Putin's Russia vs. Pussy Riot & Madonna: Round Three, Fight!

Round One!
Pussy Riot Draws First Blood 

There has been some unrest in Russia lately after the members of a punk band by the classy name of Pussy Riot was arrested on February 21. The three women that make up Pussy Riot made a blitz for the altar of Russia's main cathedral to sing/pray a "punk prayer" to the Virgin Mary for the end of Putin's power in Russia.

Masked people overtaking the state's altar? Seems harmless!

As they rebelled against authority and sang their political views to what I assume were surprised churchgoers, they were arrested by the police and thrown into jail. They await their sentencing, which could be up to three years in prison if prosecutors get their wish.

Round Two!
Russia Strikes Back

Unfortunately, the odds seem to be against Pussy Riot's courageous threesome on the altar of the Virgin Mary. Russian officials, with the support of Putin and the Kremlin, are attempting to push the worst possible sentencing on the three women -- but why?



Well, Russia has a large Orthodox Christian population, the religion of which is also the official religion of the nation. So while Pussy Riot was desecrating Putin's allegedly corrupt government in the eyes of the "Western world," the Orthodox Christians of Russia witnessed what, to them, was simply a desecration of the altar, and thus their religion.

Round Three!
Enter Madonna

Imagine the disdain of Russian officials when Madonna shows up in Russia for her music tour wearing a balaclava (much like the ones the Pussy Riot performers wore) and vocally promoting freedom for the imprisoned women and their opinions.

Now imagine a huge Putin-supporting Russian Orthodox Christian government official with a Twitter account witnessing Madonna's outcries -- and yeah, it gets ugly.

"Every ex-whore tends to lecture everybody with age. Especially during world tours and concerts..." says Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister, of Madonna. He continued on about Pussy Riot with, "Either take off the cross or put on your panties."

As Russia lay torn over personal freedoms of speech and opinion versus the proper treatment of a religious icon and its leaders in a very religious nation, one thing remains to be seen: why have they elected a thirteen-year-old to the position of Deputy Prime Minister? ;D