What's going on here?

So, most of the time I forget that I’m in “Russia”. I mean, I don’t actually forget where I am but I forget that I’m an outsider here. However, today I was reminded multiple times of my status. The first time was this morning on the Metro when I leaned over to Katie to tell her something and she shushed me and discreetly said “not now”. I then looked to her left and there was a member of the Militsia standing next to her. He seemed nice enough and was reading a book. But despite appearances, I knew better than to open my mouth and start speaking in English. I’ve heard one too many stories. Then the next time that I was reminded that I “wasn’t in Kansas anymore” was while talking to a friend at church. He asked Katie and I about the NGO bill that the Duma is trying to pass right now. (One of my students--who enjoys stirring up trouble--mentioned this bill a few weeks ago but his English isn’t very good and I didn’t really understand what he was telling me.) Anyway I went home and researched the bill and it’s very interesting. If it passes, I’m not sure whether or not it would affect ESI but it’s entirely possible that it might. Oh Russia.

The following is an article that gives more information:

NGO Law Defended By Kremlin
By Meg Clothier
Reuters
MOSCOW — Russia on Thursday brushed off sharp international criticism of a draft law aimed at tightening state control over non-governmental organizations, saying what it did at home was its own affair.
Last month parliament backed a bill that would bar foreign human rights groups, green organisations and medical charities from working in Russia. It would force local non-profit groups to re-register and make it harder for them to take foreign cash.
U.S. officials said Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns would use a trip to Moscow this week to discuss the legislation.
“This is our internal right,” Interfax news agency quoted Mikhail Kamynin, the Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, as saying.
“Passing laws is the sovereign right of every state.”
He added that close allies of Washington had similar laws to the one Russia is planning, although it was not clear to which countries he was referring.
U.S. President George W. Bush has already personally raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin.
NGOs, defending their work in Russia, have said the bill reflects unfounded Russian suspicions that foreign intelligence agencies could exploit them to stir up dissent, triggering a revolution like those in ex-Soviet Ukraine and Georgia.
Russia’s Kommersant daily quoted a source in Washington as saying the State Department was fed up with Russia’s attitude.
“If previously we pretended that Russia was our partner and the Kremlin pretended to cooperate with us, now the Russians don’t want to play even that game,” the source said.
Putin has already voiced distrust of foreign-funded NGOs, saying: “He who pays the piper pays the tune.” Last week he backed the bill, saying it would not undermine civil liberties.
His 5-1/2 years in the Kremlin have been marked by greater centralisation of power and tighter media control. The influence of the security and military establishment has also grown.