Pussy Riot

[Teatownclown]

The culture war goes world wide!
Free Pussy Riot! http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Obama spokesman condemns 'disproportionate' prison term for Russian punk band members

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-spokesman-condemns-disproportionate-prison-term-pussy-riot-175432259.html

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.
"The United States is disappointed by the verdict, including the disproportionate sentences that were granted," spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters.
"While we understand the group's behavior was offensive to some, we have serious concerns about the way these young women have been treated by the "Russian judicial system," Earnest said. He did not use the band's name.
At the State Department, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland bluntly urged Russian authorities to review this case and ensure that the right to freedom of expression is upheld."
"The United States is concerned about both the verdict and the disproportionate sentences handed down by a Moscow court in the case against the members of the band Pussy Riot and the negative impact on freedom of expression in Russia," Nuland said in a written statement. Three members of Pussy Riot were found guilty of  hooliganism and sentenced to two years in jail in connection to an incident earlier this year in which they mocked Putin during a "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral.
Judge Marina Syrova announced the verdict from a district court in central Moscow, about two miles from the Christ the Savior Cathedral where the guerrilla group and feminist collective performed its "flash" stunt.
The band members—Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30—have been in jail since their March 3 arrest, several weeks after the performance. International free-speech advocates have raised a hue and cry over their case.

You gotta love the WH taking a position here....not even Clinton would have gone there.

[Conan71]

Is freedom of expression a right in Russia?

The U.S. intervening in how other countries treat their citizens is how many wars and lesser conflicts have been started in the last couple of centuries.

But I do like how you were able to legitimately say "Pussy Riot" on TNF 

[Teatownclown]

Is freedom of expression a right in Russia?

The U.S. intervening in how other countries treat their citizens is how many wars and lesser conflicts have been started in the last couple of centuries.

But I do like how you were able to legitimately say "Pussy Riot" on TNF  

You missed the point: Bill Clinton wouldn't deliver such a statement on self incrimination grounds...and then there's the fact that the punishment here does not fit the crime.

[Conan71]

You missed the point: Bill Clinton wouldn't deliver such a statement on self incrimination grounds...and then there's the fact that the punishment here does not fit the crime.

Yes, I caught the Clinton angle, sorry I didn't give you your props for the cleverness.

By our standards it doesn't fit the crime. Last I checked, Russia is a sovereign nation, even if it is being run by a complete butt plug.

[Teatownclown]

Yes, but he's their butt plug. I am certain he got involved in this. Fits his past associations.

Free Pussy    Riot

[Conan71]

Yes, but he's their butt plug. I am certain he got involved in this. Fits his past associations.

Free Pussy    Riot

It's probably personal.  He might have caught the clap from one or all of them.

[Gaspar]

The culture war goes world wide!
Free Pussy Riot! http://www.amnestyusa.org/
You gotta love the WH taking a position here....not even Clinton would have gone there.

It's rather odd, because at the same time this same administration is trying to edit of the press pool reports.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/joe-biden-pool-reports-editing_n_1789482.html?utm_hp_ref=media
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79776_Page3.html
http://washingtonexaminer.com/reporters-furious-at-team-biden-for-editing-pool-reports/article/2505095#.UC6rdamRi5Q

OMG!  I like totally missed the opportunity to create an RM style thread "Obama Administration=Hypocrites"  Damn!

It's freedom of speech except when Joe does it.  Then it's just embarrassing.

[Teatownclown]

It's rather odd, because at the same time this same administration is trying to edit of the press pool reports.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/16/joe-biden-pool-reports-editing_n_1789482.html?utm_hp_ref=media
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79776_Page3.html
http://washingtonexaminer.com/reporters-furious-at-team-biden-for-editing-pool-reports/article/2505095#.UC6rdamRi5Q

OMG!  I like totally missed the opportunity to create an RM style thread "Obama Administration=Hypocrites"  Damn!

It's freedom of speech except when Joe does it.  Then it's just embarrassing.

This is off topic and belongs in one of your "I hate Joe Biden" threads....but good catch anyway.

[Gaspar]

This is off topic and belongs in one of your "I hate Joe Biden" threads....but good catch anyway.

Not really off topic.  The Obama Administration wants to censor the press, the Russian government wants to censor it's people.  Same thing, different degrees.

If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands, they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance, we must provide a safe place for their perception. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

The freedom of speech and the freedom of the press have not been granted to the people in order that they may say things which please, and which are based upon accepted thought, but the right to say the things which displease, the right to say the things which convey the new and yet unexpected thoughts, the right to say things, even though they do a wrong. – Samuel Gompers

To limit the press is to insult a nation. . .and is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or knaves. – Claude-Adrien Helvetius

[nathanm]

Pussy Riot, eh? Sounds like every day at the m household. Damn things are everywhere.