I have to fess up and admit that I had a head-rush when it came to the reports that Pussy Riot represent freedom of speech and that the Russian State was intent on making an example of the group for their transgressions in the church. I am not withdrawing my utterings about my fears of Putin’s actions in tightening up on dissidents in Russia and a possible return to the bad old days of the ‘KGB’ disappearing people in the middle of the night.
I watched with mixed feelings reports of a copycat Pussy Riot action in Germany and that the Catholic Church is pressing charges that could well carry a sentence even greater than that imposed on the ‘real Pussy Riot band.’ I shall wait of course to see how the legal system handles this act by the young Germans. I do have an underlying thought that democracy in Germany and access to legal defence, based on laws that are free from the political whims of desperate leaders will possibly vary the outcome. (Not forgetting Germany’s sad past of course.)
Where did I see the first report of the events in Germany? Why, RT (Russian TV) of course. I sensed a certain smugness about the reports, but assuming that they are reporting real events, one has to wonder at the reaction (of myself included) of the Western media to the original Pussy Riot theatrics. Remember, I wrote in a former blog that we should not be surprised if Pussy Riot makes a great deal of money once they have served their purpose. My only real concern for them now is that they are not mistreated; a real fear, given Russia’s past record of treatment for dissidents. Let’s hope that the whole affair is not used a modern day flip-back to the past when the Cold War featured in our lives. www.authorneilcoleman.com
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