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IRL (In Real Life) => Current Events => Topic started by: Airborne Rifles on January 19, 2018, 10:33:47 AM

Title: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Airborne Rifles on January 19, 2018, 10:33:47 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/europe/putin-icy-dip-intl/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/europe/putin-icy-dip-intl/index.html)

QuoteRussian President Vladimir Putin stripped down to his bathing trunks in freezing temperatures Friday before immersing himself in icy waters to mark the feast of the Epiphany.

Putin bathed in Lake Seliger, around 250 miles north of Moscow, as part of a traditional Orthodox Christian ritual which commemorates the baptism of Jesus.

After removing his fur coat and boots, the 65-year-old entered the pool, crossed himself and momentarily placed his head under the freezing water.

Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 19, 2018, 11:18:06 AM
In Tsarist Russia, nipples cut glass.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Jarhead0331 on January 19, 2018, 11:26:58 AM
Why is this even news?
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: airboy on January 19, 2018, 11:32:33 AM
Quote from: Airborne Rifles on January 19, 2018, 10:33:47 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/europe/putin-icy-dip-intl/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/europe/putin-icy-dip-intl/index.html)

QuoteRussian President Vladimir Putin stripped down to his bathing trunks in freezing temperatures Friday before immersing himself in icy waters to mark the feast of the Epiphany.

Putin bathed in Lake Seliger, around 250 miles north of Moscow, as part of a traditional Orthodox Christian ritual which commemorates the baptism of Jesus.

After removing his fur coat and boots, the 65-year-old entered the pool, crossed himself and momentarily placed his head under the freezing water.


Thanks for posting this!

I think it should be a requirement that an opinion poll of the leader of each world country be taken.  If approval is less than 50%, then into the ice water with them just like Putin!  Videos could be put together on YouTube.  Think of the drinking games!

Mirth & Toonces would love it!
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Sir Slash on January 19, 2018, 12:10:23 PM
Wait. I thought Putin could WALK on water.  :o
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: MikeGER on January 19, 2018, 01:15:00 PM
You don't want see a shirtless Merkel, believe me  ^-^
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: mirth on January 19, 2018, 01:26:14 PM
Quote from: MikeGER on January 19, 2018, 01:15:00 PM
You don't want see a shirtless Merkel, believe me  ^-^


:DD
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Greybriar on January 19, 2018, 03:05:59 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on January 19, 2018, 11:26:58 AM
Why is this even news?

+1
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Steelgrave on January 19, 2018, 09:57:55 PM
Finally a thread that's not about Trump and everybody bitches!   8) >:D
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 19, 2018, 10:27:10 PM
 :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: bbmike on January 20, 2018, 08:34:31 AM
Quote from: Steelgrave on January 19, 2018, 09:57:55 PM
Finally a thread that's not about Trump and everybody bitches!   8) >:D

Calculate the average Groghead age and you will see why.  :P
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Ubercat on January 20, 2018, 11:42:39 PM
Quote from: MikeGER on January 19, 2018, 01:15:00 PM
You don't want see a shirtless Merkel, believe me  ^-^

She belongs in a burka.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Steelgrave on January 21, 2018, 01:18:22 PM
oh snap....
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: em2nought on January 22, 2018, 01:37:52 AM
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KWQ8_GVMEdY/hqdefault.jpg)
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: MikeGER on January 22, 2018, 02:54:08 AM
 
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2Fhwxoup.jpg&hash=d9110fdd392ecc4a0ed2b77565ccafea6d27c2c2)
:-X
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Sir Slash on January 22, 2018, 10:59:31 AM
A Shia Sith Fritz?   :wow:  Or a She Shiite Sith Fritz? How about "Darth Insidious"?
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 22, 2018, 04:10:07 PM
Quote from: Greybriar on January 19, 2018, 03:05:59 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on January 19, 2018, 11:26:58 AM
Why is this even news?

+1

+2

...but the short answer is, it's CNN.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 07:02:24 PM
I am the short answer.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: mirth on January 22, 2018, 07:03:45 PM
Quote from: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 07:02:24 PM
I am the short answer.

:2funny:
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 22, 2018, 07:04:27 PM
That's just the way it is...some things will never change.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 08:00:33 PM
I love that song! Bruce Hornsby is underrated.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 22, 2018, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 08:00:33 PM
I love that song! Bruce Hornsby is underrated.

+100
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Staggerwing on January 22, 2018, 09:09:31 PM
Quote from: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 08:00:33 PM
I love that song! Bruce Hornsby is underrated.

So's Bruce Cockburn.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 09:30:21 PM
ouch
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Staggerwing on January 22, 2018, 09:35:31 PM
If I had a rocket launcher...
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Greybriar on January 22, 2018, 11:09:31 PM
Quote from: Gusington on January 22, 2018, 08:00:33 PM
I love that song! Bruce Hornsby is underrated.

This one's for Gus and BanzaiCat:

Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 23, 2018, 10:20:13 AM
Nice.  O0
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 23, 2018, 10:48:12 AM
That's the stuff, Greybriar!
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 24, 2018, 09:30:18 AM
I can't call this "old people music" because I loved it when I was in my 20s. And Iron Maiden.  \m/

My kids, on the other hand, CAN call it "old people music."  :-\
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 10:52:08 AM
Seriously, Vlad doing the whole Christian thing, does anybody know if he really belongs to a ligit church? I mean he was a Communist, so how does he combine the two? Is it all just for PR or his Russian Street Cred? Or does this guy think destroying his enemies is what Jesus would do? Anybody got any for sure facts?
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 24, 2018, 12:14:50 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 10:52:08 AM
Seriously, Vlad doing the whole Christian thing, does anybody know if he really belongs to a ligit church? I mean he was a Communist, so how does he combine the two? Is it all just for PR or his Russian Street Cred? Or does this guy think destroying his enemies is what Jesus would do? Anybody got any for sure facts?

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi0.kym-cdn.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2Ffacebook%2F000%2F034%2F337%2Fgraham_chapman_stop_that_silly.jpg&hash=314130d3ff40c284182f2800fc709d4257b416bc)
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: airboy on January 24, 2018, 12:19:25 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 10:52:08 AM
Seriously, Vlad doing the whole Christian thing, does anybody know if he really belongs to a ligit church? I mean he was a Communist, so how does he combine the two? Is it all just for PR or his Russian Street Cred? Or does this guy think destroying his enemies is what Jesus would do? Anybody got any for sure facts?

He has associated himself strongly with the Russian Orthodox Church as head of Russia.  As a commie, he would have been kicked out of the commie party for merely being baptized.  I've visited Russia under Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church is getting a lot of State money to restore Churches and Monasteries that Lenin and Stalin torched.

I've never heard of a "renewal of Baptism" by ice lake as an adult - but that is not saying it is not a thing.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Airborne Rifles on January 24, 2018, 12:33:57 PM
Quote from: airboy on January 24, 2018, 12:19:25 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 10:52:08 AM
Seriously, Vlad doing the whole Christian thing, does anybody know if he really belongs to a ligit church? I mean he was a Communist, so how does he combine the two? Is it all just for PR or his Russian Street Cred? Or does this guy think destroying his enemies is what Jesus would do? Anybody got any for sure facts?

He has associated himself strongly with the Russian Orthodox Church as head of Russia.  As a commie, he would have been kicked out of the commie party for merely being baptized.  I've visited Russia under Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church is getting a lot of State money to restore Churches and Monasteries that Lenin and Stalin torched.

I've never heard of a "renewal of Baptism" by ice lake as an adult - but that is not saying it is not a thing.

Slash, you might be surprised to hear that when hard-line communists launched the August Coup against Gorbachev in 1991, Vladimir Putin (then a KGB lieutenant colonel) resigned from his position in the KGB in opposition to the hard-liners.

Putin's a bad dude, but he's not he communist. He's a Russian nationalist (and an oligarch), more hard right than hard left. The Russian Orthodox Church is deeply enmeshed in the fabric of Russian identity (even at the height of Soviet power in the 1970 more than half of Russians were still opting for religious weddings, funerals, and christenings), and so Putin has embraced the Orthodox church. The Tsars always had to balance power with the patriarchs of the church, and Putin is doing the same.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 24, 2018, 01:08:09 PM
I get the feeling Russian nationalists are far more worrisome than communists.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Airborne Rifles on January 24, 2018, 01:58:24 PM
Quote from: BanzaiCat on January 24, 2018, 01:08:09 PM
I get the feeling Russian nationalists are far more worrisome than communists.

Yep.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 02:44:54 PM
"These are 'Nationalist Nipples' Comrades"!
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Airborne Rifles on January 24, 2018, 02:53:49 PM
Anyhoo, the whole point of the OP was to gather some chuckles at the expense of the Bond villain who's running Russia right now. Wasn't particularly concerned if it was newsworthy or not.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: airboy on January 24, 2018, 05:25:51 PM
Quote from: Airborne Rifles on January 24, 2018, 12:33:57 PM
Quote from: airboy on January 24, 2018, 12:19:25 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 10:52:08 AM
Seriously, Vlad doing the whole Christian thing, does anybody know if he really belongs to a ligit church? I mean he was a Communist, so how does he combine the two? Is it all just for PR or his Russian Street Cred? Or does this guy think destroying his enemies is what Jesus would do? Anybody got any for sure facts?

He has associated himself strongly with the Russian Orthodox Church as head of Russia.  As a commie, he would have been kicked out of the commie party for merely being baptized.  I've visited Russia under Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church is getting a lot of State money to restore Churches and Monasteries that Lenin and Stalin torched.

I've never heard of a "renewal of Baptism" by ice lake as an adult - but that is not saying it is not a thing.

Slash, you might be surprised to hear that when hard-line communists launched the August Coup against Gorbachev in 1991, Vladimir Putin (then a KGB lieutenant colonel) resigned from his position in the KGB in opposition to the hard-liners.

Putin's a bad dude, but he's not he communist. He's a Russian nationalist (and an oligarch), more hard right than hard left. The Russian Orthodox Church is deeply enmeshed in the fabric of Russian identity (even at the height of Soviet power in the 1970 more than half of Russians were still opting for religious weddings, funerals, and christenings), and so Putin has embraced the Orthodox church. The Tsars always had to balance power with the patriarchs of the church, and Putin is doing the same.

Agree with AR except I think he is a Commie Russian Nationalist who now thinks that being an Oligarch who accepts the Russian Orthodox Church yields a more stable power base than being a straight-up commie.  He is also on record as saying the fall of the USSR was one of the greatest tragedies in history. 

Unlike some (but like many here), I don't see a lot of difference between the extreme central power right vs the extreme central power left except for persecution of the established church.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 24, 2018, 06:20:23 PM
^Putin has used the Russian Orthodox Church to advance his power and agenda.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Nefaro on January 24, 2018, 10:22:19 PM
Quote from: Gusington on January 24, 2018, 06:20:23 PM
^Putin has used the Russian Orthodox Church to advance his power and agenda.

Is that how he gained control of so many peoples' brains from afar?

This often shirtless guy is a wizard!

:))
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: OJsDad on January 24, 2018, 10:25:42 PM
Rasputin lives!!!!    <:-)
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Sir Slash on January 24, 2018, 11:31:45 PM
Oh, I don't know. Get a couple of beers in him and I bet he'd loosen-up. Probably a lot of fun at parties and sings really bad in the shower. I don't think he would put a dead horse's head in your bed at night. He'd probably deliver it in person.  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: BanzaiCat on January 25, 2018, 07:27:15 AM
Hopefully we can start up the GrogCast again soon and have another discussion about Russia, AB, if you're interested.
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Airborne Rifles on January 25, 2018, 09:37:09 AM
I always like to talk about Russia  :). Whether I have anything worthwhile to say, on the other hand...
Title: Re: Tsar Vladimir taking shirtlessness to a new level
Post by: Gusington on January 25, 2018, 09:46:31 AM
In Soviet Russia, Soviet Russia enjoy talking about you.