LGBT Rights & Issues Thread

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

So, now access to the Internet = civilisation.

Cite me examples of contemporarily successful civilizations that are not globalized.

[Lyttenburg]

So, now access to the Internet = civilisation.

Cite me examples of contemporarily successful civilizations that are not globalized.

What you understand under the words "successful" and "civilization"? Is in your understanding the "civilization" is something Modern, and before the Internet age there were not any civilizations? Because that's what you were saying in your post. You seem to firmly believe that the Internet is source only for "Truth" and "Facts".

Tell me, DHoHR, who is more civilized - a person that has access to the Net, but uses it only to surf for porn, watch YouTube clips with funny animals, weather forecast and totally content with that OR another person who reads a lot, visits museums and galleries, knows a lot of people from different walks of life and actually possess the intellectual ability to process all things learned via various sources even without Internet access?

In your original post you've said:

I believe in enlightenment for anybody in the 21st century with a touch of access to civilization.

as if a) Access to the Net = access to civilization by default b) Russia do not posess it's own unique civilization.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

-snip-

You completely understood my logic, you're just trying to make me seem foolish.

By internet I obviously meant access to information, published sources with actual scientific evidence to their claims, rather than social repression and taboos.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

http://www.conjur.com.br/2014-jun-21/tr ... o-cirurgia

Seemingly, now it's valid for all of Rio Grande do Sul that you don't need to have a surgery to have a legal sex change.

I still want forced psychology bullshit and hormonization to be vanished as it is in Argentina, but that's already an advance.

[Lalaki]

The US is ever closer to having all 50 states recognize same-sex marriage.

We must begin preparations for the next developed country to work on. Italy, perhaps.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

The US is ever closer to having all 50 states recognize same-sex marriage.

We must begin preparations for the next developed country to work on. Italy, perhaps.

I think Asia needs more help, tbh. No non-Western country ever managed to do it.

Even the Vietnamese unregistered cohabitation was cancelled.

[Wintersdown]

I think Asia needs more help, tbh. No non-Western country ever managed to do it.

Even the Vietnamese unregistered cohabitation was cancelled.

I'm with HetRio on this one, western established civilization is, for the most part, either tolerant or legally acknowledging of Homosexuals. (With the exception of *cough* Russia *cough*)

Not saying we should full on challenge China or something but definitely trying to turn opinions in that direction would be helpful.

[Revanchism]

I think Asia needs more help, tbh. No non-Western country ever managed to do it.

Even the Vietnamese unregistered cohabitation was cancelled.

I'm with HetRio on this one, western established civilization is, for the most part, either tolerant or legally acknowledging of Homosexuals. (With the exception of *cough* Russia *cough*)

Not saying we should full on challenge China or something but definitely trying to turn opinions in that direction would be helpful.

A major part of the problem is, heh, the West.

[Wintersdown]

A major part of the problem is, heh, the West.

No surprise there.

[Mons Garle]

The US is ever closer to having all 50 states recognize same-sex marriage.

We must begin preparations for the next developed country to work on. Italy, perhaps.

I think Asia needs more help, tbh. No non-Western country ever managed to do it.

Even the Vietnamese unregistered cohabitation was cancelled.

Well South Africa's done pretty well considering the situation there and the influence of other countries in Africa like Uganda. South America is also seeing progress in the right direction - but yes Asia & Africa are lagging well behind. I think the more prosperous these countries become, and therefore the less old-fashioned and traditional they begin to be, we might begin to see some movement... But it seems an awful long way off just yet.

The biggest thorn in the side of equality in the developed world is Australia. Tony Abbott's causing problems all over the place - not only does he deny the right of LGBT people to marry but he even denies climate change...

[Distruzio]

I think Asia needs more help, tbh. No non-Western country ever managed to do it.

Even the Vietnamese unregistered cohabitation was cancelled.

I'm with HetRio on this one, western established civilization is, for the most part, either tolerant or legally acknowledging of Homosexuals. (With the exception of *cough* Russia *cough*)

Not saying we should full on challenge China or something but definitely trying to turn opinions in that direction would be helpful.

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

[Tierra Prime]

I'm with HetRio on this one, western established civilization is, for the most part, either tolerant or legally acknowledging of Homosexuals. (With the exception of *cough* Russia *cough*)

Not saying we should full on challenge China or something but definitely trying to turn opinions in that direction would be helpful.

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Tell me, why do you consider Russia to be an Asian nation? Emperor Peter westernised it quite a bit if I remember correctly.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

South America is also seeing progress in the right direction

Argentines, Chileans, Uruguayans and Brazilians largely idealize Europe as a land of progression and social advancement, and largely think of themselves as white people or members of a white-founded society.

This is non-Western nowhere in hell, for the best or worst.

We'd look weird at Mexicans using gringo as an anti-white slur.

[Lyttenburg]

I'm with HetRio on this one, western established civilization is, for the most part, either tolerant or legally acknowledging of Homosexuals. (With the exception of *cough* Russia *cough*)

Not saying we should full on challenge China or something but definitely trying to turn opinions in that direction would be helpful.

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Oh, so right! Just look at those despicable Asians!

They totally not like the Bright Valinor - the Blessed Western Realm, where all people are beatiful, kind, freedom-loving, tolerant, freethinking progressivists that shoot rainbows through their eyes and poo marshmallows.

It's not like that their state religion (as well as other unmentionable by sensetive Westerners thing), that helped them form as a nation came from the West - nope! And their culture? The Proud Westerners either don't know a lot about it, or ignore or just desise - isn't it an ultimate sign that it's un-Western and, therefore, inferior? It's obvious for any politically conscious Westerner that all steretypes about Russia are Truth (tm), and even attempting to arguing that by learning so-called "facts" is Heresy, punishable by ostrcism (at first...)

Right, I'm off to drink vodka, play my balalayka, then mount my bear and go partitioning Poland.

Again.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

Oh, so right! Just look at those despicable Asians!

Why do you immediately assume one to be racist?

-snip-

I wonder how an Orthodox like Distruzio would be a russophobe West-supremacist regardless.

[Lyttenburg]

Oh, so right! Just look at those despicable Asians!

Why do you immediately assume one to be racist?

No, what I assume anyone making such claims to be would make said persons report me to mods.

-snip-

I wonder how an Orthodox like Distruzio would be a russophobe West-supremacist regardless.

Hey, me too! But forum sigs can't lie, can they?

Oh, by the way, while you are still here Rio:

-snip-

You completely understood my logic, you're just trying to make me seem foolish.

No, I don't understand your logic. At all. And. beleive me, I'm not making any attempts for you to "seem foolish". At all.

By internet I obviously meant access to information, published sources with actual scientific evidence to their claims, rather than social repression and taboos.

Besides totally ignoring my question(s), about what are you considering the "Civilisation"

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

Besides totally ignoring my question(s), about what are you considering the "Civilisation"

Because they are of little relevance, taking profit on a bad wording I used. Or that is, it's nitpicking for one to go and say I'm trying to insult Russians just because I said they are immersed in a common civilization where people have contact with anyone at the other side of the world, rather than isolated in a tribe inside deep forest.

[Distruzio]

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Tell me, why do you consider Russia to be an Asian nation? Emperor Peter westernised it quite a bit if I remember correctly.

Which suggests.... what? That is was not a western nation. And what specific policies can we identify from Peter's westernization aspirations, hmmm? What did he do? Well, he coerced the nobility into adopting western fashions; adopted French as the court language; encouraged "planned cities" (such as St. Petersburg) in the veins of Paris; he industrialized the Russian ship building industry; and, finally, he organized the Russian military in the same manner european militaries were organized. If this counts as "westernization" explicitly, then should we not also assume that China and South Korea are westernized nations because they adopted economic protectionism and allow western corporations to operate within their territories?

Russia can be considered more westernized now than before, but its hardly a western nation. It's an Asian nation. Absolutely.

[Distruzio]

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Oh, so right! Just look at those despicable Asians!

They totally not like the Bright Valinor - the Blessed Western Realm, where all people are beatiful, kind, freedom-loving, tolerant, freethinking progressivists that shoot rainbows through their eyes and poo marshmallows.

It's not like that their state religion (as well as other unmentionable by sensetive Westerners thing), that helped them form as a nation came from the West - nope! And their culture? The Proud Westerners either don't know a lot about it, or ignore or just desise - isn't it an ultimate sign that it's un-Western and, therefore, inferior? It's obvious for any politically conscious Westerner that all steretypes about Russia are Truth (tm), and even attempting to arguing that by learning so-called "facts" is Heresy, punishable by ostrcism (at first...)

Right, I'm off to drink vodka, play my balalayka, then mount my bear and go partitioning Poland.

Again.

.... okay?

I've no idea what you're on about. The Russian faith is Orthodox Christianity - an eastern religion. Christianity originated in the east, not the west.

Also... I think you're presuming a value judgement on Russia exists in my statement - there isn't one.

[Distruzio]

-snip-

I wonder how an Orthodox like Distruzio would be a russophobe West-supremacist regardless.

....um... I'm not. In the slightest.

How'd you get that?

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

....um... I'm not. In the slightest.

How'd you get that?

That's exactly my question. How'd Lyttenburgh think that?

[Roski]

Tell me, why do you consider Russia to be an Asian nation? Emperor Peter westernised it quite a bit if I remember correctly.

Which suggests.... what? That is was not a western nation. And what specific policies can we identify from Peter's westernization aspirations, hmmm? What did he do? Well, he coerced the nobility into adopting western fashions; adopted French as the court language; encouraged "planned cities" (such as St. Petersburg) in the veins of Paris; he industrialized the Russian ship building industry; and, finally, he organized the Russian military in the same manner european militaries were organized. If this counts as "westernization" explicitly, then should we not also assume that China and South Korea are westernized nations because they adopted economic protectionism and allow western corporations to operate within their territories?

Russia can be considered more westernized now than before, but its hardly a western nation. It's an Asian nation. Absolutely.

The Capital of Russia, Moscow, is in Europe. Therefore, its European.

[Lyttenburg]

Tell me, why do you consider Russia to be an Asian nation? Emperor Peter westernised it quite a bit if I remember correctly.

Which suggests.... what? That is was not a western nation. And what specific policies can we identify from Peter's westernization aspirations, hmmm? What did he do? Well, he coerced the nobility into adopting western fashions; adopted French as the court language; encouraged "planned cities" (such as St. Petersburg) in the veins of Paris; he industrialized the Russian ship building industry; and, finally, he organized the Russian military in the same manner European militaries were organized. If this counts as "westernization" explicitly, then should we not also assume that China and South Korea are westernized nations because they adopted economic protectionism and allow western corporations to operate within their territories?

Russia can be considered more westernized now than before, but its hardly a western nation. It's an Asian nation. Absolutely.

Yes! Stay strong in your ignorance citizen, or isn't it said that "Blessed be the mind too small to doubt"? Peter I the Great - bah! What have he raely done to Russia? Except:

- Government Reforms. Creation of Ministries (Collegiums), Senate and Magistrate.
- Administrative Reforms. Creation of governorates (gubernias) modeled after Sweden system of province administration.
- Judicial Reform. A total re-haul of Russia's Judicial System.
- Table of Ranks. Created a new system of civilian and military Ranks that totally reshaped not only the state bureaucracy, but the society as well.
- Military Reform. Creation of regular army and fleet based on the Western examples. Granted, Peter's system actually lacked one of the features, that was quite prominent in the militaries of Europe of that period (and remained it's feature for a long time) - it wasn't allowed to "buy" an officers commission, like say in Britain. More proof how Asiatic he was... I guess?
- Church reform. Abolition of Patriarchy, institution of "Church Ministry" - the Holy Synod. De facto, the Russian Czar became (through his Ober-Procuror of Synod) a head of Russian Orthodox Church in all but name. An action that is totally alien for the Western civilization.
- Fianancial reform. Reform of the national monetary system and taxation modeled by (wait-wait for it!) on the Western examples.
- Industrial Reforms. A nation wide program of establishing manufactories and mines. In fact, it's safe to say that Peter I created industrial base for the Russia nearly from the scratch.
- Reforms of the Nobility. Institution of majorat in case of inheritance, abolishing of any judicial, social and privilege divide between the aristocracy (boyars and deti boyrskie) and the gentry (dvoryane). Plus Table of Ranks allowed to earn personal and even hereditary nobility through the government service. What - this is also Asiatic?
- Third Estate Reforms. Establishment of Western like "Guilds" and "Crafts" (Cjehi) for merchants and craftsmen respectfully. Voivodes as the heads of the cities were replaced by the elected city Magistrates.
- Culltural Reforms. Besides the adoption of the western fashion in dress and other spheres of the noble life (and no, Peter The Great didn't make the French the Russian "court language" - it happened naturally over time years later), Czar Peter also introduced in Russia European calendar, established the first schools not run by the church, kickstarted the mass transation in Russian of the Western books, the foundation of the first Russian newspaper. Peter ordered the reform of the Russian language that brought it to nearly modern form, and nearly 4500 new Western words entered the Russian parlance. He helped the establishing of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which opened a few months after his death. He introduced Assemblages - a new type for a mass social event inspired (are ready for this) by the Western examples. He also made it illegal to forcibly marry people. Oh, and while he didn't order anyone else but the nobles to shave beards he imposed a tax on the rest - "the Beard Money". It was only abolished by Catherine II.

All these (and many, many other ones) reforms of Peter the Great will, of course, mean nothing to you user Distruzio. Good for you! "Thought begets Doubt. Doubt begets Heresy" - and we all know this is baaaaad.

User Distruzio, I'm curious - did you lump, say, Bulgaria, Albania and Armenia into the "Asian" category as well? What is your criteria?

.... okay?

I've no idea what you're on about. The Russian faith is Orthodox Christianity - an eastern religion. Christianity originated in the east, not the west.

Also... I think you're presuming a value judgement on Russia exists in my statement - there isn't one.

But-but-but! You were against the mere suggestion that Russia is part of the "Western" civilization! Its right here, in your post -

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Now you somehow implying that Russian Pravoslaviye is eastern Religion ('cause it came from the Byzantium, you know, the Roman Empires Eastern part and successor state), and that all Christianity originated in the East. So, your point is - what? That Because Christianity originated in the East (in Asia, to boot), then all nations that adopted it - are Asian? Or that Rus adopted some "wrong" form of Christianity, not the kosher Western Catholicism, but some Unutterable Pravoslaviye (despite the fact that at the moment of conversion to Christianity the Great Schizm of 1054 was still a matter of the future)? That's what makes Russia "Asian"? Of maybe it's the adoption of another product of Western thinking in fields of economics, history, sociology and philosophy - communism? Why? Because it was invented by Karl Marx, an "impure" Westerner?

Tell me Distruzio! I want to understand your logic! What is in your understanding "Asian" and what is "Western"? Did Russians look like Asians? Or, maybe, you know another "Asian" country that adopted Christianity in the past and kept it as its national religion for the better part of it's history?

[Farnhamia]

Which suggests.... what? That is was not a western nation. And what specific policies can we identify from Peter's westernization aspirations, hmmm? What did he do? Well, he coerced the nobility into adopting western fashions; adopted French as the court language; encouraged "planned cities" (such as St. Petersburg) in the veins of Paris; he industrialized the Russian ship building industry; and, finally, he organized the Russian military in the same manner European militaries were organized. If this counts as "westernization" explicitly, then should we not also assume that China and South Korea are westernized nations because they adopted economic protectionism and allow western corporations to operate within their territories?

Russia can be considered more westernized now than before, but its hardly a western nation. It's an Asian nation. Absolutely.

Yes! Stay strong in your ignorance citizen, or isn't it said that "Blessed be the mind too small to doubt"? Peter I the Great - bah! What have he raely done to Russia? Except:

- Government Reforms. Creation of Ministries (Collegiums), Senate and Magistrate.
- Administrative Reforms. Creation of governorates (gubernias) modeled after Sweden system of province administration.
- Judicial Reform. A total re-haul of Russia's Judicial System.
- Table of Ranks. Created a new system of civilian and military Ranks that totally reshaped not only the state bureaucracy, but the society as well.
- Military Reform. Creation of regular army and fleet based on the Western examples. Granted, Peter's system actually lacked one of the features, that was quite prominent in the militaries of Europe of that period (and remained it's feature for a long time) - it wasn't allowed to "buy" an officers commission, like say in Britain. More proof how Asiatic he was... I guess?
- Church reform. Abolition of Patriarchy, institution of "Church Ministry" - the Holy Synod. De facto, the Russian Czar became (through his Ober-Procuror of Synod) a head of Russian Orthodox Church in all but name. An action that is totally alien for the Western civilization.
- Fianancial reform. Reform of the national monetary system and taxation modeled by (wait-wait for it!) on the Western examples.
- Industrial Reforms. A nation wide program of establishing manufactories and mines. In fact, it's safe to say that Peter I created industrial base for the Russia nearly from the scratch.
- Reforms of the Nobility. Institution of majorat in case of inheritance, abolishing of any judicial, social and privilege divide between the aristocracy (boyars and deti boyrskie) and the gentry (dvoryane). PLus Table of Ranks allowed to earn personal and even hereditary nobility thrugh the government service. What - this is also Asiatic?
- Third Estate Reforms. Establishment of Western like "Guilds" and "Crafts" (Cjehi) for merchants and craftsmen respectfully. Voivodes as the heads of the cities were replaced by the elected city Magistrates.
- Culltural Reforms. Besides the adoption of the western fashion in dress and other spheres of the noble life (and no, Peter The Great didn't make the French the Russian "court language" - it happened naturally over time years later), Czar Peter also introduced in Russia European calendar, established the first schools not run by the church, kickstarted the mass transation in Russian of the Western books, the foundation of the first Russian newspaper. Peter ordered the reform of the Russian language that brought it no nearly modern form, and nearly 4500 new Western words entered the Russian parlance. He helped the establishing of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which opened a few months after his death. He introduced Assemblages - a new type for a mass social event inspired (are ready for this) by the Western examples. He also made it illegal to forcibly marry people. Oh, and while he didn't order anyone else but the nobles to shave beards he imposed a tax on the rest - "the Beard Money". It was only abolished by Catherine II.

All these (and many, many other ones) reforms of Peter the Great will, of course, mean nothing to you user Distruzio. Good for you! "Thought begets Doubt. Doubt begets Heresy" - and we all know this is baaaaad.

User Distruzio, I'm curious - did you lump, say, Bulgaria, Albania and Armenia into the "Asian" category as well? What is your criteria?

.... okay?

I've no idea what you're on about. The Russian faith is Orthodox Christianity - an eastern religion. Christianity originated in the east, not the west.

Also... I think you're presuming a value judgement on Russia exists in my statement - there isn't one.

But-but-but! You were against the mere suggestion that Russia is part of the "Western" civilization! Its right here, in your post -

Russia is part of "western civilization"? It's a asian nation. Always has been.

Now you somehow implying that Russian Pravoslaviye is eastern Religion ('cause it came from the Byzantium, you know, the Roman Empires Eastern part and successor state), and that all Christianity originated in the East. So, your point is - what? That Because Christianity originated in the East (in Asia, to boot), then all nations that adopted it - are Asian? Or that Rus adopted some "wrong" form of Christianity, not the kosher Western Catholicism, but some Unutterable Pravoslaviye (despite the fact that at the moment of conversion to Christianity the Great Schizm of 1054 was still a matter of the future)? That's what makes Russia "Asian"? Of maybe it's the adoption of another product of Western thinking in fields of economics, history, sociology and philosophy - communism? Why? Because it was invented by Karl Marx, an "impure" Westerner?

Tell me Distruzio! I want to understand your logic! What is in your understanding "Asian" and what is "Western"? Did Russians look like Asians? Or, maybe, you know another "Asian" country that adopted Christianity in the past and kept it as its national religion for the better part of it's history?

Or, you know, I have an idea, how about dropping Peter Alexeyevich and Russia in general, and talking about LGBT rights and issues? LGBT rights and issues in Russia is fine but we seem to be just a trifle off topic here.

[Distruzio]

Yes! Stay strong in your ignorance citizen, or isn't it said that "Blessed be the mind too small to doubt"? Peter I the Great - bah! What have he raely done to Russia? Except:

- Government Reforms. Creation of Ministries (Collegiums), Senate and Magistrate.
- Administrative Reforms. Creation of governorates (gubernias) modeled after Sweden system of province administration.
- Judicial Reform. A total re-haul of Russia's Judicial System.
- Table of Ranks. Created a new system of civilian and military Ranks that totally reshaped not only the state bureaucracy, but the society as well.
- Military Reform. Creation of regular army and fleet based on the Western examples. Granted, Peter's system actually lacked one of the features, that was quite prominent in the militaries of Europe of that period (and remained it's feature for a long time) - it wasn't allowed to "buy" an officers commission, like say in Britain. More proof how Asiatic he was... I guess?
- Church reform. Abolition of Patriarchy, institution of "Church Ministry" - the Holy Synod. De facto, the Russian Czar became (through his Ober-Procuror of Synod) a head of Russian Orthodox Church in all but name. An action that is totally alien for the Western civilization.
- Fianancial reform. Reform of the national monetary system and taxation modeled by (wait-wait for it!) on the Western examples.
- Industrial Reforms. A nation wide program of establishing manufactories and mines. In fact, it's safe to say that Peter I created industrial base for the Russia nearly from the scratch.
- Reforms of the Nobility. Institution of majorat in case of inheritance, abolishing of any judicial, social and privilege divide between the aristocracy (boyars and deti boyrskie) and the gentry (dvoryane). PLus Table of Ranks allowed to earn personal and even hereditary nobility thrugh the government service. What - this is also Asiatic?
- Third Estate Reforms. Establishment of Western like "Guilds" and "Crafts" (Cjehi) for merchants and craftsmen respectfully. Voivodes as the heads of the cities were replaced by the elected city Magistrates.
- Culltural Reforms. Besides the adoption of the western fashion in dress and other spheres of the noble life (and no, Peter The Great didn't make the French the Russian "court language" - it happened naturally over time years later), Czar Peter also introduced in Russia European calendar, established the first schools not run by the church, kickstarted the mass transation in Russian of the Western books, the foundation of the first Russian newspaper. Peter ordered the reform of the Russian language that brought it no nearly modern form, and nearly 4500 new Western words entered the Russian parlance. He helped the establishing of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which opened a few months after his death. He introduced Assemblages - a new type for a mass social event inspired (are ready for this) by the Western examples. He also made it illegal to forcibly marry people. Oh, and while he didn't order anyone else but the nobles to shave beards he imposed a tax on the rest - "the Beard Money". It was only abolished by Catherine II.

All these (and many, many other ones) reforms of Peter the Great will, of course, mean nothing to you user Distruzio. Good for you! "Thought begets Doubt. Doubt begets Heresy" - and we all know this is baaaaad.

User Distruzio, I'm curious - did you lump, say, Bulgaria, Albania and Armenia into the "Asian" category as well? What is your criteria?



But-but-but! You were against the mere suggestion that Russia is part of the "Western" civilization! Its right here, in your post -



Now you somehow implying that Russian Pravoslaviye is eastern Religion ('cause it came from the Byzantium, you know, the Roman Empires Eastern part and successor state), and that all Christianity originated in the East. So, your point is - what? That Because Christianity originated in the East (in Asia, to boot), then all nations that adopted it - are Asian? Or that Rus adopted some "wrong" form of Christianity, not the kosher Western Catholicism, but some Unutterable Pravoslaviye (despite the fact that at the moment of conversion to Christianity the Great Schizm of 1054 was still a matter of the future)? That's what makes Russia "Asian"? Of maybe it's the adoption of another product of Western thinking in fields of economics, history, sociology and philosophy - communism? Why? Because it was invented by Karl Marx, an "impure" Westerner?

Tell me Distruzio! I want to understand your logic! What is in your understanding "Asian" and what is "Western"? Did Russians look like Asians? Or, maybe, you know another "Asian" country that adopted Christianity in the past and kept it as its national religion for the better part of it's history?

Or, you know, I have an idea, how about dropping Peter Alexeyevich and Russia in general, and talking about LGBT rights and issues? :GBT rights and issues in Russia is fine but we seem to be just a trifle off topic here.

Noted, Farn. But not before saying that I seem to have been corrected by Lyttenburg regarding my perception of Russia as an Asian nation (although he does correct me in a rather uncouth manner and makes several assumptions about my perspective that I'm unable to understand the reasoning for aside from my own, perhaps misguided, assumption that Lyt may be used to hostile internet conversations and tones). I honestly didn't realize that the reforms were so widespread.

But it's neither here nor there as your post makes clear.