Free the Pussy Riot Three

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:27 PM

I signed, CJB.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 11:34 AM

pussy riot are where they belong

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 24 Aug 12 - 07:06 AM

Please sign the latest petition:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/free_pussy_riot_free_russia_a/?bgLAibb&v=17300

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 05:13 PM

Sorry, my fault, misread a comment.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 05:10 PM

Tony, lay off the thing eh?

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 04:58 PM

quote: And as the old joke used to go, 'There is no Truth in the News and no News in the Truth.'

That shows the superiority of our system, where most people believe the lies handed out by the supposedly independent news media and wouldn't even understand a joke like that.

After all the lies about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, obvious at the time to anyone who questioned authority and exposed afterward so thoroughly that even the dumbest sheep could understand, most Americans now think Iran's got them.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 01:14 PM

All in all, the Russian government's response seems pretty mild, even without the priors mentioned in the Pravda article. We have to consider what other governments would have done in response to a desecration of their country's holiest sites. What would have happened if a Saudi Arabian rock band, in a protest against the monarchy, had staged a similar event inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca? Or if an American rock band had done it on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange to protest against imperialism? Maybe a better example would be Wikileaks' more effective and courageous form of protest, staged on the internet, for which several members of Congress have called for Julian Assange's execution.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 12:28 PM

Link to the Pravda article

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 12:21 PM

'Pravda, which means "Truth", was the official voice of the Communist Party and Izvestia, which means "News", was the Official voice of the Soviet Government.'

And as the old joke used to go, 'There is no Truth in the News and no News in the Truth.'

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 22 Aug 12 - 11:46 AM

English - Pravda Monday August 20, 2012

Rest of the Story (and questioning if the US Ambasador had properly briefed Obama - before letting him stick his Nike in his oral orafice) "Miserable Mewing of Pussy".... english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/20-08-2012/121929-pussy_riot-0/   

1. Noted for staging a porn orgy in the Biological Museum in Moscow in broad daylight. Naked, the members of the group began to copulate in front of astonished visitors. The "artists" did not stop their action in spite of the fact that there were small children watching them.

2. As part of another "performance," the members of the group spray-painted the graphic image of male genitals (read article about it) on one of the bascule bridges in St. Petersburg. The white-paint image, 65 by 27 meters in size, shocked a lot more people, including tourists.

3. Another act helped the would-be Pussy Riot choose the name and the concept for the music collective. At that time, with a small child among them, they decided to take a creative approach to the issue of shoplifting poultry from supermarkets. A female member of the group buried a frozen chicken in her crotch, and then left the store to the cheering of her comrades. The latter were holding posters with abusive words, smeared with human excrement. The action led to the appearance of the expression designating the uprising of female genitals........

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Do some of you go no furthur than the DailyMirror - how wretchedly small and sallow.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: oldhippie
Date: 20 Aug 12 - 08:20 PM

Amos, I now know who to call next time I need a cross chainsawed. Free the Pussy Riot three !!!!

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Allan Conn
Date: 20 Aug 12 - 11:56 AM

One can see that an impromptu performance like this in a major place of worship would have some consequence for the band members. I'm sure it would do here too. But the prison sentences, and the length of them, seem to be totally out of proportion. Still maybe some time in the future when Putin is celebrating his 40 years or so as President he'll have a concert to celebrate and this video will have a spot - just like the Sex Pistols track had at the Queen's Jubilee :-)

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: CET
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 12:18 PM

"May be jailed for music and videos? What a sick bunch a fucks! Protest in art form is illegal "somewhere"? Really????? In this world? TODAY???"

Well, not exactly. They gave the government a good excuse by committing a genuine offense, something they could expect to be charged for in any Western democracy. It wasn't just singing a protest song on a video. I don't have much sympathy for them being arrested.

HOWEVER, the hand of Putin's government in all of this is just too evident. Five months without bail! In a Russian prison! On top of that, a two year prison sentence. Even with two for one credit for pre-trial incarceration, they will be doing about 14 months. I have no idea if Russian law has any kind of early release provisions. That's obscene.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 11:11 AM

There are two parts to this thing. There's the anti-Putin aspect (which I assume is legitimate but I can't find any information about it); and then there's the fact that the specific way in which the anti-Putin protest was done means that its primary effect is to polarize people, since some people see it as an unwarranted desecration of their holy place, while others see it as shoving it up the self-righteous aforementioned's collective arse.

Oh, and there's a third aspect, which is that they're a rock group, and they stand to get famous from this, and make a lot of money eventually.

But does anyone else benefit from polarizing people in this way? So that people on opposite sides of an issue can't even discuss the issue with each other but can only huddle together with people they agree with and chant "hooray for our side;" and exult either in indignant rage as directed by Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly or in condescending sarcasm as directed by Bill Maher and John Stewart.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 10:31 AM

Seems to me that they are very stupid girls, who were well aware of what they were doing and the the consequences. No sympathy from me.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 10:13 AM

There's a YouTube video of the protest they were arrested for. The guards' handling of it seems pretty restrained to me, as compared with treatment of anti-war and WTO protesters in the US, or the threat to storm the Ecuadoran embassy to extradite Julian Assange.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Amos
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 10:10 AM

When in doubt, PROTEST... with a chainsaw.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 03:35 AM

Well there's another venue WOOD PUSSY can strike from their world tour.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 01:51 AM

Hope that universal condemnation of this absurd error on the part of the Russian authorities

[to which I have just added my minute contribution by signing petition belatedly (have been taking a bit of a rest from the forum)]

will have some effect, and that the three young women will soon be back with their loved ones.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 19 Aug 12 - 12:47 AM

Rob, thanks for your observations. You perspective gives some much needed insight in to what's going on there.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 07:45 PM

Well I'm over here in Sakhalin (Russian Far East) at the moment, working. The trial and outcome have been debated in the news here, at least, and locals are not averse to giving an opinion (I've had all sorts, from condemnation of the sentences to "stupid girls, what did they expect?"). There was a robust debate yesterday among a group of mainly Russian acquaintances in Gagarin Park, including a local member of the FSB (successor of KGB!). That's a huge difference from when I was first in the Soviet Union back in 1984, where as independent travellers our hotel room was bugged, we were followed everywhere we went and kept away as much as possible from locals.

Not saying it's perfect here, by any means, and my daughter almost got beaten up by a member of OMON in St Petersburg a few months ago, just for *watching* a demo....but it's a lot freer here than it was, and a lot freer than many people think it is. I hear Putin being slagged off all the time by locals, with no apparent fear of being overheard, or carted off somewhere.

Now the bureaucracy....that's something else: Take the worst part of French government tape, ally it to British civil service inefficiency of execution and multiply it by a factor of 10, and your somewhere close.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Aug 12 - 02:37 AM

None taken 999, I must pay attention more.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 10:15 PM

No offense in pointing out the typo, Dave, but it should read "the judge just doing what she's told." Unfortunately, it looks like you are right.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 02:38 PM

A clearly political verdict as expected, the judge just doing what he's told.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 12:23 PM

Just read that the gals were given a two-year sentence. I don't know if that means 1 1/2 years with time served or in addition to time served. Also, Garry Kasparov was arrested for protesting. (Major chess player in the USSR/Russia. Retired now I think.)

Does anyone know whether the right to appeal exists in Russia?

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Little Hawk
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 11:39 AM

Yes, Russia is a bit freer now in terms of getting access to news about such events.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 09:56 AM

"It was not immediately clear how long the three women will stay in jail but prosecutors are pressing for a three-year jail sentence for the convicts."

The sentence will tell the tale. Putin has asked they be given a lenient sentence, but lenient in Russia could mean anything from 'counting trees in Siberia' to time served. Pussy Riot wasn't "fighting for democracy" so much as drawing attention to the seeming love affair between the Church and the State as embodied in Putin. Places like the US and Canada would likely go with time served, but the gals ain't in the US or Canada. Something that is encouraging is the fact we have heard about the trial. Wouldn't have happened two decades ago.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: bobad
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 08:34 AM

Surprise, surprise:
Russian court finds Pussy Riot members guilty

Al Jazeera

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Mrrzy
Date: 17 Aug 12 - 01:18 AM

I'm SO glad I just missed the thread. I was really worried that y'all had managed to miss this one.


Did you hear NPRs audio montage of BBC people trying to say Pussy Riot with a straight face/voice?

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,Dr Price, Cookie-less
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 11:48 AM

Apologies - that was me...

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 11:46 AM

I've signed. Today, Russia and China; tomorrow, Cameron's "free" British state?

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 11:42 AM

I hear ya, LH.

The faces of revolutionaries. Look like bad-asses to me.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 11:28 AM

Yes, China is a powerful example of this sort of thing, Bruce. What worries me is that it may happen here someday too. There has already been legislation passed in the USA (first by Bush and then considerably further by Obama) which gives the government the power and legal authority to arrest anyone they simply don't like for some reason...hold them indefinitely without trial...and even assassinate American citizens (and other nationals) if they want to.

Merely if they want to! Without the person having committed any crime. And Congress passed those laws.

All it will require is some kind of state of emergency to be declared and then the government to act on what they have already said they can do. Actually, they could do it right now, quietly, without even declaring any state of emergency.

It happens elsewhere. It can happen here too.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 11:16 AM

"Protest in art form is illegal "somewhere"? Really????? In this world? TODAY???"

'China jails writer for 10 years on 'subversion' charge
Li Tie found guilty of 'subverting state power' after writing online essays that urged people to defend their rights, relative says

A Chinese court has sentenced a writer to 10 years in prison on subversion charges for writing essays that urged people to defend their rights, according to a relative of the man.

Li Tie was found guilty of the "subversion of state power" at a court in Wuhan, central China, on Tuesday, said the relative, who declined to be named for fear of retribution.

Li is the third person to be sentenced on such charges in the last month. The charge is more serious than the one of incitement, often used against critics of the ruling Communist Party.

The relative said Li told the court: 'I'm not guilty. When have I subverted state power?'

"The state has made this conclusion against him," the relative said. "You can't understand it. Under these circumstances, you're helpless. But this is our reality. He sat in front of the computer 'subverting state power'."

Rights activists say the harsh sentences are worrying signs that the government's crackdown on dissidents is intensifying, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Arab-inspired 'Jasmine Revolution' rallies. There is also a tricky leadership transition later in the year.

During the past decade, Li has written many online articles promoting democracy, constitutional government, and direct local elections, according to the Chinese Human Rights Defenders.

Chinese authorities indicted veteran dissident Zhu Yufu on subversion charges for writing a poem urging people to gather to defend their freedoms, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

"What the activists have in common is their long-term unwavered commitment to democracy," said Songlian Wang, research co-ordinator for the rights group.

"By doling harsh sentences against them, the Chinese government is sending a clear message in response to the Arab spring, it is drawing a red line – advocate democratisation and you'll be given a decade in prison."'

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 10:59 AM

The link is at:

http://tinyurl.com/pussyriot3

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 01:56 AM

It seems a very good band name to me, evocative of the Clash's first hit, and of the name of the support band on the Clash's tour on the back of that single. I don't see what the sniffiness here is about. More power to Pussy Riot.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 01:25 AM

Hmmmm. My son's punk band, Out Hud, named an album after me - they called it Street Dad. The "hit" single on it was titled, Dad There's a Little Phrase Called Too Much Information.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Aug 12 - 01:13 AM

Yeah, Joe. European punk bands often pick somewhat rude names that sound cool (to them) because they're in English...and they hope it will get them a lot of attention. ;-)

I'm mentioning it mainly because it seems utterly incongruous to me to have a Russian girl band call themselves "Pussy Riot". It's downright ridiculous as far as I'm concerned...but you don't forget it once you've heard it...so it definitely works.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Beer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 10:21 PM

Understood.
All the best to you Rob.
ad.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 10:14 PM

I'm in Russia at the moment so I think paranoid pragmatism wins out over signing for me.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Beer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 10:11 PM

I think Joe if you drop the "Three" it may work.

I singed in with a false name and my work address and it was accepted.
Not disagreeing in what is taking pace, but i don't agree with what is being asked in singing in.
Paranoid i guess. the just let me out of the physic. hosp.
and this is true. Well not really but 11 years ago.
ad.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 09:55 PM

I presume those girls named the band "Pussy Riot" because...

because they're a punk band.

Change the thread title? Aw, c'mon. Well....I merged it with the title of the other thread. Is that OK?

-Joe Offer, whose son wrote a minor punk hit titled "The Fuck of Love"-

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: frogprince
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 09:13 PM

So, 999 and I have signed, however a futile gesture it might be. How about some of the rest of you. I've been trying to think of a new thread title that would serve this better.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 09:05 PM

I presume those girls named the band "Pussy Riot" because...

1. They figured it was way cool to have a somewhat rude-sounding English language name for the group.

And..

2. They figured it would get them a lot of attention.

Well, they have more attention now than they could ever have dreamed of! ;-) In the West, this would be a very good career move for a musical group. In Russia or China...perhaps not.

Putin is way overreacting. He must feel a bit vulnerable to be acting that way. He'd have been better off to just ignore the incident or laugh it off.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: gnu
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 08:29 PM

May be jailed for music and videos? What a sick bunch a fucks! Protest in art form is illegal "somewhere"? Really????? In this world? TODAY???

Subject: RE: Pussyriot
From: bobad
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 05:46 PM

There is here

---

Threads and thread titles merged. -Joe Offer-

Subject: Pussyriot
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 05:35 PM

Why isnt' there already a thread about this musical group and their politics?

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 02:24 PM

Thanks, Richard. I signed.

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 02:18 PM

Free Pussy Riot petition here:


http://www.change.org/petitions/free-pussy-riot?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=9452&alert_id=CyJeomrrYS_F

Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Three
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Aug 12 - 01:55 PM

CJB: Do you know if an on-line petition is available? I'd like to add my name to the petition but I have neither Facebook nor Twitter. Nor do I have a phone.