Friday, May 07, 2004
Iraqis enjoy new freedom of expression on Web journals
Do you like irony?
Here is the sort of headline we expect showing how the invasion of Iraq and the expulsion and capture of the notorious dictator has brought freedom of speech to a benighted people.
Let's leave aside the stories behind the disgusting pictures. Though such human rights abuses deserve and demand redress.
Let's look instead at how "freedom of speech" works in the USA.
Mike Moore a troublesome and unconventional, but talented, film-maker gets backing from a big company (Miramax currently advertising Kill Bill 2) to make a film Fahrenheit 9/11 that claims financial links between the Bush family and the family of Osama bin Laden. The film is good enough to be chosen for the Cannes festival, but distribution is blocked by Disney, who own Miramax, because it may affect their tax breaks in the state go verned by Jeb Bush.
In short a corrupt and synical abuse of power to deny freedom of speech and freedom for people to watch the film if they like. Sadaam woul surely have loved freedom of speech American-style!
USA home of the free: engari mo tena! ¶ 11:15 AM
[to Del.icio.us]
Do you like irony?
Here is the sort of headline we expect showing how the invasion of Iraq and the expulsion and capture of the notorious dictator has brought freedom of speech to a benighted people.
Let's leave aside the stories behind the disgusting pictures. Though such human rights abuses deserve and demand redress.
Let's look instead at how "freedom of speech" works in the USA.
Mike Moore a troublesome and unconventional, but talented, film-maker gets backing from a big company (Miramax currently advertising Kill Bill 2) to make a film Fahrenheit 9/11 that claims financial links between the Bush family and the family of Osama bin Laden. The film is good enough to be chosen for the Cannes festival, but distribution is blocked by Disney, who own Miramax, because it may affect their tax breaks in the state go verned by Jeb Bush.
In short a corrupt and synical abuse of power to deny freedom of speech and freedom for people to watch the film if they like. Sadaam woul surely have loved freedom of speech American-style!
USA home of the free: engari mo tena! ¶ 11:15 AM
[to Del.icio.us]
