Henry Rollins: The Column! When It Comes to Cracking Down On Protests, Are We Any Better Than Russia?

murphy.thomas8

Oh, shut UP, Henry dear!

murphy.thomas8

1 Like

Oh, JESUS CHRIST, Henry! Uncross your arms...just for a minute or two! And ditch the tattoo obsession, and the grimace, and the "thoughtful machoman" bullcrap. You're an icon of....something, and boring as HELL. Grow the hell up.

cherokeinmyblood

2 Like

Free Pussy Riot!!!

Great article Henry!

Taking my liberties and expressing them now.

I been on the internet for weeks putting my name and words out there to encourage young and old to write, to scream and to keep free speech alive here and everywhere. If they don't have free speech demand that they do, I encourage them to express their opinions and beliefs.

I'm a loud mouth bitch with a lot of anger and to much to say whither its good, bad or ugly I say it. I believe heavily in freedom to express who you are and what your all about. Making it very easy for me to stand behind Pussy Riot, I been there from day one and will behind them until the end. This kind of bravery is still needed in this world today. This kind of bravery is what changes history, makes things happen. A lot of things happen or changed threw music, by music and around music.

It might not look like the Pussy Riot changed anything there, but they have, you have to look behind the facade and see the fractures they put in the walls whither threw their music or actions. The world is looking that way again in Russia front yard.

These girls and all others who are standing up in the face of Fascist suppression of civil liberties are doing so by their music. Young or old or in between minds are seeking truth or guidance threw something that is universal accepted by all cultures and race.

They Pussy Riot and many other people in their country and countries alike just want and like to have the ability to speak , play/ perform their music and believe without fear of retribution. A liberty we can take for granted on most part.

Like Henry I read that most people are very pissed they got a lite sentence for protesting in a church like they offended GOD, I think if anyone is offended it should be God by what the churches are doing threw their so called "beliefs" they exercise so well on to others, I'm no church goer so I have no sympathy and have to much to say about that cult. I think they picked a great place to do this at so these pedantic people would step out of their obstinate minds and see what is going on around them. To get the " world " to hear your message and their music. I think they said a lot by doing this, and still have a lot to say even behind prison bars.

For me I will always voice my opinion no matter what and I will encourage those to do so. I take that liberty very serious and will use it to its full advantage to help others in all situations. I hope every one in this world can one day say what they feel, believe what they believe and not worry about being thrown in jail or killed by people like Putin. My hope one day is that everyone can express and be who they were born to be without fear.

If you can do this by music then do so, if you can do it with a pen do so, if you can do this with clothing, art, and so on do it, express your self and never hide any parts of your self.

Power to the people, and power to Pussy Riot!

JennieVasquez topcommenter

1 Like

Love what you wrote Cherokee. When I first heard of this situation, I wondered if Henry would his express his opinion on it and he sure did. I don't follow worldly events as closely as I should and often times things are so overwhelming that I shut down and hope things get better and quit thinking about it. Terrible way to live but a bad habit I am attempting to break. When I first heard about this I heard a teaser of a girl punk band in trouble in Russia. I thought to myself well it's a punk band in Russia, wouldn't that alone be trouble as I know little of the Russian people. I didn't think much more until I heard the entire story and realized that is was a much bigger issue than a punk band behaving badly in Russia. What these women did took some major courage. From what little I know of Russia, you don't speak up against the government. Duh, we all know that. I realize that what is considered a bigger issue is that they did what they did in a church. As someone who does believe in higher power, I am not one to get offended when someone else uses the church to make a statement. I feel like my beliefs are strong enough that the actions of others in a building don't bother me. I don't take actions like that personally or feel that the individuals were attacking me in any way because I chose to believe. In particular in this case from what little I know, these women used the one most visible place to make a statement about the government and to protest that the church is a close dancing partner of the government in Russia. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but that is what I have heard of this story. Granted I usually am not a big fan of using any religious institution to make a point because those places, regardless of what religion, are sacred to the everyday people that go there. For that reason I wouldn't do something like this but to each their own. On the other hand, I'm a firm believer that if you believe in something and are going to really make a statement go all the way and they did. Does the punishment fit the crime? Heck no. I don't think there was a crime. Did these ladies do something powerful, you bet they did, they spoke up. Speaking up can be your most powerful tool in creating change and they knew it and their government knows it. Funny thing is, if their actions would have been ignored and chalked up as just some young women in a band trying to get some attention and no punishment would have been given, the story would have likely been a non-story. Instead they have become a symbol of courage and for change and have been heard around the world. Trust me, I don't pay too close attention to many issues so for this story to reach me means it reached a whole heck of a lot of people. It's just unfortunate that these women are going to spend some miserable years in jail for nothing. My guess is that when the Olympics hit Russia in 2 years and the women get out in 2 years, that Pussy Riot won't be playing at the opening or closing ceremonies but hopefully they will be playing somewhere where they can safely express their opinions.

cherokeinmyblood

@JennieVasquez

Thank You Jennie, I always respect and look forward to what you have to say, just as much as I do in what Henry has to say. Its a highlight to my week.

I believe in a Higher Power,just not churches, and I should of said also in my post that I don't condone anyone to vandalize them either, yet I understand why Pussy Riot used the church to do what they did. I know you didn't indicate that I am saying that I do condone bad behaviour in the churches . I just wanted to add that here.

Thank You Jennie, I think you get a lot from what you read and what I like is that you can articulate it so that many people can see another point of view about the subject at hand.

cherokeinmyblood

@JennieVasquez Thanks Jennie,

I do wish more people would comment on here. Specially about music, you can learn so much or find something great in a group or music someone else listens to. I have been introduce to so much music this way, mostly by Henry. Music I would never think to listen to. I get a charge when I find new music.

I normally write off the cuff and most times I get my self into hot water for it, I don't like to offend anyone or judge them. I do from time to time do it. I guess I always want to be a bit to perfect. Your right, when I write this way its actually how I feel at the time. I analyze shit to much and then I second guest myself. ahhh, I guess I do that for I'm always getting into trouble. :)

Looking forward to the show tomorrow night, it shall be fun and interesting.

JennieVasquez topcommenter

1 Like

@cherokeinmyblood

Thanks! You are too kind. I only wish more people would post. Henry writes such a variety of things from comical to serious and I love hearing different opinions especially on the hot topics. Besides, posting is a nice way to break away from everyday life once in awhile and let loose your feelings. By the way, I think writing off the cuff is much funner. When we analyze everything we write it takes away some of who we naturally are. To me writing what you feel when you feel it means you are being more honest with yourself. I never have a problem with anything you write.

cherokeinmyblood

1 Like

@JennieVasquez

Thank You for your kind words too. I agree Paul S. has some very good points and I get something from his post too.

I know what you mean it would of been a hoot to comment on the whole air conditioner thing along with the summer experience. I would of liked to read what others might of said. Darn!

Jennie, I was just like that kept my mouth shut and do as I was told and like it.

Then I thought well these people can say what they want and do as they please and they don't care about my feelings. I began to speak up, which no one liked and I realize the freedom it gave me, I did it not to be nasty or to be unkind but to stop being the doormat to them. From then on I spoke out against in justice or people being treated unfair. I made it my life work to help those who had no voice, to be the one who spoke up and declared fairness. For what ever cause its for I'm that person who is saying a bit loudly whats wrong. I'm actually very shy, but if I see something not right morally I will speak up. I don't think people should ever be treated wrong or unfair.

I hope you can become more vocal in your daily life, it will make a huge difference. The freedom to express your self in a way that is true to you is the best and only way to be.

I agree I don't think anyone would condone bad behaviour in a church. I understand why they are mad and very upset. Then on the other hand they have to see the other side to it. After I read your post I got thinking about what I wrote, about my feelings of the church and I was implying that maybe I don't care about churches and they deserve what they get. I also thought after your post this too, I meditate and I guess worship in my own space here at my home, or in a hotel. I would hate if someone came into my space and disrupted my things or just my energy. To me that space is sacred. I then realize that I shouldn't be so apathetic about places people worship, that i was going against everything I fight for. I write to many times off the cuff and I don't always think things threw. Specially when politics uses religion and religion uses politics to advance themselves for a more selfish reason. It make my head spin with all this women stuff they want to stop and make use do. Thats a whole other story there and I can be here all night bitching.

What I get so pissed about is" religion can hate you, but you can't hate religion. "

Thats my problem with religion. Organize religion.

I always agree with your post and truly love reading them. I aways get something and it makes me want to be a better person. I'm a big fan of yours. :)

JennieVasquez topcommenter

@cherokeinmyblood Thanks. I appreciate the kind words. I look forward to your comments and when Paul Silverstein post because I learn new things from the both of you and they always make me think deeper. I was disappointed that last week I wasn't able to post as it wouldn't allow me and think that some of the responses to air conditioning being cheating would have been a hoot. What you wrote today makes me want to be more vocal in my everyday life as I usually keep my mouth shut as to not upset people I know.

I don't think many people condone bad behavior in church, that's universal I think. I just never understand why people get all worked up about what others do in a building. Much worse things than what this band did have occurred in religious buildings around the world I'm sure. I hear what you say about churches. I have a difficult time with organized religion too. Anytime religion is used for political reasons or to spread any type of hate, I am turned off by it. I don't believe that is the purpose of it.