What are your New Year resolutions?

With a paleo-Soviet postcard?

We resolve not to allow the capitulation of Russia's opposition forces to dissuade us from continuing our efforts, but rather to see it for what it is sure and certain proof that we are needed.

We resolve to do more to reach out to those in Russia, like Oleg Kozlovsky, who struggle to find a better way for Russia.

And we here highly resolve that these dead of 2007 shall not have died in vain.

If Russia could be paleo-Soviet in the way depicted in this postcard, we wouldn't mind. We don't purport to choose the destiny of the Russian people from benign options, only to scare them away from the malignant ones.

But mostly, it's an apt reminder of what Russia once was and could again become.

Did you notice the girls at the top of today's post were demonstrating the use of a retro-fitted western-style toilet, installed for the convenience of those Russians who still prefer the squat-type? (Also, of course, the toilet seats are stolen off of most Russian public toilets as soon as they're installed.)