Pussy Galore

I've been holding off actually writing about Pussy Riot until they were sentenced - which seemed inevitable considering the actual ''crimes'' they were accused of: 1. inciting insurgency against the clergy (definitely), 2. vandalism (not really, more of a unlicensed public performance), 3. disturbing the peace (definitely).

Of course, for foreigners, the sentence of two years of forced labour is irrational, but in the context of Russia, with Vladimir Putin acting like a czar, with the maximum sentence being 7 years, they actually got off pretty lightly.

Not just that, but the actual purpose of condemning them - suppressing the dissidence in the wake of irregularities in Putin's last election - actually backlashed. Before the trial began, 46% of Russians wanted a harsh sentence against them and Putin's popularity was at 60% (he got 62% of the vote); by yesterday, 74% of Russians wanted clemency against the feminist punk band and Putin's popularity dipped below 50%.

And now, the three activists are internationally known, supported by the likes of Madonna and Paul McCartney, and the hood they wore have joined those of the V For Vendetta comic/film in worldwide protests.

But most importantly, they have turned the eyes of the world on Putin's Russia and their take on human rights and free speech in an era where we seem to have forgotten how harsh he can be with his own people. No longer is China alone with a troubling vision of human rights, but this time it concerns an important member of the G-8 who is no longer communist and is supposed to be an ally no matter what.

If we're lucky, we might even re-open talks about how he's treated the Chechen separatists - who voted for independence in 1991 but were rebuffed by two wars waged by the Russians (1994-1996 and 1999-2002) to get them back under their control.

And there's the whole ''no Gay Pride parades for 100 years'' thing...

Thanks to Pussy Riot, it's ok to criticize Russia again.