I thought today was a good day to publish this photo of the Statue of Liberty here in Paris. You've undoubtedly heard about the cartoons published recently in Denmark about the prophet Muhammed which have raised a lot of questions around the freedom of the press. The answer seems to vary greatly from one side of the world to the other. Regardless of what you personally think, we must admit that although many countries - including France - claim to uphold freedom of speech, there are still jokes that remain socially unacceptable. Here, for example, there is no way you can joke about the holocaust, races, or the handicapped. Jokes about homosexuals have also become very offensive whereas they were accepted less than a decade ago. Jokes about religion - and especially Catholicism, the historical religion of France - have been accepted for a long time here.
Magnifique photographie! le flambeau de la Liberté éclairant le Monde
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting link with the Statue of Liberty. I don't know what to think about the cartoons or the fact that the newspaper France Soir fired the head of the editorial team after publishing the photos. I can understand that someone made the decision to publish, but was it politically motivated to fire the guy or a real lapse in judgement? As for jokes, I do hope that France doesn't go the way of America whereas everything has to be politically correct. If I have to stop giving two kisses to ladies at work because they might sue me, then I know the world has turned upside down!
ReplyDeleteOui, on a le droit de critiquer.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech means that you have the right to speak your mind, but those Muslims are living in the cave era...and they pretend to impose their barbaric customs to US: the Free World...NEVER
that's a stunning photo. I used to walk down to the Statue of Liberty from the bridge right up the other end, lots of happy memories there, it was a lovely walk :)
ReplyDeleteFirst, they burn the books.....
ReplyDeleteThe muslim religion many years had a background of far greater tolerance and understanding than christianity; in some ways we are now reaping the whirlwind.
BUT the hypocracy that currently allows their press to defame and call for the destruction and overthrow of peoples and civilisations unlike their own - whilst taking issue with satire -is unspeakable. Whether it is the Pope, Jews, America, Israel, the list of enemies they are happy to insult is long.
Great commentary and I agree with Michael...hopefully France will never go the route of America and being polically correct. I've always admired the "live and let live" attitude of the French.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo...brings back memories of strolling Paris.
Thanks Eric, I had heard there was a "Statue of Liberty" in Paris but had no idea where it was.
ReplyDeleteThis poor little statue looks like it could use a good clean up! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Michael: too much PC is not a good thing.
That's a fantastic shot! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love that you took this from the back side of the statue. Most people would think that from the front would be the only option. And it's nice to see the French version of the staute, since I've only seen the American version.
ReplyDeleteI have a story about this statue...lol...but I won't tell it here :)
ReplyDeleteThe cartoons remind me of similar drawings I saw recently at the Karlshorst museum in Berlin, except for the fact that those demons were Jews. Hate and stupidity is certainly a potent mélange (i.e. referring to Muslims as having “cave era ...barbaric customs”), which is why it is probably not a good idea to publish propaganda, even under the guise of freedom of speech. Eric, I’m not sure why some jokes are in poor taste and others are funny, or how long it takes for taboo subject matter to become acceptable. But timing is definitely crucial, and the timing of Jyllands-Posten was just brutal.
ReplyDeleteEric, did your choice of showing the statue looking away symbolize he loss of freedom by the France Soir editor and others?
ReplyDeleteThere is a Latino comedian who tells very funny jokes about racial tensions and stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteHe points out that what he makes a living saying will get most people in the US fired, interesting dichotomy.
Right! Many abused the freedom of speech but they don't think it, they're led away by arrogance inside their heart!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to hear from you Eric!
ReplyDeleteThere are taboos about what we can openly discuss, satirize or parody everywhere in the world, no matter how much we claim free speech.
Here, most anything is fair game. The reaction to this cartoon thing is a big yawn over here.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the purpose of hurting people's beliefs. Your fredom of speech ends where someone's else his freedom starts.
ReplyDelete"And it's nice to see the French version of the staute, since I've only seen the American version" - fully agreed... ;-))
ReplyDeleteGood thorough ideas here.I’d like to suggest taking a look at such as something like cheeseburger. What do you think?
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