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A writer by passion and profession, I've been writing since I was old enough to know how, so establishing a weblog
seemed a natural progression. By adding a blog to my site, I can speak about my passions and life, share my writing, art
and photos, and comment on current events.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Na zdorovie! (zdorovye!) or Maybe Not...
Aside from the fact that there has to be a better way to keep these animals warm (say, housing them inside?!), something seems awry when this article:
Circus elephants given vodka SOURCE: Ananova January 16, 2006
Indian elephants performing for a circus in Mongolia are being given vodka each day to ward off the cold.
The elephants are working for the Moscow State Circus which is holding its first show in Mongolia in 25 years, reports UB Post
Local circus officials are giving elephants two litres of vodka each daily to help them survive freezing temperatures as low as -28C, during the week-long show...
...is published just days after this article:
Vodka shortage 'could spark riots' SOURCE: Ananova January 13, 2006
Riots are feared in Russia after a new law forced vodka distilleries to halt production.
Analysts predict trouble as shops begin to run out of the national tipple.
The new law, endorsed by President Putin on January 1, stipulates that every distillery must have computerised equipment for measuring alcohol levels.
The move caught the big distilleries by surprise and brought nationwide production to a standstill.
After two weeks of no vodka, even respected newspapers such as the economic journal Vedomosti have started to print panicky front-page headlines, such as 'The vodka is running out!'
Apparently, it isn't limited to the circus elephants either, as The New Zealand Herald reported that zoo animals across Russia are being liquored up to be kept warm as temperatures plunge to -30c.
Meanwhile, some Russians intentionally froze their trunks off last week. Orthodox believers in Russia participated in an Epiphany ceremony that has them dunking into icy water to purge their sins, according to the The Daily Telegraph online.
