Posted
6/07/2009 04:42:00 PM
by Douglas
Interesting take on Smirnov and his lovely
spirit.Vodka was invented in Russia by medieval monks, but it has always had a most unholy effect there. It became essential to "wet the bargain" between merchants, bribe soldiers, pay wages, insulate bureaucrats against frigid mornings or help peasants endure their misery. Throughout the 19th century, vodka taxes averaged 30% of the state budget. Chekhov, who treated alcoholics as a doctor, called vodka "Satan's blood."
Let's not mince words.
Vodka-drinking, says Ms. Himelstein, was simply "Russia's great pastime."
Ha! Go with what you're good at.