Alexander Pope's question — "Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?" — is as compelling as ever in the wake of the two-year sentences handed down Friday by a Russian court to three young women convicted of hooliganism.
The three are members of Pussy Riot, a punk rock band and performance art group that staged a protest against President Vladimir Putin in Russia's main Orthodox cathedral. The over-reaction to this stunt — and that is all it was — demonstrates not strength but fear. It is ironic that Mr. Putin, for all his macho posturing, appears intimidated by childish pranks.
Pussy Riot is a collective of 10 women, backed by 15 technical assistants, who make impromptu performances, in brightly colored dresses and balaclavas, at unusual locations.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.