Madonna Loves Pussy Riot

In many ways, Russia is not so different from the United States.  They are both large countries, with large and diverse populations, most of whom worry more about getting on with their personal lives than politics, and both have sleazy politicians who care more about image and power than anything else.

Pussy Riot on Trial

Actually, except for the size, I guess all countries have that in common.  So, substitute Pussy Riot with Bradley Manning and Dmitry Rogozin with Joe Biden, and you’ve sort of got the story.

There are differences, of course.  Bradley Manning is a shy, gay soldier who revealed lots of classified documents to Wikileaks.  Pussy Riot is a loud, brash, all female band who storm churches to put on impromptu concerts with an anti-establishment political message.  Bradley Manning has been in jail for about 2 years and may never get a proper trial.  Pussy Riot is on trial and might get sentenced to up to 3 years.  But it’s the same thing.  The people versus the power structure.  And part of my point is that Americans can’t look at Russia and say they’re all evil and oppressive and shit, because it’s actually much worse in the States.

Anyway, Madonna was giving a concert recently in Moscow and was very open about expressing her support for Pussy Riot.  Now, I’ve been rather critical of Madonna of late.  She’s an old woman, she should put some damned clothes on.

But this incident reminded me of why she is great, why she is an icon of culture rather than just a pop star.  Madonna (figuratively speaking, of course) has balls.  She has locked horns with the fucking pope and not backed down.  She kissed Britney Spears and changed the world.

So, when Dmitri Rogozin sent a tweet calling her a slut and saying she should just STFU, I don’t know what he was expecting.  But if he was expecting Madonna to be intimidated, or apologetic, I think he can think again.

So, I hope Pussy Riot goes free, or at least gets a very light sentence.  Partly because I think they are striking a blow for free speech and raising important issues.  Mostly because I think they have a totally awesome name.  Dmitri Rogozin can eat shit.  And Madonna’s in my good book again.