Vodka was, is, and ever shall be in Russia

As you know, our cuddly Medvezhonok decided to take on alcoholism, and God bless him for that. Recently, the New York Times went ahead and did the world a freaking service and translated a sweet site where everyday Russians have been giving their thoughts on fighting alcoholism. Let's see some of my favorites:

"For example, it’s hot, and you are thirsty: 0.5 liter of beer in a kiosk — 20 rubles; 1.5 liter — 40 rubles. Or juice: 0.25 liter — 30 rubles; 1 liter — 60 rubles. What will a student buy?” [So true! SO true! Been there...although I don't recall many "hot days"]

"I think there will come a time when Russians will reproach people in other Western countries — ‘You should drink less!’" [Ukraine is geographically west of Russia...]

"The reasons are obvious: it is easier to take wealth from a drunken people and sell it to the Chinese and to Europe." [I still have no idea what this even means, but I'm going to be a jerk and call it xenophobia]

[And where my title came from:] "For a Russian, alcohol is an extremely personal, and even intimate, thing. This is why no president or government can influence the relationship of ‘a Russian and his vodka.’ The joy of drinking has always existed in Russia, exists and will exist, irrespective of the size of the container, the time of the selling or any other stupid thing." [Amen]