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September 11, 2007
Cars for Kids
I've driven in Russian-made cars. This is no deal.
ULYANOVSK, Russia (AP) -- Make a baby. Win a car.I've been a passenger in two Russian cars - the Zhiguli and the Gazelle. Of the two, the Gazelle was the more frightening. It's a van, but not one made for passengers. To transport passengers, the Russians put two wooden benches on the inside walls of the van. No seat belts, no comfortable seats - good balance and prayer kept us in our seats, especially when we were dodging cows on rural roads or in fields (I'm not exaggerating).Don't be surprised if the streets are empty and curtains drawn in this central Russian region Wednesday as residents take up an offer by the regional governor to help stem Russia's demographic crisis.
Ulyanovsk Gov. Sergei Morozov has decreed Sept. 12 a Day of Conception and is giving couples time off from work to procreate. Couples who give birth nine months later on Russia's national day -- June 12 -- will receive money, cars, refrigerators and other prizes.
Russia is not a 'safety first' kind of country. Thanks to my brother for the story.
Posted by slublog at September 11, 2007 10:30 PM
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Comments
Y'know, the real story in this is that Russia is in such a demographic death-spiral that they have to bribe their citizens to have children.
Posted by: Hal at September 12, 2007 12:35 PM