Hide the Booze, Lose the Empire

Speaking of Russkie prohibitionism, the National Security Archive has published a big batch of declassified 1985 documents relating to Ronald Reagan's first summit meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, and the general state of perestroika at the time. My favorite of the bunch is the minutes from a disastrous April 4, 1985 Politburo meeting about launching a robust new "anti-alcohol campaign." Some excerpts from the recommendations by Comrade Solomentsev:

The need to increase the prices for wine and vodka products with the purpose of decreasing the demand for those was discussed.

A proposal was introduced to increase the legal age of persons to whom alcoholic drinks could be sold.

It seems expedient to prohibit selling spirits to persons younger than 21.

It would serve the interest of preserving and strengthening [people's] health in the most critical period of their physical development.

It is extremely important that the proposed regulations forbids sale of alcohol to persons of draft age and to young servicemen, which consequently, will help improve the discipline in the army.

I think that even if at first we will not be able to achieve implementation of this ban everywhere, still, its moral and psychological influence will definitely be very positive and will serve as a serious restraining factor. […]

I would like to emphasize that the drafts of the proposed documents reflect the opinion and the mood of wide masses, of the party and Soviet organs, and of public organizations.

Yeah right, commie! As the NSA points out, these proposals "became the source of great public outcry and resulted in significant losses of productivity in wine-producing areas in Southern Russia, Moldavia and Georgia." Proving once again that you just don't stand between a man and his booze, especially a Russian and his vodka.

Comments

[Evan]

Man, those crazy Russian commie bastards. Jeez, you know, only a tyrannical empire bent on self-destruction would dream of implementing such fascist regulations. Banning alcohol sales to those under 21? Imposing high tariffs on "vice" goods like booze and smokes? Implementing various prohibitions on "evil" vices so as to "better" the populace? I mean, who, outside of fascist hellholes like coldwar-era USSR, would be so foolish as to implement such policies?

Aww, damnit.

[Larry A]

Talk about getting you coming and going. First the government drives you to drink, then...

[Jeff P.]

So many images of Uzbeks from SCTV come to mind...

[Rhywun]

It is extremely important that the proposed regulations forbids sale of alcohol to persons of draft age and to young servicemen, which consequently, will help improve the discipline in the army.

Ha ha ha ha...! And don't forget to prohibit "R&R" too - that will surely also help to free the young soldiers of any distractions and lead to greated discipline...

[bb]

I'm living in Ukraine and it shares the Russian taste for vodka.

As funny as those proposals are, a short time in this part of the world makes it clear that a large number of people are drinking themselves to death. And it is at a level that you cannot imagine. And after reading what I just wrote and trying to imagine it, trust me, it is still beyond that. Entire areas here look like skid row.

Hey, I like to drink, but there is a point that people can reach that is not only self-destructive but destroys entire families and in the case of Ukraine and Russia, entire countries.

I'm not supporting anything that was proposed above but there is a real need to aggressively attack a serious national problem that has plagued both countries for a long time.

[mediageek]

So, after gallavanting through pubs, bars, and alehouses in the USA, Carrie A. Nation put down her hatchet and picked up a sickle, eh?

[Hakluyt]

The Tsarsist government tried to do this as well on several occassions.

[David T]

"986. Vladimir was visited by Bulgars of Muslim faith, who said, 'Though you are a wise and prudent prince, you have no religion. Adopt our faith and revere Mahomet.' Vladimir inquired about the nature of their religion. They replied that they believed in God, and that Mahomet instructed them to practice circumcision, to eat no pork, to drink no wine and, after death, promised them complete fulfillment of their carnal desires. 'Mahomet,' they claimed, 'will give each man seventy fair women. He may choose one fair one, and upon that woman Mahomet will confer the charms of them all, and she shall be his wife. Mahomet then promises that one may then satisfy every desire, but whoever is poor in this world will be no
different in the next.' They also spoke other false things which out of modesty may not be written down. Vladimir listened to them, for he was fond of women and indulgence, regarding what he heard with pleasure, but circumcision and abstinence from pork and wine were disagreeable to him. 'Drinking,' he said, 'is the joy of the Rus. We cannot exist without that pleasure.'"
http://novaonline.nvcc.edu/eli/evans/his101/documents/Chronicle.html

[jtuf]

bb,

Sorry to hear about the alcoholism. Do you think something like Alcoholics Anonymous would help?

My father in law used to be an officer in a nuclear Russian sub. The gyroscopes required pure ethanol to function. He used to order extra bottles so that when his crew refused to work her could bribe them into working again with some ethanol rations. When you can't offer pay bonuses, you have to be creative with your incentives.

[Converse englandbest one]

my life is brilliant,my life is pure,i saw your eyes ,is so firm for the road