Geoblocking Enabled

Not that it makes much difference in the great scheme of things, but just in case you use a VPN service that has servers in either Russia or Belarus: I've blocked visitors from both those countries from accessing this website, until further notice.

Of course, any Russian or Belarusian citizen will be able to VPN their way around such a block, fairly trivially, in their turn... but maybe every little helps.

Anyway, If you are seeing this message:

...the Geoblocking will be why.

2 thoughts on “Geoblocking Enabled”

  1. Wow, I really cannot believe things go in this direction. So you've decided punishing Russian people or are you just trying to prevent Putin and Lukashenko from visiting your blog? Have you ever done the same when the US and NATO invaded countries, destroyed cities and backed military coups in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa for decades? Or those were just 'rightful' operations aiming to 'enlighten' those 'uncivilised' people with democracy? Zagreb orchestra is removing Tchaikovsky from its repertoire, University of Milan is banning Dostoevsky books... So what's next? Are we going to burn any books and records from great Russian masters to punish Putin? I really can't believe people are taking such fascist actions to protest the invasion of a country like they've never done before (in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, etc.). Anyways. I just wanted to tell you that I am regretfully removing your blog from my RSS reader. I really enjoyed this place for years, and learned a lot. Thank you very much for that. Wish you all the best.

    1. I've decided that what Putin, and Russia's political elites in cahoots with him, have done is beyond the pale and in whatever small capacity I can, I think I should demonstrate that. If it causes even minor inconvenience to the people of the countries currently invading a sovereign, democratic and peaceful nation, I'm happy: maybe it might prompt some of them to think more critically of their political leaders? I can only hope.

      NATO has never invaded a country. You can make a case that its bombing of Belgrade in 1999 was illegal, because it was done without UN Security Council Mandate, but if your argument is that what NATO did wrong in 1999 justifies Putin's actions in Ukraine 23 years later, you're indulging in 'whataboutism' of the worst kind: NATO was at least trying to prevent genocide (of the Kossovans), rather than commit it.

      The US has intervened in several countries for poor reasons, and I haven't supported a lot of such interventions. But you specifically list three, and it seems to me you couldn't have cited three clearer cases where the US (and/or NATO) were entirely justified in their actions. The US invaded Afghanistan as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks launched by agents of Al-Qaeda operating in that country. Indeed, it remains the only time when NATO's Article 5 provisions for collective self-defence have been invoked. Iraq was invaded by the US the first time because of Iraq's completely unjustified invasion of Kuwait, with the resulting need to liberate Kuwait, with full UN approval. No-one you mention has ever invaded Libya, but NATO did start enforcing the UN-mandated no-fly zone when asked. We can certainly agree that the US second invasion of Iraq was unjustified and unwarranted and some of us protested at it at the time... but it took place in 2003, so no issues as to whether this website should have geoblocked the US arose, as it didn't exist back then!

      I don't approve of not playing Russian music or reading Russian literature: Tchaikovsky never committed war crimes, and Dostoevsky never invaded a peaceful, democratic neighbouring country. Taking steps against them now for actions they never took a hundred-plus years ago seems somewhat misguided! That said, I can understand that events organisers or University administrators, who know their local communities better than I do, might wish to avoid demonstrations and other expressions of unrest or discontent. I otherwise cannot comment on the cultural actions of others.

      Since you're from Italy, you will presumably be somewhat familiar with what real Fascism looks like. You will therefore know it as the political ideology that held that "for the fascist, everything is in the state, and no human or spiritual thing exists, or has any sort of value, outside the state." How you can equate an individual, university or concert orchestra indicating displeasure at a dictator invading a neighbouring country with believing that the state is the be-all and end-all of everything, I haven't the faintest idea. It is the longest and silliest of bows to be drawing, I think. By dropping the word 'fascist' into every third sentence to indicate your displeasure with people's actions you happen to disagree with, you devalue the significance and horror of a thoroughly rotten political ideology.

      In any event, I'm glad you found this place useful in the past; what you choose to do with your RSS reader is entirely a matter for you, so fine; I shall hope you resume reading this site at some point in the future; and I shall continue to take whatever tiny steps I can in support of Ukraine in future, too.

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