The most stupid statement, the most ridiculous decision, the most stupid politician
On the eve of April 1 - April Fool's Day - The New Times invited Russian politicians, economists, journalists, writers and actors to remember all the stupidest things that happened in Russia during the year. Namely, the most stupid statement, the most stupid decision and the most stupid politician. Readers of The New Times also took part in the survey.
People laugh at each other, at politicians, officials, businessmen. It is customary to laugh at representatives of the elite - they say it brings the authorities closer to society. The International Academy of Stupidity distributes awards for the most outstanding achievements in the field of stupidity and ignorance. In 2005, former President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and US President George W. Bush "fought" for the title of "Dumbest". More than once, US Vice President Dick Cheney has been on the list of contenders in several nominations at once. The winner in 2006 was American Judge Donald Thompson, who used a penis pump during court hearings. In the five years of the award's existence, none of the "winners" has yet filed a claim or accused the academy of slander or extremism.
The most stupid saying of the year?
Alexey Devotchenko, actor: Governor Matvienko's promise to turn off gas and water to those who do not come to vote. Then she justified herself for a long time that this was such a joke and that she would never joke again.
Andrey Vasiliev, editor-in-chief of the Kommersant newspaper: A statement by Baturina ( Elena Baturina is the head of the Inteko company, the wife of the mayor of Moscow ) - she said that she was very sorry for the Venetians because they have such an old city.
Zakhar Prilepin, writer: Yakemenko's call ( Vasily Yakemenko - head of the State Committee for Youth Affairs ) to breed in poverty, cold, hunger and one room with 16 dogs.
Aleksey Mitrofanov, former State Duma deputy: Statement by Chief of the General Staff Yury Baluyevsky that in Russia NATO radars may not be recognized and some kind of automatic missile launch may occur. All launches occur on command, not automatically. It is surprising that the military team itself is conducting some kind of political dialogue with NATO. The military does not have the right to conduct any political dialogue, they should only deal with the state of the armed forces.
Garry Kasparov, world chess champion: “Unfortunately, we do not have the ability or authority to close TV channels or influence their content,” said Sergei Mironov ( Chairman of the Federation Council ). A worthy competitor to Gryzlov's "Parliament is not a place for discussion."
Alexander Khandruev, First Vice-President of the Association of Regional Banks: Those that were made by the leaders of Goznak and which gave rise to rumors about the denomination. This could not be done in any case, especially on behalf of Goznak.
Boris Reitschuster, head of the Moscow bureau of the German edition of Focus: Statement by Vladimir Churov ( chairman of the CEC of the Russian Federation ), who said that Russia has the most honest elections in Europe.
Grigory Savenko, Protestant clergyman, reader of The New Times (poll was conducted on the NewTimes.ru website): V.V. Putin at a press conference: “Do you want me to eat earth from a pot of flowers? »
Dmitry Nesterenko, reader of The New Times: Zhirinovsky, at a reception with the president, you called for the closure of the "yellow" newspapers, which, they say, write about divorces, which hinder the increase in the birth rate. And for the successful development of Russia, he proposed to rely on the elite, and not on ordinary people, whom he called "the children of the Sharikovs." However, these statements did not arouse understanding on the part of the President. Vladimir Putin rather harshly replied that he did not intend to "close anything", and about the "children of the Sharikovs" he remarked: "But I am also from a working-class family."
Igor Namakonov, reader of The New Times: Medvedev's answer to a question from The Financial Times. “Tell me honestly, when did you find out that you would be president?” - "On the night of 2 to 3 March."
The dumbest decision of the year?
Alexey Devotchenko: Construction of a skating rink on Palace Square. This shows all the stupidity of our provincial St. Petersburg authorities. Moreover, when the skating rink was dismantled, a remarkable fence was missing nearby.
Andrey Vasiliev: Creation of the Just Russia and Other Russia parties. Moreover, the name of one of the parties is even more stupid than the idea itself.
Zakhar Prilepin: If Vasily Yakemenko is still connected with the youth, it will be the dumbest decision in the history of Russian civilization.
Garry Kasparov: Most of the government's decisions are criminal or illegal. The one who acts illegally is not only stupid, but also digs a hole for himself. However, the actions of Mr. Onishchenko's department always add humorous notes to this gloomy picture.
Alexander Khandruev: Number one on United Russia's list. It didn't have to be done.
Boris Reitschuster: The most stupid decision, in my opinion, was the pressure on the opposition in connection with the "March of Dissent", preventing the opposition from participating in the presidential elections. With this, the authorities made the best PR to their opponents there, at least in the West.
Grigory Savenko: The decision of V.V. Putin to become prime minister.
Konstantin Selin: Expulsion of Morari. Marina Kagalnyak, St. Petersburg, reader of The New Times: Transfer of power by inheritance.
Dmitry Nesterenko: Systematic redrawing of laws for a handful of people who are considered the leadership of the country.
The most stupid politician of the year?
Alexey Devotchenko : Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, with whose knowledge Maxim Reznik was arrested and then released.
Andrey Vasilyev: Thank God, we have not lived up to the most stupid politician yet, we have everything ahead of us.
Henry Reznik, lawyer: Of course, Zhirinovsky. And he is the dumbest politician of the last fifteen years.
Alexey Mitrofanov: Clinton. When he started to mention some racial things about Barack Obama. Then two versions were put forward. Or he wants to "merge" his wife so that she does not become president. Or is it just a mistake, an unworthy policy of this level. I guess the first one.
Garry Kasparov: If Bogdanov is qualified as a politician, which in itself is a very ridiculous statement, then of course he will be on the shortlist for this nomination.
Alexander Khandruev: Zhirinovsky. He is sick, but still the disease does not free from stupidity.
Grigory Savenko: V.V. Zhirinovsky. In my opinion, a wise politician would not harness himself to a show called "Elections", but he decided to fool the people, considering the people to be rednecks.
Konstantin Selin: Vasily Yakemenko.
Marina Kagalnyak: V.V. Putin and S.V. Lavrov. We managed to quarrel with all the "decent" countries and kiss the "indecent" ones.
