I have seen the Borat film, knowing full well that his Kazakhstan is not the real Kazakhstan and the actor don't even look like a Kazakh. What I saw was an outrageously crazy, stupid comedy film and I find viewing naked men fighting to be very offensive. I guess that was something to turn on the women!
official propaganda.most of oil revenues are going to the pockets of few selected. excessive corruption is killing the country. people are seeking of freedom and justice...
Zemlyak, sor iz izby ne vynosyat. Davai nashi problemy reshat' vnutri strany. Ot togo chto ty budesh' krichat o nashih problemah na ves' mir, luchshe ne stanet. Da i ne tak u nas i ploho, pover' mne. Ya seichas nahojus' v Amerike i mne est' s chem sravnivat'.
Because of the huge demand in potassium from Kazakhstan, spiked by the Borat movie, we have exported all of it and are no longer able to supply it to the needy Americans. If you do require some, Alexander721, I will do my best to try to find whatever remains.
I am a kazakh student from Canada, after i will be done i will go back! Go GO Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev da man for real!!! everybody come to Kazakhstan this is one of the most hospital country. Welcome
So here is some of what I've learned: as a former state of the Soviet republic, Kazakhstan is a great mover and shaker. It has plenty going for it with those natural resources, and a phenomenal literacy rate. There are, however, a couple of areas in which it could use some improvement. Freedom of the press would be at the top of that list. Mr. Vassilenko, I would very much like to hear your response to the article on your country at Freedom House dot Org.
Freedom House's job it is to criticize the situation with the freedoms everywhere, so it is not surprising you would find criticism there. There is however a growing and spreading independence of the media in Kazakhstan. Certainly, a lot remains to be done and learnt by both the media and the authorities, in terms of objectivity of coverage, providing access to information, etc. I will be happy to provide you more information if you so desire.
Yes, Mr. Vassilenko, I am very interested in hearing more from your perspective, thank you. As for Freedom House, I give its criticisms serious consideration; it has an impressive and surprisingly diverse board of trustees, and a record of supporting causes which deeply appeal to me. On another note, I am trying to find another venue in which we could continue this open dialogue without YouTube's restrictions on comment length.
Sugarfish, do you know that in Nazi Germany fascists had the same kind of humor regarding Jews? Do you thing that this is also can be considered as "the dupes deserved getting duped"? I think what is doing Sasha Baron Cohen is real FASCISM.
I guess Sugarfish is right with his last comment. I've a lot of friends who prior to the Borat movie knew absolutelly nothing about Kazakhstan, but started to do their own reseach since then. And they've learnt a thing or two about the real country & people, etc. (I happen to have a good friend who's half Jewish, half Kazakh, so I was less ignorant than the average North-American :)
Although the expression "There is no such thing as bad press" is not entirely true, it is at least partially true in the case of Kazakhstan and the Borat film. Prior to seeing it, I had given Kazakhstan practically no thought. I guarantee you that the same is true with the majority of Americans. While seeking more outtakes from the Borat film here on YouTube, I came across this short video, which led me to even more interest in Kazakhstan.
Here is a REUTERS story by Katherine Baldwin from November 22.
LONDON (Reuters) -- There's no such thing as bad publicity, the president of Kazakhstan joked on Tuesday as he welcomed the attention lavished on his country by the comedy film "Borat."
"This film was created by a comedian so let's laugh at it, that's my attitude," a smiling President Nursultan Nazarbayev told reporters...
Perhaps you are right. But consider this: if we did react this way from the very beginning, as of now, even with the movie and everything, few people would still have heard of the real Kazakhstan. ;-)
So, was all that planned? I mean: first react, then calm down and laugh. I hope our guys in the Adminisration are so smart. But I believe all this is happening spontaneously without any clear action plan.
Mr. Vassilenko, does your boss know that u r posting videos using youtube. Is it ok for you guys at embassy doing that? Just curious. Seems to me a new way of doing things.
I also wanted to ask you that are you allowed to post videos on youtube if you work in an embassy?Anyway that new way is cool. I was surprized a bit but that is good actually that you show us this way beautiful videos of Kazakhstan.
I am a student from Kazakhstan... Love my country and our President is da man!!! unlike borat's film, real kazakhs are all well educated, well mannered people, and jews or any other ethnic minority is not discriminated in our countries, every one is given an equal opportunity...where else will you see a mosque right next to a synogogue with police blocking it as u witness in west bank or the UK?
And just so you know, I don't think Cohen is entirely benign. I really don't like the way he and his crew treated the people of that poor Romanian village who acted as his countrymen in the faux-Kazakhstan of the Borat movie. But most of the dupes deserved getting duped. Also, I'm one of the Jews who found the Jew-bashing to be hilarious satire.
Wow. Much as I love Sasha Baron Cohen, and much as I find it hard to believe that any country that has a wealth of oil and/or gas can have a government that actually serves its people (as opposed to the other way around), that's pretty impressive. If it isn't pure propaganda. Any true Kazakhstanis care to comment? I'd like to hear from them. Preferably Kazakhstanis who don't work for their government or for any special interest groups (i.e. any large oil company).
Im from Kazakhstan, evn though i left it 5 years ago coz my family moved...but it is indeed a great country...unlike Cohen describes it...Some people shud really come to senses...
Please to come Azerbaijan. After we use the woman we shoot for sport when they are too old for fun.
OscarLimaMike 4 years ago
wowaweewa this is nice
soysauzz 5 years ago
Supporting Kazakhstan.
baranseli 5 years ago
lol, i thought ozbekistan was the leader of central asia...
YangMingYi 5 years ago
It's Uzbekistan. And no, Uzbekistan's not the best of places, Kazakhstan is far more developed and far more stable.
BrittneyWorld 5 years ago
That is Uzbekistan... ozbekistan has been defeated...
OscarLimaMike 4 years ago
I have seen the Borat film, knowing full well that his Kazakhstan is not the real Kazakhstan and the actor don't even look like a Kazakh. What I saw was an outrageously crazy, stupid comedy film and I find viewing naked men fighting to be very offensive. I guess that was something to turn on the women!
ElCidG 5 years ago
official propaganda.most of oil revenues are going to the pockets of few selected. excessive corruption is killing the country. people are seeking of freedom and justice...
kaikar 5 years ago
Zemlyak, sor iz izby ne vynosyat. Davai nashi problemy reshat' vnutri strany. Ot togo chto ty budesh' krichat o nashih problemah na ves' mir, luchshe ne stanet. Da i ne tak u nas i ploho, pover' mne. Ya seichas nahojus' v Amerike i mne est' s chem sravnivat'.
Sarymsak 5 years ago
Duriz aitasiz!
NoghayKiz 5 years ago
there are corruption in kazakhstan???
YangMingYi 5 years ago
Hey! Where's all the potassium?
Alexander721 5 years ago
Because of the huge demand in potassium from Kazakhstan, spiked by the Borat movie, we have exported all of it and are no longer able to supply it to the needy Americans. If you do require some, Alexander721, I will do my best to try to find whatever remains.
rvassilenko 5 years ago
Alexander721, watch your tickling videos and enjoy your own potassium!
Sarymsak 5 years ago
Indeed I will!
Alexander721 5 years ago
Alexander721 u need help man... whats with the tickling??? lol
ereke777 5 years ago
I am a kazakh student from Canada, after i will be done i will go back! Go GO Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev da man for real!!! everybody come to Kazakhstan this is one of the most hospital country. Welcome
Kalha777 5 years ago
do you live in toronto?
YangMingYi 5 years ago
So here is some of what I've learned: as a former state of the Soviet republic, Kazakhstan is a great mover and shaker. It has plenty going for it with those natural resources, and a phenomenal literacy rate. There are, however, a couple of areas in which it could use some improvement. Freedom of the press would be at the top of that list. Mr. Vassilenko, I would very much like to hear your response to the article on your country at Freedom House dot Org.
sugarfish 5 years ago
Dear Sugarfish,
Freedom House's job it is to criticize the situation with the freedoms everywhere, so it is not surprising you would find criticism there. There is however a growing and spreading independence of the media in Kazakhstan. Certainly, a lot remains to be done and learnt by both the media and the authorities, in terms of objectivity of coverage, providing access to information, etc. I will be happy to provide you more information if you so desire.
rvassilenko 5 years ago
Yes, Mr. Vassilenko, I am very interested in hearing more from your perspective, thank you. As for Freedom House, I give its criticisms serious consideration; it has an impressive and surprisingly diverse board of trustees, and a record of supporting causes which deeply appeal to me. On another note, I am trying to find another venue in which we could continue this open dialogue without YouTube's restrictions on comment length.
sugarfish 5 years ago
Sugarfish, do you know that in Nazi Germany fascists had the same kind of humor regarding Jews? Do you thing that this is also can be considered as "the dupes deserved getting duped"? I think what is doing Sasha Baron Cohen is real FASCISM.
Sarymsak 5 years ago
I guess Sugarfish is right with his last comment. I've a lot of friends who prior to the Borat movie knew absolutelly nothing about Kazakhstan, but started to do their own reseach since then. And they've learnt a thing or two about the real country & people, etc. (I happen to have a good friend who's half Jewish, half Kazakh, so I was less ignorant than the average North-American :)
SashSegal 5 years ago
Although the expression "There is no such thing as bad press" is not entirely true, it is at least partially true in the case of Kazakhstan and the Borat film. Prior to seeing it, I had given Kazakhstan practically no thought. I guarantee you that the same is true with the majority of Americans. While seeking more outtakes from the Borat film here on YouTube, I came across this short video, which led me to even more interest in Kazakhstan.
sugarfish 5 years ago
Kazakh President Laughs off "Borat" Controversy
Here is a REUTERS story by Katherine Baldwin from November 22.
LONDON (Reuters) -- There's no such thing as bad publicity, the president of Kazakhstan joked on Tuesday as he welcomed the attention lavished on his country by the comedy film "Borat."
"This film was created by a comedian so let's laugh at it, that's my attitude," a smiling President Nursultan Nazarbayev told reporters...
rvassilenko 5 years ago
Why KZ government didn't react like President did from the very beginning? Seems to me inconsistent. I care about these "details" because I'm Kazakh.
montgambler 5 years ago
Perhaps you are right. But consider this: if we did react this way from the very beginning, as of now, even with the movie and everything, few people would still have heard of the real Kazakhstan. ;-)
rvassilenko 5 years ago
So, was all that planned? I mean: first react, then calm down and laugh. I hope our guys in the Adminisration are so smart. But I believe all this is happening spontaneously without any clear action plan.
montgambler 5 years ago
I like the followin expression: Life is what happens to you when you make other plans. ;-)
I like to think of our people in Kazakhstan as being very smart. ;-)
rvassilenko 5 years ago
yeah thats what i meant...
katieb85 5 years ago
Mr. Vassilenko, does your boss know that u r posting videos using youtube. Is it ok for you guys at embassy doing that? Just curious. Seems to me a new way of doing things.
montgambler 5 years ago
Why do things the old way? ;-)
rvassilenko 5 years ago
I also wanted to ask you that are you allowed to post videos on youtube if you work in an embassy?Anyway that new way is cool. I was surprized a bit but that is good actually that you show us this way beautiful videos of Kazakhstan.
Killah421 5 years ago
I am a student from Kazakhstan... Love my country and our President is da man!!! unlike borat's film, real kazakhs are all well educated, well mannered people, and jews or any other ethnic minority is not discriminated in our countries, every one is given an equal opportunity...where else will you see a mosque right next to a synogogue with police blocking it as u witness in west bank or the UK?
ereke777 5 years ago
I think you meant "without police blocking it"
rvassilenko 5 years ago
And just so you know, I don't think Cohen is entirely benign. I really don't like the way he and his crew treated the people of that poor Romanian village who acted as his countrymen in the faux-Kazakhstan of the Borat movie. But most of the dupes deserved getting duped. Also, I'm one of the Jews who found the Jew-bashing to be hilarious satire.
sugarfish 5 years ago
I felt sorry for them the most too. I am with the government, though, so I will leave commenting on other things to others.
rvassilenko 5 years ago
Nevertheless, I appreciate your honesty. And thanks for posting the video, too.
sugarfish 5 years ago
Thank you, sugarfish. There are tons of other nonpolitical videos on youtube from Kazakhstan, including some nice musical videos.
rvassilenko 5 years ago
According the Cohan, who is Jewish, the real purpos if his fake Jew-bashing is to expose actual racists.
UltraMegaSquirrel 5 years ago
Wow. Much as I love Sasha Baron Cohen, and much as I find it hard to believe that any country that has a wealth of oil and/or gas can have a government that actually serves its people (as opposed to the other way around), that's pretty impressive. If it isn't pure propaganda. Any true Kazakhstanis care to comment? I'd like to hear from them. Preferably Kazakhstanis who don't work for their government or for any special interest groups (i.e. any large oil company).
sugarfish 5 years ago
Im from Kazakhstan, evn though i left it 5 years ago coz my family moved...but it is indeed a great country...unlike Cohen describes it...Some people shud really come to senses...
arthuriusmaximus 5 years ago