–INDIFFERENCE TO VIOLENCE

The July 5 terrorist attack on the Tushino rock concert included another demonstration of the low value that today’s Russia places on individual human lives. The authorities chose not to end the performances or even to inform the audience until after the concert was over, though six hours of rock still remained after the explosions. Even more strikingly, those in the audience who managed to learn of the tragedy by word of mouth mostly chose to stay. They apparently were indifferent not only to pre-Soviet traditions of respect for the dead, but even to their own safety.

–DOCTORS TREATING THE WOUNDED