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/
Author: admin
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!
Comment on Excuse me while I have a quick meltdown by A. Nelson
I agree, you have a really engaging approach to this post! And the comparative framework is also really suggestive. Shifting back to nuclear power accidents — they are actually much more common (and less deadly) than you might think: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nuclear_power_accidents_by_country
I’m also reminded of cover-ups in this country (by industry, rather than the government), such as the famous case led by Karen Silkwood. Also, I love the title to this post. No meltdowns before graduation, please!
Comment on Stop 6: Chernobyl by A. Nelson
Not sure I would make Chernobyl my last stop! (Or even my second to last….) But I’m impressed with your enthusiasm for “disaster tourism.” (And glad you are concerned about the radiation — did anyone offer you a dosimeter on the tour?) We’ll see more “explorations” of the zone in the film tomorrow.
Comment on Chernobyl: Disaster at the worst of Times by A. Nelson
It really was a disaster in the worst of times! Thanks for reminding us of the (many) consequences of the accident, including its relationship to Super Power politics and the policies of glasnost’. Since you mentioned that people might be moving back to the zone in 2020 (really?!?!? Not me. I’m not moving there. I am curious about your source, though?), I thought you might be interested in Elysia’s post on “disaster tourism” at Chernobyl: https://blogs.lt.vt.edu/russiahistory/2018/04/30/stop-6-chernobyl/
Comment on We Have No Sex Here by A. Nelson
Such a fascinating and important topic! Can you fix the link to the Current Digest article (use the stable URL for the citation)? Where does the debate about “female sexuality” in general, and prostitution in particular, leave men?
Comment on The lads of Liubertsy by A. Nelson
What a great topic! I really appreciate the way you’ve teased out the contradictory attitudes and behaviors of the Liubers. I find their appropriation of the counter culture (hippies, punks and break dancers) in the name of their own version of the same to be absolutely fascinating.
Comment on Explosion? What explosion? by A. Nelson
That TV news cast is really something! Can you understand the Russian? It’s kind of chilling, given what we know was actually happening. Check out this ABC news report from May 14 (18 days after the explosion!) where you can get Gorbachev’s first public announcement about the disaster (with English subtitles). https://youtu.be/0k3wnXBE5S0
