Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
VanemadUuemad
Estonia is going to really shoot herself in the foot with this one, one way or the other. I'd wait and let Hungary pull hers down first, and at least then there will be a more realistic precedent for tearing down Tallinn's famous landmarks-at least more than just bulldozering Sakala keskus.
Poor Maxim. He just can’t control himself. He seems unable to stop commenting, even when he has nothing to say. Nothing of substance, anyway.
Here he goes once again making one of his famous predictions. And what is his prediction this time? Well, it is this remarkably precise prophesy, [i]“Estonia is going to really shoot herself in the foot with this one, one way or the other.”[i]
Wow!
Not only [i]shoot herself[i], but in the foot! And not just [i]shoot[i], but really shoot! And, to top off this remarkable prediction, [i]Estonia [will do this][i] one way or the other.
Wow, wow! Maxim just keeps getting sharper with every passing day.
Here he goes once again making one of his famous predictions. And what is his prediction this time? Well, it is this remarkably precise prophesy, [i]“Estonia is going to really shoot herself in the foot with this one, one way or the other.”[i]
Wow!
Not only [i]shoot herself[i], but in the foot! And not just [i]shoot[i], but really shoot! And, to top off this remarkable prediction, [i]Estonia [will do this][i] one way or the other.
Wow, wow! Maxim just keeps getting sharper with every passing day.
Do you believe that there is someone among the EE readership waiting for your vacuous predictions as if it was solid knowledge from the recording angel on high? If so, who?
Honestly, I didn't see much of interest in Maxim's comment that deserved a response or comment. I guess it's been a week or two since EE readers got into a good flame war with Maxim and boredom was setting in.
I hoped you'd get a little further in your comment and offer an opinion about Hungary. But come to think of it, you probably have no idea of what's going on over there anyway, so that would be a pretty useless thing to hope for, wouldn't it now. Better luck...
It won't be boring in Tallinn for long, especially when the nightwatchmen from Moscow arrive in town after 25th April. Then Merilo and others will wish they had said something sensible before instead of taking a stab at me as usual.
Proposals to remove the Budapest monument have been put forward since the early 90s. If earlier initiatives failed, I don't see how this petition will change any minds. Considering the state of affairs in Hungary and that the next election is years away, I doubt any parliamentarian will endorse its removal.
As for these Canadians who so vociferously call for the removal of the Tonismagi monument I ask this: what will Estonian-Russian relations look like the day after this monument is removed? Will there be a consequence? Or will the Russians simply look away?
The very serious reality that Estonia is faced with is the March ’08 Russian Presidential election. As we approach that date, similar calls, like Ivanov’s boycott, will become more frequent and more severe. As ordinary Russian citizens are mobilized by this nationalistic propaganda of nostalgia, they will support a strong position against Estonia. If the monument were to fall, ordinary Russians would cheer any actions taken by their government. Where does that leave Estonians? Where does this leave us?
If the Estonians do in fact remove this monument, and the Russians do in fact react, what are we to do? Turn to the Canadian/US/EU governments? What would we tell them? That we didn’t like the monument? That we thought that its removal would compensate for 60 years of Soviet destruction? Would they laugh or would they cry? Or perhaps Mr. Meriloo would use some of his crude logic to bully them into action? Or maybe his contemporaries would use foul language and veiled threats? They certainly don’t have to live with the consequences of this new “crusade” that they so eagerly celebrate over stale Saku.
As for these Canadians who so vociferously call for the removal of the Tonismagi monument I ask this: what will Estonian-Russian relations look like the day after this monument is removed? Will there be a consequence? Or will the Russians simply look away?
The very serious reality that Estonia is faced with is the March ’08 Russian Presidential election. As we approach that date, similar calls, like Ivanov’s boycott, will become more frequent and more severe. As ordinary Russian citizens are mobilized by this nationalistic propaganda of nostalgia, they will support a strong position against Estonia. If the monument were to fall, ordinary Russians would cheer any actions taken by their government. Where does that leave Estonians? Where does this leave us?
If the Estonians do in fact remove this monument, and the Russians do in fact react, what are we to do? Turn to the Canadian/US/EU governments? What would we tell them? That we didn’t like the monument? That we thought that its removal would compensate for 60 years of Soviet destruction? Would they laugh or would they cry? Or perhaps Mr. Meriloo would use some of his crude logic to bully them into action? Or maybe his contemporaries would use foul language and veiled threats? They certainly don’t have to live with the consequences of this new “crusade” that they so eagerly celebrate over stale Saku.
Merilo has placed too much confidence in the European Union, as if that body is able to snuff and kill every problem that arose within and outside of her borders. The EU is a weak and pathetic organization, and Estonia is already paying a high price for being a member. Fines, taxes etc-it was probably easier to be a member of the Middle Age Hanseatic League than it is to be embattled between to giants like the EU and Russia.
Toomas, you are an idiot of the highest order!
Harper is closing the Canadian Embassy to the Baltics in Riga.
I guess that goes to show how much importance the current Canadian government places on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, despite being active NATO partners.
Sounds like he's closing the offices in Tallinn too.
I guess that goes to show how much importance the current Canadian government places on Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, despite being active NATO partners.
Sounds like he's closing the offices in Tallinn too.
It is quite interesting, even funny, to see the level of interest about this issue at the highest levels of the Russian government.
If this symbol is such an important and beloved icon for the Russian government, perhaps Estonia should ship it to Moscow as a "gift" where it could be laid to rest beside Lenin. I'm sure the two would have lots to talk about.
If this symbol is such an important and beloved icon for the Russian government, perhaps Estonia should ship it to Moscow as a "gift" where it could be laid to rest beside Lenin. I'm sure the two would have lots to talk about.
OK-sure, Toomas overlooks a lot of the gritty detail in Estonian politics, but at least he thinks positively. If we all forgot about the problems Estonia has, then it might just inspire us to see Estonia's progress in the kind of glowing terms that come so easily to Toomas.
Maybe the city landscapers/gardeners can plant a nice thick evergreen hedge around the entire monument. The Russians will probably not be offended, but the Estonians will know that in time the bushes will grow and hide the vulgarity. No movement of the statue will be necessary but no one will have to look at it either.
Someone's already suggested piling rocks so high it covers the outline of the statue. However, the fact that Russians are willing to genuflect in front of this handsome Estonian face is reason enough to let the whole farce continue. This Estonian is a symbol that local Russians have embraced-we ought to capitalize on that fact and broaden the concept to better suit us.
Impossible for the Estonians to 'embrace' this symbol as there is just too much negative association. Another idea may be to have some artists erect more Estonian national sculptures or other positive symols at that location so that the 'bronze soldier ' becomes less prominent and Tonnismae will no longer remain as a singular symbol of a "Russian foothold" on Estonian soil.
Months ago I suggested that an occupation/repressions memorial should be built around the monument. By doing so we would take away and make our own, what that monument currently represents.
Chopping the monument down will not leave any lasting effects other than Russia’s wrath; completely changing what it symbolizes would leave a powerful reminder of the sordid Estonian Soviet experience.
Chopping the monument down will not leave any lasting effects other than Russia’s wrath; completely changing what it symbolizes would leave a powerful reminder of the sordid Estonian Soviet experience.
Sounds fine by me-it would reduce the heat surrounding the issue, and would give latitude to go ahead and do something in Estonia's interests at the same time. Who do we approach about forwarding the plan?
Email me at the above.
If you're in Toronto we could meet to discuss.
If you're in Toronto we could meet to discuss.
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