The bill, which is expected to become law, would expanded the definition of treason to include damaging Russia's constitutional order, sovereignty or territorial integrity. That, rights activists said, would essentially let authorities interpret any act against state as treason—a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Activists said that would catapult Russia's justice system back to the times of Stalin's purges, calling it "legislation in the spirit of Stalin and Hitler."
During Putin's eight-year presidency, the government has systematically rolled back Russia's post-Soviet political freedoms and that has shown no signs of stopping under Putin's successor and protege, Dmitry Medvedev.
Alexeyeva said the government was pushing the law quickly to head off possible protests resulting from the global financial crisis, which has hit Russia hard.
"The people ruling the government are afraid of the reaction of its citizens to their inability to cope with the crisis,"
I wonder what would happen if you threw a shoe at Putin?
ReplyDeleteYou would disappear into a vintage 1970s KGB black bag, never to be heard from again, like Natalie Portman in "V", only not as hot.
Which is troubling, because President Bush looked in his eye and got a sense of his soul. I guess his soul-o-meter wasn't calibrated right that day. Or maybe he didn't convert to metric?
What's troubling is the Russia, N. Korea, Venezuela, Cuba alliance that is (has been) forming.
ReplyDeleteBack to Hugo Caesar Chavez foe a sec... its textbook, Russia, Cuba, N Korea, Venezuela, Russia... they all used they playbook and it starts with silencing the media, then running the media, then cracking down on opposition, then free speech.
Makes you really appreciate Bill ORiely and Olberman and Jon Stewart etc...
Oh, absolutely. O'Reilly and Olberman both are assholes of the highest order. But it's a glorious testament to the First Amendment that both those assholes are given free reign in prime-time every night.
ReplyDeletePutin has been dragging Russia backwards for years. This new law just puts on the books what has been Putin's policy this whole time. The West has been conveniently ignoring it because they are afraid of another cold war.
ReplyDeleteBut dammit, Bush looked into his eyes and saw his soul! Is that NOT an effective foreign policy?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind another Cold War. I just hope they overproduce small arms too, so I can buy them.
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