Now THIS is a leader! Putin gives "Thumbs up" To nekkid protester!

[Bennyboy]

[leveymg]

1. Gotta love the range of expressions on those faces. ;-)

[MadrasT]

6. LOL, the expressions are great.

Especially love the guy in front of him that looks like he is leaping into action to protect him from the nekkid.

[benld74]

14. HA! YEah, Merkel, Putin, the guy protecting Putin,

the guy behind Merkel, the brunette to the right of Putin. ALL suprised everyone,,,

[MineralMan]

2. I'm not impressed, really,

by his gesture. Is that his car? If so, I'm disturbed by that.

[Blue_Tires]

20. I'm thinking he's at one of the Int'l Auto Shows

[MineralMan]

21. That could be.

[reorg]

28. Hanover trade fair

http://www.hannovermesse.de/home

[BlueStreak]

3. I LOVE the guy to his right, trying so hard to protect him.

"Careful, Mr. President. Those boobs may be loaded. Don't stare at them you might go blind."

[Uncle Joe]

7. He's trying to shield Putin from having dirty thoughts, but it's not working.

[liberal N proud]

12. What is that guy thinking?

I will protect you!

[yesphan]

34. That's Richard Thomas I think.

I wondered what happened to him.

[shenmue]

4. Why don't I ever have fun like this?

Rats.

[hrmjustin]

5. LOL!

[freshwest]

187. He's giving her the thumbs up for bravery and using Cyrillic script, LOL!

He's known to go shirtless himself...

[Marrah_G]

8. The expression on the German President's face is priceless

[HereSince1628]

15. "I have seen larger protests in the mirror!"

[Marrah_G]

18. I was thinking " oh dear, she's going to catch a cold!"

[Blue Owl]

19. She looks tense... better call GWB for a back massage!

n/t

[tavalon]

51. I remember when she had the same expression

when pResident Bush tried to give her an unwanted shoulder massage.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. That's one of the funniest pictures I've ever seen

The facial expressions on those politicians are priceless.

[Nye Bevan]

10. How do you know that he's not ogling Merkel's ass? (nt)

[datasuspect]

11. putin's SEXY has its own seat on the UN security council

he is strong like bull, a veritable man's man, i tell ya.

[VanillaRhapsody]

111. Grandmom used to say...."Strong like bull stink like goat"!

[HereSince1628]

13. Putin: "O bozhe moi!"

[Blue Owl]

16. What has two thumbs and loves nekkid protesting?

n/t

[bemildred]

17. Bwaaahaaahaaaa.

Thank you for sharing that.

[bullwinkle428]

22. This picture looks suspiciously photo-shopped.

[steve2470]

23. Swearing bare-breasted activists rush at Putin and Merkel (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

http://rt.com/news/femen-putin-merkel-hannover-489/

Topless activists from the Femen protest group tried to disrupt the visit of Russian President Putin and Chancellor Merkel to the Hannover Messe tech show. They had anti-Putin slogans on their semi-naked bodies and were shouting obscenities.

The two politicians, who were visiting the Volkswagen exposition at the time the activists launched their protest, noticed them, but mostly ignored the stunt. Guards detained the young women.

But speaking later at a joint media conference, Vladimir Putin admitted he liked the performance.

“We knew it was coming. You should thank the Ukrainian girls for helping you promote the fair,” he said.

[steve2470]

25. another not so funny pic

[lob1]

55. This pic looks like a dance in a musical.

[seabeyond]

27. cause really, flashing berlusconi and putin makes a statement. sexist pigs leering and sneering the

women into their place in demeaning and dismissive manner.

very... effective.

[cliffordu]

107. Is this group therapy?

[maddezmom]

54. Looks like they were protesting the jailing of Pussy Riot

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/topless-femen-protesters-confront-vladimir-1818833

[cbayer]

177. Hey you! Where the heck have you been?

Hope all is well. It's great to see you back around.

[Buns_of_Fire]

24. "Hey, Vlad! My eyes are up HERE, buddy!" nt

[Blue Owl]

26. Putin looks ready to Put out!

n/t

[yellowcanine]

29. That's not a "thumbs up." Looks more like the Putin version of the clueless shrub stance.

Did the bodyguard think they were hiding weapons?

[LittleBlue]

30. LMAO nice one, Vlad!

That's perfect

Mr Putin appeared to show a flash of his well-known salty humour, adding: “I didn’t make out whether they were blondes, chestnut-haired or brunettes.”

[seabeyond]

31. yes. so the women working now will endure hours of men making tit jokes for their amusement.

but wtf... they are merely the clothed women working in this environment and do not count.

[LittleBlue]

33. I can't help that it's funny!

What are we supposed to do, pretend it didn't happen?

[seabeyond]

35. sexist ramification is demonstrative in this action and you shrug. a clear example

how it is not about feminism, but the boobs.

[LittleBlue]

36. It can sometimes be humorous

Putin's epic expression is one of those times.

[seabeyond]

39. again, dismiss, ignore, justify, validate the hostile environment created for the women that have to

work with these men. for your chuckle.

really stand up for the women i see.

you all go at it, and pretend that there is any kind of validation for this.

it is the mans game.

[LittleBlue]

42. It's just a funny picture

and a laugh. You're reading too much into it.

[leveymg]

37. Of course it's about the boobs.

If the protestor was displaying feminism, do you think Putin or Merkel would pay attention? Putin, anyway?

[seabeyond]

40. kinda totally miss any of the points, dontcha. nt

[leveymg]

43. I get your drift.

Get mine?

[Soundman]

46. Haters are gonna hate,

That's what they do.

[rhett o rick]

60. I appreciate your cause but think you might be doing more harm than good.

The lady took off her top to get attention. No fair disparaging men for giving her the attention she was seeking.

[boston bean]

62. Thanks for this extremely honest post!

[Apophis]

64. And so it begins.

[Phlem]

32. Drew Cary

right behind Merkel seems to be enjoying it too.



-p

[tkmorris]

38. You've posted love letters to Putin and Thatcher on the same day?

Dude, are you having a laugh or what?

Edited to add: Sorry, the Thatcher one wasn't you. You did the Kid Rock appreciation thread. Oops, my bad.

[Bennyboy]

45. Actually the Thatcher one was mine.....

at least the Obama quote one.....

[HappyMe]

41. Good fucking grief!

I thought we could have 1 day without the damn 'boobs out' argument.

That said, the look on his face is priceless. The woman all the way on the left in the black suit looks amused too.

[Demoiselle]

49. I love the expression of the woman on the left....Oh MY.

[boston bean]

44. Good to know how funny this is. Christ I thought they were about to get stoned to death.

What was the message again?

[HappyMe]

47. Aren't they in Russia?

I wasn't aware they stoned people to death in Russia?

[boston bean]

48. What was the message again?

Look at my boobies, laugh at me.

Point is happy me, just last week, these women were doing something that could get them killed everyone was saying how effective their protest was. Today, they are nothing but an amusement to those same people who felt they were so effective.

I don't usually laugh at people fighting for equality, do you?

[HappyMe]

50. Do people get stoned to death in Germany? Russia?

I don't think anyone is laughing at the girl. They are laughing at Putin. So unless Putin is fighting for equality.....

Yes, yes, I know. You don't like the boobs out protest. You aren't going to change my mind, and I am not going to change yours.

[boston bean]

52. yes, laughing at putin getting a good chuckle giving thumbs up to the boobies.

They think he's a freakin laugh riot!

And as for the rest of your post, read what I wrote again and at least try to make a coherent response.

[HappyMe]

53. I really can't be bothered.

[boston bean]

56. way to make that known is just by not responding. nt

[HappyMe]

57. Meh, so you say.

[boston bean]

58. yep, so I said. nt

[HappyMe]

59. ....

Enjoy your day.

[boston bean]

61. ....

you too!

[BainsBane]

73. Pulonium, not stones

at least for dissidents in exile.

[tammywammy]

65. "Femen said the protest was an 'anti-dictatorial attack on Putin'"

On their Facebook page, Femen said the protest was an “anti-dictatorial attack on Putin”. The group criticised the Kremlin, Russia’s Federal Security Service and the Russian Orthodox Church, saying that Femen was against “dictatorship, homophobia and theocracy”.

Femen protests have included burning a Salafist flag in front of the Grand Mosque in Paris, and chopping down an Orthodox cross with a chainsaw.

The group has criticized Mr Putin over the arrest and conviction of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, for performing an anti-Putin song in a Moscow cathedral last year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/9978447/Bemused-Vladimir-Putin-and-Angela-Merkel-confronted-by-topless-Femen-protester-in-Hanover.html

[boston bean]

67. He was certainly appreciative of their protest. I'm sure the point was made on many.

I don't even give a shit if they parade topless and bottomless.

What I give a shit about is the absolute middle school boy objectification of these women because they showed their boobies.

The same people here who felt this was such a powerful way of protesting, are getting a real kick, laughing their asses off along with Putin today. Hey Hey baby two thumbs up for the two boobies!

Thanks for letting me know what they were protesting.

[Warren DeMontague]

68. "I don't even give a shit if they parade topless and bottomless."- really?

If it had been a naked British soccer fan waving his wing-wang at the Queen of England, and she was giving it the royal thumbs up, it'd be funny, too.

It's a powerful way of protesting because it gets peoples' attention. It works. You see this as "laughing with" Putin. I think he looks like a goober. You think that when people admire naked breasts, they are "snickering at them"- that somehow the act of finding someone's naked body physically attractive inherently comes with a demeaning, diminishing aspect.

It does not.

The bottom line here is, for most people sexuality and nudity are relatively pleasant aspects of reality and an occasional source of mild amusement- particularly around the foibles of the ridiculous human animal, which we all are.

For a decided minority, however, they are near-universal instruments of oppression, touchstones of hate and evil, a minefield-- and a scourge.

[boston bean]

69. I didn't see it that way. Almost everyone in this thread did.

Stop trying to take my words and make them into something you imagine I've said.

[Warren DeMontague]

70. You've done a poll?

[boston bean]

72. have you? nt

[boston bean]

77. You just made a false statement about me.

Utterly false statement. An absolute fabrication.

You go find the post about me getting upset about boobies. I aint ever been upset about boobies.

You said it, now you freakin prove it.

[boston bean]

79. pfft...

You made a fabrication you can't back up.

Par for the freaking course.

[boston bean]

85. You have something you want to tar me with.

What about all those misogynists and trolls that have been banned from DU and were members of the group you host?

Fair play, I presume?

And yes, you did make up a false allegation, only two posts upthread. everyone can review it and see for themselves.

I suggest you go amuse yourself with someone else. I can certainly do without you stalking me me around DU, waiting for me to say something you can twist into a fucking pretzel to try to make it mean something I did not say.

[boston bean]

94. I don't put anyone on ignore. So you don't worry, you won't be special in that regard.

Skinner bans people from DU, not me.

Look in the mirror you egged on and agreed with a bunch of misogynists in your group.

You were fooled! hahahahaha (i'm being facetious)... Really, hold yourself to some standard there matey. Something that resembles the standard you are holding me to.

No one is covering for anyone. Proof of this allegation please. I need to know how I am covering for anyone by hosting a group, where members of DU can read and post, except when I decide to block them.

Are you saying you ratted on all your buds to Skinner??

All those misogynists and trolls that were banned and were members in your group were members in good standing until the day they were PPR'd for misogyny and trolldom.

Really Warren, get a grip. You don't own me. I'm not you, I don't give a shit how you run your group, until you try to tell me how to run the group I host.

[boston bean]

125. Again, you are trying to make things out of whole cloth...

those are your perceptions and false, as far as I am concerned, but you certainly are gracious with yourself.

You are across the board opposed to socks, trolls, etc unless they are posting things you like in your own group.

Skinner controls all of this. Take up your issues with him about your problem with socks etc. Really, why is this my fault! You have had trolls and socks in your group that remained in good standing until the day they were PPR'd.

I have no idea about any trolls in my group. I do not have IP check. I have no proof of anything. However you did bring this up to me once prior regarding one member and I told you to go make the allegation yourself in HoF and you haven't done so. Wow, you certainly are serious about trolls aren't you? You don't want to do go make the allegation, but you want me to. Please go and make your allegation of who you think is a troll in HoF. I won't block you. I've invited you to in the past. Again, get a grip. Do your dirty work yourself. Or maybe just stop frigging worrying about who posts and what is posted in HoF. That might be an idea. No one is making you read there.

[boston bean]

136. Well, trolls are for Skinner to handle. Not me. I have no power over that.

But funny, how you and your group always accuse others of trying to get people PPR'd. It's been you all along doing it. hahaha

Listen, if you think there is a troll in my group, bring it up to Skinner. Or as I have invited you prior via DUmail, go make your allegation in HoF. Just don't expect me to do it on your hunch. I have no proof other than your hunches. Hunches that you seem to only have about women who post in HoF. Never about the ones that occupy your own group.

Now, please leave me alone. You can come on over to HoF and make any allegations of trolldom you wish to.

[boston bean]

156. Hello, have you read a word I wrote?

I don't have any control about trolls on DU. You seem to think you do.

Go to skinner and make your case to him. If you have and he hasn't done anything... well, don't blame me. Or, come to the group, and make your hunches known, as I've asked.

Stop this freaking silliness.

Have you taken you concern to Skinner? Or is this something you want to just try and smear me with? If you have taken your concern to Skinner, and he hasn't done anything... well, wth would you like me to do?

If you don't want to come to the group and make your own allegations, then why the hell do you expect me to do it for you?

[boston bean]

165. Good. It's your allegation, you own it.

Don't even get me going on alert stalkers, I have my share and i'm sure they are not HoF members.

[boston bean]

168. OMG, to you it is obvious.

To me I don't know, except for what you tell me.

tell skinner if it means so much to you. He is the only one who can swing the ban hammer. If he doesn't do anything about it, I'm sorry... What the hell would you like me to do about it?

Again, please stop trying to make me responsible for any suspected troll on DU.

You have had your fair share of them that you didn't notice and bantered back and forth with for months in the MG.

SKINNER, PLEASE LET EVERYONE KNOW MY ALERT COUNT SINCE DU3 STARTED.

I think everyone would shit their pants. It's probably less than those who complain about alerters.

[Texasgal]

184. What in the hell does this have to do with HOF

or it's members?

[Texasgal]

186. Okay,so who was it?

I am not an expert troll hunter like some of you.

[zappaman]

88. Hold on!

:large

[Rex]

155. Easy now...

you are playing with fire.

[zappaman]

157. No worries!

I'm covered...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=2637405

[Rex]

161. Now...I've...Seen...Everything.

THANK YOU! That one is getting passed around. I can barely imagine what they plan to do with that kind of special drone.

[zappaman]

163. I hope you are not offended. n/t

[Rex]

167. Well, I really do not know what to feel about a RC flying mechanical penis

during a press conference...but FUNNY comes to mind!

[zappaman]

169. I love the guys swatting it down!

But it does seem like it is objectifying men...

[Rex]

170. Objectifying men or objectifying flying penises?

There is a difference.

[cliffordu]

110. Yep. It begs the question:

Is DU used as group therapy for a few of us?

[MADem]

152. +1 -- that's exactly how I see it. I am certainly not cheering Putin on or finding him "cool."

I do find his discomfiture hilarious, though.

[freshwest]

188. Wow, the action video was powerful. Security was caught completely off guard. Thanks for the link.

[progressoid]

63. Putin: "Who has two thumbs and doesn't give is shit?"

"This guy!"

[Warren DeMontague]

75. This Deal Is Getting Worse All The Time!

[Rex]

95. That is what I thought too!

The thumbs up are just his muscles cringing back inside their shell imo.

[BainsBane]

71. What a leader!

If only we in America could have such a brave, authoritarian, KGB thug with no respect for democracy or dissent to lead us, we'd all be so much better off.

[Arcanetrance]

74. It seems this picture and really this thread proves how ineffective this protest is.

Lady removes her top and jokes abound about putting thumbs up and all this stuff meanwhile the thought of what was being protested seems lost in jokes about breasts.

[Squinch]

82. + A Lot.

And even when you find out what her purported protest aim is, it's pretty ridiculous.

This is nothing but a joke. It isn't a protest.

[R B Garr]

190. Yeah, they look more like pranksters than protestors

I'm about done trying to take FEMEN seriously. After listening to one of FEMEN's spokesperson explain that they are trying to change the look of feminists, it was pretty clear they are not really about the issues. After looking at one of the "protestors" in a trench coat and go-go boots being led off by police, but not before she opened her trenchcoat so her adoring public could see her see through bra and panties, it was pretty clear she wasn't just there for the issues. I guess that was the empowerment she was seeking -- having men gawk at her must give her all the power.

[Rex]

86. You have cracked me the fuck up over the last few weeks!

I think we should bundle all this and call it 'Nekked-gate'. I had no idea nekked protesters were such poignant devices of social change!

[Warren DeMontague]

92. Chained CPI, despite the vague bondage undertones, is not nearly as sexy.

[Rex]

93. HA!

And people thought comedians would have no material with GWB gone! NOT SO!


Chained CPI sounds like something you would find as ingredients in a cigarette.

[zappaman]

102. One day these great porn wars will end

...or not.

[Rex]

104. I love the smell of bacon in the morning

smells like...breakfast.

[Arcanetrance]

87. I'm not saying it's a world level crisis

Furthermore its not my position to tell the young ladies what to do with their body or that they can't protest that way. But I do think I have the right to point out why I think it's ineffective and offering up the evidence of this thread and it's focus on breasts and putins reaction to them. Forgive me if I find it base and pedestrian.

[Rex]

97. So you are saying the Internet really was made for looking at porn?

Or the more severe kind...pron?

[treestar]

112. that's a good point

There isn't much on the thread about the content of the protest

[LadyHawkAZ]

90. Yes indeed

because if there'd been a thread about an ordinary protest of people hanging around with signs outside protesting Putin, it would have totally gotten this many responses and this much notice, and would absolutely not have sunk like a brick in a pond. Having a leader totally not care about what you're saying with a sign- effective, even though nobody notices! Having a leader totally not care about what you're saying with your shirt off- ineffective, even though it's news worldwide!

[Rex]

101. WE do that!

Well...not directly, but we HAVE written inspirationals in times of need on our 'extensions'!

<---this is how men protest.

[LittleBlue]

115. I would write a message on my penis

But you wouldn't be able to read it in the cold

[zappaman]

124. Perhaps this flying penis interrupting a Russian press conference will do?

[LadyHawkAZ]

181. ...

[zappaman]

182. Better with the video!

[Squinch]

191. That flying penis is engaged in a heroic struggle! It could get KILLED for that!...

And I do SO know what the protest is about! It's about freedom for penises!

... oh, nevermind.

[Arcanetrance]

98. I ask do you know what the lady in the photo was protesting.

Furthermore publicity doesn't always equal getting your message out there effectively. There is bad publicity

[riderinthestorm]

103. FEMEN said it was an anti-dictatorial protest aimed at Putin

On their Facebook page, Femen said the protest was an “anti-dictatorial attack on Putin”. The group criticised the Kremlin, Russia’s Federal Security Service and the Russian Orthodox Church, saying that Femen was against “dictatorship, homophobia and theocracy”.

Femen protests have included burning a Salafist flag in front of the Grand Mosque in Paris, and chopping down an Orthodox cross with a chainsaw.

The group has criticized Mr Putin over the arrest and conviction of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, for performing an anti-Putin song in a Moscow cathedral last year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/vladimir-putin/9978447/Bemused-Vladimir-Putin-and-Angela-Merkel-confronted-by-topless-Femen-protester-in-Hanover.html

[Arcanetrance]

106. Well I commend you for actually knowing

But if you look at the thread most don't seem to know or care. It's just constant jokes about breasts and putin giving them a thumbs up. To me this comes off as pure objectification it's not about the protest it's about the breast Atleast that's what I've taken from this conversation.

[LadyHawkAZ]

105. Admittedly a link in the OP would have been helpful

but yes, the articles crossed my FB feed several hours ago.

[idwiyo]

174. Message on her back "fuck off, Putin".

Just thought to let everyone who is interested know what it says.

[LittleBlue]

113. But people are reading her message

If she had just protested clothed outside, no one would care. It wouldn't have made a single news story.

At least people are reading her message around the world.

[Arcanetrance]

114. As evidenced here people aren't reading her message

People are going oh look breasts *insert joke here* oh look at putins reaction *insert another joke*

[LittleBlue]

116. Is it possible to look at her breasts and read her message? eom

[Arcanetrance]

117. It is but I have much doubt that's what's happening

[Buns_of_Fire]

180. That's why I hate it when women wear T-shirts with printing on the front.

Especially if there are a lot of words that require a little reading to digest. Most of the time I'll just ask them, "What does your T-shirt say?"

[Rex]

80. Bozhe moi!

nt.

[notadmblnd]

81. Guy with the glasses on - 'Stand back sir, it could be a Fembot

She might blast you with her breasts."

[Demo_Chris]

99. I, for one, am outraged...

At the censorship of the image.

To those offended by the use of nudity as an attention grabbing tactic: the ONLY reason anyone paid even the slightest attention -- the only reason at all -- is because of the nudity. I understand some are upset and offended, but then they are always upset and offended. Not a day or a topic goes by that doesn't leave this angry group foaming in rabid Cujo rage. Which is fine, but easy to dismiss.

Fortunately this thread offers a solution...

[JI7]

100. Does this mean he will Stop with all the Anti Gay Laws and treat Gays equally ?

[Rex]

108. Not anymore then he will decide to stepdown and let

Russia have free elections.

[BainsBane]

118. You underestimate the power of the breasts

to tear down all tyranny and patriarchy with one flash.
All these years I never knew I had the power to change the world under my shirt.

[Rex]

119. Nah, I just don't underestimate Vlad.

He would go from cooing grandfather, to cutthroat dictator in .5 seconds if he thought he needed to. You have to be brave or foolhardy to protest around a dictator imo.

[BainsBane]

121. I understand

My post was not meant seriously.

[Rex]

126. I didn't think it was serious.

But for the lady protesting...she could be in a gulag right now freezing to death. Some here give Putin a pass on the fact that he is a dictator and just as dangerous as any in Russian history. No telling how many bodies he had buried when he was the head of the KGB.

[BainsBane]

139. I give him no passes

And see nothing superior to him because he doesn't happen to be Muslim.

[riderinthestorm]

127. Interesting that at the point in this thread where the issues are addressed

particularly what FEMEN is protesting, you respond with unserious gratuitous snark.

Hypocrisy much?

[BainsBane]

132. what am I hypocritical about exactly?

[riderinthestorm]

141. You appear to be snarky about FEMEN's protest techniques

and that they aren't effective for change (or much of anything including heightened awareness and discussion).

Yet the protestor's goal was exactly those things, and she got us to start talking about the issues, and just when we do, you show up with a snarky comment.

I think its interesting.

[Rex]

142. It was just a joke!

Cannot someone make a joke anymore! You cannot expect DUers to be 100% serious 24/7.

[BainsBane]

153. I'm supposed to be 100% serious

in response to an OP that is not. That's the irony.

[Rex]

158. Ya that is ironic.

Nothing wrong with a little humor, at least to me. I suppose some here are humorless and want everything to be taken seriously to the Nth degree.

[BainsBane]

160. "outrage"

Outrage outdoing the outrage of the sisters of perpetual outrage.

[BainsBane]

150. Did you read the OP?

Because there was nothing serious in it. He posted a juvenile OP, and I responded with a joke.

What they want to do in Russia is their business. At least they are directing their protest at their own country rather than telling Muslim women what they are supposed to be wearing and how backward they are for worshiping Allah.

What on earth does it matter to people in Russia what you talk about? Although I was born and raised here, the egoism of Americans continually astounds me.

[riderinthestorm]

173. Amina's protest was done in a Muslim country by a muslimah. And its not a joke.

After several days of constant haranguing against this type of protest, its obvious this is anything but a joke.

Furthermore I'd say that if you don't think there are Muslims in France, the Ukraine and anywhere else FEMEN operates then I'm not the one whose demonstrating American ignorance. FWIW, Femen goes after ALL of the patriarchal religions. But I believe you knew that.

I have no idea what you mean by your last para. I don't think Russians are interested in my opinion but this is a discussion board and we tend to well, discuss.

[BainsBane]

179. Where to start . . .

You obviously haven't read any of my posts on FEMEN or Muslims. Not that I expect you should have, but I would advise a bit more caution before charging me with knowing nothing about Muslims.

FEMEN says "fuck the Qur'an." They ignore women protesting in Tunisia and march into a women's rights conference to tell them they talk too much. There are countless women in the Muslim world pissed off about FEMEN's ethnocentrism. How has all of that escaped you? Did you miss FEMEN's marching through Muslim neighborhoods in Paris denouncing Islam? Did you miss the protests by clothed women in Tunisia as well? Or their denouncement of FEMEN's condescension toward their bodies?

I'm very happy that you've found your true activist love. I, however, am less impressed. But I feel a lot better when they aren't preaching at Muslim women about how to dress. They are a European movement. All props to Amina and I hope she stays safe, but pretending that FEMEN isn't a Eurocentric organization is absurd. Many on this site vigorously support that ethnocentrism. They insist Islam is the sole repository of sexism, Muslim society (singular, as though such a thing exists) is backward, women who don't object to veiling are suffering from Stockholm syndrome, and the Islam is far too backward to merit any respect. You seem to have missed a great deal around here.

Now tell me just how serious Bennyboy's mammary jokes are? Of course that doesn't outrage you. And yes, lecture at me while high fiving the guys drooling over exposed breasts who could care less what the subject of the protest is, that you yourself haven't bothered to identify. Nothing worst that a feminist who feels she shouldn't have to take her clothes on to make a point. Who do I think I am anyway? Thinking I have a right to an opinion while clothed. The nerve of me.

[BainsBane]

159. Why don't you lecture

the men ogling in this thread instead of me? Post 109, for example? I know you wouldn't in a million years consider behaving hypocritically by criticizing my humor but not the male members here.

[Rex]

144. Humor.

I guess you cannot have even the slightest since of humor?

[LittleBlue]

122. The scary thing about Putin is

He has a lot of legitimate support. Even if they held fair elections, he would likely blow away all other candidates by a huge margin.

Putin is a dictator who found a winning democratic formula, ie a cult of personality.

[Rex]

128. True, I bet he never thought western culture

would actually make it easier for him to maintain power without elections.

[riderinthestorm]

135. Like any modern petro-state, they can be shit on the homefront

(like the Gulf States), while enjoying the spoils of being an oil kingdom.

And get away with it because the economy isn't terrible for those states as they are buffered by their oil exports...

[Rex]

145. Doesn't THAT sound familiar?

Just imagine if we never had found a use for oil. How different the world would be, perhaps.

[riderinthestorm]

130. Putin's basically consolidated his regime into a modern mafia state

The corruption is barely hidden anymore.

[Rex]

147. Mafia...thanks that is a much better term then

dictator, he is more like THE mafia don.

[Upton]

109. A closeup..

[Warren DeMontague]

134. Last time I saw an expression like that, George W. Bush was trying to figure this new thing

called a "door"

[The Straight Story]

129. Could have been WAY WAY worse. He could have told a woman she was pretty

or opened a door for one - cause we all know women need to be treated in a different manner and us guys have to protect them from jokes, doors, and compliments. Don't ever tell a man a joke when a woman is in earshot if it involves something other than bunnies.

We have to learn to treat women different. While we don't.

If putin had done a thumbs down, it would be because he does not approve of women protesting. Thumbs up, he likes boobs (which no man should admit in public they like. It's sexist to like the body of the opposite sex).

And there is a red car in the pic. Red is what men like women to wear and fast cars are how men like to lure women - because fast cars cost a lot...and since we keep women down they cannot buy one so we tempt them with our fast cars. There are symbols of sexism and patriarchy all over this pic.

That woman behind putin - she is near the hood of the car where many men take pictures (women barely dressed on the hoods of fast cars). So he was telling her she belonged there. Her pockets are bulging because they probably have the sammiches she made for him.

Damn. I didn't realize how many things I was missing everyday. Done got me a good education on DU.

[steve2470]

133. In a different world, this kind of protest would be ineffective

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&q=Putin+protest&oq=Putin+protest&gs_l=news-cc.3..43j43i53.8696.14472.0.15583.15.3.1.11.12.0.77.228.3.3.0...0.0...1ac.1.LwwngRQbGEQ#hl=en&safe=off&gl=us&tbm=nws&sclient=psy-ab&q=Putin+topless&oq=Putin+topless&gs_l=serp.3...7533.10859.0.11194.14.13.0.0.0.0.88.718.13.13.0...0.0...1c.1.8.psy-ab.TN7634Wj3DY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44770516,d.eWU&fp=1a8d6548ea8f5cd3&biw=1097&bih=541

is evidence that the chosen method got results. About 26,400 results on Google News. A typical well-clothed polite protest might have gotten a small fraction of that.

Are some going to ONLY focus on the breasts ? Of course. Are others going to go deeper and see WHY they chose to go topless ? Yes. Despite the fact they went topless, I think the protest worked.

No breast jokes here.

[riderinthestorm]

143. I'm doing an experiment steve2470. Check this thread out.

49 views so far...



Yeah, because sometimes how you get the message out matters, and makes a difference.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022637203

[steve2470]

149. you made an excellent point there

If protestors throughout history had been extraordinarily well-behaved (and clothed), I daresay we would not have made much progress. I don't think going naked or topless or (insert your favorite social faux pas) is always the answer, but it sure got these people attention. Perhaps some of it will benefit their cause. That remains to be seen.

Recc'ing and kicking your post.

[sufrommich]

151. The problem is that it's treated like a joke. Even using your

link it's obvious that Putin turned it into a joke "Putin has topless women (protesters) throwing themselves at him", "Vladimir Putin Doesn't Seem to Mind When Topless Women Protest ...","Femen's Topless Protest in Hanover Amuses Vladimir Putin". Meanwhile,women in Egypt are protesting the latest "punishment" for going to protests while female,which is gang rape:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/world/middleeast/egyptian-women-blamed-for-sexual-assaults.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

The problem isn't women showing their breasts,the problem is that this is all western media focuses on and it's reported as comical while women in Arab countries are fighting for their rights in ways that are routinely ignored.

[steve2470]

154. yes the media is very shallow and focuses on the wrong things routinely, sadly nt

[Bennyboy]

138. Putin to critics: "Thanks for the mammaries" (N/T)

[nadine_mn]

140. Putin looks like an idiot

First, I believe people should have the freedom to express themselves however they see fit as long as they do not hurt anyone. The effectiveness of this type of protest is debatable (and has been all over DU), but it should be their right to choose how to get their message across.

I don't find Putin's expression funny so much as a sad reflection on a powerful man rendered idiotic by the sight of a half naked woman. How can you take someone seriously (Putin not the protester) when they cannot handle nudity without resorting to acting like a teenage boy?

One upon a time I heard "The weaker sex is actually the stronger sex because the weakness of the stronger sex is the weaker sex"

[MadrasT]

172. IMO that is why it is funny

Putin looks like a juvenile leering jackass

[MADem]

146. She has PUTIN written on her back--that's what the third word says... nt

[Brickbat]

171. It says "fuck off, Putin."

Essentially.

[MADem]

183. I used to know enough Russian to get in trouble!

It's been a long, long time--now I can just read a bit and understand a few words!

Thanks for the translation...!

[geek tragedy]

162. Putin has the same regard for FEMEN's message

as those who repeatedly post stories about FEMEN.

Which is to say, precisely zero.

[steve2470]

176. " Fuck you, Putin! New gallery " (from the FEMEN website)

http://femen.org/en/gallery/id/176#post-content

FEMEN calls Russia to scream "Go to hell, dictator" with all 150 millions of voices! If he will not hear that then to send him there against his will. No dictatorship, homophobia and theocracy. Fuck Kreml, FSB, Russion Ortodox Church and other groups of offenders. Fuck Putin! Viva Free Russia!

*end of excerpt*

It remains to be seen how many will see past the nudity to this message.

[R B Garr]

189. I'm sure the men with their cameras out taking pictures

are really just trying to get info on FEMEN's website so they can learn more about this "protest."