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Boris Yeltsin Resigns

Posted by Roblimo on from the passing-the-nuclear-briefcase dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "I got up early and was surprised that Boris was trying to trump Y2K! You can read ABC's scoop here."

155 comments

  1. It's about time! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That I got first post... :)

  2. Yeltsin! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    i heard he was forced to resign because of a hot-grits-down-the-pants pouring controversy!

    1. Re:Yeltsin! by lohen · · Score: 1

      Will you shut up about the hot grit? It keeps giving me flashbacks... Servant of the grail Not all those who wander are lost,

      --
      "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist." Salman Rushdie
  3. I'll be honest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm truely worried by this even tho he was drunk and fat etc etc. aleast we didn't have to worry about him wanting another war with us etc etc. now since russia is so screwed up lord knows what my might.. great start 2000 with things already fux0red.

    1. Re:I'll be honest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      faggot

  4. Re:Putin now has responsibility by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In the Caucasis? More like along the Chinese border and up north. Which, of course, makes them even closer to our Scandinavian friends.

    Happy New Year, remember to stock up on iodine. :)

  5. Great... and *shock* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    ..no scapegoat now.. 'acting President' Hmmm. Shucks, Ivan, I don't know -who- launched those missiles.

    And what's up with this..did I miss something? This just hit me out of the blue. Did they think we wouldnt notice amidst y2k hubbub?

  6. Re:disappointing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Nyet, nyet. Am thinkink we will soon have another drunken man with nuclear briefcase, da?

    Silly Americans.

  7. Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How is this News for Nerds?
    If I want CNN, I'll go to CNN.com
    (Unless Yeltsin was a Linux user)

    1. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Do the words "Stuff that matters" mean nothing to you? Do you live you're life in a little shell? This is major news, and it could potentially affect all of us. No one forces you to read the articles, and no one forces you to post responses. If you don't like the subject, ignore it!

    2. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      How is this News for Nerds?
      If I want CNN, I'll go to CNN.com
      (Unless Yeltsin was a Linux user)

      He is not a Linux user, he runs under Linux! I know some russian programmers who debugged him. He is written mostly in COBOL; they wanted to rewrite him in Perl and release under artistic license, but KGB was against, so they decided to shut him down to avoid y2k surprises.

      :)

    3. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by dattaway · · Score: 2

      How is this News for Nerds?

      Haven't you ever wanted to run your own nation?

      Be the supreme ruler?

      Well, Boris did just that.

      Its a job I could never pull off. Or be president. Or want too. He had an awesome job. Now he will most likely retire to a slightly more private life and play consultant and have a better life.

    4. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by DJerman · · Score: 1

      It's a need to know thing. You need to know about the new EMP hazard :-).

      --
    5. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by Plasmic · · Score: 3

      *NEWSFLASH*

      There are nerds in Russia.

      *Stay tuned for more updates; every hour, on the hour*

    6. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by Mindless+Machine · · Score: 1

      When a nuclear bomb hits, a human being is almost instantaniously turned to an unrecognizable ooze of fats and oils. Nerds are humans also. They are not immortal. This stuff really matters. If Russia returns to Communism, and nuclear war happens as a result of this, your nerdiness will not save you from a warhead. Neither will your Linux. Now get the hell off my internet.

    7. Re:Is Slashdot turning into CNN? by miniwookie · · Score: 1

      Who else but nerds would be more concerned with a world leader resigning than with the big odometer rollover.

  8. Wow! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For those that do not know, this is like Clinton resigning on Christmas Eve. In Russia, New Years is like Xmas in the US because the commies wanted to eliminate religous holidays. In addition, Russian orthadox Xmas is in one week. So the orthadox Y2K is in two weeks. (not that it matters)

  9. Re:Scary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well, George Bush was head of the CIA...

  10. Remember by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The thing to remember is the Soviet Union came apart because it was broke. The "closed communist economy" was a complete failure. (as compared to the Chinese open communist economy - making goods for the west). A return to communism in Russia (i.e. cold war with the west) is not possible. Russia needs $$, the west has $$, it would not be in their own self interest to antagonize the west.

    1. Re:Remember by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It is in a *very* interest of Russia to antagonize the West. To support *local* producers, not to import cheap goods from the West and let local economy die. Does it needs $$? I say no. US does not need german marks because all it needs is strong local economy that produces all the necessary goods. US has built economy over many years without much help from anybody. Russia spends borrowed $$ buying western goods. And this is completely wrong. I could understand import of certain amount food to cover deficiency of local agriculture, but that's it.

    2. Re:Remember by aphrael · · Score: 1

      Yes and no ... some people are reasonably qualified to discuss this. Example: My degree is in politics, with an emphasis on transitions in post-communist societies --- I spent four years studying the fall of communism and it's aftermath, before going into the computer industry; if anything, i'm _more_ qualified to talk about it than I am technical matters.

    3. Re:Remember by Foogle · · Score: 3
      What the hell does that have to do with anything? I propose a new rule. It will be just like the Adolf Hitler rule (whenever someone in a conversation makes an analogy to Hitler, the thread is over) and it will go like this: Whenever someone tries to explain the fall of communism, the thread is over.

      My reasoning? Much like most /.ers have a I-think-I'm-a-lawyer complex, everyone here seems to feel they are the utmost authority on the world's economic system. Yeah right, c'mon guys let's stick to what we know.

      -----------

      "You can't shake the Devil's hand and say you're only kidding."

    4. Re:Remember by ComaCreator · · Score: 1

      Guess what? Some of us may know a little something about things that are not related to technology. And furthermore, not everyone that reads /. leads a life filled to the brim with computing. I, for one, am a banker, and I think that discussions like this are a great supplement to the standard fare about which we more oftern converse.

  11. I think someone should tell him he is a year early by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I resign," Yeltsin, 68, said.

  12. Re:Collected links on Yeltsin Resignation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Who moderated that up???

    It's a link to *Yahoo*!!!

    to **YA** **HOO** for the love of...

  13. animatronics not y2k compliant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "During last minute y2k testing, it was discovered that the russian supercomputer that controlled the animatronic Boris Yeltzin had failed to recover from a controlled reboot. In desperation, Russian officials impersonated the Yeltzin robot with a sock puppet and used it to announce Yeltzin's resignation"

    1. Re:animatronics not y2k compliant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      lol, please moderate this up. funniest thing i've read all morning

  14. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Perhaps you dont know why Russians are fighting in Chechnya. That doesnt mean that the everyone doesnt know. They are fighting terrorists. I bet they know far more than the the Soldiers in Vietnam or Korea. They know more more than recklessly bombing an innocent pharmaceutical plant. No country is powerful forever. It will benefit our children and grandchildren if Americans are a bit more considerate and humble. People should be more afraid of American missiles pointing at the rest of the world than the other way round. Russian missiles and warhead are kept physically separate. They are assembled only after a huge beuraucratic process. No one is ever likely to die of accidental deployment of Russian missiles. On the other hand American nuclear missiles and warheads are permanently fixed. I did not use "we" above because I do not share the same views are more Americans (brainwashed).

  15. Putin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Putin's a creep. Coming out of KGB. No political visions. Popular because of war in Cheznya and nationalistic rethorics. This guy was totally unheard of untill november, no he's president and his party is strong in the Duma. He'll no doubt win the elections with the state controlled media on his side, just like his/jeltsin's party (2 months old - no political vision) won a large vote in the Duma elections. Russian constitution gives the president lots of power. This guy sends shivers down my spine.

    1. Re:Putin by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      idiot, he's been around for heaps longer than "since november", he was even PM since August (almost longest the Russia had a single PM for). He's got M4D 5Ki115

  16. Re:Fait Accompli by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No, the elections had been scheduled then for years. This step merely gives Putin the best possible chance at winning. Putin is of course, the least of many evils, but the only better choice would be Primakov.

  17. The Truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    It is fairly funny to see so many people ranting about communism in Russia and China. The strange thing is that how many of you have read any of Karl Marx or any other Communist's literature. Not many. If you did you would realized that what Russia had was not Communist rather it was an authoritarian police state. Those things are not the same.

    Further communism was the goal not the initial product, and in that sense Socialist countries such as Sweden are much closer to that ideal. China is by no means a communist country either. Unless you call a capitalist economy straddled by a police state communism.

    It is depressing that a system and philosophy such as communism or whatever it my be is judged on some mistaken adherents. Then though we all get upset about the press calling crackers hackers. The situation is not all that different it is just you are perpretrating the lies. So please understand communism, and for that matter other philosophies that you constantly put down, I promise it will be an enlightening experience.

    1. Re:The Truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well.. People who follow Karl Marx ideas are most of time called marxists but people who follow the old Russian Idea are called Communists. Communist is just one version of Socalism. Sweeden is Socalism Democracy. And yes I agree many people mainly Americans dont like Socalism because it's against "freedom". Well OK in Sweeden around 90% percent of people vote. In America around 50% or something vote? Corruptness is low in Socalism Democracy countries. But in USA , coruptness is very high. Well.........

    2. Re:The Truth by claes · · Score: 1

      Nazi gold left in Sweden? Who left it there? This is not true. Sweden did some unmoral things during the war, like selling the germans steel so that they could build weapons, and allowing german soldiers to pass through Sweden to go to occupied Norway. This is not anything Swedes are proud of today. It kept Sweden out of war though, and after the war no reconstruction had to be done. Not having to rebuild the country gave Sweden a large competetive advantage, that was used to finance these reforms.

    3. Re:The Truth by claes · · Score: 1

      Sweden is a democracy. Point. Please make distinction between constitution and party in power.
      What you refer to as "Socialism Democracy" must be social democracy, and that is the largest political party in Sweden. They have been in power in Sweden most of the time since the thirties or something, but for 9 of the past 30 years other more rightwing parties have been in power.

    4. Re:The Truth by uh · · Score: 1

      Its been a while since History class. However, I could have sworn Marx (or perhaps it was Lenin) wrote that the first step towards communism is a police state. The police state's purpose is to rid the country of all the evil capitalists. Therfore, China and Russia sort of were really communist states weren't they?

    5. Re:The Truth by driggers · · Score: 1

      Did you know that Swedens socail reforms were financed by Nazi gold left there affter WW2. Switzerland is not the only contry that was used as a funnel. Also did you know that durring the fifties they sterilized people that had certain heretitary illnesess, so their children would not become a burden on the national health care system. Comunism and Marx are wrong because they believe that inteligence is public domain. That the compitent and smart should be enslaved to the incompitent and slow. Charity to those less fortunate is a choice. The Class Slavery that Marx put forth is not. Can you imagine if you were not allowed to create for yourself but for the masses? I mean nerds should totaly understand that mental freedom and individuality is sacred. Don't buy the "We're all equal" crap. We're not! And that is the beauty of humanity!

    6. Re:The Truth by driggers · · Score: 1

      The level of "coruptness" in America is no higher than in Sweden. Don't get me wrong I love the contry and Swedes are generally lovely people.( except in ULLARED). We tend to have more scandells in the states because the goverment does not control the press. And yes most Americans don't vote but I do. The thing that annoys my about Socalism is that you think because the majority agrees to something that makes it right. The magority of Germans agreed with Hitler.......

  18. Respect! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The power given to the president in Russia is needed to neutralize Duma, which from the very early days was pro-communist and still is. The whole history of after-Gorbachev era is the history of resistance of Duma and Yeltsin (with the peak in 1992).
    Too bad Yeltsin was too democratic to allow the very existence of Duma. The Russia would be much better without it now.
    So, don't blame Yeltsin for the things Duma has done.
    AC
    BTW, I am russian.

  19. Re:That's it - I can't take it anymore. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I agree, Slashdot is supposed to be News for Nerds, stuff that matters - some old man resigning has nothing to do with technology, programming, the internet, linux, windows, or any other computing event. i agree with fuze, don't turn this into another mainstream p.o.s. message board.

  20. You stupid Americans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Well. Most of the people talking about Jeltsin , don't know anything except that he is a "fat and drinks a lot". And then you say things like "the only good thing about Jeltsins is that he made Russia no longer a threat to USA".. Well I am still waiting for the day that stupidity will no longer be a threat to our society.And when I read Slashdot, it seems obvious that most stupid comments are made from some Americans, who think that their country is better than everybody elses. The Romans thought the same? USA is the most corrupted country in the world and civil rights are not regarded there, SO INSTEAD OF ATTACKING OTHER COUNTRIES AND OTHER COUNTRIES LEADERS you should FIX the problems at home

    1. Re:You stupid Americans by Altanar · · Score: 1

      "Well I am still waiting for the day that stupidity will no longer be a threat to our society." From what I have observed, stupidity is a universal constant around the world. Your location is no different from anywhere else. What I am trying to figure out is why people carry so much prejudice about other countries.

  21. Re:Fait Accompli by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I had misread what you said. I thought you said the elections were scheduled for May. Which was previously true. It doesn't really matter as my point is still the same. :)

  22. Re:not that it matters... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm russian and I'm not one. So is everyone I know of.

    But for sure - every american smokes pot 4 to 6 hours a day. (grin)

    Speaking about stereotypes.. :-(

  23. Arghhh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Are Geeks non political? Many Geeks on Slashdot are complaining that this crypto law is stupid or that blablablalbla.... but when something political is mentioned on this page you all say "Ahh that is not geek stuff.. dont want that" ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

  24. Yeltsin worst thing in XX century by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He is a criminal and worst thing in XX century:
    1. He illegally destroyed USSR and USSR was only
    hope against imperialism. BTW, socialism never
    happened in USSR, but russian population
    was very educated and was most ready to
    achieve that. Now because of Yeltsin, it will
    not happen for another 100 years. Also, communism
    never existed anywhere and never will (I am not
    sure that you know that).
    2. He put 80% of population below poverty.
    3. He helped to create in Russia new class of
    criminals and they in power now
    4. He let 1000+ billions of RUSSIAN dollars run
    away from country (they are illegally invested in
    NYSE and NASDAQ, which is why stocks are high in
    US)
    5. In 1993 he destroyed and crashed legitimate
    russian parliament (Duma).
    6. He waited for 7 years before crushing
    Chechen mafia.
    7. He destroyed education, welfare and healthcare
    systems, which was better, than in US.
    8. I can add a lot of other crimes he did, but I
    don't think that Slashdot community educated and
    mature enough to understand them.

    1. Re:Yeltsin worst thing in XX century by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      HAHAHAHA!!! The sad thing is that there are actually people that share those views.

  25. Re:Fuck you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fuck you, you bone-head. You are apparently one of the Zuganov "patriots" .
    Shut up, you and you alike ruled the country for 70 years. Look what you've done.
    IT IS COMMUNIST FAULT.
    Be Damned.

  26. Re:That's it - I can't take it anymore. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't let the door hit yer ass on the way out.

  27. oh, crud... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    he probably resigned because he realized he couldn't fix the missle launch control systems to be y2k compliant.

    to those in the united states: duck and cover!

  28. Re:Putin now has responsibility by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    come on, guys, dont be ridiculous. imagine you are russian and youve got lots of nuclear weapons. are you going to use it? of course not, mother nature, russians are not permanently dreaming of screwing up the world.

  29. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Russian missiles and warhead are kept physically separate. They are assembled only after a huge beuraucratic process

    You're just plain wrong on that.

  30. Re:OK, this is whacked... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    CNN a news organization? HAHAHAHAHA

  31. Re:That's it - I can't take it anymore. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    A nuke will fuck up a computer.

  32. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    For me to be wrong, the "American" expert on nuclear missiles and nuclear materials in Russia who came on NPR on the 17th (or the 18th, I dont exactly remember) of December should be wrong. He was trying to convince why people should not be afraid of nuclear missiles flying all over the world on the 31st of December. You attitude is very much an example of the stupidity of lot of American people. You do not want to believe the facts.

  33. Moderate that up (nt) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    nt

  34. News FOR, not necessarily ABOUT nerds... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Crawl back into whatever hole of ingorance from which you sprang dumbass!

  35. Re:Russian dollar!? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    american dollars, used by Russian people for currency

  36. Exactly! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Its a shame your post is moderated to 0. That has to be the best post ive read on slashdot for quite a while, Very refreshing amongst the utter trash that people generally post on slashdot.

  37. Nice point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Very good point. However "trollish" you said it.
    Americans cannot see this, as I have frequently noted
    on irc.
    They have a habit of beleiving all this lovely
    accurate (sarcastic) TV news.
    Lets face it, america has done a lot of damage
    to the global economy, destroyed free trade, etc.
    Americans are supposed to be a "christian" nation,
    Perhaps they should act out the morals they
    preach.

    1. Re:Nice point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Very good point. However "trollish" you said it. Americans cannot see this, as I have frequently noted on irc. They have a habit of beleiving all this lovely accurate (sarcastic) TV news. Lets face it, america has done a lot of damage to the global economy, destroyed free trade, etc. Americans are supposed to be a "christian" nation, Perhaps they should act out the morals they preach." I do not know where you are comming from here. First off, the USA is not a Christian nation. Maybe you should research your history a bit further. The US is based upon a constitution where WE have the freedom of speech, press, and RELIGION . This alone shows your general ignorance towards western political policy. What exactly has the US done to destroy the global economy? After all there is a NAFTA, and within this system there are checks and balances. I think this clearly shows how truely ignorant you are. My .02 cents.

    2. Re:Nice point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      OK. The idea that America is supporting , free economy , free speech had Communism as it enemy. Now Communism is gone the only enemy is America it self. America is an christian nation. Most christian nation have freedom in chosing religon. OK! What have America done ? Take for example Cuba, they destroyed their economy. What was their crime? For not supporting the same goverment ideas. Forcing ides on people wont work!! "OK no I want everybody to stop using Windows and start using Linux OR I WILL KILL EVERYBODY IN THIS HOUSE?" You think that would work?

  38. Re:To the trolls who responded: go back to your ho by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    He is actually defending the USSR. Look at the first line.
    The list consists of some of the accusations used during the ipeachment process (which failed).This point is usually supported by people assosiating themselves with "patriots", people caused more harm to the contry then anybody can imagine, but we probably will never know all the details.

  39. Re:To the trolls who responded: go back to your ho by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    (this is the original poster) I am not defending USSR. My list does not have accusations, but facts only. I am not a patriot, but american citizen. You never will know details, because you brainwashed in american highschool, by american propaganda and if you're saying that you never will know details, then shame on your lazy ass. Details available just search them out.

  40. Re:To the trolls who responded: go back to your ho by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    shut the fuck up you goddamned communist clinton cock sucker.

  41. if you didn't know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a large portion of american dollars has nothing to back them up (in form of gold, or any other _real_, valuable materials), and more are being printed likewise. the paper means nothing and yet the world economy is built on it, but there is a trick to it. for example, the millions of dollars that were lost somewhere on the surface of mars due to nasa's inability to do math were generated by feeding void dollars to the people of other countries. if millions of people were to turn in their dollars stored somewhere under their bed, in a bottle or a safe behind a picture on the wall, the american economy would collapse. now if that occured, think of what would happen to our current lives? we blame countries knowing nothing about them, we blame communism and yet we know nothing of the _true_ ideas behind it. we make fun of people whose names we can't even spell correctly and know not what they went through. ignorance is all around us. blindness will be the downfall of the human race. we _have to_ think as a world, not as west vs. east, or whatever happens in another country affects us not. for it does affect us greatly, our wealth is built on the poorness of others. ------------ truth does not exist, we are decieved by our senses and layers of ignorant alikes...

  42. Get YOUR facts straight!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    (this is the original poster)
    What do you know about privatization? It was and is just rape of the country. And why are western companies supposed to benefit from it? The new Russian companies were bought by the various Mafia groups, not by former party bosses (though some of them are part of the Mafia), and with embezzled money, yes. The IMF has been financing the Mafia, and enforcing its extremely stupid rules, which was one of reasons for Russian self-destruction. "Market reforms" not applicable to Russia, because it is totally different environment, and the ones Yeltsin wanted were for the benefit of his mob friends. What the fuck do you know how much American investments in Russia? They were 100 times less than Russian investments in US. In Baltic republics there is suppression of Russian people; for example in Latvia half of population are Russians but they are second class citizens there and you don't care about that. Don't even think that I see your 'logic'. You just hate and fear Russians.
    Health care quality: You call HMOs quality?!? Russian health care was among the best in the world.
    >> Education was free but of very poor quality. You learned a job. The one you were told to learn.
    This is bullshit, my education has nothing to do with my former and current job. I learned to think! As a rule, soviet education far superior than American: I know it from comparison of American software engineers with American or soviet background. So you obviously don't know what you talking about.
    Quality of life has been dramatically worsening during last decade everywhere in former USSR, what are you talking about again?!?
    Don't you dare bring the USSR into this, this is about THE PRESENT, and Yeltsin's crimes. You don't deserve anymore of my time. You're just anti-Russian, and think no one will see your prejudice.

    BTW: you cannot spell any of the following:
    straight, privatized, xenophobia, racism, communist, embezzled, nationalist, republics, their, forgotten legitimate.

    1. Re:Get YOUR facts straight!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Even though in some areas education might have been poor, generally education in USSR was high quality. Pretty much of that aplies to science too. They might not had the most sofisticated equipments but they sure knew how to use brainpower.

    2. Re:Get YOUR facts straight!! by driggers · · Score: 1

      My grand father was a White Russian who fled the Comunist take over. I am not anti Russian. I am anti communist. What western investment would have done for Russia would have poured money into the Russian economy. The IMF has not been financing the mafia. Why would market reforms not work in Russia? they are working in Poland, Hungury, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Rep., Slovakia, Slovinia. Yes the Latvians do treat the ethnic Russians as second class citizens but they also remember when all those Russians moved in. About 40 years ago in a Soviet plan to make the area more Russian that Latvian. I think they got a right to be pissed off. And I agree that the Russians should ethier cut tie with Russia or go back. If American software engineers are inferior to russian why don't you dominate the software market? Because most don't write software they crack other peoples software. I supose the thief that breacks into the bank is a better man than the one who built it too? I don't hate or fear Russians. In Bosnia we got to know quiet a few but i can tell you thier basic education was no where neer American standards. So you can stick your fingers in your ears and yell "NAA NAA NAA" as loud as you want but the fact still remains that Yeltsin did less to destroy Russia than the Communist have. Comunism does not work we won the cold war accept it. Remember your history lest you be forced to repeat it.

  43. You can't have Communism... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...without an authoritarian police state. It's human nature to want to buy, sell, trade, and work freely. Communism and commerce don't mix. When you want to suppress human nature, you have to use force; it's simply not an option, as far as we know.

  44. Re:Is there hope for Russia in the next century? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Russia isn't ready for Democracy. Communism made the country great. But USA has to force Democracy on everybody. USA is the enemy of Russia. "Ísland úr NATO. Herinn burt."

  45. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    SS should've shot your parents

  46. Re:Putin now has responsibility by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    That's where they used to be before the Union broke up. The Kazakhs have since shipped out all of their nukes to Russia and the States.

  47. Re:Respect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    YIKES! I don't agree with this at all. Yeltsin made more mistakes than--er--non-mistakes. I'm usually not an advocate of violence, but I thought Russia would have been better off if he'd been assassinated several years back. Jeez, can't believe I'm actually saying that in public. Now that he is gone, Russia needs the equivalent of an Elliot Ness. Russia is RUN BY and terrorized by mobsters. Their government has no authority. I'm was a Political Science major in college, so I usually have an idea on how to reform things, but Russia is SOOO far gone I have no idea what they can do. GOOD LUCK RUSSIA! My thoughts and hopes are with ya!

  48. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    I was born in Russia, and even though I live in Israel I am still connected to the Russian world.
    I am the most passionate enemy of Communism that can be found; I also think that the communist leaders are 20th century's greatest criminals, more vicious and cruel than Hitler and his f***ing scums (as a Jew I can tall).
    However, the world is not past that danger. Russia is in worse state than ever from the economical point of view. It is obvious that a small group of fanatics or criminals can utilize Russia's awesome nuclear potential to lay waste to the whole world.
    Puttin's coming is not a relief at all; he is rather a marionette in the hands of the maphia bosses. His coming symbolizes the falling of Russia into corruption and bribery. It is sad that the Russian people have never been free for a whole millenium (look up the history books for more details). It seems that they are not going to be liberated soon, either.
    The only course that would not certainly lead Russia and the rest of the world into oblivion is to be patient and quiet. My heart is with the Russians.

  49. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Typical response of ignorant westerner!

    Average soldier in Chechnya, at least, knows better what's going on then the average westerner. Most of the people fighting there on both sides are contractors with conscripts supporting their back.

    Now, to break the news to you, they are fighting for oil and for credibility which russian military needs which in turn leads to reestablishment of Russia as a world power.

    The reestablishment of Russia as a world power is of utter importance. Russia was loosing customers all over the world for all sorts of products from arms to space services. This lose came not because the russian products are worse then western but because of POLITICAL GAMES. Why western mass media screaming wild of Chechen war? Nobody wants to see Russia being strong again - let them strugle there indefinetly while west is going to grab Caspian oil and continue subduing world arm markets.

    Speaking of Putin, new head of Russia, basically the guy is saying that only government has the right to steal and be corrupted. As in any "civilized" country this right was established long time ago. The major source of russian trouble is that power is divided between many criminal groups. It looks like Putin is just a right man for the job.

    Again, watch out for west hating Putin for the same reasons which I stated above. Nobody wants to have competitors, nobody wants to see Russia being strong.

    Sorry for the rant.

  50. disappointing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    No apparent Y2K issues so far, the Indian hostages have been freed, and now the drunken man with the nuclear briefcase is no more. This New Year is going to be as boring as any we've seen. *sigh*

    AC

  51. Collected links on Yeltsin Resignation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2

    here is Yahoo's page of news links about this..

    1. Re:Collected links on Yeltsin Resignation by Cassandra · · Score: 1

      Erm, this was a joke I hope...

      The information is not even sited by Yahoo, the link just points at a list of links to other sites. If you don't like Yahoo, simply surf on :)

  52. Re:Its the same here in Canada... by alexandre · · Score: 1

    Pretty weird, i have seen this news the 31st on both news channel here in montreal.(RDI and LCI which are both french channels though, i havent looked at CTV and others for a long time, i had to party :-)

    ---

  53. Re:not that it matters... by Eric+Green · · Score: 1
    >alcoholic Yeltsin

    For what it's worth, finding a Russian who's NOT alcoholic is about as easy as Diogenes finding his man (grin).

    -E

    --
    Send mail here if you want to reach me.
  54. Re:not that it matters... by Eric+Green · · Score: 1
    No no, us Americans don't smoke pot all day long. We're usually too busy sitting on our front porches oiling our guns so that we can go gun down people in drive-by shootings.

    Sheesh, you Russians don't know ANYTHING!

    (Note: Since English is not your native language -- there is a concept called "humor" which comes into play here).

    -E

    --
    Send mail here if you want to reach me.
  55. Is THIS news for nerds? by jonr · · Score: 0

    This is the first time I've ever critized (?) slashdot's news selection (Belive me, I have often wanted to!) but this is political, not nerdy news :. Please keep the international politics out of here, unless there is something technical/geeky related...
    And a happy new year!

    J.

    1. Re:Is THIS news for nerds? by Augur · · Score: 2

      I'd rather look at your when you listen from your goverment that it want to protect you from 'the inappropriate information'. Err, not want but will do.

      Putin can do it. It's the guy who knows KGB practices well. And russian traditions - too.

      You may not know but the smartest persons with MBA diplomas can't do anything here at Russia because it's just right another system than the democracy.

      :)

      -/augur

  56. Boris wasn't y2k compliant? by Improv · · Score: 2

    Considering his poor health, it's very
    understandable that he wouldn't want to stay his
    full term. It's interesting how this kind of does
    seal his temporary replacement's bid for the
    office though..

    --
    For every problem, there is at least one solution that is simple, neat, and wrong.
  57. Big Doings for the Millennium. Rod Steward next? by jjohn · · Score: 1

    That Yeltsin will be missed. The only world leader to make Clinton look respectable. I wonder what other announcements people have been holding back for Y2K?

  58. Scary by Darchmare · · Score: 1

    If you think this is scary, look at the background of the guy who is replacing him...

    - Jeff A. Campbell
    - VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

    --

    - Jeff
    1. Re:Scary by Darchmare · · Score: 1

      True - but this makes it a bit easier for this guy to be elected. He was popular to begin with, but encumbants usually have an easier time at it.

      Of course, his only real rival is a Communist. And you though _we_ had a lack of choices...

      - Jeff A. Campbell
      - VelociNews (http://www.velocinews.com)

      --

      - Jeff
    2. Re:Scary by Markvs · · Score: 1

      Not really. Elections are supposed to be held in 3 months. He's just taking control for awhile until the have the election and he gets the rubber stamp. :-)

      He's not that bad, really. Not nearly as bad as Zhironovsky.

      --
      46. The Hobo smiles, his eyes glaze over, and he burps. "Beware the man who has lived longer than the Wasteland."
    3. Re:Scary by Kaa · · Score: 1

      Of course, his only real rival is a Communist.

      Of course, ALL of these guys used to be members in good standing of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

      Kaa

      --

      Kaa
      Kaa's Law: In any sufficiently large group of people most are idiots.
  59. OFFTOPIC: Hijacked Indian Passengers set free. by Sterling · · Score: 1

    You think Russia is trying to trump Y2K.

    The terrorists released the passengers from that Indian plane almost during the time the New Year began in New Zealand.

    Maybe the terrorists were afraid of being on a plane during Y2K? ;-)

    Man

    1. Re:OFFTOPIC: Hijacked Indian Passengers set free. by marko123 · · Score: 1

      Funny how often people are prepared to let their religious beliefs be overpowered by science-based superstition... hmmmm. But I hope all the hostages become well again, and my best wishes are with them . No-one deserves that treatment, even for political reasons. Warring nations, take note. No PERSON deserves it.

      --
      http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
  60. To the trolls who responded: go back to your holes by DP · · Score: 1

    What he says is quite true, not some psycho viewpoint. Russia is a truly broken country, little better off now than most corrupt african democracies (if not worse off, the mafia is more organized in it). He is not defending the USSR persay you 37734 idiots. Don't try to defend the West; democracy is good, but imperialism is BAD.
    Personally, I blame it all on Reagan, without whom, Russia would've joined the rest of europe as a democracy in less than 50 years, instead of getting shock treatment democracy, and huge scale corruption and poverty.

    --


    -- d'arcy poirot
  61. My Vote for Man of the "Century" by winterstorm · · Score: 1

    I'm actually joking, I don't or care enough about politicians to vote B.Y. the man of the century but I was impressed when I heard a translation of his speech on the BBC World Service this morning and he refered to the coming year as the "new century" and not the "new millenium". At least one of these political stucco-heads can count. :-)

  62. Re:Respect by Cassandra · · Score: 1

    Thank you Mr. Yeltsin. You had every opportunity to become a dictator.

    Hmm, actually Jeltsin was pretty much a dictator, and now Putin also is.
    1. Using presidential decrees the Russian president can enforce pretty much anything he/she wants.
    2. Jeltsin has had a long history of forcing his officials to resign once they became too popular (Lebed for instance). IMHO a typical dictatorial trait.

    And besides, the way Jeltsin has allowed all members of the Duma to stand above the common law is horrible. No wonder the Russian Mafia is so interested in politics when a seat in the Duma will make them immune to prosecution!

    Sure Jeltsin did some good things, for one thing he stood up against the military and supported Gorbatjov when he was mayor of Moscow, but Russia needs someone better, and first and foremost they need a more democratic system.

  63. Re:Wonderful ... what comes next? by Cassandra · · Score: 1

    Nice resumé!

    Isn't the world a wonderful place as we close the books on the 20th century? :-)

    Chances are things will improve. Putin might be just what Russia needs. Lets hope he decides to deal with the Mafia, and that laws are changed such that foreign investors dare to invest in Russia again. There are just too many cases where the Mafia has robbed foreign firms, or even performed violent takeovers.

    IMHO the Mafia, and the lack of foreign investors are the most important problems Russia, and Putin are facing right now.

  64. Pissed Again by Fishy · · Score: 1

    Oh god,

    it one of those stonking pissups followed by :

    "yyyerr can stufff your job, I can get something betterr aaaannyytime"


    My god, he will be annoyed in the morning.

    Steve

  65. Smart timing by Jonas+�berg · · Score: 2

    Well, he couldn't have done it at any better time. People in Russia apparently combine christmas and new years celebrations to one big festivity on new years. I wouldn't be surprised if this resignation will be on everyones lips tonight. Putin is also at the peak of his popularity now, so unless something happens, chances are pretty big that Putin will be able to reign even after the forthcoming election.

  66. Re:fu*k by Jonas+�berg · · Score: 2

    Well, Yeltsin has reigned for 9 years now I think, and he did some pretty amazing things in the early years, but those have more or less been clouded by more recent events. So it's not bad at all that Russia gets a new leader. It's definitely time for some new blood to lead Russia in the next few years.

  67. What? by Woodblock · · Score: 1

    How is this either "News for Nerds", or "Stuff that matters". What's next? "Canadian MP wins by-election?".

  68. Re:American? by Woodblock · · Score: 1

    I am no american, mon chere.

    As for "News for Nerds", wouldn't all news then be for nerds as any news will affect a nerd, somewhere. Even "Snowball hits nerd in face" should be on /., then. As for stuff that matters, Yeltsin resigning is hardly news worthy of worldy notice. I contend that /. should cover the carnage in Chechnya, and every other genocide being performed in the world today. They have more impact on people then a simple changing of the guard.

  69. so ?!!?!? by serialk · · Score: 1


    who cares ?

    he was going to leave soon anyhow.

    it should be more interesting now with ex kgb :)

  70. OK, this is whacked... by El+Puerco+Loco · · Score: 2

    I've been watching CNN for the last 1 1/2 hours and they haven't even mentioned this. anyone else think this millenium coverage is getting out of hand? CNN's web page has a big picture of fireworks over Sydney harbor and the Yeltsin resignation is relegated to the small print in the corner.
    ^. .^

    1. Re:OK, this is whacked... by gengee · · Score: 1

      This truly is ludicrous. Right below "Boris Yeltsin resigns" @ CNN.com, you'll see "Hostage Crisis in Afghanistan ends" All of this eclipsed by Skies in Sydney, Auckland ablaze with fireworks. Fireworks are now more important than the president of the Russian Federation resigning, and the ending of a plane hijacking. Rediculous.
      signature smigmature

      --
      - James
  71. Re:Fait Accompli by sugarman · · Score: 1

    Really? I was not aware of this. From the news report I saw (*sigh* TV News...my bad, I'm sorry), I was under the impression that they had 90 days to hold elections to fill the post.

    I've never liked the idea of having a set, cast in stone date for elections. IMHO, it makes those involved worrry too much about the next one that they see coming on the horizon, and not spending enough time actually, you know, governing. THat isn't to say I want them more involved, and that the governments need to be making laws to the punching of a time-clock. But just spend more time exploring some iussues from every angle.

    Whoops. I think I've used my alloted time. End rant.

    --
    --sugarman--
  72. Fait Accompli by sugarman · · Score: 2

    Yeltsin has been removed from power in all but name for some time now. This has been in the works for a while, and Putin , who is replacing him, is largely viewed as the favorite to win the next elections anyways.

    That being said, Russian law dictates that they have an election within 90 days of resignation, and that date is apparently already set for Mar 26, 2000. So, apparently, they have been expecting this.

    --
    --sugarman--
  73. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by RNG · · Score: 2
    You said: I'm pretty much sure that most of the Russian soldiers will not fight in a war with the West - they will simply see no reason for it. Communism in Russia is dead. The ideology does not matter any more


    Really? I think the story is a bit simpler: You fight and follow the orders you are given or they throw you in jail for a long time (or just shoot your right away). I don't think the average soldier in Chechenya (spelling??) knows why he's there, risking his life. Yes, idiology doesn't matter but as a solder you are not asked to fight but told to do so. Refusal to follow those orders is usually not taken very kindly.

  74. Wonderful ... what comes next? by RNG · · Score: 4

    I really do sympathise with the Russians (along with the other former USSR republics) but the current (political & economic) climate in Russia is scary. In many (rural) areas government has retreated, wages & pensions are not being paid on time (if they're being payed at all), corruption is widespread and much of the former communist oligarchy has transformed itself into the owners of (hastily) privatized businesses and enjoy excellent ties to the organized crime syndicates. Rumors have it that corruption reaches up into the highest levels of government and it's a fact that many crimes along these lines are never investigated earnestly if at all.

    Much of their nuclear fleet is rotting in the harbors because there is no money to either fix/maintain the fleet, much less so to properly dismantle it. Weapons from low to high caliber can be bought if you have the right amount of cash and know the right people. All of this is happening in a country which still is a nuclear power and has lots of other stuff that should be kept under tight control by a powerful/competent government. The safety of nuclear materials, be it in the civilan or military sector, can not be guaranteed anymore; factories and nuclear power plants run for years without proper servicing. Once of the major fears currently seems to be that countries like Irak, Iran, N. Korea and others will be able to use the current climate (ie: breakdown of authority) to appropriate materials and technology for their own nuclear programs; those are countries that I'd rather not see developing nuclear arms; yet this is a real danger.

    Not a pretty place, and from what I have gathered Jetsin's replacement (Putin), who used to be head of the KGB, never really voiced clear political opinions which went farther than the default rethorics of law and order. Jeltsin was (at the time of the coup against Gorbachev) an icon of hope for the democratic forces. Unfortunateley nothing of that idealism remains and Russias future is in doubt. Yet we refinance their bankrupt government/economy (and thus help pay for the current operation in the Caucasus) because we can't really afford to have things get even worse than they are. In the meantime, things don't seem to be evolving towards a better (more stable) state of affairs. We're afraid of making Russia into an Enemy, yet at the current pace of development, there may not be a Russia (or a proper government which does what a government is expected to do) much longer ...

    Isn't the world a wonderful place as we close the books on the 20th century? :-)

  75. Re:Putin now has responsibility by netpig · · Score: 1


    Yep, Putin has the nuke keys now.

    --
    Black holes are where God divided by zero.
  76. Addendum for Websters Dictionary... by Kwed · · Score: 2

    Y2K non-compliance: See "Yeltsin, Boris".

  77. Re:Respect by Ateran · · Score: 1

    I lived in Moscow for approximately 1/2 year, and I think that the thing that worried me most was the climate of corruption that surrounded the Kremlin. The truth is, very few Russians actually liked Yeltsin, he was just better than everyone else out there, and everyone knew it. Last I had heard, one of his competitors for presidency was the corrupt mayor of Moscow, who probably had more ties to the mafia than Al Capone.

    Granted, this is actually the first I've heard of Putin, and I'm curious and a little bit anxious to see what he does and can do.

    -Sam Black

  78. Yeltsin wasn't Y2K compliant. by BigCheese · · Score: 2

    That's gotta be the reason.

    --
    The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. - Edward R. Murrow
  79. Is there hope for Russia in the next century? by soldack · · Score: 1

    I really hope so. Democracy hasn't worked out so well in Russia. There has been too much corruption and too many mistakes made. Although I am American, many of my relatives only two or three generations back come from Russia and Romania. I hope a time comes when Russia can become a prosperous, democratic, free nation. That is a New Year's wish we can all appreciate.

    --
    -- soldack
  80. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by Altanar · · Score: 1

    Don't blame it on being American. I've found that stupidity knows know race, nationality or sex. :P

  81. Re:Fuck you by Altanar · · Score: 1

    General Protection Fault :P

  82. A word from Russia by Augur · · Score: 4

    1. GOOD THING: There is a prognosis this day that this day is a startline for pouring inflated money from USA into Russia (Marshall plan, you know). Else the USA economy (that almost overheated, the Internet stuff?) will blow your smart heads and your fat money pouches.

    2. GOOD THING: Two or three days ago the most active internet community leaders meet with Putin and the Ministers talking about growth of the Internet. It's ok. But...


    3. BAD THING: Before taking presidential rights Putin has some plans to 'regulate russian segment of the Internet'. You know almost nothing about the Duma Elections? Hah, the Internet was used widely as a black propoganda a lot. So, Putin has a plan to licenze domain registration and put under the control the persons, content and have a right to shutdown everything he (or his administration) may think is non-appropriate. You think about having russian servers at .com registeries? You are wrong - you are prohibited to do it. You must be a company with licenzed website (why? just because you could be fined a lot of $$ for not placing a firedistinguisher at the toilet!) and can't have the site registered nowhere else than at .RU domain. Total control.

    Good luck!

    Anyone who want to read (and can read on russian!) can visit respectable russian newssource LENTA.Ru and read the rest. Maybe it's a story for Slashdotting?

    http://www.lenta.ru/internet/1999/12/31/ripn/

    (That's the project I've mentioned)
    http://www.lenta.ru/internet/1999/12/28/domains/ proect.htm

    Anyone care about 0.5% of the Internet (I'm talking about Russia?)

    -/augur

  83. fu*k by gnarphlager · · Score: 4
    okay, now maybe I'm just being paranoid here, but let's look at the situation:
    • the russians are involved in armed conflict.
    • Boris makes a statement at a conference merely weeks ago that President Clinton has "forgotten Russia is a nuclear power"
    • Boris in his "farewell" speech APPOLOGIZES.
    Boris hasn't been a bad leader. Not a great leader, but he's done some pretty good things in his term. Now, I suppose it's just the nice guy ethic to appologize for "dreams not coming true" and "mistakes" in his career. But this is from a man that has held fast to every decision he's made. Hell, that's part of why I've respected him.

    Something's up. I mean, no way to tell until it happens, and I'm not about to go running for the bomb shelter, but this is quite definitely not a good sign. Time to read up on the man with the briefcase I suppose.

    --

    Bad things often happen to good people,
    It is up to them to see that they remain good.
  84. Re:Respect by Pomme+de+Terre! · · Score: 2

    >Russia is RUN BY and terrorized by mobsters.
    >Their government has no authority.

    There is no question that organized crime has a foothold in Russia, but my question to you is, what were Yeltsin's mistakes? Letting the mobsters gain power?

    Anytime a national government weakens, organized crime takes hold. They had power long before Yeltsin did. How could he have prevented this? Tough laws? Right... with no real enforcement body and no substantial criminal justice system, (or one at the very least needed complete replacement) how could such a thing be prevented?

    Military involvement? That would have worked, but it would have put Yeltsin in an uncomfortable spot - the appearance or tyranny. He was building a stable nation-state. Running the armies up and down the street *may* have worked, but not in the atmosphere Russia was in earlier this decade.

    What were Mr. Yeltsin's huge mistakes?

    >I usually have an idea on how to reform things,
    >but Russia is SOOO far gone I have no idea what
    >they can do.

    Precisely my point. Yeltsin's was not an easy job!! It's perfectly easy to look back and say "Gee, he should have paid more attention to organzied crime." However, at the expense of the country tearing itself apart, forming independent nations? At the expense of the looming communist threat? At the expense of radicals and extremists coming to power? At the expense of the freedom that the Russian people starve for?

    Russia is no more far gone than when Yeltsin took power, except *now* there is a state in place, a base from which future leaders can govern.

    He did a good job under the circumstances.

    Dave

  85. Respect by Pomme+de+Terre! · · Score: 5

    I have always respected Yeltsin.

    Of all world leaders this century, he had probably one of the greatest, most challenging tasks imaginable. He had to, from *nothing* create a stable nation-state and a government. At the same time, he had to create a successful economic system! Can you even imagine the intense pressure and stress.

    Of course he made mistakes. If you had to create *everything* with very little support from neither the people nor fellow statesmen, while at the same time trying to sustain a *shred* of national dignity... well... mistakes are bound to be made.

    This isn't like the task the American founding fathers undertook -- they had to build everything that Yeltsin is building; however, they only had a few colonies/states to deal with at the time. Yeltsin has the weight of hundreds of millions of Russian people on his shoulders.

    Not an easy job.

    Thank you Mr. Yeltsin. You had every opportunity to become a dictator. You had every reason to slip backwards into communism. You could have been emperor of one of the largest nations on the planet. But you chose the honorable thing... the good thing. So few people would have done the same. You have earned my respect.

    David

    1. Re:Respect by ComaCreator · · Score: 1

      I would second your thoughts on Yeltsin. The only thing which concerns me is the void in certain leaderhsip qualities which I think will be created by his departure.

      Like it or not, he had the ability to use strong arm tactics and back room dealing to keep an incredibly unstable situation relatively orderly. When you look at all of the bumps in the road that Yeltsin has navigated either over or around, you have to wonder whether Putin will have that ability. The forces in the Duma and elsewhere will certainly be happy this New Year as the man who always seemed to have the last laugh is finally bowing out.

  86. Wants to be gone when reactors meltdown by anonymous+cowerd · · Score: 1

    "Here, Vladimir, you say you want to be Prime Minister, eh? Well, you can be sitting at this desk, answering these telephones, at midnight GMT as half of Russia's power reactors shut themselves down automatically and the other half melt and go through the floor..."

    Actually Boris wants to be not just out of office but overseas, Switzerland most likely (cozily close to all Russia's loose cash) at midnight.

    Yours WDK - WKiernan@concentric.net

  87. Political Courage by Johan+Jonasson · · Score: 1

    His timing couldn't have been better. His leadership began on that russian tank 9 years ago and in two days (or so) he's going down to Israel to visit the birthplace of Christ. Nice way to round off his career.

    Maybe he should have stepped down earlier, but then again, the world is already filled with "what if:s". We must not forget that in the beginning of his leadership, he was a very strong political figure with a lot of political courage, but in the end his goals were set too high even for him to cope with.

    I'm convinced that his people are happy to get some new leadership, but I'm also sure that they feel great sympathy for Jeltsin.

    - JoJo

  88. Its the same here in Canada... by Tridus · · Score: 1

    Your right, this is absolutly rediculous. Exactly why do I care about two morons chatting CTV NewsNet about some party tonight when there are major political events taking shape. Had it not been for the story on slashdot, I may not have noticed this at all.

    What a joke, the mainstream media sucks ass more and more every day.

    --
    -- "So they told me that using the download page to download something was not something they anticipated." - Bill Gates
  89. Re:disappointing LoL . .it's funny, laugh by Money__ · · Score: 1
    Yes the drunk guy with a briefcase full-o-bombs has dashed the one ray of hope we have for a real Y2K nightmare. Like most Americans, on this new years, old Boris baby is going to sit home with a 5th of Jack.

    I guess we really did win the cold war, eh?
    _________________________

  90. UPDATE:Russia by Money__ · · Score: 1

    *NEWSFLASH UPDATE* There are nerds in Russia. Most of them are on the net! *I'm Peter Jenings, Diane Sawyer poured hot grits down my pants! Stay tuned for more updates; every hour, on the hour*
    _________________________

  91. That's it - I can't take it anymore. by developer_fuze · · Score: 1

    Stop right there, please. I'm willing to somehow take movie reviews, and that type of idiotic crap, because I like slashdot's technology news, but Boris Yeltsin resigning?! That has *nothing* to do with technology or science. Nor does a lot of the stuff that's been posted lately on slashdot. Don't my *geek* newssource into some lame news site..

    --
    -- developer_fuze
  92. That's it - I can't take it anymore. by developer_fuze · · Score: 1

    Stop right there, please. I'm willing to somehow take movie reviews, and that type of idiotic crap, because I like slashdot's technology news, but Boris Yeltsin resigning?! That has *nothing* to do with technology or science. Nor does a lot of the stuff that's been posted lately on slashdot. Don't turn my *geek* newssource into some lame news site..

    --
    -- developer_fuze
  93. Re:Russian dollar!? by dunkelfalke · · Score: 1

    just look at this here and you will know:

    http://www.haha.ru/pics/dollar.jpg

    :-]

    --
    "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
  94. Possible cause by k-zed · · Score: 1

    Don't you think, the cause was that Putin said if Yeltsin doesn't resign, he won't get more vodka?

    --
    we discovered a new way to think.
  95. It's About Time! by visor · · Score: 2

    I vote for Jesus as the next Russian President. He's due back sometime today.
    The Messiah Cam!
    Maybe it's time to purchase stock in Burkenstock.
    I think sandles will be the next big thing.

    --
    Did I leave my keys here?
  96. let me take a stab at that by emmons · · Score: 1

    Well, this is news for the entire world, and since nerds are part of that group, this is "news for nerds"... and geeks... and jocks... etc.

    Is this "stuff that matters"? Well, since it is a major political change in a militarily strong nation which has nuclear capacity, I believe it matters to most of us types that care about forign affairs. I think most non-american slashdotters will agree.

    -----

    --
    Do you even know anything about perl? -- AC Replying to Tom Christiansen post.
  97. Re:American? by emmons · · Score: 1

    oh, ok.

    actually after thinking about it again I agree with you...

    -----

    --
    Do you even know anything about perl? -- AC Replying to Tom Christiansen post.
  98. there goes the neighborhood by i244 · · Score: 1

    yeltsin resigned, there's a new russian prez. God only knows if he'll sink that country into communism.

    Welp, if things go communist again in russia, we can see another coldwar on our hands. Except this time china will be the communist superpower and russia will be in 2nd place.

  99. Putin now has responsibility by drnomad · · Score: 1

    Putin now has responsebility when the Russians attack. I live in Holland, most rockets are sited in the Kaukasus, so we'll be three hours dead even before our millennium begins!!!

    --
    Bizar technology?
    1. Re:Putin now has responsibility by drnomad · · Score: 1

      Nope, most nuclear heads are sited in Kazachstan.

      --
      Bizar technology?
    2. Re:Putin now has responsibility by drnomad · · Score: 2
      1. There will be a top-defence-conference in Russia This afternoon, Putin doesn't have the keys yet.

      2. The Russian safety blocks for the nukes were cracked by simple electricians using a couple of copper-wires and some tin. The millitary electricians can launch whenever they want to, so lets blame the millennium bug.

      There are enough people who hate the western world.

      --
      Bizar technology?
    3. Re:Putin now has responsibility by Walkindude · · Score: 1

      The enemy we know is better than the one we don't...

    4. Re:Putin now has responsibility by TomSys · · Score: 1

      hmmm ... doesn't sound bad at all ... If we get a nuke on our heads , I can stop worrying about the servers here :-)

    5. Re:Putin now has responsibility by driggers · · Score: 1

      You meen the under paid soldiers and workers of Rusia. Just think in the states when union members don't get paid what they want they get violent. Now give somebody half stewed on bad vodka access to "THE BOMB". Which by the way as of last year are no longer aimed at the US. Now they are aimed at Europe but it only takes 2 minutes to reset the targeting codes. Although most would probably blow in the silo or on the truck because Rusia has not had the budget to properly maintain thier weapons for about a year and a half.

    6. Re:Putin now has responsibility by driggers · · Score: 1

      Have you heard what Rusia did to thier own natural resorces? Did you know that Rusia has historicly practiced a SCHORCHED EARTH policy in every war that they have fought. When the Germans were pushing into Rusia they the Rusian burned every thing they lost control of. When Rusia pulled out of Chechnia they burned everything (inculing oil refineries!). So do you really think they would not keep the same mindset now?

  100. STOP THE PRESSES !! THIS IS A MISTAKE by martin-k · · Score: 3
    Stop the presses! This is a mistake.

    The taped Yeltsin statement was slated for release December 31, 2099.

    Due to lack of Y2K preparations in Russia, it has been released prematurely.

    SCNR...

    --
    SoftMaker Office for Windows|Linux|Android
  101. market was happy :-) by _dim_ · · Score: 3

    soon after that announcement,
    stocks on Moscow Stock Exchange went
    about 20% up and the trading was halted
    (due to the Exchange trading rules)

    See http://www.polit.ru/documents/159424.html
    (in russian, sorry :-))

  102. A quick link... by astroview · · Score: 2

    this website

    http://www.stratfor.com/yeltsin.htm

    has got some info on the situation, I find its pretty good.

  103. Russian dollar!? by Svenne · · Score: 1

    Just curious: What the heck is a russian dollar!?

    /svenne

    --

    Slagborr
  104. Retiring for the new millenium? by Katep · · Score: 1

    Does this mean that Boris Yeltzen is not Y2K compliant?

  105. A view from Russia by Chyeburashka · · Score: 2

    I just got off the phone with my parents, who live in St. Petersburg, and they are unhappy, worried, and disappointed with the Yeltsin resignation. Although Putin is currently very popular, he is also an unknown.

  106. not that it matters... by SnakeEyes · · Score: 1

    It's ok, since he's been clinically dead for about 4 years. Him and Keith Richards both.

    Actually, this is somewhat scary...they go from Nobel winning Gorby to alcoholic Yeltsin to...who knows what next. All before Y2k...maybe he knows something we don't. Probably not...

    --
    Come on, Tinkler, Tink!!
  107. Its all in the name by Jasa · · Score: 1

    Y2K is when
    Everone see's me
    Leave from
    The political
    Scene and thus
    I become the
    New year's main news

    --
    -Jasa -- Linux - The SOURCE will be with you, ALWAYS
  108. What Russian people REALLY want by sluncho · · Score: 4

    Most of the American public seems surprisingly uneducated about Russia and the current political sutiation there. For most of you, Russia is still the enemy that is going to launch its nuclear missiles any moment. Wake up!

    Russia is a democratic country now, even though it's plagued by dirty politics, the Russian mafia and corruption. These things are inevitable in every society that is expiriencing such a major change in its structure and ideology. Almost everybody in Russia accepts the Western values of democracy and freedom. The young people wear jeans, watch mostly American movies and chat on EFnet. There are some exceptions, but doesn't America have its Neonazis and KKK guys too?

    After being exposed to the Western culture for more than a decade, now it's part of the Russian life. Take a look at some of these links:
    Russian Babylon5 fan club
    Russian X-Files fan site
    Russian DVD online store

    Almost 90% of the movies sold in Russia are Western movies. Obviously, if all the Russians just hated the West, they wouldn't like these movies. I'm pretty much sure that most of the Russian soldiers will not fight in a war with the West - they will simply see no reason for it. Communism in Russia is dead. The ideology does not matter any more. All that matters is the economy.

    This is were the problem lies. Russia used to be one of the worlds's major economic powers, competing only with the US. This is no longer true. The economic system had to be changed completely. Almost every part of the system broke. Rebuilding the economy will be hard and it will take at least a couple of decades. Till then life for most of the Russians will be miserable and poor.

    Think about this: You are a Russian guy. You never paid much attention to ideology, never really believed in all of this communism/capitalis junk. All that you want is to have a nice house, car, enough money for your chidlren and so on. It's basicly the same stuff that drives most of the people on earth. 10 years ago you had a job, free health care, free education for your childer. You were not rich, but none of your peers was rich, so you didn't feel bad. Than, after 1990 everything changed. Your country, which used to be a super power in the world affairs, is no longer any special. You are poor. You look at all the mafia guys around you, who driver BMWs and live in palaces. You don't like it. Then you look at the USA, and see how good your life can be. Not everybody drives a BMW there, but buying a car is not a problem. You probably need to spend your yearly income just to byu some crappy car from the 80s. The people who clean shit and vomit at McDonalds earn more than you. You might be smart, but it does not matter. You feel that you have less chance of success, just because you are born here and not on the other side of the Atlantic. What about the equal opportunity? This is not fun. You don't like this.

    It's true that pretty much everybody in the developing world. Most of the world population (especially the young people feel really angry about this) - it's not envy, it's just the feeling that thigs are not fair. Things are not right. The difference between Russia/Eastern Europe and the rest of the world is that the people thare USED TO be relatively rich. Poverty didn't exist, at least not to the extent it exist now. Although you had to sacrifice your freedom for it, your economical situation wouldn't be bad at all. You would get free health care, you would send your children to college - for free.

    The ideology is no longer an issue, but being poor is still not fun. Especially when you REMEMBER having a better life.

    I hope this will help some of you to understand Russia better. They are just people - like you and me - who want to enjoy their life. That's all.

    P.S. Disclaimer: I am not Russian. But I still know what I'm talking about.

    1. Re:What Russian people REALLY want by driggers · · Score: 1

      I was stationed in Souda Bay Greece. The Greek Comunist Youth party came to the base to protest ant tell the American to go home. Well these kids were wearing Jordan T-shirts and Nike hats. We thoght what a bunch of hypocrits. Well when they left they left us a small car packed with C4! luckily it did not go off! Moral: just because they like your stuff does not mean they won't kill you becuase of: religion, politics, color, language.

  109. Re:Fuck you by Goetia · · Score: 1

    COMMUNIST FAULT? Is that like a page_fault? :^P

  110. I heard.. by Otis_INF · · Score: 0

    I heard that Yeltsin's FUD Producer XL (tm) wasn't Y2K compliant, so before it would start irreversable disasters it was put on Hold (tm).

    ;)

    --
    Never underestimate the relief of true separation of Religion and State.
  111. The thing that scares me the most by marko123 · · Score: 1

    If you were'nt concerned that the Russkies were using fuel vapor bombs to "target" terrorists, now we have the nuclear car keys handed over to the boy who enjoys destroying insects with magnifying glasses on sunny days.

    If I had a choice, America wouldn't be my international policeman of choice ( I think Australia has better sportsmen), but I don't have one, and they're one hell of a lot better than nothing ( so long as you don't know too many of the people they @#$%' for their national interests)... All the best, brothers and sisters who love mankind.

    --
    http://pcblues.com - Digits and Wood
  112. Putin's war in Chechnya by Mr.+Sosa · · Score: 1

    Boris' resignation is the final confirmation of the fact that the war in Chechnya has simply been
    an instrument in securing Putin's presidency. Even before Boris' resignation, the popularity polls showed that Putin's popularity was on the rise, due to the war. Interest in the war, within Russia, will dwindle.

    --
    We've gone on holiday by mistake!
  113. Get your facts strait!!!! by driggers · · Score: 1

    1. Russia refuse to allow western comanies to buy Russian firm when they were privatised. Russias own zenophobia and racsism stoped western investment! 2 Who bought the privatised firms? Former comunist party bosses. 3 Were did they get the money? they embezled it. 4 Who has been financing Russia for the last 4-5 years? The IMF (most of the money comes from America!) 5 When he tried to push through pro market reforms who blocked it? Comunist and nationallist 6 Russians invested in America. Americans invested in Russia. The stock we hold in Russia are worthless. Gee who won on that exchange? 7 Chechen mafia? I bet you agree with the supression of the Baltic republics, or the crushing of the Pruage spring. 8 Illeagaly destroyed the USSR? It seems to me that Russia is the worst of from the break up. the other republcs are trucking along just fine and thier quality of life is getting better. So who was served by the USSR the Russians. not the rest of the Soviet population. 9 The health system was more available but of a much poorer quality than in America. Welfare have you ever seen the Soviet era orphanages? Those children were not called the forgoten for nothing. 10 Education was free but of very poor quality. You learned a job. The one you were told to learn. In America you have to work for your education (sometimes)but you get to pick what you learn so that your not just a gear in the Soviet industrial war machine. 11 55% of the USSR's industrial output was comited to its millitary. 23% of the USA's was comitted to the millitary. Gee you do the math! 12 The USA entered into open alliances with its European allies. Russia killed the ligitmet goverment of Poland when they returned from exile after WW2. When France left NATO. NATO troops left France. When Chekoslovakia whanted to hold ellections Russia sent in troops and killed the reform goverment and supporters.