I JOIN PUSSY RIOT

Russia, the land of snow (and Snowden and whistle-blowing these days), is the home of Pussy Riot, a punk rock protest group. Its core is about 11 women accompanied by 15 helpers. Pussy Riot supports women's rights and gay rights. It does not perform for money. It's kind of an anarchist shock group--like the Yippies in the 1960s. The group is not popular in Russia (6% like it), although some of their songs have promising titles: "Release the Cobblestones" and "Mother of God, Drive Putin Away." Two of the key members spent two years in jail recently for their impudence.

Last week Pussy Riot assembled in Sochi and began a song in a public space. They were immediately attacked with whips and pepper spray by Cossacks. This approach to dissidence sounds nostalgic, I know. In Russia, where the Cossacks, a Slavic people, have long lived in semi-military enclaves, they have often been used as shock troops or as a police force. Putin sent the Cossacks to thrash the young women, which they did with great vigor on camera. You can see it on the 'net, where, of course, Pussy Riot has set the beating to music. Another raised finger to Putin.

I saw on Colbert's program that anyone can join Pussy Riot as a supporting member. That doesn't mean I get to speak for the group or to vote (if, as anarchists, they even hold votes). I am free, however, to go on being myself.