Who didn't see this coming a few million miles away? In any authoritarian state, everything is touched by the state, including science. It's reflexive, about control, not just twisting the results to suit (if also that).
China won't release origin data and keeps tight control of case and death info. Russia lies about case numbers and fudges and withholds vaccine data. Both with serious, ongoing repercussions for global health.
When global institutions like WHO work with dictatorships, they are inevitably corrupted by them. It's not better than nothing, not pragmatic, but becoming a conduit for corruption even if their motivations are good.
As we asked at the time, why did The Lancet publish Sputnik vaccine results with data only from Russian sources, considering their track record? Now there are questions and requests for raw data, six months later? Why not, "we won't publish this unless you provide everything"?
Putin's regime lying about Russia's Covid cases ("Russian Covid miracle!") resulted not just in Russian deaths (still undercounted ~400%), but in Russia not being added to no-fly lists, helping the plague spread worldwide at a critical early stage. But trust their vax data, sure.

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More from @chessninja

23 May
I just caught a hard a foul ball by Clint Frazier and got a nice ovation from the crowd and a souvenir for Ninja Son. Got to stay ready! #Yankees
It was to my left and hooking fast so I didn't have a chance to get out of the way and let him make the catch, and I have more confidence in him catching it than me these days.
You're not going to believe this, but while I was getting food the same Yankee player hit one and The Boy caught it in the air and is the new hero of section 216. I came back with the food & everybody was cheering and yelling to me about how awesome it was.
Read 4 tweets
21 May
Almost literally bumped into Tracy Morgan coming home from baseball practice with my son. Massive film crew presence on the SW corner of Prospect Park for "the OG" something. They turned a storefront into a "Sex Shop" front with big window displays.
Same Prospect Park West block where Paul Auster's film Smoke was made in 1995 w Harvey Keitel. Also the blocks where Alanis Morrisette's "Hand in my Pocket" video was filmed during our local St. Patrick's Day parade. (Old Irish hood in Windsor Terrace.)
Oh, Google sez "The Last OG" is a series that’s been going since 2018, who knew? (Not me.) Surprised it was such a huge shoot for a tv show. They film a lot around here, but this was more trailers than I’ve seen since they did one of the early Spiderman movies on our street.
Read 5 tweets
19 Mar
Biden: Putin is a killer.
Putin: I know you are but what am I? Debate me!
Biden: Nah, you should debate a Russian opposition leader. Oh, that's right, they're dead or in jail. Because you're a killer.
Many have pointed out the irony of Putin's silly challenge, since he hasn't debated once in 21 yrs through 4 presidential "elections." It would be a joke, of course, but even putting a puppet or clown on the stage as an equal is way too risky a look. Mafia bosses don't debate.
Putin doing this in an attempt to get his swagger back shows that the "killer" remark stung. It's no "Vladimir, Poisoner of Underpants," but it's earthy. Putin craves legitimacy and respect. "Killer" is a common criminal. (Also why "Putin Vor! (thief)" is the best chant.)
Read 8 tweets
18 Mar
The 2010 Russian WWII documentary, "Soviet Storm: World War II in the East" mentions near the start, if briefly, that "Stalin and Hitler had been allies" and "had reached an agreement." Both statements would be close to illegal in Russia now.
Of course they don't mention what the agreement was, nothing re dividing up Poland. No mention of the names Molotov or Ribbentrop. But Hitler and Stalin having been allies until Hitler invaded is an uncomfortable truth that Putin has been trying to re-bury for years.
I bet that line is gone if it's still available in Russia at all. Too tired for screencaps, but there are some excellent mustaches on some of the reenactment actors. And some of the documentary footage is probably Soviet archive exclusive.
Read 10 tweets
5 Feb
1) Biden saying it himself and 2) his saying “Putin” instead of “Russia” or “Russian government.” Capo to capo, it matters. Putin has been dictator for 20 years and is the richest guy on the planet. He doesn’t care what Blinken says.
The reason we've harped on this trivial detail for years is not just to get Putin's attention. It's to focus on Putin the crime boss as the problem, not some old-timey clash of national interests or ideologies.
Putin and his gang don't care about that stuff at all, except for occasional "Make Russia Scary Again" propaganda. They use "Russia" as a way to deflect attention and absorb punishment that should go do their global criminal business. It's a construct.
Read 6 tweets
4 Feb
More from the usual Russia Today angle, the same one that's been trotted out for a decade. "If you ban our hostile propaganda, we'll ban your free media." But it's a false choice and you don't have to fall for the transactional bullshit.
Putin and his gang crave access and legitimacy in the free world. Right now, they have it both ways. No media freedom at home, but paid Kremlin propaganda in the free world. One of many double standards that help modern dictators thrive.
"Dateline—Berlin, 1939: Germany complains that the Nazi News Network has been kicked off the radio in America, threatens to sue, ban Walter Winchell in Germany." Fuck off.
Read 5 tweets

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