Free Speech in Russia and its Pussy Riot Trial

[Gwynplaine]

This story hasn't gained much attention in the U.S. Maybe because it's Russia and it is hardly surprising, or maybe because the Olympics and elections are the major focus. But I always think its important to highlight violations of the right to free speech. Some news links:

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/0...86K04E20120721

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/30/world/...ial/index.html

http://hotair.com/archives/2012/07/2...nk-rock-girls/

Three members of female punk group Pussy Riot who derided President Vladimir Putin in a protest in Moscow's main cathedral had their spell in jail extended by six months on Friday in what their lawyers called a show trial dictated by the Kremlin.

The women, who have been held in pre-trial custody for almost five months, face up to seven years in jail on charges of hooliganism for storming the altar in multi-coloured masks to sing a "punk prayer" to the Virgin Mary to "Throw Putin Out!"
Pussy Riot's brazen act was part of a protest movement against Putin's 12-year dominance of Russia that at its peak saw 100,000 people take part in winter demonstrations in Moscow.

Three girls in a rock band disrupted a church service to protest and condemn President Putin. They are charged with the vague crime of "hooliganism". And while certainly in a free culture they shouldn't be allowed to disrupt the services and property rights of the church, the very serious penalty of 7 years in prison is an obvious symbolic message. And that message is that criticism of Putin or the government won't be taken lightly, as free speech in Russia is either still absent or languishes. Hopefully the trial should at least shine harsh critical light on Russia's free speech by the international community.

Here's the Youtube vid of the band disrupting the church service with their protest.

[Ashmada]

Yeah, t'was on teh TV news here. Disgusting, but hardly surprising. As a matter of fact, the only surprise is that they live; and the mediatisation of the case may ensure their prolonged survival.

[Mazmaz]

That's nice. What can the international community do to a permanent member of the security council?

[Gwynplaine]

That's nice. What can the international community do to a permanent member of the security council?

Harshly condemn Putin and the Russian government, which apparently Russian's can't safely do themselves.

[Brill Weave]

Putin's a despot. He's slowly, and very publicly, stamping out all opposition. He's already building a massive cult of personality. Next step is to name himself president for life.

[Qalbert]

are you saying he's putin in work

[Callisto]

are you saying he's putin in work

ugh I knew you would be russian to this thread to make this comment

[Byrthnoth]

You guys are stalin real debate on this issue with your horrible puns.

[Melena]

http://verydemotivational.files.word...n-the-ritz.jpg

[Churchill]

when life gives you lenins, make leninade

[GoggleHead]

when life gives you lenins, make leninade

I love Leninade. That's stuff's delicious.
http://revimgs.bevnet.com/media/leni...de-bottles.jpg

[Mojo]

the preferred beverage of the proletariat

[Gwynplaine]

In all seriousness though Lenin and Stalin were murderers with the blood of tens of millions on their hands.

Harharhar!

I don't know, Russia feels like a rather different culture than America and hard to understand. For a while it seemed like they were heading in a better direction but now it doesn't seem likely. Unless they can pull off some Arab Spring type protests and upheavals.

[Kuya]

When did it seem they were headed in the right direction? After the Soviet Union fell? Anyone who did not think that if capitalism, then rainbows knew the corruption wouldn't end after Gorbachev's Glasnost blew up in his face.

[Serra]

Putin's a despot. He's slowly, and very publicly, stamping out all opposition. He's already building a massive cult of personality. Next step is to name himself president for life.

He won't do that, if he was going to, he would have just done that the first time around. He'll just be president for two five year terms, take one term off where he puts another of his puppets up, then step back into the presidency for another two terms. System doesn't put a limit on the number of terms he can serve, so why put the effort into breaking it when he can exploit it so easily.

[Yuri-G]

I love Leninade. That's stuff's delicious.
http://revimgs.bevnet.com/media/leni...de-bottles.jpg

tastes even better if you smoke some pol pot first

[Tajin]

3 girls out of how many political prisoners already in jails? That said I'd like to know how they came with the idea to storm a church to protest.

[Rhyis.]

Putin's a bad ass Judoka. He can do whatever the fuck he wants. Motherfucker will break your arm if you disagree.

[Gwynplaine]

When did it seem they were headed in the right direction? After the Soviet Union fell? Anyone who did not think that if capitalism, then rainbows knew the corruption wouldn't end after Gorbachev's Glasnost blew up in his face.

Well being capable of bare subsistence instead of nation-wide starvation and famine was a good step by comparison.

[Kuya]

Sure, but as China has delicately proven, capitalism, unfortunately and particularly so for you, has nothing to do with democracy and human rights.