Russian Politics Drinking Game

I thought this time around, instead of just serving up boring (and sometimes depressing) news, I'd help you actually enjoy the summer while giving you an incentive to stay informed about Russian Politics at the same time.

Best setting for this is three to six people on a weekend evening, with the previous week's or fortnight's worth of newspapers. (Of course, you can always use the ever-popular Internet links on this very page too.) One person, who will stay sober, will be the referee.

Needless to say, the appropriate beverage is a good Stolichnaya vodka. (Teetotallers can use hot tea prepared in an authentic silver samovar.)

When the indicated event occurs, drink the appropriate amount. Last one to pass out wins a free membership on Suite101.com :) First one to pass out has to spend the next week on nothing but Russian Army rations :)

Yeltsin:

Shoves something unprecedented down the Duma's throat - 1 sip

They don't stand for it in the end - 1 shot.

Goes away on a long vacation - 1 sip.

An independent doctor certifies he's in good health - 1 shot.

Fires someone - 1 sip.

After having fired someone else within the past month - 1 shot.

After swearing up and down there would be no more firings - 2 shots. (Be careful here: the idea is to observe Yeltsin, not become him.)

Announces he's not running for a third term - 1 sip.

Second time in the same month - 2 sips.

After that - 1 shot each.

Poll comes out with a sizable number opposed to him - 1 sip.

Majority opposed - 1 shot.

Majority calling on him to resign - 2 shots.

And he does - Party like it's 1999!

Kiriyenko:

Insists he has the latest financial crisis under control - 1 sip.

Gives priority to paying off bondholders over workers and pensioners - 2 sips.

While the latter are actually blocking roads/rails - 1 shot.

There isn't any financial crisis at the moment - 3 shots.

Duma:

Sides with Saddam Hussein in the current crisis - 1 sip.

Someone organizes a personal delegation to Iraq to show solidarity - 3 sips.

Other than Zhirinovsky - 1 shot.

There isn't a current crisis with Iraq - 2 shots.

Sits on something the administration wants passed - 1 sip.

It's the budget - 1 shot.

And it actually matters because the budget's revenue and spending estimates are realistic - 2 shots.

Calls for Yeltsin's impeachment - 1 sip.

Actually sets up a committee for that - 2 sips.

Has enough votes to start debate on it - 1 shot.

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