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BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred

19 Oct 05 - 09:13 PM (#1586660)
Subject: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Richard Bridge

Although this is almost about a band, I think it counts as BS.

In the UK we have a recent Blairite law that prohibits the promotion of religious hatred.

There is a metal band called "Cradle of Filth".

They sell merchandising that some find offensive.

One of their tracks is called "Cherish the Whore" and they have long sold a T-shirt that bears on the front that track name plus a picture of an improbably voluptuous nun masturbating with a crucifix.

Within the last week or so, a young man wearing such a T-shirt with an addditional inscription on the back of "Jesus is a cunt" has been convicted of inciting religious hatred.

Is this a justified restriction of freedom of speech or not?


19 Oct 05 - 09:33 PM (#1586669)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: bobad

Nah, that's just a childish, profane attempt to curry attention.


19 Oct 05 - 09:52 PM (#1586682)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Deckman

But it might sell CD's?


19 Oct 05 - 10:05 PM (#1586686)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Fooles Troupe

Art (and I don't mean Mr Thieme!) has long often skirted the limits of 'currently accepted offensiveness' in attempts to shock the audience into new ways of thinking. Sometimes it's an advance, sometimes it's a retrograde step - usually only judged in hindsight.


19 Oct 05 - 10:47 PM (#1586708)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: John O'L

It can't be all black or all white. What people wear on their T-shirts is their business until they wear it where it can be seen by someone else's children. Children should not have to be introduced to the ugliest society has to offer as soon as they learn to read. I regard that as child abuse.


20 Oct 05 - 07:39 AM (#1586831)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Paco Rabanne

I'd tell his mum!


20 Oct 05 - 09:16 AM (#1586910)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bunnahabhain

Yes, it is entirley justified.

Imagine if the T-shirt had had the same woman in Islamic clothing, and "Mohammed is a Cunt" on the back.

This man would have convicted in three seconds flat, and almost certainly have recieved a much harsher punishment.

This is, of course, assuming he was actually arrested*. If he was wearing a T-shirt as I described, in many areas he'd find himself in hospital, not a police station. Possibly alive, as well.

If you're going to have this law it must be applied to all faiths, without Bias.


* either for the incitement to hatred, or being criminally stupid,a nd a danger to himself. I don't know if that's possible, but it seems a good idea sometimes...


20 Oct 05 - 11:20 AM (#1587016)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Wesley S

Recently here in Texas a woman was wearing a T-shirt that was a takeoff on the movie "Meet the Fockers" - but it had a picture of the president and vice president and it said "Meet the Fuckers".

She was told she could not board an airplane { Southwest Airlines I believe } until she covered up the shirt or changed it. She felt her free speech was infringed upon. I disagree.

While I agree with her assessment of the president and vice president I don't think a t-shirt with that language should be worn if there is the very real chance that kids would be exposed to it. That same t-shirt worn at a Democratic Party fund raiser or an anti-war rally might be just fine. But I don't think the general public needs to have it forced upon them.

Aside from I think that an airline - like any other business - has the right to tell people using their services what clothing is suitable. Your opinion may vary.


20 Oct 05 - 12:06 PM (#1587041)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Don Firth

I think we need to keep in mind who is doing the censoring.

If someone wears a tasteless and / obscene T-shirt or such, the government has no business whatsoever in getting involved. If, however, you're running a restaurant and someone comes in wearing a message T-shirt that you find offensive and feel certain that some of your other patrons might also, then you're perfectly within your legal and Constitutional rights to refuse them admission or service. This would hold true for any privately owned business, such as an airline.

If I own a public address system and someone wants to use it to broadcast a message that I don't agree with, the Constitution—and the First Amendment—do not require that I allow him to use it, no matter how much he may protest that I am abridging his freedom of speech.

One should be clear about this:   the Constitution restricts the powers and actions of the government. But not private citizens.

Don Firth


20 Oct 05 - 12:10 PM (#1587044)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: GUEST, Devil's Advocate

But, shurely Jesus is a component of the Holy Trinity and, therefore, is God and, therefore, omnipotent and, therefore, all things and, therefore, ... a cunt.


20 Oct 05 - 12:21 PM (#1587048)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Jon W.

How do you go from Omnipotent (All-powerful) to "all things?" That's where your logic breaks down. It would be logically impossible for God to be "All things" since some things are mutually exclusive.


20 Oct 05 - 12:31 PM (#1587056)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Don Firth

If God were "all things," then He/She/It is both Good and Evil. That means that God must also be Satan.

That puts a whole new spin on theology.

Don Firth


20 Oct 05 - 12:57 PM (#1587072)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: TheBigPinkLad

Erm ... yes, that's exactly what all powerful means. Good AND evil at the same time. That's where Abramic theology breaks down.


20 Oct 05 - 01:08 PM (#1587077)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Auggie

I would suggest it is rather, where our 'understanding' of God in Abramic theology breaks down.


20 Oct 05 - 01:21 PM (#1587085)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: TheBigPinkLad

Ahh ... so the logic is sound but we're too stupid to interpret it correctly?


20 Oct 05 - 01:30 PM (#1587093)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Auggie

Quite frankly, there are any number of concepts which come to mind that I am most assuredly "too stupid" to comprehend, not the least of which is the true nature of God.
But I hold hope that perhaps some day I shall become as enlightened as you.


20 Oct 05 - 01:50 PM (#1587102)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: TheBigPinkLad

Good one. Ouch.


20 Oct 05 - 01:52 PM (#1587104)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Auggie

Sorry
Just funnin don't you know.


20 Oct 05 - 02:04 PM (#1587115)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Don Firth

My respect for TheBigPinkLad has just taken a quantum leap! When someone can recognize that they've been parried, then nailed with a solid riposte, and acknowledge the hit, therein one finds a gentleman and a scholar!

Don Firth


20 Oct 05 - 02:07 PM (#1587120)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: TheBigPinkLad

Or a sarcastic sod, Don ;o)


20 Oct 05 - 02:20 PM (#1587126)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

Fuck it... it's a t-shirt... you dont' like it? Tough... don't buy one... You don't like that I'm wearing one? Tough... Don't buy my CD... Don't like that -I- hate your religion? Tough... That's life for ya... Some people are going to hate you... sometimes for no reason... Try not to lose any sleep over it...

You don't like that your poor little baby might have to see what's on my t-shirt? THink of this as an opportunity for you to show the world what a good parent you are by taking the time to talk to them about it...   I don't give a shit about your baby....   And I'm not gonna change my driving just because YOU put a stupid "Baby On Board" sign in your car window... the world doesn't change cauae YOU put up a sign...

Or because you don't like what I have on my t-shirt...


20 Oct 05 - 04:01 PM (#1587193)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bee-dubya-ell

I think the young man's T-shirt expresses contempt. That's not necessarily the same thing as expressing hatred. The only way such a shirt could incite hatred would be to incite hatred against the person wearing it. That's not a crime, it's stupidity on the wearer's part. Trust me, nobody felt the least bit compelled to go burn down a church after reading the message on that T-shirt.

Furthermore, the shirt didn't say something like "Jesus is a cunt. Mohammed is the true prophet." Its message is nihilistic, not antagonistic. Last time I checked, nihilism was still a legal worldview.


20 Oct 05 - 04:25 PM (#1587207)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Richard Bridge

Hells bells. For I think the first time ever I agree with BOTH the above posters!


20 Oct 05 - 04:36 PM (#1587218)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: JohnInKansas

They would probably have arrested Cornelis van Haarlem (1562-1638) Dutch painter (Haarlem), for "The Monk and the Nun," 1591, Oil on canvas, Frans Halsmuseum, Haarlem.

If you scroll down on the description, you'll find that everything has it's pious explanation. All that's needed is a good lawyer.

John


20 Oct 05 - 05:38 PM (#1587260)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

I'm sorry, but the ARE things which are simply beyond the pale. Tee Shirts of that sort could be worn in 'some' places, at private gatherings, but as liberal as I am, and relatively tolerant, I would not appreciate stuff **designed** to be offensive and crude. Clever things with double-entendré remarks are one thing: stupid, hateful obscenities are another.

I simply do NOT feel that anything goes, and that the filtering is the responsibility of everyone else.

Anyone who puts on a shirt like that KNOWS whether it crosses the line, and they are doing it because it crosses the line....


20 Oct 05 - 08:33 PM (#1587389)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Peace

Best t-shirt I ever had read: "I am trying to see things from your point of view but I can't stick my head that far up my ass."

I made use of it once many years back in a meeting.


21 Oct 05 - 12:37 AM (#1587521)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

" I simply do NOT feel that anything goes"
Fortunately, it's not your world...


21 Oct 05 - 01:16 AM (#1587539)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: John O'L

Don't get so upset Clinton. You're such an old softie...


21 Oct 05 - 02:19 AM (#1587553)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: open mike

i heard another t-shirt story to compare to the "faukers, fockers" one
a fellow was wearing a shirt that had George Bush's face and the words "international Terrorist" on it. he was refused boarding on a plane because someone took offense at his shirt, or rather the image on it.
He was asked to remove or cvhange the shirt and he would not. He was
removed from the plane and offered a free ticket for the inconvenience.
This was a different airline than the one the woman was on in the previous story. The fellow was david rovics (www.davidrovics.com)
a brilliant singer songwriter who has many hard-hitting songs.
He says you can get the shirt at http://www.internationalterrorist.com/
As far as rights go, he learned that when you are in the "PUBLIC"
airport terminal, your rights are protected more than when you are
in the "private" airplane.
he said it was unfortunate that the woman's shirt had a profanity
on it, as it could have made a more positive statement if it was
not as offensive.


21 Oct 05 - 04:45 AM (#1587581)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Piers

I'm with Stephen Fry on this one:

'It's now very common to hear people say, "I'm rather offended by that", as if that gives them certain rights. It's no more than a whine. It has no meaning, it has no purpose, it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. "I'm offended by that." Well, so fucking what?'


21 Oct 05 - 05:03 AM (#1587588)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Liz the Squeak

Hells teeth, our children are forced to grow up so quickly already, can we not save a few obscenities for them to discover on their own?

But I also have to agree (shudder) with the remark that we should take some time and explain to our children what the word means and why it is not suitable to repeat it. I do that with Limpit and the result is, she knows a lot of obscene words but doesn't use them, a) because she knows I don't like her to and b) because we try not to use them at home. They are words for special occasions, not for everyday.

I have no problem with people wearing obscenities on their bodies, just don't tell me I've got to like it.

LTS


21 Oct 05 - 05:58 AM (#1587616)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

Anyone who puts on a shirt like that KNOWS whether it crosses the line, and they are doing it because it crosses the line....

The line is one of judgement personal taste and not fixed. But the question is less one of taste but of what could or should be done to address such things if or when someone consider that someone else has crossed a line.

Is it really anyone else's business what another chooses to wear in public. Other people wearing nothing would offend some of us and be thought to be crossing a line and would risk arrest. I suggest that - it would not offend any of our various gods and creators who felt this mode of dress was perfectly acceptable in which to be introduced to the world and through a certain orifice - often called a cunt.

But is it really so bad to read something that is not to your taste when no one is forcing you to agree with it? If someone is intentionally crossing a line only to shock, offend and be noticed - perhaps it is best to simply ignore it? For everytime a fuss is made - it simply means that the next time someone wishes to intentionally cross the line - it will be crossed even more. Hysterical reactions tend not to help but always to make matters worse.

'It's now very common to hear people say, "I'm rather offended by that", as if that gives them certain rights. It's no more than a whine. It has no meaning, it has no purpose, it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. "I'm offended by that." Well, so fucking what?'

Probably the very worst thing for someone who does something only to be noticed - is not to notice them. Artists do not usually mind if their work offends or delights - they do mind if no one notices it.


21 Oct 05 - 06:12 AM (#1587621)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: John O'L

The human is a social animal and as such needs certain conventions by which to operate within the society. Without these conventions society would not operate at all, and those who choose to ignore those conventions do so in order to be ostracised. Some of them end up here. That's OK, we all wear obscene t-shirts here.


21 Oct 05 - 02:10 PM (#1587886)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

What a suggestion!

If any one is wearing an obscene T-shirt whilst reading or posting to this thread - that is really crossing the line. I have come over all faint and weak at the knees at just the thought of it.

I demand that this thread is subject to imposed deletion or closure from our anonymous fellow posters immediately.


21 Oct 05 - 02:18 PM (#1587890)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Peace

Read my t-shirt.


21 Oct 05 - 02:23 PM (#1587891)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: bobad

Can you just move a little closer to your monitor, I can't quite make out all the words. I can see a F... and O..


21 Oct 05 - 03:21 PM (#1587931)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

"Don't get so upset Clinton"

Who's upset? I'm HAPPY it's not BillDs world....


22 Oct 05 - 02:38 AM (#1588226)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

I prefer to type my posts without a t-shirt - in fact wearing nothing at all.

Is no one offended by this confession and is no one going to pass judgement and demand that someone does something about this practice?


22 Oct 05 - 02:40 AM (#1588228)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Peace

"Is no one offended by this confession and is no one going to pass judgement and demand that someone does something about this practice?"

S'far as I'm concerned, you can practice your typing as much as you want.


22 Oct 05 - 05:38 AM (#1588306)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

Is it not to be judged as 'obnoxous'?


22 Oct 05 - 11:47 AM (#1588445)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

*standing VERY close to monitor...although facing away*... me...now...


22 Oct 05 - 02:04 PM (#1588510)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: bobad

Good one BillD.


22 Oct 05 - 02:30 PM (#1588531)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: JohnInKansas

And please note that Bill D. appears to have mudcat on the monitor. I can't quite read his next post though.

John


22 Oct 05 - 02:52 PM (#1588539)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

of course...Bill usually has Mudcat on the monitor! *grin*...(and sometimes he combs his hair before typing, but putting on the tee-shirt...well..))

That is this thread before my post.....


23 Oct 05 - 02:04 PM (#1589070)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Cluin

Technically, it should read "Jesus WAS a cunt".

Sloppy thinking... that's what I have no tolerance for.


23 Oct 05 - 02:24 PM (#1589086)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: dick greenhaus

If you have to draw a line somewhere, it prolly dosen't make much difference exactly where you draw it.


23 Oct 05 - 02:44 PM (#1589100)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

oh, sure it does, Dick...it's like 'folk music'...there stuff that clearly IS and stuff that clearly is NOT....and a gray area in between.

One draws lines in the 'clearly' area...


23 Oct 05 - 05:02 PM (#1589176)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

Perhaps?


23 Oct 05 - 08:41 PM (#1589337)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: John O'L

Sloppy thinking Cluin? Wishful thinking more like.

I don't think he was or is half the cunt he's going to be when he comes back and sees what we've been up to.


23 Oct 05 - 09:34 PM (#1589381)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: dick greenhaus

Bill-
The posiyion of the line--whether it's obscenity or folkishness--depends upon the sensibilities of the line-drawer. Just try defending your idea of what's clearly "not folk" to a most mudcatters, and you'll see what I mean.


23 Oct 05 - 10:10 PM (#1589397)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

*grin*...oh, I totally understand your point, Dick...but the very laws we live by every day are decided the same way. Every law on the books probably has someone who doesn't believe in it.

   Just because I can't convince everybody, doesn't mean I'm 'wrong' about the need to draw a line. There is a legal concept of behavior that is prohibited because it disturbs the peace or incites a riot....in other words, stuff you can do alone, or in private gatherings, but which cause too much consternation when done in public.

(Naked girls walking down the street 'can' contribute to traffic accidents....on certain beaches, they are not a serious problem....if you see what I mean.) And playing bagpipes outside YOUR window at 3AM might not meet with approval, no matter how well they're played, or how sincer the piper.


24 Oct 05 - 09:37 AM (#1589626)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Wolfgang

In Germany, it would be a question of the context.

As a cartoon accompanying an article critical of a faith it would be considered as free speech.
Someone wearing the T-shirt at a concert of the band would be considered free speech.
Someone wearing the T-shirt walking down just any street would probably still considered using his right of free speech.

Someone wearing that T-shirt ostentatively during a Christian religious procession or in a church would probably be sentenced.
Someone walking with that T-shirt in Bunnahabhain's version down a street with nearly exclusively Muslim neighbourhood would be sentenced for inciting religous hatred.

Wolfgang


24 Oct 05 - 11:14 AM (#1589703)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

you see?! If Wolfgang & I both agree, it MUST be the right approach!

;>)


24 Oct 05 - 11:42 AM (#1589740)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

One more and you can invade Poland.

I have heard a recent rumour
That some German's are judges of humour
Perhaps they're confusing
What they find amusing
With the misery that comes with a tumour?


25 Oct 05 - 08:01 AM (#1590395)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: beardedbruce

BillD,

"Clever things with double-entendré remarks are one thing: stupid, hateful obscenities are another."


And you will now comment on all the stupid, hateful obscenities piled on conservatives here? Or is it that ALL remarks about conservatives are "Clever things with double-entendré remarks" ?

It always seems that the offensive speech or image that SHOULD be suppressed is that of those who the supresser does not agree with.

I would still rather have the impact of the offensive speech than the supression.


25 Oct 05 - 09:14 AM (#1590440)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: DavidHannam

Yes. When i hear words like offensive, i cringe. I cringe because just as the bully at school called me big-nose, i called him fatty, being offensive has been human nature since the dawn of time.

We are human afterall. I as you may imagine, get called many names, do i get offended, yes sometimes, do i think that person should be locked up for offending me, no.

Being offensive is what happily makes us human. Laws trying to change that are really the pinnacle of repression.


25 Oct 05 - 10:46 AM (#1590477)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: GUEST

I once saw a tee shirt that said "I'm so horny the crack of dawn looks good." I was amused by that, because know a woman named Dawn. However another I saw said "Smile if you like to fuck." that one reminded me that profanity is the effort of a feeble mind to express itself.


25 Oct 05 - 10:51 AM (#1590484)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

"profanity is the effort of a feeble mind to express itself"

What an inane, ludicrous and erroneous statement...


25 Oct 05 - 11:43 AM (#1590530)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

"stupid, hateful obscenities piled on conservatives here?" ...you will note I don't use such. I object to ALL gratuitous use of obscenities - especially in conducting arguments. When I am made Lord High Mudcat Poobah of Taste and Delicacy the standards will be a bit higher.

In the meantime, I am hard pressed to remember just how & when conservatives were singled out. I barely remember it happening at all. What I remember is Martin Gibson, local conservative, dishing it out in the other direction.

I don't want to spur a frenzy of searching and posting examples,ala Shambles, but do you really remember LOTS of "stupid, hateful obscenities piled on conservatives here"?

And why did you expand my remark about basic bad taste to include purported castigation of conservatives??? Followed by an extra bit of "straw man" hyperbole: " Or is it that ALL remarks about conservatives are "Clever things with double-entendré remarks" ?"

I was not talking about conservatives! Conservatives had not been an issue until you dredged it up! Why, some of my best friends are conservatives!


25 Oct 05 - 11:54 AM (#1590536)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

"When I am made Lord High Mudcat Poobah of Taste and Delicacy"

Then we'll know there isn't any taste or delicacy....


25 Oct 05 - 12:26 PM (#1590568)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: GUEST

...an inane, ludicrous and irroneous statement? I rest my case.


25 Oct 05 - 12:31 PM (#1590577)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

giving your spell checker a rest, too, I see... ☺

"Then we'll know there isn't any taste or delicacy...." gee, Clinton,..and I was gonna make you my deputy! Now I have to look for someone else.


25 Oct 05 - 01:20 PM (#1590621)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: TheBigPinkLad

Taste is the enemy of art.


25 Oct 05 - 01:30 PM (#1590635)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: beardedbruce

BillD,

We were discussing the line you would draw between free speech and stupid, hateful obscenities: I chose the example of the sometimes objectionable ( ie, if it was done to a side one supported one would object) treatment of the minority viewpoint here. I DID NOT state that YOU were talking about conservatives.

YOUR statement was "Clever things with double-entendré remarks are one thing: stupid, hateful obscenities are another." Thus, my comment. How is that a straw-man arguement? If you chose not to voice your objection to treatment you claim to object to, what should I think, given your statement?


25 Oct 05 - 02:15 PM (#1590665)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

straw man is suggesting arguments that have not been made in order to ridicule them.....

Suggesting that "...ALL remarks about conservatives are "Clever things with double-entendré remarks" is such a usage, even when asked in a rhetorical way. The example feels like 'bait' to change the issue under discussion.

" I DID NOT state that YOU were talking about conservatives." ..of course not....but the choice of examples seems to imply that I should.

As to 'sometimes objectionable treatment of minority viewpoints'...it happens to all viewpoints at times, although I still do not see the volume here that would make THAT a good choice of examples. One's choice of examples, just as in one's choice of insults, steers the conversation awry.

   It is, sadly, the case that many extreme conservative viewpoints are expressed with a rigidity and attitude (ala Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter) that make it VERY hard to debate certain points seriously. (No...I do NOT think that 'most' liberal viewpoints employ similar rhetorical devices...so pointing out one example won't convert me.)

short version of all this: It felt like bait.


25 Oct 05 - 03:59 PM (#1590724)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

Profanity is the spice rack in the kitchen of language... muthafuka


25 Oct 05 - 04:16 PM (#1590729)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

indeed, Clinton...if used judiciously! Those who salt, pepper and flavor EVERY dish with lots of spices lose the taste of the food....and 'mothafuka' has been so overused that it means almost nothing anymore.


25 Oct 05 - 04:36 PM (#1590736)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: dick greenhaus

re; DRAWING LINES

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (Reuters) - A Turkish court has fined 20 people for using the letters Q and W on placards at a Kurdish new year celebration, under a law that bans use of characters not in the Turkish alphabet, rights campaigners said.

The court in the southeastern city of Siirt fined each of the 20 people 100 new lira for holding up the placards, written in Kurdish, at the event last year. The letters Q and W do not exist in the Turkish alphabet.

Under pressure from the European Union, Turkey has improved language and human rights for its Kurdish minority, but the EU says implementation has been patchy and loopholes remain.

The 1928 Law on the Adoption and Application of Turkish Letters changed the Turkish alphabet from the Arabic script to a modified Latin script and required all signs, advertising, newspapers and official documents to only use Turkish letters.

More than 30,000 people have been killed, most of them Kurds, since the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels began an armed campaign for Kurdish self-rule in the mainly Kurdish southeast of Turkey.

As I said before, if you're gonna draw a line, it doesn't much matter exactly where you draw it.


25 Oct 05 - 07:24 PM (#1590770)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

"scholars differ bicker."

in that case, it made a great deal of difference....and in that case, those who drew the line knew exactly what they were doing in daring anyone to assert a cultural/political position different from the government's.

In Quebec, they draw the lines differently, requiring that signs must not be in English only.

I maintain that lines can be drawn that allow everyone 'some' leeway, or that guarantee strife.

Unless you are using a pretty personal notion of 'makes no difference', I don't see why you say it that way, Dick. Are you advocating drawing no lines? You don't say so specifically. I DO advocate carefully considered lines.


25 Oct 05 - 07:56 PM (#1590789)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: dick greenhaus

No Bill-
I'm all in favor of lines. I just don't believe that there's any inherent righness of wrongness in where they happen to be drawn. I went through this in agonizing detail when my daughter was in high school, and dress codes were imposed by the school. I funally convinced her that there was no magic skirt length measurement that was decent; just one that the rules prescribed.


25 Oct 05 - 08:26 PM (#1590801)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: John Hardly

"What I remember is Martin Gibson, local conservative, dishing it out in the other direction."

I'm not sure, speaking as a conservative (though I'm no Poobah of conservatism), that I can remember a time that I ever agreed with Martin Gibson.

I do own a Martin and a Gibson. A Yamaha, 2 Harmonys, and a Flatiron as well.

I own dishes too. In fact, I make dishes. I rarely "dish out" though.

I will say that, though I was raised around a Christian fundamentalism that believed in the ultimate persecution of the Church, I tended to kind or poo-poo the idea (which is different that Pooh-bahing the idea). I never ran into the kind of religious hatred that would make me believe in the capacity for people to persecute the Church.

Then I ran across the mudcat.


25 Oct 05 - 10:10 PM (#1590855)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Bill D

"...no magic skirt length measurement that was decent;"

I'm beginning to see your point, Dick...indeed there is no way to 'specify' a single point for a line to be drawn that is clearly THE right place, but there are obvious wrong places.... as I said up there ↑, there is a grey area where most of the dithering takes place.

I guess that grey area is where different administrations take turns re-drawing lines.


26 Oct 05 - 01:30 PM (#1590954)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: Clinton Hammond

"has been so overused that it means almost nothing anymore"

That's yout take... it's a 'chili' I happen to like a lot...


26 Oct 05 - 01:32 PM (#1590956)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos

As to the first - since the T-shirt bears the image of a "nun" masturbating it would violate "public" obscenity laws in the U.S. We can't even show a cartoon butt anymore without worrying about getting fined.

On the second I would pass it off to very poor taste on the part of the wearer. You can usually find a sign near the entrance to most "public" places that are privately owned which state: We reserve the right to refuse services. If he want's to wear it fine. But that doesn't mean he's going to be able to wear it anywhere he likes. And as far as the message goes, it is not freedom of speech to make a statement using vulgar or obscene language. The message could have been made without that language

For most of us not wearing / saying / displaying offensive messages or materials is understood to be part of a social contract to ensure we all get along. Some are to childish to understand that.


27 Oct 05 - 12:54 AM (#1591508)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: dianavan

The Queen's stupid, little purse hanging over her arm offends me. I also thought the Queen Mother's hats were very offensive. There otta be a law!


27 Oct 05 - 04:10 AM (#1591558)
Subject: RE: BS: T-Shirt/Censorship/Religious hatred
From: The Shambles

I'm with Stephen Fry on this one:

'It's now very common to hear people say, "I'm rather offended by that", as if that gives them certain rights. It's no more than a whine. It has no meaning, it has no purpose, it has no reason to be respected as a phrase. "I'm offended by that." Well, so fucking what?'


--------------------------------------------------------------

The main trouble with the drawing of lines is that those who could exist quite happily on either side – will be then excluded from one side or the other.

Down On The Border

Down on the border, where do you draw that line?
Well here I can lay down my life for a land that will never be mine
If I was standing on the outside, you wouldn't let me in
It might be my religion or the colour of my skin

Down on the border, when you draw that line
Am I standing inside, or am I left outside?

They're telling you life should be rosy, "ain't you living in your own backyard"?
The stakes are getting higher, time to play that nationalist card
That joker's a wild one, eager to get out of the pack
It ain't so easy, trying to get the bastard back

Down on the border, when you draw that line
Am I standing inside, or am I left outside?

Does the fruit really taste better, just because it's home grown?
Why should there be an improvement, when we are ruled by one of our own?
When they come and they tell you. it's time to make a stand
Remember the good and the bad apples, growing on your land

Down on the border, when you draw that line
Am I standing inside, or am I left outside?

Whatever country claims you, it's no measure of your worth
You can take no credit, it's just an accident of birth
Why not strive for a union, a federation of states?
Sustained by co-operation, where nations are maintained on hate

Down on the border, when you draw that line
Am I standing inside, or am I left outside?

Roger Gall 1997