Comments on: Russian Prisoners Sing for Freedom

Russian Prisoners Sing for Freedom

fenriq — Tue, 28 Oct 2003 17:04:12 -0800

Russian Prisoners Sing for Freedom
A strange take on the whole American Idol concept, prisoners in Russia were allowed to take part in a singing competition to get freed. Of the 26 finalists, six were freed. That only leaves just about a million prisoners left. I'm curious about the precedent this sets.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 28 Oct 2003 17:19:21 -0800

I'd rather see it reversed, and anyone who participates in a "reality show" like American Idol is sent to prison. Preferably a Siberian one.

By: dhartung

dhartung — Tue, 28 Oct 2003 20:26:51 -0800

Justice, it would seem, is blind in Russia -- at both ends.

By: timyang

timyang — Wed, 29 Oct 2003 03:34:04 -0800

Justice, it would seem, is blind in Russia Or tone deaf.

By: elpapacito

elpapacito — Wed, 29 Oct 2003 06:00:38 -0800

What crash_davis said.

By: ZachsMind

ZachsMind — Wed, 29 Oct 2003 06:17:37 -0800

Now I know why the caged bear sings.

By: jonp72

jonp72 — Wed, 29 Oct 2003 13:04:59 -0800

I'm curious about the precedent this sets. Strangely enough, the precedent already exists. According to legend, the black folk singer, Leadbelly, was pardoned on two different occasions due to his singing ability, although at least one of the pardon stories appears to be mythical. Ronald Reagan also pardoned Merle Haggard for a former burglary conviction. It's doubtful that tough-on-crime Ronald Reagan would have pardoned Haggard if he weren't a country & western singer popular with the so-called Reagan Democrats that the Gipper needed as swing voters.