Posted on 08/31/2008 12:38:05 PM PDT by WesternCulture
The brave little nation of Finland declared itself independent from Russia in September 1917. This act was "approved" by the newly formed nation of Bolshevist Russia shortly after.
Later on, Kreml changed its mind concerning this issue.
Especially Stalin.
Luckily enough, this initial acknowledgement by Russia/Soviet didn't result in any false sense of security among the Finns.
They had no reason to.
Finland was - at least formally speaking - under German hegemony until 1918 (when WWI ended) and was, furthermore, plagued by a civil war raging between patriots and Communists the very same year.
This wasn't the first time Bolschevists tried to gain control of a the country.
Russia plays a major role in this context.
In many ways, the fate of Russia depends on the evident fact that it fails to embrace and even understand true Western Civilization (although I personally believe Russia ought to be viewed as part of Western Nation).
The attack on Finland by Stalin is a sad exposure of this shortcoming.
Attacking Finland during WWII resulted in one of the greatest military fiascos of all times.
Half a million of Russians - or even more - were either killed, "lost" or wounded, while Finland suffered casualties and losses of just one tenth of that number.
This failure is, furthermore, one of the largest defeats Socialism has ever suffered in its quest for world domination.
Today Finland is one of the richest nations on Earth and just like the other Nordic countries, Finland is a model Capitalist society. While Norway has oil and Sweden has ABBA, Finland has Nokia; one of the largest, most competent and most profitable high-tech corporations on Earth.
Finland usually isn't counted as a Scandinavian nation, even though it is one of the "Nordic" countries (namely Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden - and Finland). Another thing that separates it from these nations is the fact that Finland never was a home to Vikings like these other Nordic countries were.
From my point of view, this doesn't matter much. Finland is the origin of the Hakkapeliitta warriors as well as the legendary Finnish spirit of "sisu", which is the typical, stubborn Finnish attitude of never, ever giving up. It could also be described as fighting spirit or having guts.
Few other nations deserve their freedom like Finland does.
About the Hakkapeliitta, some of the most competent warriors the world has ever known:
"The Hakkapeliitta were well-trained Finnish light cavalrymen who excelled in sudden and savage attacks, raiding and reconnaissance. The term hakkapeliitta comes from the Finnish war cry hakkaa päälle (English: hack on or hit on; Swedish: hacka på), but most commonly translated as "Cut them down!"
The greatest advantage of the fast and lightly-armored Hakkapeliitta cavalry was its charge. They typically had a sword, a helmet, and leather armor or a breastplate of steel. They would attack at a full gallop, fire the first pistol at twenty paces and the second at five paces, and then draw the sword. The horse itself was used like another weapon, as it was used to trample enemy infantry.
The horses used by the Hakkapeliitta were known as Finnhorses, a strong and durable breed larger than the neighboring Swedish counterpart."
Western Civilization needs more of sisu.
My wife has a Finnish friend who may as well be her sister.
That country's story is very compelling.
Correction:
I wrote
“I personally believe Russia ought to be viewed as part of Western Nation”
Of course, I meant Russia ought to be viewed as a part of Western Civilization/a Western Nation.
My apologies.
“That country’s story is very compelling.”
- Totally agree.
Best of regards from Gothenburg, Sweden.
Listen to the Second Symphony of Jean Sibelius, and you'll understand how the Finns felt.
Better get your M39 before they are all gone.
There are two paths leading to a better understanding of Finnish culture:
1. The hymn of “Finlandia”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XojVmivqDrA
2. “Perkele” - a Swedish parody of “Naturalistic” Finnish films made during the 1970’s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op68Gh3BVEc
(You don’t have to understand either Finnish, Swedish or English to understand neither piece of art)
Largely unknown in the west, Field Marshall Mannerheim is one of the greatest military commanders of all time. The defense of Finland in WW2, against vastly superior Russia, was largely due to his outstanding leadership.
If he isn’t, he ought to be, one of Finland’s greatest hero’s.
I used to frequent a bar in west LA called the Baltic Sea Lounge. The owner was a hardbitten old Finnish sailor who’d fought the Russians under Marshal Mannerheim and in u-boats in the German Navy. He liked country music and had bands play there. The bar burned down over twenty years ago, sad to say.
70 years ago, the Finns tamed the Russian bear in an extraordinary manner.
There’s no reason why the same thing couldn’t be accomplished today.
Long live freedom lovers like the Finns who fought Stalinist tyranny!
Greetings to everyone intelligent enough to understand the harsh realities of global politics men like Machiavelli (who actually believed in democracy) and Reagan tried to make us all aware of!
"Can I finnish ?"
Non seq!! :D
When did he say that anyway?
Remember all his appearances on Larry King ?
“Can I finish ? Can I finish ? Larry ? Larry ?”
92? I was watching Nickelodeon back then. :-p
That quote has become such a beacon for parody I can’t find reference to when he actually said it. (assuming it was just once..).
I found it. NAFTA debate with Gore 1993. I don’t know if I wanna watch the whole video though. :o
That was my first (legal) election. It hardly seems all that long ago...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.