Blitz-interview

Leader of the political party Just Russia, Chairman of the Council of the House of Just Russia Party Deputies Sergei Mironov answers questions of the website (www.mironov.ru) visitors from January till December 2011.

1. You travel all over the world a lot and do it quite often. What was the most remarkable journey for you this year?

- I enjoyed my visit toScotlandmore than anything else.

2. What things you can and can not forgive in personal relationships?

- I can forgive everything but betrayal.

3. Where did you spend your summer vacation this year?

- I haven't had any vacation this year.

4. What's the best leisure for you?

- To go fishing, picking mushrooms and exploring for minerals.

5. What should a man of 21^st century be like?

- He should be not an embarrassment for the mankind.

6. What was the most remarkable event for you this year?

- State Duma elections and election fraud rallies after the elections.

7. What was the most remarkable meeting for you this year?

- It was the meeting with Gennadiy Shitov, a worker a Muromskiy radio manufacturing plant.

8. Are you an urban dweller or you'd like to live closer to nature?

- I'm a taiga dweller, I would love to live closer to nature.

9. What's your favourite animal?

- Ounce, aka snow leopard.

10. You have presented your collection of minerals to thegeologyMuseumnamed after Vernadskiy. Does this mean you quit collecting minerals?

- Of course it doesn't. According to the gift contract I have a right to add more minerals to my collection, and I intend to do so.

11. How important is your personal success to you?

- The success of my Homeland is much more important for me.

12. Who is your favourite historical figure?

- Spartacus.

13. Do you consider yourself to be a western or an eastern man?

- I'm Russian!

14. People say that you like "everything that's beautiful". What is 'beautiful' to you?

- I never heard people say that. I think that 'beautiful' is when you feel joy in your soul.

15. Which act of nature do you consider the most beautiful and captivating?

- Sunset inMongolia. Arctic lights.

16. What presents do you get for your friends and family for special occasions?

- I give them beautiful stones.

17. Do you work out in the mornings?

- Yes, I do.

18. Do you do any sports? If yes, what kind of sports?

- I visit gym and swimming pool regularly.

19. What is the most useful skill that you managed to develop?

- To do what I have to do.

20. What is your worst habit?

- I don't sleep as much as my body needs to.

21. What is your best habit?

- To work out in the mornings.

22. What recent movie has impressed you greatly?

- «Miracle», «I believe».

23. Have you seen «Vysotskiy»?

- No, I haven't seen it yet.

24. Who was your idol when you were a child?

- It was Sergei Tulenin, from actual "Young Guards" during WWII time.

25. You have five higher education diplomas. Would you care to get the 6^th?

- Well, it is never late to learn, but currently I'm quite okay with self-education. I think I have all the diplomas and degrees I need.

26. What scientific discoveries do you think the mankind will make in the nearest hundred years?

- A complete cure for cancer, cure for all inherited genetic diseases, the increase in the duration of human life up to 200-250 years. Outer space exploration and maybe even the beginning of time exploration.

27. What has higher priority - truth or wealth?

- I believe that conscience has the highest priority.

28. Do you spend enough time with your family?

- Unfortunately, I don't.

29. What is more important for you - to be right or to be pleasant?

- The most important is to be honest to yourself and others.

30. What song do you hum to yourself when you are in good spirits?

- I have several songs I like to sing in a good mood: "Pereletnye angely" ("Migrating angels"), "Tyomnaya noch" ("Dark night"), "Million alyh roz" ("Million of red roses"), "Lyudi idut po svetu" ("People are walking all over the world").

31. You had debates with the members of other parties before the elections. Which of your opponents were the toughest and the easiest to debate with?

- It was easy and pleasant to debate with those who used straight facts in their speech. And it was quite unpleasant and exhausting with those who juggled empty words with no sense or meaning whatsoever.

32. What punishment should Anders Breivik get for his crimes?

- Solitary confinement for life without the right to appeal.

33. Did you use to keep a diary when you were young?

- Once I kept a diary for a month when I was on a field trip. I had to keep my field trip journal, and I got a habit of writing a personal diary too. Some notes from that diary are published in my LiveJournal blog.

34. Happiness is impossible without…?

- Without love.

35. Are you superstitious?

- No, I'm not.

36. Who is your oldest friend?

- My childhood friend Anatoliy Grigoriev.

37. What do you prefer: to visit friends or to invite them to your house?

- I prefer to invite friends to my house.

38. «A man should do three things in his life: to grow a tree, to build a house and to raise a son". Do you have anything to add to this list?

- To do what's right.

39. Do you believe that it is quite normal for a society to have some people who are indifferent to its political life?

- Yes, I do.

40. They say people can be divided into two categories: physicists and poets (material and spiritual). Which one are you?

- I'm a physical poet.

41. Does your image created by the mass media correspond to reality?

- No, not really.

42. Many people write letters to you through your official web site. Was there any letter that you remember for some reason?

- I always read those letters myself, and each letter is unique in its way. And I remember hundreds of those letters. I think even if I try to list all the people I communicate with regularly, the list would be enormously long. If you'd like to read some of the letters you are welcome to read my guestbook on www.mironov.ru.

43. What books have you read this year? Which book you liked most?

- I have read Haruki Murakami's books, "Green Tent" by Ludmila Ulitskaya, "Otkatchiki" by Alexey Kolyshevskiy. I have re-read books by Trifonov, Ancharov, Goncharov, Dovlatov, Efremov, Strugatskiy, Nagibin, and Bradbury. I enjoyed the "Green Tent" most of all.

44. Can you describe the ending year in a few words?

- Well, it has started as usual, and all in all it was like a zebra - some days bad, some days good. It's ending with a December dawn.

45. What do you expect of the upcoming year?

- I expect changes!

46. What professions would you recommend for consideration for high school graduates?

- I think soon enough there's going to be a huge demand for technical engineers.

47. What internet projects do you find interesting? What do you think of RosPil project?

- I participated in creating "Soratniki" social network. I find the project «Zastupnik. org», that was created this fall, very interesting. RosPil is a good example of active citizen position, which is good.

48. The volunteer movement that aims at exposing potential pedophiles and drug dealers without any assistance from law enforcement institutions. Do you approve of such activities?

- If they don't use children as bait to catch those criminals, then I'm all for it.

49. Do you make a wish when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's? What will be your wish this year?

- Yes, I usually make a wish, but I won't tell you because if I do it won't come true.

50. Do you regret loosing the position of #3 person in the country?

- I made that decision myself, so I do not regret it. And the results of December 4 elections have proven me right.

51. Is it easy for people to gain your trust?

- As a rule, yes. I trust people.

52. When you think, your mind mostly dwells in the past, present or future?

- In the future. It's always been like that.

53. Which statement do you agree with: "Talent will inevitably find its way in life" or "Talents should be helped to get through, and mediocrity will push through by itself"?

- I agree with the last one. We need to find talents and help them grow, for they bring joy to people's hearts.

54. What do you think makes celebrities (sportsmen, musicians) to go into politics?

- I believe that they are being pushed into politics nowadays.

55. What forgotten traditions you'd like to bring back to life?

- Singing at party tables, and I don't mean karaoke, I mean the old Russian tradition of drinking songs. To celebrate May 1^st as a common and true labor holiday. To write letters with pen on paper. To read out books - to the children, to friends and to the beloved ones.

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Chairman of the Council of the House of "Russia of Justice" Party Deputies Sergei Mironov answers questions of the website (www.mironov.ru) visitors.

1. How would you account for your success in life? Is it mostly a result of strenuous labor or partially luck?
- I think that is basically due to hard labour, self-assurance, eagerness to learn and ability to deal with people successfully.

2. Do women play an importnat role in your life?
- I'll answer by paraphrasing the famous expression: "All my best qualities are much to their credit".

3. On what basis do you judge another person? What qualities make a good man in your opinion?
-Only by person's actions. Credibility, honesty, kindness and intelligence.

4. You've reached 55 this year.Do you review your life?
- I'd rather leave reviewing and summarizing to others. Plans are plenty, everything is just about to beigin.

5. What is the most unpleasant side of being Chairperson of the Council of Federaion and what brings you the most pleasure?
- By all means - signing a pile of papers at the end of the day is the most unpleasant, while helping people is the best about my work.

6. What is the main lesson you learnt as a child?
- There's no point in hiding lie- it will be revelaed anyway.

7. Is it easy for you to make drastic changes?
- Not easy at all. But I do. And when I make a decision, I never regret it afterwards and always go through with it.

8.Dou you have moments of weakness?
- Yes, but no one has ever seen them and will never see them.

9. At present, what do you consider to be your biggest achievement?
- Foundation of A Just Russia Party, a modern socialist party.

10. How do you treat religions?
- With great respect.

11. Under what circumstances do you usually agree to a compromise and when-never?
- Politics is the art of compromise. One must be always ready to compromise with relatives, but never to compromise one's principles and beliefs.

12. You have a very busy schedule with lots of travels. How do you keep fit in order to be so energetic?
- I wish I could say I do sports regularly, but it is not true, unfortunately. Probably, geology work and army service taught me to be responsible. And, fortunately, I am an early riser and a night person simultaneously.

13. What kinds of sports did you use to practice?
- Before army I did cycling and then I took up such sports as orienteering and sambo.

14. What part of your life belongs to love?
- Fortunately, a great one.

15. What role in your life does the Internet play?
- A big one, a big part of the day

18. Which of your talents would you like to develop?
- Musical talents.

19. What instrument can you play and what instrument would you like to learn to play?
- I can play the spoons. And I have always dreamt of learning to play piano. Even more than a guitar.

20. What is the utmost happinnes for you?
- Happinness of my family.

21. What is your motto?
- Nobody but we (can do it)! (Airborne forces motto).

22. What was your dream job in the childhood?
- I dreamt of becoming a geologist.

23. What did you dream of when you were a child? Did your dreams come true?
- To open a deposit occurence. And I did realize my dream.

24. What do you consider the most important component of children's upbringing?
- Parental love.

25. What were your main guidelines for children's upbringing?
- 1. Treat other prople the way you want to be treated. 2. Learn all your life. 3. Your parents are the closest and dearest people. Whatever troubles you may face, they will always share them and give you a helping hand.

26. Do you want to become a space tourist?
- No.

27. Do you often meet your freinds?
- I wish I could see them more often.

28. Have you acquired genuine friends during your years in politics?
- No.

29. Can your drive?
- Yes.

30. What is your favourite car?
- BMW, Hummer.

31. What foreign languages can you speak?
- English (not perfect) and a bit of Mongolian.

32. What language would you like to learn?
- Spanish.

33. What do your prefer to in the morning - tea or coffee?
- Coffee.

34. Can you play chess?
- Yes.

35. In your opinion, where is the best geology museum located?
- In St.Petersburg Minig Institute.

36. What qualities are the most essential for a politician?
- Intelligence, consciousness, kindness.

37. What for do you deserve praise/сriticism as a politician?
-It is not up to me, but people to decide it.

38. Is there anything you regret about?
- A 24-hour day is not enough for me. I wish it were longer

39. Have you ever wrote poetry, fiction, songs or maybe paint pictures? And if you did what were they about?
- Of course, in youth I wrote love poetry and fiction.

40. What do you dream about most often?
- Of Russia's magnificent future.

41. Imagine that you have an absolutely free day. How would you spend such a day?
- First of all, I'd have a long sleep. Then I'd read a good book and have a walk.

42. In your student years you had much of a field practice. Do you miss it now? If so, what moments or peculiarities of such a lifestyle bring back nostalgic memories? What episodes were especially exciting and joyful?
- Yes, I still miss and often recall this period of my life as a geologist. Geology is a hard man's job, but your faithful friends always stand by you. Regarding joyful moments, fortunately, they were many.

43. What of your personal qualities of your youth would you like to return?
- Fortunately, I'll manage to keep all them with me.

44. How do you canvass opinion about your interlocutor? What kind of people repulses you?
- My chief criterion is intelligence, manners. I can't stand arrogance.

45. What is useless to ask you about?
- To give up job or work I have started.

46. Your ideal vacation is...
- Fishing or mushroom-picking.

47. You've got 5 postgraduate degrees. What else kind of knowledge would you like to acquire?
- Learning knows no boundaries. Besides, I like to learn.

48. Is current young generation differ from that of yours? Is it being young nowdays happier than that of your generation?
- Does not really matter.It is happinness to be young at all times.

49. Are you a football fan?
- Yes, I am a Zenit fan" («Zenit is a champion!»).

50. What are your hobbies?
- Mineral collection. Also, I enjoy spin fishing.

51. What famous people from the past would you like to meet? What would you ask them about?
- Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander Nevsky, Alexander Pushkin, Marina Tsvetaeva, Vladimir Vernadsky, Georgy Zhukov, Sergei Korolev, Yuri Gagarin.There are plenty issues to discuss with them.

52. What philosopher influenced you a lot?
- Viktor Frankl.

53. Your attutide to global warming issue?
- I think we all must get prepared for global cooling, which is to start approximately in the second half of the 21 st century.

54. Your favourite composer.
- Antonio Vivaldi.

55. Favourite musical piece?
- Dresden concert by Antonio Vivaldi, «Per Gynt by Edward Grieg and lute music of 18 century.

56. Is there any foreign writer whose complete collection of works you have read?
- Erich Maria Remarque.

57. What literature would you like to read in original language?
- Shakespeare's works.

58. You have an expanded social circle which includes a lot famous people. Who has produced the greatest impression on you?
- Dmitry Likhachev, Vasily Margelov, Vladimir Putin, my sister Marina.

59. What historic figure is an example for you?
- Charl de Gaulle, Spartak.

60. Back to literature, can you name the most striking book written by a foreign author?
- I like the American science fiction writer Arthur Clark, especially his short stories for their incredible outcome.

61. Your favourite foreign poet?
- Giyom Appoliner .

62. What fiction character has fascinated you?
- Jack London's Martin Iden has always attracted me as a strong-willed man, man of integrity.

63. What piece of foreign painting produced a remarkable impression on you?
- French impressionists.

64. Favourite film director.
- Steven Spielberg.

65. Favourite foreign actor/actress.
- Bruce Willis and Sophie Marceau.

66. Favourite foreign film character.
-Bruce Willis from Last Boy Scout and Tim Robbins as the chief character of the Shawshank redemption.

67. What foreign music did you enjoy listening in your student years? How did you get an access to it?
-Beatles was one of my favourites. I didn't have a tape-recorder, thus I listened to the tapes at my friend's home.

68. Favourite book of your childhood.
- Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and stories by Jack London.

69. What ancient Greek myths do you particulary enjoy?
- Herculean labours. In particular, story about Augean stables.

70. What period in the history of the world's culture (аntiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Enlightenment) appelas to you?
- I have aways been fascinated by Antiquity for its valour, intelligence and spirituality.

71. Which country would you like to visit?
- I dream of travelling to Japan and India.

72. What country has produced the most powerful impression on you?
- I guess it was Mexica's Teotihuacan Pyramids.

73. To which country would you like to return?
- Mongolia.

74. Your attitude to anti-Russian campaign held in Ukraine?
- Naturally, it's negative.

75. In your opinion, is outbreak of the 3rd World War possible?
- Hope it isn't. It is unlikely untill we keep gun-powder dry.

76. Is it obligatory, in your opinion, to repatriate German objects of cultural heritage, taken away by the USSR at the end of the Second World War?
- There's a a law to control the process, each case is individual.

77. Your stand on globalization. Is it a threat to national identity or historic objective law?
- Globalization through new technologies is objective. Political globalization -is threat to national sovereignty, not only to national identity.

78. Do you think that the mankind can find life beyond the Earth?
- Yes. My logic is simple: if the Universe (or Universes) has no boundaries, therefore it means that there must be a life somewhere. We can't be an exception.

79. You stand against capital punishment. Why?
- I am deeply convinced that cruelty and fear can't prevent crimes. Also, because of numerous mistakes I am all in favour of life sentence without the right to amnesty rather than capital punishment.

80. What is the major Russia's problem?
- Poor demography.

81. Should Russia strive to reconstruct the USSR? And why?
- Perhaps, not to reconstruct the USSR, but seek reliable allies.

82. Three words from you describing Russia.
- Great, generous, holy!