CARTOONS, FREE SPEECH, AND RESPONSIBILITY I'm not really a political animal .... perhaps because I'm so deeply suspicious of the motives of politicians ....
But the other great furore going on is of course the question of these insulting cartoons, and whether they should have been published. No-one can condone the appalingly violent response which we have seen to the cartoons - that to me is a different matter - concerning the behaviour of people whom Westerners understand all too little - and not something which I wish to comment on at this point ... But I can comment on our own behaviour. It amazes me that there are attempts to justify the publication of these obviously insulting bits of tat by talking about Free Speech. Anyone who aligns themselves with our government's policies, is on insupportably shaky ground if they support the right of the Danish press to publish such material. Again, nobody seems to have noticed this, but this government has clearly established the fact that it tolerates some forms of free speech and not others. Remember ? They recently passed a Bill that enables them to put in prison anyone who, in their 'free speech", incites racial hatred or violence. Are you telling me that these particular Danes looked at these cartoons, and did not realise that they have the potential to cause racial and inter-religious hatred, and the threat of violence? Do we WANT to support the right of everyone to go around insulting a religious or racial group ? To me, it's a bit like freedom of action. We all like to be free to walk around and punch the air, and feel our power, but if one of those punches lands in someone's face, haven't we abused our freedom ? A large helping of common sense is lacking here. Let's hear it for consideration, moderation and keeping a true sense of humour - which means being able to laugh at ourselves, not laugh at other people's expense. Remember when you were at school .... being laughed at was at least as hurtful as being punched ? And made us just as angry ? And please ... calls for violence never solved anything. That's the lesson our own leaders learned in Afghanistan and Iraq. Oh, sorry; I forgot - they DIDN'T learn it . My God, they still can't see it. Peace bri C brianmay.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Listen to Internet Radio! Access to your favorite Artists! Click to listen to LAUNCHcast now! http://us.click.yahoo.com/_mKGzA/GARHAA/kkyPAA/iPMolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ================================================================= "Morning greetings doesn't only mean saying 'Good Morning'. It has silent message saying that I remember you when I wake up. Wish you have a Great Day!" -- Ida Arimurti Jangan lupa simak IDA KRISNA SHOW SENIN HINGGA JUMAT di 99,1 DELTA FM Jam 4 sore hingga 8 malam dan kirim sms di 0818 333 582. ================================================================= Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/idakrisnashow/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
