Thirteen Russian nationals, and three Russian firms, have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States via the 2016 election interference. The Trump campaign has not been tied to this interference, nor has the special counsel determined whether or not it was effective in its goal of altering the election's outcome, but it just got a lot harder for Trump to reasonably claim (to responsible adults) that Russia didn't interfere. This would be a good time for members of Congress who still have spines to insist that he enforce a bipartisan sanctions bill that was passed last July. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is moving along, too slowly for many, but it takes as long as it takes. Those of us who don't like what Trump stands for (when he stands for something), who don't like what he says or what he does, must accept that this investigation won't necessarily lead to an indictment and/or an impeachment of the Donald. Believe what you want, but neither you nor I know for an incontrovertible fact that he or anyone close to him colluded to steal the election. If it happened, and it can be proven, there'll be hell to pay. Otherwise, Mueller will conclude the investigation and many of the same people who cheer him on now will be accusing him of being bought. Don't get me wrong. Trump's no angel, and he's probably done things, maybe even while in office, that could/should result in charges. Doesn't matter until and unless something can be produced that will stand up to a court's scrutiny. Regardless, this "information warfare" on the part of Russian actors, possibly on behalf of the Kremlin (with which the Internet Research Agency has close ties), can't be ignored or downplayed by the Petulant any longer, and our senators and Congresspeople need to press him on it. It's pretty clear where the "fake news" has been coming from all along. Read the full indictment (if you're into that kind of thing) here.
Yes, I mentioned Pussy Riot's trial in a 'blog post earlier this month, but since the verdict is due today, I thought I'd mention it again and add my voice to those of Pete Townshend, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney, Björk, Patti Smith, Madonna, Tegan and Sara, Genesis, Peaches, Faith No More, the Beastie Boys, Johnny Marr, Yoko Ono, Anti-Flag, Rise Against!, and other musicians (and non-musicians) in demanding justice in this ridiculous case.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot
Three members of the punk band / feminist performance art group Pussy Riot were arrested in March and charged with "premeditated hooliganism performed by organized group of people motivated by religious hatred or hostility," a charge which could earn each of them seven years in prison; the months-long detentions they've already endured are far more severe punishment than their offenses (essentially disturbing the peace in a Russian Orthodox cathedral to protest, loudly but non-violently, against an apparent collusion between Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, and its church, or more specifically the church's patriarch; watch the video here and decide for yourself) would've merited in any truly democratic nation. Even the prosecution's recommended three-year sentence would be a travesty and a miscarriage of justice. Anything more than the time served would undermine Russia's progress toward freedom since Putin's beloved Soviet days and make a mockery of the Russian court system.
I've been a fan of punk rock since about the age of 16 (which makes it, yes, a long time), and while I certainly enjoy the nihilism of the Sex Pistols and the Blitzkrieg bop of the Ramones, it was always the socially- and politically-aware lyrics of the Clash and the Dead Kennedys that resonated most with me. A free society needs the ability, nay, the right to stick a tongue or a middle finger at political/social/religious/etc. individuals or groups with whom we disagree. A holiday in Cambodia and Spanish bombs might not be the most pleasant topics of discussion, but ignoring wrongs and evils doesn't make them go away.
Pussy Riot is guilty of a disruptive political protest. They could've made their point in a more socially acceptable way and not have offended the sensibilities of some (apparently hypersensitive) church members, but they shouldn't be treated as enemies of the state and church for their actions, and they wouldn't have been in the US or the UK or France. A few days in jail, maybe a fine, would have sufficed for the brouhaha; instead, Russia seems intent on making them prisoners of conscience and martyrs for freedom of speech. Putin's supporters state that the girls would've been treated far more harshly had their action been taken in a mosque in a Muslim country... so, that's the standard we should be using in an allegedly democratic court of law? Sharia? It's OK, your right even, to be perturbed, angered, outraged at their behavior, but in the end they didn't commit an offense serious enough to merit seven years in prison.
At the end of the trial, one of the defendants, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, made a closing statement that should be read by anyone interested in human rights - which should be everyone, really. There are many protests and actions scheduled around the world today, from Barcelona to Chicago to Edinburgh to Moscow to Sydney, to show support for these three young rebels and the freedom to peacefully protest. The women are right; judgment is being passed upon the Putin regime today, not upon them. "Open the doors, off with the military insignia, join us in a taste of freedom." Free Pussy Riot!
