From a “debate” at TOMB:
“two years deprivation of liberty in a penal colony” for each defendant.’
‘Opposition leader Alexei Navalny added: “They are in jail because it is Putin’s personal revenge. This verdict was written by Vladimir Putin.”‘
‘Amnesty International said the ruling was a “bitter blow” for freedom of expression in Russia.’
‘US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: “We urge Russian authorities to review this case and ensure that the right to freedom of expression is upheld.’
cite
===========================================
‘The White House on Friday condemned the “disproportionate” two-year prison sentence a Russian judge imposed on members of the punk band “Pussy Riot,” found guilty of “hooliganism” for an event mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin.’
cite
===========================================
The act [of the band] itself in this country, politics and religion aside for the moment, would result in at most disturbing the peace, mebbe trespass, probably a fine and supervision the first time – all misdemeanor busts.
One of their points regarding religion is, as I understand it, the band is protesting the Church’s close ties to the government – my impression is not that they are anti-Christian, but anti current church regime, as well as anti-government. Please read the links above; I believe the “closing statement” (Yekaterina Samutsevich: Closing Statement at the Pussy Riot Trial), from a defendant, explains pretty well at least what they intend. I do confess that I’ve read probably 25 articles in recent months, and that I am a flaming liberal, anti-authority nutbag, especially as concerns freedom of expression. I’m a rock musician/writer, and I do not apologize for that!
Aiight, so in this country, let’s say they are pro-Nazi and wanna have a rally inna public park. Anybody remember the Skokie, IL marches?
How about they are radical “Christians” who want to protest anti-gay and God-revenge scenarios at the funerals of dead soldiers? I’m sure you heard of that …
This country is exemplary, not perfect, but freaking amazing in history and real, present life and that greatness is not unrelated to the US Constitution. Keeping in mind that the Constitution does not give rights, but rather recognizes inalienable rights, the 1st Amendment is, IMO, one of it’s strongest such recognitions because it’s not immediately obvious, and it is not universal, altho’ it is becoming common in the developed West.
Your point that Russia is not the US is well-taken. That said, the current regime represents that they are a democracy, that they are more like the West than not, that they have separation of church and state (essential, IMO), that the judiciary is autonomous and the government is not a political dictatorship.
Pussy Riot attacks the current regime on those, and other points, and I think that they have, as that closing statement says and the news reports seem to indicate, been successful in their attacks.
Of particular interest to me, if it’s not obvious, is that all of these political issues are explored in the context of art – whether you think Pussy Riot is viable as a band is less relevant to me than that they choose to express their political beliefs in the context of rock-n-roll. And hell, I wrote a song about ’em!
Now, I need another Jameson’s …
Filed under: Writing | Leave a comment »
<— click
vlayman 