[quote=mdk]
to play devil's advocate for a minute, I've watched the video of the Pussy Riot stunt that got them arrested. They looked like they *really*, *really* wanted to get arrested. . To be clear: I'm not calling Putin a hero, nor defending the concept of a church-state union. I'm just saying.... I mean..... they're acting like morons in the most intrusive and public way possible. Churches have a right to assemble as well (I assume, in Russia, I guess I don't really know what their constitution is all about).
[/quote]

Pussy Riot has a long, sorted past with Russia besides the incident that supposedly led to the arrest. The language used describing them has gotten as extreme as 'terrorists' and all too often they, and those like that, have been battered in response for their protesting. Many of the groups who push for recognition of women's rights will show up very exposed, literally topless, but the police habitually come armed to the tooth and brutal despite the clear lack of protection or weaponry. While short snippets of events can seem extreme, it's important to consider that oppression is not ended quietly. American activists for human rights do not quietly request those immediately around them to perhaps consider another mode of thought. You have to wake people up to see another perspective.