a man’s issue? Did you find any good articles in the Current Digest about how (un)popular the anti-alcohol campaign was? Check out Anderson’s post that talks about how intertwined the social and economic aspects were: https://ap2cr.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/im-not-drunk-youre-drunk/
Comment on Explosion? What explosion? by mauramcd
That is a really neat video. To answer your question, I could understand part of the newscast I linked (with the CC turned on.) I think what is interesting about the newscast I linked was the photo they included of the power station. It almost looks like nothing had even affected the infrastructure- another tactic to downplay the incident.
Comment on Explosion? What explosion? by mauramcd
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which reports to the UN, people continue to live and work in certain areas that were affected by the accident. However, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is still intact and controlled by the government. Authorities are still working to restore the area, but it is unknown when the exclusion zone will be habitable again. Wildlife however, despite the remaining radioactivity in the area, has thrived- showing potential for life to return.
Comment on Explosion? What explosion? by mauramcd
I think it would have been really hard for the Soviet government to keep the accident as quiet as they wanted to, due to the large effects on the populous. The large number of displaced persons, and the health affects after the incident would’ve been clear indicators of radiation. Even though other countries pushed for transparency, the Soviet people were also pushing for more information- the government would’ve felt the need to react to their demands.
Comment on The Baltic Way by A. Nelson
The “Baltic Way” — such a profound demonstration of solidarity and peaceful protest. You can almost feel change happening when you read back through those documents and look at the photographs of all the people lined up — across 350 miles. Nice post!
Comment on Excuse me while I have a quick meltdown by A. Nelson
P.S. Check out Brett’s post where he discusses Gorbachev’s reference to the delay notifying people in the US about 3 mile island.: https://bmester.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/the-elephants-foot-in-the-room/#comment-42
Comment on The Elephant(s foot) In The Room by A. Nelson
I’ll be honest, the “elephant’s foot” creeps me out. Gorbachev’s reference to Three Mile Island is also telling. I think you’re wise to remind us that the Soviets don’t have a monopoly on trying to keep bad news under wraps. Hey — good job hyperlinking your citations in the texts to targets at the end of the post!
