Giving them the silent treatment seems childish, really. But I wouldn't expect anything more from the US.

8/7/2013 11:14:40 AM

I think it's childish to pass anti-gay laws and threaten to arrest gay athletes at the olympics. So I think it's appropriate.

8/7/2013 11:26:06 AM

Ignoring your opponent is a great way to never make any progress.

8/7/2013 11:37:23 AM

It's a little different when we're talking about heads of states and nations here. It's not like it's a disagreement between two schoolmates.

8/7/2013 6:30:48 PM

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/07/stephen-fry-compares-russian-winter-olympics-to-nazi-hosted-1936-olympics-in-letter-to-david-cameron/

Quote :

"The actor, author and television presenter Stephen Fry has written an open letter to David Cameron, International Olympics Committee President Jacques Rogge and Lord Coe, urging them to ban the 2014 Winter Olympics due to take place in the Russian city of Sochi – because of Russia’s treatment and discrimination of LGBT people. The letter is reproduced in full below:- Dear Prime Minister, M Rogge, Lord Coe and Members of the International Olympic Committee, I write in the earnest hope that all those with a love of sport and the Olympic spirit will consider the stain on the Five Rings that occurred when the 1936 Berlin Olympics proceeded under the exultant aegis of a tyrant who had passed into law, three years earlier, an act which singled out for special persecution a minority whose only crime was the accident of their birth. In his case he banned Jews from academic tenure or public office, he made sure that the police turned a blind eye to any beatings, thefts or humiliations afflicted on them, he burned and banned books written by them. He claimed they “polluted” the purity and tradition of what it was to be German, that they were a threat to the state, to the children and the future of the Reich. He blamed them simultaneously for the mutually exclusive crimes of Communism and for the controlling of international capital and banks. He blamed them for ruining the culture with their liberalism and difference. The Olympic movement at that time paid precisely no attention to this evil and proceeded with the notorious Berlin Olympiad, which provided a stage for a gleeful Führer and only increased his status at home and abroad. It gave him confidence. All historians are agreed on that. What he did with that confidence we all know. Putin is eerily repeating this insane crime, only this time against LGBT Russians. Beatings, murders and humiliations are ignored by the police. Any defence or sane discussion of homosexuality is against the law. Any statement, for example, that Tchaikovsky was gay and that his art and life reflects this sexuality and are an inspiration to other gay artists would be punishable by imprisonment. It is simply not enough to say that gay Olympians may or may not be safe in their village. The IOC absolutely must take a firm stance on behalf of the shared humanity it is supposed to represent against the barbaric, fascist law that Putin has pushed through the Duma. Let us not forget that Olympic events used not only to be athletic, they used to include cultural competitions. Let us realise that in fact, sport is cultural. It does not exist in a bubble outside society or politics. The idea that sport and politics don’t connect is worse than disingenuous, worse than stupid. It is wickedly, wilfully wrong. Everyone knows politics interconnects with everything for “politics” is simply the Greek for “to do with the people”. An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential. Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillyhammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world. He is making scapegoats of gay people, just as Hitler did Jews. He cannot be allowed to get away with it. I know whereof I speak. I have visited Russia, stood up to the political deputy who introduced the first of these laws, in his city of St Petersburg. I looked into the face of the man and, on camera, tried to reason with him, counter him, make him understand what he was doing. All I saw reflected back at me was what Hannah Arendt called, so memorably, “the banality of evil.” A stupid man, but like so many tyrants, one with an instinct of how to exploit a disaffected people by finding scapegoats. Putin may not be quite as oafish and stupid as Deputy Milanov but his instincts are the same. He may claim that the “values” of Russia are not the “values” of the West, but this is absolutely in opposition to Peter the Great’s philosophy, and against the hopes of millions of Russians, those not in the grip of that toxic mix of shaven headed thuggery and bigoted religion, those who are agonised by the rolling back of democracy and the formation of a new autocracy in the motherland that has suffered so much (and whose music, literature and drama, incidentally I love so passionately). I am gay. I am a Jew. My mother lost over a dozen of her family to Hitler’s anti-Semitism. Every time in Russia (and it is constantly) a gay teenager is forced into suicide, a lesbian “correctively” raped, gay men and women beaten to death by neo-Nazi thugs while the Russian police stand idly by, the world is diminished and I for one, weep anew at seeing history repeat itself. “All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,” so wrote Edmund Burke. Are you, the men and women of the IOC going to be those “good” who allow evil to triumph? The Summer Olympics of 2012 were one of the most glorious moments of my life and the life of my country. For there to be a Russian Winter Olympics would stain the movement forever and wipe away any of that glory. The Five Rings would finally be forever smeared, besmirched and ruined in the eyes of the civilised world. I am begging you to resist the pressures of pragmatism, of money, of the oily cowardice of diplomats and to stand up resolutely and proudly for humanity the world over, as your movement is pledged to do. Wave your Olympic flag with pride as we gay men and women wave our Rainbow flag with pride. Be brave enough to live up to the oaths and protocols of your movement, which I remind you of verbatim below. Rule 4 Cooperate with the competent public or private organisations and authorities in the endeavour to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace Rule 6: Act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement Rule 15 Encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education I especially appeal to you, Prime Minister, a man for whom I have the utmost respect. As the leader of a party I have for almost all of my life opposed and instinctively disliked, you showed a determined, passionate and clearly honest commitment to LGBT rights and helped pushed gay marriage through both houses of our parliament in the teeth of vehement opposition from so many of your own side. For that I will always admire you, whatever other differences may lie between us. In the end I believe you know when a thing is wrong or right. Please act on that instinct now. Yours in desperate hope for humanity Stephen Fry"

8/7/2013 7:24:10 PM

Damned straight.

Won't happen though. I'd love for America to sit out of the Olympics and watch them fail over this but so much money would be lost no country would go for it. The absolute most we could expect would be for the committee to move it somewhere that has already hosted it but it's not likely.

8/7/2013 7:56:21 PM

Maybe instead of russia enouraging hate and people to beat down gays, maybe they should, oh i don't know... try to get people to work TOGETHER. Gays can't help it. I used to think they chose to act like that but i've been educated and know that they are born that way. (thanks to lady gaga).

I think we (and russians) should come together and try to solve the problem instead of promoting hate. There are perfectly valid treatments that are effective in treating the condition, and many are even able to lead normal lives and even get married and have kids like normal.

8/7/2013 9:02:42 PM

The IOC is universally terrible. They wont do shit

[Edited on August 7, 2013 at 9:12 PM. Reason : .]

8/7/2013 9:12:10 PM

The IOC is incredibly anti-Semitic, racist and prejudiced and has been for most of it's history. To think they would actually do anything meaningful in this situation is to be naive.

8/9/2013 9:42:17 AM

http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2013/08/08/leno-takes-on-anti-gay-laws-in-russia-urges-state-not-to-invest/

Quote :

"State Sen. Mark Leno, who represents San Francisco in the state Capitol, is wading into international politics with a resolution condemning the recent anti-gay laws passed in Russia and urging the state’s retirement systems to refrain from investing in the country moving forward."

Quote :

"The Senate resolution, which Leno said will be passed in the coming weeks, could be the precursor to actual legislation barring investments in Russia."

8/9/2013 6:59:31 PM

Quote :

""The Senate resolution, which Leno said will be passed in the coming weeks, could be the precursor to actual legislation barring investments in Russia.""

that seems like a fucking terrible idea

8/9/2013 8:01:35 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/08/10/world/europe/10reuters-russia-gays-protest-london.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1&

Quote :

"Hundreds Protest Against Russian Antigay Law Published: August 10, 2013 LONDON — Hundreds of people protested in London on Saturday against a Russian anti-gay propaganda law that has attracted international condemnation as the world athletics championships kick off in Moscow."

Quote :

"Clutching banners bearing slogans such as "Love Russia. Hate Homophobia" and rainbow flags, protesters called for a change in the policy that has attracted criticism from world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama."

^So what more effective tactic would you recommend?

8/10/2013 11:53:15 PM

How about spending time writing legislation to help the economy rather than worrying about civil rights in another country?

How bout lets mind our own business like we should have with Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, etc.

8/11/2013 9:51:03 AM

Investing in American businesses instead of bigoted foreign countries isn't going to help California's economy because....?

Quote :

"How bout lets mind our own business like we should have with Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, etc."

Whom we do business with is our own business. How American tourists, businessmen, and expatriates are treated in other countries is or own business as well.

[Edited on August 11, 2013 at 9:55 AM. Reason : .]

8/11/2013 9:54:17 AM

People talk about how American shouldn't force democracy on other countries. We also shouldn't push our morals on them either.

Queue the standard "You try to push your morals on your own countrymen/women" I don't personally - I could care less what people do. But to compare what is going on in Russia to Berlin in '39 is a slight against all those who suffered during that time period. I know it hasn't been done in this thread, but I did see an article on CNN making that comparison.

8/11/2013 12:25:02 PM

Gays marginalized and intimidated in Berlin '39, gays marginalized and intimidated in Russia today. Yep, no similarities there....

8/11/2013 1:33:39 PM

http://www.euronews.com/2013/08/11/gay-rights-protests-outside-russian-embassy-in-israel/

Quote :

"Gay rights protests outside Russian Embassy in Israel Demonstrations have been held outside the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv in Israel. Activists want Russia to repeal its controversial anti-gay propaganda law passed in June"

Quote :

"The law has been heavily criticised internationally and there have been further protests in the US, London and Belgium."

8/11/2013 3:44:00 PM

I incorrectly stated the date. The Olympics took place in '36, and you have to dig fairly deep to find references to gays being marginalized and intimidated. But hey, it was 1936. You didn't come out the closet back then.

I'm talking about the oppression of Jews for that year. Hitler eventually gave in, but the Jewish struggle of the late 30's throughout the end of WWII does not equal today's oppression of gay people. Unless you're looking at a country like Iran....that doesn't have gay people.

8/11/2013 3:50:18 PM

At some point in our species history, they all suffered and died before the age of 30. By your logic, you can't even hold the Holocaust as something that our species needed to address.

Oh and way to not actually respond to my post.

Quote :

"We also shouldn't push our morals on them either."

What kind of morality permits suffering of other people just because they were born on a particular side of an imaginary line on the ground? If another nation's morality is bullshit, then would be immoral to do nothing to try to change it.

[Edited on August 11, 2013 at 5:57 PM. Reason : .]

8/11/2013 5:56:25 PM

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2005/11/21/iran-two-more-executions-homosexual-conduct

Quote :

"Iran: Two More Executions for Homosexual Conduct Iran’s execution of two men last week for homosexual conduct highlights a pattern of persecution of gay men that stands in stark violation of the rights to life and privacy, Human Rights Watch said today. On Sunday, November 13, the semi-official Tehran daily Kayhan reported that the Iranian government publicly hung two men, Mokhtar N. (24 years old) and Ali A. (25 years old), in the Shahid Bahonar Square of the northern town of Gorgan."

Quote :

"Unless you're looking at a country like Iran....that doesn't have gay people."

Yeah, that was such a ridiculous statement by Ahmadinejad, especially since they keep managing to find gay people to execute.

Quote :

"you can't even hold the Holocaust as something that our species needed to address."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_homosexuals_in_Nazi_Germany_and_the_Holocaust

Quote :

"Upon the rise of Adolf Hitler, gay men and, to a lesser extent, lesbians, were two of the numerous groups targeted by the Nazi Party and were ultimately among Holocaust victims. Beginning in 1933, gay organizations were banned, scholarly books about homosexuality, and sexuality in general, were burned, and homosexuals within the Nazi Party itself were murdered. The Gestapo compiled lists of homosexuals, who were compelled to sexually conform to the "German norm." Between 1933 and 1945, an estimated 100,000 men were arrested as homosexuals, of whom some 50,000 were officially sentenced.[1] Most of these men served time in regular prisons, and an estimated 5,000 to 15,000 of those sentenced were incarcerated in Nazi concentration camps."

From Russian State TV:
http://www.metroweekly.com/news/last_word/2013/08/april-video-clip-shows-russian-state-tv-host-calli.html

Quote :

"“I think that just imposing fines on gays for homosexual propaganda among teenagers is not enough. They should be banned from donating blood, sperm. And their hearts, in case of automobile accident, should be buried in the ground or burned as unsuitable for the continuation of life.”"

[Edited on August 11, 2013 at 6:16 PM. Reason : .]

8/11/2013 6:16:12 PM

Quote :

"^So what more effective tactic would you recommend?"

An open dialogue, for one.

This isn't going to accomplish anything other than worsening our already shaky relations with Russia.

Quote :

"If another nation's morality is bullshit, then would be immoral to do nothing to try to change it."

Maybe we could start with this list: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s1299.pdf

Homosexuality carries a prison sentence in many of those countries, and the death penalty in a few.

Or on another note, how about the mass murders we're committing via remote control planes? Or the torture centers? We must be stopped.

8/11/2013 7:18:05 PM

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/11/anti-gay-laws-russia

Quote :

"As a gay parent I must flee Russia or lose my children The first time I heard about legislation banning "homosexual propaganda", I thought it was funny. Quaint. I thought the last time anyone had used those words in earnest I had been a kid and my girlfriend hadn't been born yet. Whatever they meant when they enacted laws against "homosexual propaganda" in the small towns of Ryazan or Kostroma, it could not have anything to do with reality, me or the present day. This was a bit less than two years ago. What woke me up was a friend who messaged me on Facebook: "I am worried about how this might impact you and other LGBT people with families." This was enough to get my imagination working. Whatever they meant by "homosexual propaganda", I probably did it. I had two kids and a third on the way (my girlfriend was pregnant), which would mean I probably did it in front of minors."

Quote :

"The protesters who came to the parliament building that day were beaten up. There had been anti-gay violence in Russia before, most notably when a group of activists had attempted to hold a gay pride celebration in Moscow, but never like this: brutal beatings in broad daylight as the police looked on – and eventually detained the protesters, not the attackers."

Quote :

"In March, the St Petersburg legislator who had become a spokesman for the law started mentioning me and my "perverted family" in his interviews. I contacted an adoption lawyer asking whether I had reason to worry that social services would go after my family and attempt to remove my oldest son, whom I adopted in 2000. The lawyer wrote back telling me to instruct my son to run if he is approached by strangers and concluding: "The answer to your question is at the airport.""

Quote :

"My family is moving to New York. We have the money and documents needed to do that with relative ease – unlike thousands of other LGBT families and individuals in Russia."

8/12/2013 1:43:35 AM

adultswim, why do you hate America?

8/12/2013 3:48:16 AM

I'm with adultswim on this one. Also:

Quote :

"What kind of morality permits suffering of other people just because they were born on a particular side of an imaginary line on the ground? If another nation's morality is bullshit, then would be immoral to do nothing to try to change it."

So to you the whole idea of "countries" is meaningless then? Every country has their own rules and society norms. Living in another country, we have no say in the matter. You want to tell a country how to rule it's citizens? Then take it over. Otherwise it's up to them. In general liberals and progressives love trying to push all their ideas, and what they deem is correct and moral (nevermind the very idea of "moral" varies from nation to nation), on other sovereign nations. This is one reason that they love the UN so dearly.

I agree that this anti-gay legislation in Russia is a horrible thing, but it's another sovereign country. It sucks but we're not the world's moral police. We have plenty of our own problems.

[Edited on August 12, 2013 at 8:32 AM. Reason : FI]

8/12/2013 8:31:00 AM

It's fine to voice disapproval, but our policy of bullying other countries into submission is wrong (especially considering our human rights violations), and definitely will not work on Russia. In fact, it could provoke a country as stubborn as them into coming down harder.

[Edited on August 12, 2013 at 8:38 AM. Reason : .]

8/12/2013 8:36:45 AM

Quote :

"So to you the whole idea of "countries" is meaningless then? Every country has their own rules and society norms. Living in another country, we have no say in the matter. You want to tell a country how to rule it's citizens? Then take it over. Otherwise it's up to them. In general liberals and progressives love trying to push all their ideas, and what they deem is correct and moral (nevermind the very idea of "moral" varies from nation to nation), on other sovereign nations. This is one reason that they love the UN so dearly."

Did I not fucking say it would be immoral to do nothing to try to change them? Did I say it required taking them over? You admit yourself that their laws are repugnant. Why are you against diplomatic influence to change that?

8/12/2013 8:43:54 AM

Quote :

"What kind of morality permits suffering of other people just because they were born on a particular side of an imaginary line on the ground? If another nation's morality is bullshit, then would be immoral to do nothing to try to change it."

Then go do something to change it. Don't try to leverage the power of the U.S. government there. Innocent people get punished in the process, which is unacceptable.

What is being proposed is practically a sanction. Sanctions never work because the ones actually making decisions are the ones shielded from the consequences of their actions.

[Edited on August 12, 2013 at 8:45 AM. Reason : ]

8/12/2013 8:44:59 AM

Quote :

"Did I not fucking say it would be immoral to do nothing to try to change them? Did I say it required taking them over? You admit yourself that their laws are repugnant. Why are you against diplomatic influence to change that?"

What if everyone did this, not just the United States?

Quote :

"What is being proposed is practically a sanction. Sanctions never work because the ones actually making decisions are the ones shielded from the consequences of their actions."

Yep. Iranians are getting fucked right now.

8/12/2013 8:57:25 AM

Quote :

"What if everyone did this, not just the United States?"

They should. We aren't special or right in every regard.

8/12/2013 9:06:45 AM

The world would implode. Just about every country has some kind of human rights violation, whether it be treatment of LGBT people, women, racial minorities, homeless people, prisoners, innocent casualties of war, etc.

8/12/2013 9:10:07 AM

Quote :

"They should. We aren't special or right in every regard."

Great, except that military power doesn't require that you pass the disco_stu morality test, only money and a handful of sociopaths.

8/12/2013 9:31:50 AM

Yes, I know the world is run by narcissists who steal your money and oppress you but I don't see it as a zero sum game. All I said was doing *anything* would be morally preferable to doing *nothing* and you took it as a chance to wail and gnash your teeth about government corruption as always.

My morality isn't perfect, America's morality isn't perfect, Russia's morality isn't perfect, but there are certain moral aspects which are obviously superior when it comes to the suffering of people. What effects "sanctions" or "diplomatic pressure" or whatever have in regards to suffering are the meaningful conversations to have and handwaiving it away in the name of "sovereignty" or "it never works" doesn't work for me.

[Edited on August 12, 2013 at 9:57 AM. Reason : .]

8/12/2013 9:46:09 AM

Quote :

"All I said was doing *anything* would be morally preferable to doing *nothing* and you took it as a chance to wail and gnash your teeth about government corruption as always."

That's completely false. If doing "something" or "anything" results in more suffering than would have otherwise existed, that's unacceptable. Sometimes inaction actually is the best course.

8/12/2013 10:06:09 AM

Sometimes yes. In this case I'm not convinced. I wasn't speaking universally I was talking about the topic of this thread.

8/12/2013 10:07:45 AM

So what are the limits of "diplomatic influence" for you? What's the most you would be willing to do, or see done, to fix Russia's anti-gay problem?

8/12/2013 10:09:37 AM

I don't know for sure. Publicly denouncing them in coalition with as many other countries as possible, possibly moving a number of Russian investments elsewhere and offering asylum for Russian homosexuals.

8/12/2013 10:12:27 AM

Quote :

"Publicly denouncing them in coalition with as many other countries as possible, possibly moving a number of Russian investments elsewhere and offering asylum for Russian homosexuals."

Definitely agree with these two.

8/12/2013 10:33:29 AM

^Speaking of public denouncements and asylum:

"MICHIGAN: Lansing Unanimously Votes To Cut Sister City Ties To St. Petersburg"
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/08/michigan-lansing-unanimously-votes-to.html#disqus_thread

"Canada to favour refugee claims by gay Russians"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canada-to-favour-refugee-claims-by-gay-russians/article13724670/

8/13/2013 2:56:47 PM

"UN demands Russia repeal 'gay propaganda' law"
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/un-demands-russia-repeal-gay-propaganda-law190813

Quote :

"Speaking in Kiev, Ukraine, Human rights advisor Claude Cahn from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has called the anti-gay laws ‘inherently discriminatory in both intent and effect’. ‘Such measures form the basis for standing and regular harassment, and even arbitrary detention, and help create a climate of fear for anyone working on advancing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people,’ said Cahn. The UN’s message was not aimed solely at Russia however, as some areas in the Republic of Moldova also operate a similar law, and Ukraine is considering an almost identical proposal."

Hopefully seeing how controversial it is, and the international condemnation will help keep these kind of laws from spreading in the region.

8/19/2013 11:08:28 AM

Quote :

"It's a little different when we're talking about heads of states and nations here. It's not like it's a disagreement between two schoolmates."

That's too bad. Am I the only person who thinks Putin vs Obama would be a good fight? I think Obama has the athleticism, but Putin probably knows a few tricks on how to fight dirty. It could be anybody's game.

8/19/2013 11:23:33 AM

I would take Putin over pretty much any world leader in a fight.

8/19/2013 12:22:11 PM

^agreed.

Why isn't there outrage towards middle eastern countries over this? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought being openly gay over there was a good way to end up dead. And that's just the tip of the iceberg for human rights over there.

8/19/2013 1:05:12 PM

Gerald Ford was a linebacker on two Michigan championship teams, and won MVP his senior year.

[Edited on August 19, 2013 at 1:06 PM. Reason : ^b/c russia is mostly white people]

8/19/2013 1:06:10 PM

Oh okay, so it's not even the western society double standard (since they're Eastern). Instead it's the white person double standard

I'd assume there's no point in talking about all past leaders of countries. Otherwise my money's on Genghis Khan.

[Edited on August 19, 2013 at 1:09 PM. Reason : k]

8/19/2013 1:07:14 PM

Quote :

"Why isn't there outrage towards middle eastern countries over this?"

I think there has been to some degree, especially for Iran. It's been in the news, in reports by humans right organizations, and in protests/rallies/vigils, mostly as specific executions are looming. I've even made tdub threads about it before. I think, at least part of the reason Russia is getting more attention right now is the combination of the anti-gay law being so new, the violent images that are making it out there now that so many people have a phone/camera/internet, and the international eye being on Russia with the Olympics coming up.



http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/07/iran-executes-men-homosexuality-charges

Quote :

"Iran Human Rights, an independent NGO based in Norway, said the men were charged with "lavat" – sexual intercourse between two men. "

http://www.shaheedoniran.org/english/dr-shaheeds-work/latest-reports/3135-special-rapporteurs-february-2013-report-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran.html

Quote :

"The Special Rapporteur continues to share the concern of the Human Rights Committee that members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT) face harassment, persecution, cruel punishment, and are denied basic human rights."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/iran-blog/2013/mar/14/iran-official-homosexuality-illness

Quote :

"Women demonstrate against the situation in Iran during a gay pride parade in Berlin. "

http://www.ihatethemedia.com/128-gays-sentenced-to-death-in-iraq

"128 gays sentenced to death in Iraq, executions set to begin next week"

Quote :

"“In 2008, at least 285 people were sentenced to death, and at least 34 executed,” Mr Hili said in an interview with UK Gay News. “In 2007 at least 199 people were sentenced to death and 33 were executed, while in 2006 at least 65 people were put to death."

http://www.advocate.com/news/daily-news/2010/12/21/un-vote-gay-executions

Quote :

"Following weeks of intense lobbying by gay activists and the United States, member states of the United Nations voted Tuesday evening to restore "sexual orientation" to a resolution that condemns extrajudicial killings."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/iran-gay-men-executed-hanging_n_1515207.html

Quote :

"Four Iranian gay men are due to be executed for sodomy under their nation's Shari'a laws"

I know for the situation in Uganda, Rachel Maddow ended up devoting like half a year to that it felt like:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/09/rachel-maddow-bahati-uganda-gays_n_794271.html

Quote :

"Rachel Maddow devoted almost half of her Wednesday show to a lengthy interview with David Bahati, author of the infamous bill in the Ugandan Parliament that calls for gay people to face life imprisonment or, in some cases, execution if they are convicted of having practiced homosexuality. Bahati is also a member of The Family, the religious organization that carries substantial power on Capitol Hill. "

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rachel-maddow-show-us-ties-ugandan-anti

Quote :

"Who is supporting and promoting this legislation? Well, one of the proponents is a minister named Pastor Martin Ssempa. He was a familiar face to American conservative Evangelicals, because Mr. Ssempa has been a frequent guest of Pastor Rick Warren at One Saddleback Church in California."

8/19/2013 8:37:02 PM

http://cphpost.dk/morning-briefing/morning-briefing-%25E2%2580%2593-wednesday-august-21

Quote :

"Protestors taking part in the ‘To Russia with Love’ demonstration gathered in front of Christiansborg, the house of parliament, and then proceeded to march to the Russian Embassy, where they submitted signatures of people opposing the law. The demonstration’s organisers had hoped 2,000 people would participate, but media reports put the turnout at upwards of 10,000 demonstrators."

8/22/2013 1:38:29 PM

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/23/russia-vladimir-putin-signs-decree-banning-protests-for-duration-of-sochi-games/

23 August 2013

Quote :

"Russia: Vladimir Putin signs decree banning protests for duration of Sochi games A decree banning demonstrations and rallies has been signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and will take place over the duration of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The decree, signed today will block all demonstrations and rallies from taking place, will take effect for two and a half months covering the games, reports the Associated Press. Published in the government newspaper, the decree states that all “gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets” which are not part of the Winter Olympics or Paralympics will be barred in the city between 7 Jan and 21 March 2014. The Sochi Winter Olympics is due to take place between 7 and 23 February, and the Paralympics are due to take place on 7 to 16 March. The decree also goes further to dictate that security measures should be tightened in Sochi, including the restriction of vehicle entry. As such decrees are quite rare, it is assumed that the ban is in place to avoid demonstrations around anti-gay law passed in June, which has caused an international outcry."

8/24/2013 12:59:20 AM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Ilya-Kovalchuk-agrees-with-Russian-anti-gay-laws-082613

:

Quote :

"Ilya Kovalchuk surprisingly bolted from the NHL this summer, retiring from the New Jersey Devils and signing with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League in his native Russia. It seems Kovalchuk didn’t bring any of that American tendency to disagree with the government back to his homeland. Asked about Russia’s vague — but not so vaguely threatening — anti-gay laws, Kovalchuk took the party line. “I agree, of course,” he said. “I’m Russian, and we all have to respect that. It’s personal and, like I said, it’s a free world, but that’s our line. That’s our country, so everybody has to respect that.” If it’s hard to parse some of that — we all have to respect that he’s Russian? it’s a free world until you get to Russia? — Kovalchuk clearly isn’t straddling any blue lines here. At least publicly, he supports the law that is kicking up controversy and concern heading into next year’s Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi. Kovalchuk was a prolific scorer in the NHL, but for much of the world outside of Russia, he was definitely off-target this time. "

[Edited on August 27, 2013 at 11:57 AM. Reason : Russia = not free world?]

8/27/2013 11:51:39 AM

I'm pretty sure he was saying that Russia is a sovereign country and they can make laws that aren't agreed with by the international community, but that that's too bad because they have no say.

That's how I took it at least.

8/29/2013 1:39:02 PM

No one on the planet is arguing that Russia shouldn't be able to run their own country. They're just being fucking assholes by running it like fucking assholes.

That was just his way of trying to justify being a fucking asshole.

8/29/2013 2:47:16 PM