great article. artwork, really.

This is a biased, useless article written by someone with a lot of pretense, little knowledge and a big ego. Is being an alcoholic the most memorable thing about Yeltsin? Is this his most important achievement? Growing up in your neck of the woods, you might think you have the right to talk haughtily about people born in mud and raised in shit. Think twice. Actually, what Yeltsin grew up in, you’re full of. It does little justice to the Rolling Stone to publish this kind of gobbledygook.

So, Beside the USA’s tacit (or did you ’suggest’ a more active) approval; where was the rest of civilization during this pig’s romp?

Where are the journalists? The thievery of of these lowlifes (USSR and US) seems to be common knowledge, however, we (regular Joe) are never exposed to the schemes of these assholes.

Civilization was where it is today. The Politicians playing politics while the masses are busy with consumption and the war goes on.

I agree Matt. How dare Yeltsin stand up to the Communists? That’s a far worse crime than murdering millions of people or holding Eastern Europe captive. Not that I, or any of Boris’s predecessors, would know anything about that. Great perspective, Matt.

Whenever somebody dies it’s considered impolite to say anything bad about him. But, somebody had to speak the truth. What I don’t understand is: why has Russia always been ruled by power mad Villians? Do the people like it?

it’s actually really refreshing to read this column. too many media outlets drink the kool-aid that is given to them. i don’t think anybody under the age of 25 has any idea of boris yeltsin or the man that he was, including myself. thanks for providing a little-heard perspective.

I agree with Dan – my under-25 perspective certainly painted Boris Yeltsin as a teddybear drunk. Cuddly, red-faced digestible. Welcome to the real world…

Wow, this must be one of Matt Taibbi’s most vicious articles, and I’m including the one he wrote on Joe Lieberman. Sadly I think Yeltsin deserves it somewhat, since corruption and near anarchy did mark his rule. When I visited Russia this last summer, not one person I met had anything nice to say about him. What’s surprising is that it looks like Putin didn’t have anything to do with his death (or so it seems).

gosh matt, did yeltsin sleep with your girlfriend or something?

there are scumsuckers like this in every job, from garbagemen to computer programmers to to policemen. It’s just seems particularly ugly when the scum rises right to the top, and fucks you in the ass while gently patting your head, saying they will take care of everything.

The bigger the bureaucracy, the bigger the corruption because it’s so much easier to hide. God knows what really happens in Washington. Better get out of there soon, Matt. Getting a whiff of the bullshit that close up really will turn your heart to stone.

The truth of this article is a painful reminder at how hopeless the human condition is. Either you are a theif/pig like Yeltisinand and countless others like him, or you suck eggs like those poor miners. The spectrum of the human condiotion is sad.

Do you kids really get your political news/information from me? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Oh hell yes. Leaves more time for gin!

A savagely biting article that really was quite enjoyable to read. I am a great fan of Taibbi’s work.

Gee, Matt. I never dreamed you harbored such affection for the big guy

Eddie Van Halen has lost a freind.

DEATH TO AMERICA

I must admit that I’m pretty clueless when it comes to Yeltsin, even Russia in general. Matt doesn’t paint a very pretty picture. He sounds a lot like most of the world leaders of the past 40 years, though.

Geez, Matt, you seem to be the only one who remembers this fool for what he really was…a lying drunk.

Russia had to deal with his addictive habits…and look what happened.

Now America has the same problem. God save us.

Great article, Matt! It was really shocking to watch the rape and pillaging of Russia under Yeltsin. In 1991, I was a guest of Akademi Nauk in Russia when Gorbechev was overthrown by those honkey military dudes. My heart constantly went out to the regular citizens, who had to buy everything on the black market.

Leila…yes, it was his greatest achievement because nothing else he did was positive!! The guy really stunk!! True, he hasn’t killed as many people as Bush has but the effects of alcohol obviously destroyed the brains of both men!!

-the doc-

Wow, what a mean-spirited article. Yeltsin may have been a crappy leader and corrupt, but so are most politicians, especially in Russia. It’s not getting any better there. I wonder if the author has ever been there or has evidence to back up his claims. Russia is a mess because the govt. and society were not able to make the change to democracy and capitalism smoothly. Finally, after American politicians sucessfully bullied Russia after years of scaring Americans with weapons buildups and the threat of WW III, Russia collapsed. By the way, is calling someone names and celebrating their death good political commentary. This piece wasn’t satire, right.

This is the most vicious, vitriolic, bile-filled and offensive obituary of an historic figure that I have ever read. I would be outraged, but for the fact that its subject so richly deserved such treatment.

Well done!

Russia has always been run by thieves who betray their own people. This eulogy had a level of bile and anger you rarely see in non-Russians. I welcome it.

Thank you Matt, for not forgetting who is responsible for the abortion that is modern Russia. Now I only wish you would write more about the current criminals running the former people’s republic

Cheap piece of supposedly “biting” and “insightful” journalism, that offers very little in terms of actually understanding the man and his times.

Unfortunately it takes a little more depth and knowledge to see Yeltsin as part of the big picture, not as a shallow caricature (which – I am the first one to admit – he has in many instances become by the end of his years in power).

The article is full of cheap shock value and will be hailed by those who lack the insight to look at it critically.

A lot is true, but none of it as black-and-white and simple.

P.S. Alternatively this may be described as a typical “Exile”-style “in your face” article – a very tired an worn-out thing. Probably would work when published in The Rolling Stone, though.

What about Putin? Where does he fit?

Matt Taibbi’s thinly veiled attack on retarded nephews is just the type of lowbrow journalism we have come to expect from him

Bogroll press kinda level. No one in Russia would let that guy come anywhere close to the real deals and info on politics and power. Whatever Matt wrote, he fancied, but never actually saw or experienced. The part about lots of money at personal bank accounts is true, but ain’t it true for ANY leader of ANY country?

Knob cheese, that’s what this article is.

Opinionated “look-how-cool-I-am-cutting-th rough-crap” pose with no real substance to back it up.

The point of this article – to show off using the occasion – is dubious to say the least.

Does anybody really consider this lame “Exile-ish” posturing to be serious journalism?

“Vantage high atop”? Give me a break. As if a clueless arrogant expat would know his ass from a hole in the ground about the real picture in Russia.

I suppose the story is always the same “American” journalist claims ties of Russian background..provides crap backup and mentions “drunk” a hundred times. Has journalist ever appreciated the fact that “drunk” is what a good writer requires to have any clout within the writer circles of society today or whenever. Suggestion Matt…get a couple of fifths of russian vodka and try to write a decent novel….doubtful at best. sounds like your un-trying.

this article’s great. hilarious minus the “serious journalism” parts. who cares about “serious journalism?” what has it done any of us lately? it forces us to revisit our bleak reality with no or little call to action. i’d rather read about a drunk, sausage smelling yeltsin anyday.

I’m currently doing an MPhil in Russian and East European Studies at Oxford. Every obit of Yeltsin I’ve read in the West so far has had me scratching my head and saying ’surely they aren’t talking about BORIS Yeltsin.’ That is, except for this one. Kudos.

Taibbi bashes everybody from Jesus Christ to the Pope to Muhammad. Did Boris REALLY have any hope for a decent obit. from this talentless hackmaster?

Well, as somebody who has also lived there and therefore has infinite credibility, it’s worth pointing out that the article does not answer interesting questions.

If Yeltsin was such an opponent of democracy, why is it that his rule is the only period in history of Russia when multiple strong political parties (most in fact opposed to Kremlin) were in existence and thriving? If his reign was nothing but a history of economic failure, what policies of note did Putin put in place to create the remarkable turnaround Russia is enjoying today?

The truth is that the kind of poverty Russia enjoyed in the nineties would have probably occurred under anybody’s rule in what was the biggest economic transition in world history. And that Yeltsin used financial favors to support his elections should come as a shock only to somebody who doesn’t know anything about the history of politics.

Notice how Taibbi provides absolutely no evidence to support his two most serious allegations: that the 1993 referendum was stolen and that the collapse of Soviet Union was a “brilliant ploy hatched by a canny group of generals and KGB types to privatize Soviet assets”. Wow, Matt. With statements like that I would not be surprised to learn you spent the 90s waving a red flag.

what happen to My awesome post saying how cool it was that yelstin died so that band someone still loves you boris yelstin can FINALLY make some cool shirts with a drunk yelstin on it instead of its lame ass ax in log tee?

Taibbi also did regular news stories for the Moscow Times, so enough with the ill-informed claims he wasn’t a “real” journalist in Russia. And the eXile’s style is tired? What does that make Time or Newsweek? Wake up.

I just came back from 3 years in that region and witnessed the results of the oligarchs robbing their country. I was in Ukraine but it was the same. The rage in this essay is the rage that people from these regions need to tap into. Instead they are fatalistic and feel they have no control over their lives.

Or they blame it all on the west.

And the corrupt leaders are perfectly happy to lead them to that conclusion.

And the western media is perfectly happy to do the same.

Russia and Ukraine will never get their acts together until they decide to take the ones who raped their countries down from their pedestals, starting with all the Lenin statues that still loom over all the city squares.

Yeah…he was a sports editor for Moscow Times…real credible journalism, considering there aren’t that many people who want to and are capable of writing about sports in a foreign language. Go check out some of the articles about “The eXile” …Wikipedia has a good (and not overtly negative) summary of what kind of rag this really is/was. Good luck with your two vaginas, Matt.

The Simpson’s Breathalizer… anyone?

I think whatever you’re paying Taibbi, it’s not enough. We haven’t seen a writer like him since Thompson.

HL Mencken tore apart the dead William Jennings Bryan, and Hunter Thompson showed no mercy with the corpse of Nixon. You people offended at the supposedly bas and vitriolic impulses of Taibbi’s article really have no fucking clue what you’re talking about as far as where this sort of writing really comes from. Who do you morons think you are? Dumb snobs and lame posers all.

I am Russian, I consider myself to be a man of democratic principles.
There is not a grain of truth in Mr. Taibbi’s article, moreover, it is downright immoral. This person ought to be ashamed of himself but he is already beyond the stage of shame, he is all black and full of shit!

I thought I was done commenting this piece, but here’s another 5 cents.

Enough with the black-and-white. Real life is a bit more complicated.

The luxury of binary, “good/bad”,”cuddly drunk/murdering thief” thinking is reserved for the shallow minded.

One has to analyze the big picture to come up with a weighted opinion. And this article (I said it before) is all about posturing and none about substance.

Interestingly enough – if one has the stomach and lack of shame to write about things he doesn’t know much about – but packages it properly and delivers it with the “right” attitude and emotional candywrap – he’s very often succeeds in becoming the “flavour of the day”.

Then everybody has a good time – readers are cool because they read “such radical stuff” and the write is cool because he writes “such radical stuff”. Trouble is – all this party does not bring them any closer to grasping the complex and painful picture of the real world.

Am I the only one who’s surprised at the number of people — both on RS and in general — who have tripped over each other to defend the honor of the departed Boris Yeltsin?

Of the few Matt Taibbi articles I have read…I have always enjoyed his use of language by not trying to fit the mold of the “average” so-called “journalist” of which their are far too many hacks currently filling the media’s pages.

I am rather shocked at the many critical comments about this article and Matt’s credentials as a writer.

I guess the Kool Aid many of you have been drinking since your birth has produced an irreversible ability to accept any views contrary to those that your Masters have implanted in your minds.

Do any of you critics really think that what Matt has written is not possibly true?

Do any of you think that Mr. Bush is not the current Amerikan version of Yeltsin as he rapes Amerika and the World of its assets by creating un-repayable debt?

The Human Race deserves to be exterminated if for nothing other than its stupidity and lack of courage to stand up for what is moral and “the right thing” to do.

Oh, and by the way…there is no God…when you’re gone…you’re gone…and that’s the TRUTH.

Interesting reading and entertainingly over-the-top rage to the point where I almost feel sorry for Boris. I mean, hey, that’s some serious harshing on the man. Honest and accurate? No idea. Now where’d my Sputnik cigarettes go?

It’s been a decade plus since I last bothered with RS. Maybe I’ll check back back in another decade.

Another fantastic Matt Taibbi article. I can’t think of anyone better to write a piece like this on Yeltsin–Taibbi was living and writing in Russia during Yeltsin’s entire tenure as president of Russia. Rolling Stone doesn’t deserve a writer this good. To think that you idiots don’t print his stuff in your actual magazine? What a bunch of pussies.

I love Matt’s uncanny ability to see right through the bullshit and stare down the truth with brutal and coherent honesty. Matt, you are a true inspiration to me and, with every article, you help fan away that cloud of misinformation which I am being force fed in every direction. Thanks for trusting yourself, i wish more people could.

great article. the ‘retarded nephew’ line we could do without, though.

Digg the article if you like it, fools!

We meet again: Matt and I have crossed swords before, on Johnson’s Russia List a decade ago. He’s grown, his writing is truly wonderful. But he’s still enthralled by his ability to channel anger, at the expense of anything resembling rational realism. Not a bad thing for an entertainer, but it’s sad that he appears to truly believe that he knows what he’s talking about. As it happens, I also lived through most of Yeltsin’s administration, as well as some of Gorbachev’s, and did rather a lot of “homework” (in the form of an advanced degree in Russian/Soviet studies) before moving to Russia. I’m no great fan of either man, but Yeltsin, for all his faults and despite all the misery that still exists in Russia, oversaw the transformation of a dying empire into a nation that at least has a chance at becoming worthy of its power. Whether it could have been done differently is moot, as is the question of his undoubted alcoholism and presumptive corruption. Speak ill of the dead, by all means, but this, beautiful as it is as prose, tells us more about Matt’s manias than about the course of recent Russian history.

All of you who accept what mainstream media “provide” as news, deserve the sorry ass rape you get. Matt points out the affinity of “man in the street reporting” by the big guys, surely the laziest and most circular bunch of info gathering yet invented. Glad to have found you, MT.

In Taibbi I trust.

I have a great deal of respect for Matt Taibbi and his brand of investigative journalism (Four Amendments and a Funeral was brilliant). This article has certainly got me questioning the traditional view of Yeltsin that has been portrayed in the Western press – - pretty much without variation. I’m sure that there is a significant element of truth in Matt’s rendition of Yeltsin and am now interested in finding out more about the man. However, Matt’s article is so vituperative that it gives the article a ranting tone and undermines its credibility somewhat. He does have a right to take things a little personally, having lived and worked in Uzbekistan and Russia for several years, but the generic assault on evil vodka soaked peasants does him no favors. Within a corrupt regime, which is riddled with corruption, poverty and greed, no one comes up clean and no one is going to make any impact in such a regime without making some compromises. So quite how bad was Yeltsin? I’d be interested to know. Matt, how about you write a more level headed and fact based article on Yeltsin?

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