Putin Bans Protests In Sochi During Olympics

[Rukentuts]

Basically the dude issued an executive order that suspends a basic right in the Russian Constitution (Article 31).

This is kinda scary that he seemingly has that much power.

[Species]

They are really taking that shit seriously.

It doesn't look they they can do anything to the athletes who wear gay pride stuff, since it outlaws protests/demonstrations/etc that are not tied to the Olympics. I wonder what will happen if a group of spectators get together and try hold a rally.

[zito]

No surprise really. It was this or deal with the backlash.

Though he can ban the constitution? What's the point of the constitution if he can change it. Not like he was following it before by removing human rights.

[Deleted]

People are continuously surprised by Russia's actions. Why should we expect any better? Putin is an elected dictator and Russia hasn't improved much since the end of the USSR.

[Species]

No surprise really. It was this or deal with the backlash.

Though he can ban the constitution? What's the point of the constitution if he can change it. Not like he was following it before by removing human rights.

He suspended the article of their constitution that allowed them to protest. The suspension, so far, only takes place around the Olympics. To be honest the way the country is handling things I could see them completely removing the Article.

The American equivalent would be "Obama repels the first amendment."

[PaladinBash]

He's banning protests during the Olympics? What's the big deal? People want to pout and furrow their brows in anger when they get cameras on them and the Olympics is a big stage for those scumbos to push their agenda. That means all protesters, the ones that like to stamp around and cry and scream oppression this and dictatorship that. They want to make a big scene at the Olympics and Putin, once again, shows commendable leadership and authority by banning it. I wish my nation's own leaders had that kind of nerve to stand up to the tyranny of the weak.

[-Ethos-]

I wish my nation's own leaders had that kind of nerve to stand up to the tyranny of the weak.

Yeah, no thanks.

[Kraenen]

Putin is really trying to bring back the USSR

- - - Updated - - -

Yeah, no thanks.

if they're so weak how are they tyrannical?

[Species]

Tyranny of the weak doesn't make since.

People would have used Russia's stance on gay culture and the attention the Olympics brings to protest for gay rights, so in that context its good that people aren't allowed to demonstrate. I for one think anyone who goes into the host country and tries to tell them how they should treat their citizens deserves a slap on the wrist. However, at the end of the day he did take away a basic human right that all governments should try to protect.

[kamuimac]

The American equivalent was "Bush signed Patriot Act."

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

besides stop with this propaganda about human rights - when there was olimpics in china nobody from the democratic leaders with Obama in lead even whispered anything about how they are breaking human rights in china - nobody eveyrone was smiling to the cameras and congratulating each others - but in Russia big big uproar - hypocrysy is super strong in people.

and if u protesting so much about poor gays in russia - 30 years ago when yournalists revealed affair called Watergate they got pulitzer - nowadays Snowden instead get pulitzer like them had to run and look for assyllum in this discriminating Russia when he revealed goverment is spying on not only his own citizens but on whole world - beautifull utopia u live in .

[Species]

The American equivalent was "Bush signed Patriot Act."

Not really. We have anti-gay, neo Nazi, KKK, black panther, westboro baptist church, etc. Each one is protected under our constitution and are allowed to protest.

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

Patriot Act doesn't stop anyone from protesting, which is what this thread is about.

[Kraenen]

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

besides stop with this propaganda about human rights - when there was olimpics in china nobody from the democratic leaders with Obama in lead even whispered anything about how they are breaking human rights in china - nobody eveyrone was smiling to the cameras and congratulating each others - but in Russia big big uproar - hypocrysy is super strong in people.

and if u protesting so much about poor gays in russia - 30 years ago when yournalists revealed affair called Watergate they got pulitzer - nowadays Snowden instead get pulitzer like them had to run and look for assyllum in this discriminating Russia when he revealed goverment is spying on not only his own citizens but on whole world - beautifull utopia u live in .

Saying nothing - not the same as approving something

[Deleted]

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

besides stop with this propaganda about human rights - when there was olimpics in china nobody from the democratic leaders with Obama in lead even whispered anything about how they are breaking human rights in china - nobody eveyrone was smiling to the cameras and congratulating each others - but in Russia big big uproar - hypocrysy is super strong in people.

and if u protesting so much about poor gays in russia - 30 years ago when yournalists revealed affair called Watergate they got pulitzer - nowadays Snowden instead get pulitzer like them had to run and look for assyllum in this discriminating Russia when he revealed goverment is spying on not only his own citizens but on whole world - beautifull utopia u live in .

B.. b.. but look at evil Russia! They are so bad and minorities have no rights, everyone is oppressed.
We don't have such problems.. no.. look away... look at Russians!

[Species]

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

besides stop with this propaganda about human rights - when there was olimpics in china nobody from the democratic leaders with Obama in lead even whispered anything about how they are breaking human rights in china - nobody eveyrone was smiling to the cameras and congratulating each others - but in Russia big big uproar - hypocrysy is super strong in people.

and if u protesting so much about poor gays in russia - 30 years ago when yournalists revealed affair called Watergate they got pulitzer - nowadays Snowden instead get pulitzer like them had to run and look for assyllum in this discriminating Russia when he revealed goverment is spying on not only his own citizens but on whole world - beautifull utopia u live in .

The bit about China. It is not polite for one country to go into the host country bashing their laws. I doubt the US will take a stance on this either.

Do you really think the USA is the only country conducting mass surveillance on its citizens. I can promise you Russia, China, any big global power does the exact same thing. You throw the word "utopia" around a lot which makes me think you don't really understand that term.

[Dezerte]

Not surprised.

[s_bushido]

pretty much this - its sweet how naive are some people who have no idea how their rights are really limited. but living in utopia is nice isnt it ? someday it will end and people will open their eyes but it will be too late - feel lucky u have constitutional rights to keep weapons at home in case this utopia bursts like bubble.

besides stop with this propaganda about human rights - when there was olimpics in china nobody from the democratic leaders with Obama in lead even whispered anything about how they are breaking human rights in china - nobody eveyrone was smiling to the cameras and congratulating each others - but in Russia big big uproar - hypocrysy is super strong in people.

and if u protesting so much about poor gays in russia - 30 years ago when yournalists revealed affair called Watergate they got pulitzer - nowadays Snowden instead get pulitzer like them had to run and look for assyllum in this discriminating Russia when he revealed goverment is spying on not only his own citizens but on whole world - beautifull utopia u live in .

It always amazes me how people manage to blame Obama for crap that happened when he wasn't even in office.

But no matter how deeply you try to bury your head in the sand, human rights violations were a legitimate concern around the 2008 Olympics.

[S7orm]

People are continuously surprised by Russia's actions. Why should we expect any better? Putin is an elected dictator and Russia hasn't improved much since the end of the USSR.

"elected"? 140% of the population doesn't agree

[Kalis]

It always amazes me how people manage to blame Obama for crap that happened when he wasn't even in office.

He can clearly be seen at the back of this picture.

[Tailswipe]

Hopefully the ban will stop people from hijacking the Olympics and turning it into a gay pride rally.

[koodledrum]

Selective memory time? Need we remind people of the lengths that the Chinese executives went to in order to prevent protests during Beijing 2008, or the fact that the cops were all over protests in London like a rash - when it comes to matters of a political type, the IOC are right on top of crackdowns right left & centre, infact given they expressly forbid any athlete from making a political statement, they're at the head of the queue.