Posted on 12/12/2001 2:31:33 PM PST by StoneColdGOP
Those inclined to burst into song after a few drinks should beware: Dishonoring the national anthem could soon become a criminal offense.
A State Duma deputy from the Unity party, Sergei Apatenko, has proposed extending Article 329 of the Criminal Code, under which it is a criminal offense to desecrate the Russian coat of arms and flag, to cover denigrating the anthem as well.
The Duma's legislation committee has approved the bill, and the first reading in the Duma is scheduled for Thursday. If the amendment comes into law, anthem abusers may face fines of 100 rubles or a year in jail.
"Since the anthem is one of the state symbols, it has to be protected as well," said Apatenko's spokesman, Ivan Yantsukevich.
"There have been cases in which the lyrics have been changed ruthlessly, including the use of obscene language. Mockery of the national anthem has also taken place in some TV programs. ... The anthem is a patriotic song and should be treated seriously."
Gazeta.ru reported that some committee members only favored banning the use of obscene words, while others proposed prohibiting anthem-playing at casinos and strip shows. Some argued the law should only concern public performance of the anthem. A final decision on what constitutes denigrating the anthem is expected before the bill reaches its second reading.
Some Duma deputies have opposed the bill. Vremya Novostei cited Sergei Ivanenko of the liberal Yabloko party as saying there was no need for it. "Criminal laws should not be made just in case, otherwise it will not be laws but the communist moral code," he was quoted as saying.
The newspaper also cited the Union of Right Forces' Viktor Pokhmelkin as saying that singing alternative words, making gestures or refusing to stand does not pose a threat to the state, and therefore the offender should not be held responsible for a crime.
Hard line communists still wave the old hammer and sickle and sing the Soviet anthem, I wonder if that too is protected?
Yes the Internationale is a beautiful piece of music -- the version in The Hunt for Red October was stirring -- enough to inspire any Red-blooded Red. I thought that Russia had stopped using it. If so, I guess they were referring to the new anthem in this piece, whatever IT is.
It's confusing as heck.
To this day that song gives me the chills, when they play it in "Rocky IV" or "The Hunt for Red October" it's like the Cold War in my head all over again...
Wonderful site -- tracing back the webpages found a location for ALL flags and anthems. The Website is a police support Website, and the anthems and flags are a subpage. The anthem is a good one, although not so stirring as the Internationale. For those who link, I suggest going back and link to the full orchestral version, the midi version in the link is not as good.
No, the one you just posted must be the one they just got rid of. The one in the movies was the Internationale, the anthem of the USSR, the old lyrics of which go 'Arise, ye prisoners of starvation, ..', followed by a lot more Red claptrap.
Of course, in the movies they sing it in Russian, which is more stirring, and means that you don't have to listen to socialist nonsense (not that you understand anyway.)
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