From Euronews
As many as 3,000 supporters of Russian opposition groups rallied in the streets of St Petersburg on Saturday against president-elect Vladimir Putin.
The protesters called for free and fair elections, a reference to December’s disputed parliamentary vote and claims of irregularities during the presidential poll earlier this month.
Despite the presence of riot police, no arrests were made or violence reported.
The Russian government has responded to a recent wave of protests by passing a law that makes it much easier to form political parties. Legislation to restore direct elections for provincial governors is also due before parliament.
Meanwhile, the row over Putin’s perceived limitless power has reached the head of Russia’s Orthodox church.
Patriarch Kirill has denounced an all-female punk protest band accusing them of blasphemy after they stormed Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and performed a song called ‘Holy Mother, Hush Putin Away’. Kirill accused the band of desecrating the cathedral.
Three members of the band were arrested after their stunt was caught on videotape and immediately went viral. The group claimed Kirill had taken political sides when he described the Putin era as a “miracle”.
More about: Protest, Russia, Russian elections 2012, Russian politics, Vladimir Putin
Copyright © 2012 euronews
Passing Through . . . . 
I’d like to see some free and honest elections right here in America. I would bet money our elections are rigged to the hilt … how else to you explain Pelosi and Reid, just to name two, corrupt, officials, regaining their House/Senate seats? And I know Ron Paul has got to be doing a lot better in the polls than the Media gives him credit for. I think a lot of his votes ‘get lost’ in the shuffle. It’s not who votes, it’s who counts the votes, that counts. I honestly think there are a lot of people in the GOP that can’t count past their fingers and toes. What’ I’d give to have a ‘real’ President sitting in the White House (for a change).
This article has inspired me to start writing on my own blog