(What's) Happening in Russia these days (?)

[Kulindahr]

This is fun to watch:

but there are claims it's not what it seems.

One way or the other, it tells us something about Russia today -- right? But if so, what?

 

[Kulindahr]

Where'd the link go????

Trying again.....

 

[Kulindahr]

something weird going on with my posts... oops.

 

[Zingerific]

That was a lot of fun. It sounded like they changed the words: I thought the original was "trying hard to look like Gary Cooper," not "be like Gary Cooper."

but there are claims it's not what it seems.

One way or the other, it tells us something about Russia today -- right? But if so, what?

Well, I don't know what to make of your cryptic questions.

 

[White Eagle]

Yes that was a lot of fun. I wonder how long it took for all to learn.

 

[ChickenGuy]

The only music-related event happening in Russia that I'm aware of is some massive controversy about a local female punk rock band or something, and I believe that Madonna has also chipped in about it and offered her support to them.

And now it seems that an ultra-orthodox Christian group is planning on protests and violence at Madonna's concert in the country. Putin seems to be sitting on the fence about it all.

EDIT:

Here's the link. It turns out that they *gasp* sang a song criticizing Great Leader Vladimir Putin. Now they face a jail sentence.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19175307

More authoritanianism and dictatorship-style crackdowns. You wonder just how much has REALLY changed since the Soviet era.

From the BBC correspondent:

This was true courtroom drama.

The three women were supposed to be making their final pleas to the judge, but instead they made intensely political speeches from their glass cage, reading from handwritten notes.

Beside the cage there were six prison guards, and a large rottweiler dog.

The women compared their fate to that of the famous dissidents of the Soviet era.

In response, spontaneous applause broke out on the benches where the public and press were sitting, prompting the judge to warn: "This is not a theatre."

This may seem a trivial case, but it has exposed the faultlines in Russia.

It has highlighted the links between Vladimir Putin's government, the security services, and the church.

It has renewed the deep resentment that other parts of society feel about that new political order.

And it has further undermined a legal system which seems to be bent to the will of those with power and money.

Go girl!

 

[Kulindahr]

That was a lot of fun. It sounded like they changed the words: I thought the original was "trying hard to look like Gary Cooper," not "be like Gary Cooper."

Well, I don't know what to make of your cryptic questions.

The claims of what it really is are pointed at in comments on the video, if you go to YouTube. They note that the whole way the filming was done indicates government cooperation at the very least, making it more of a propaganda job. There was also a suggestion, from inside Russia, that "puttin'" sounds enough like "Putin" to make it sound to anyone in Russia who doesn't speak English like they're singing about Putin.

It was a lot of fun, regardless, and a LOT of work went into it.

 

[Kulindahr]

The only music-related event happening in Russia that I'm aware of is some massive controversy about a local female punk rock band or something, and I believe that Madonna has also chipped in about it and offered her support to them.

And now it seems that an ultra-orthodox Christian group is planning on protests and violence at Madonna's concert in the country. Putin seems to be sitting on the fence about it all.

EDIT:

Here's the link. It turns out that they *gasp* sang a song criticizing Great Leader Vladimir Putin. Now they face a jail sentence.

BBC News - Madonna appeal over Pussy Riot

More authoritanianism and dictatorship-style crackdowns. You wonder just how much has REALLY changed since the Soviet era.

From the BBC correspondent:

Go girl!

Yeah -- I almost linked to this, but figured someone would chip in. I wonder of this was a government response to try to show that there are "loyal" hip people.

 

[MassRuss]

I don't think much has changed at all. Between the Soviet Era & Putin (Yeltsin) Russia seemed more open & free, but not anymore. I think Putin has delusions of grandeur, he wants to be Tsar Vladimir. Also, seemingly, instead of the Jews being on their shit list (as it was in the Brezhnev & post Breznev eras) it's now the gays. St Petersburg has an openly homophobic mayor, I think Moscow too. Vlad is mum on it, & Russia also has a noisy, violent right wing, with accompanying gangs, who seemingly back Putin, along with (of course) the orthodox Church, evangelicals.

Russia does have a large Muslim population in it's southern regions, not happy campers, especially since Chechnya. That's one reason Russia is backing Assad in Syria, fear of Islamic Militants taking over Syria, & sooner or later in Iran. Granted there are militants in Iran now, but I'm speaking of groups unfriendly to Russia, & they exist in many middle eastern countries. Russia, as well as the US, UK & most other countries, have that record of backing totalitarian regimes over there. These folks have long memories when it comes to that kind of history.

It isn't only Russia, Byelorrus has a despicable dictator, & Ukraine is trying to pass, or just passed a homophobic law/bill like the one in St Pete. The Ukrainians, who suffered so at the hands of Stalin & Hitler, should be ashamed of themselves

Of course we have our own right wing nutcases & homophobes to worry about, & they even have their own rock bands. Musical hate. That should have gone out of style after Horst Wessel.......

 

[Kulindahr]

I wonder, if this was a propaganda piece, if it will backfire. People see these, and a common response is to want to do one or join one, themselves. It supplies an urge toward freedom, which is dangerous to a tzarist-type regime.

Even internationally, while it will supply an initial favorable response toward Russia, making people see them as "like us", in the long run as it becomes more evident that this only happens when the government says it should, the impression will be very bad.

 

[anchihiro]

Its like that, and thats the way it is. Huh!

 

[Lostlover]

The only music-related event happening in Russia that I'm aware of is some massive controversy about a local female punk rock band or something, and I believe that Madonna has also chipped in about it and offered her support to them.

And now it seems that an ultra-orthodox Christian group is planning on protests and violence at Madonna's concert in the country. Putin seems to be sitting on the fence about it all.

EDIT:

Here's the link. It turns out that they *gasp* sang a song criticizing Great Leader Vladimir Putin. Now they face a jail sentence.

BBC News - Madonna appeal over Pussy Riot

More authoritanianism and dictatorship-style crackdowns. You wonder just how much has REALLY changed since the Soviet era.

From the BBC correspondent:

Go girl!

It's not just in Russia. In Australia, there's a boxer trying to get Facebook to ban web pages he doesn't approve of. Supposedly, he's getting politicians' support. Same shit, different toilet. Except Russia gets more notice.

Racist Facebook page labelled 'humour' | Stuff.co.nz