Tim Blair

Every time the unis whine they need more money (which is often), I think about these cases of attempted thought control and also think "yeah, right".

Australian National Socialist University.

He doesn't state whether the flag was on the hall-way side of the door or the office side of the door.

He doesn't speculate on the possibility that the Saddam target was deemed offensive because any picture of Saddam would be offensive to some. (I guess this could be a bit optimistic).

He doesn't state whether the flag was on the hall-way side of the door or the office side of the door.

Frankly, I don't think that's relevant. I hope Chris is going to take action. He should certainly refuse to take down the flag at least until he has heard why it was considered offensive, and given an opportunity to respond.

He doesn't state whether the flag was on the hall-way side of the door or the office side of the door.

The hallway side

He doesn't speculate on the possibility that the Saddam target was deemed offensive because any picture of Saddam would be offensive to some.

It's a pic with target rings over his face and riddled with .357 bullet holes. I doubt it could be construed as pro-Saddam

I have trained people in the art of pistol shooting, and a short time ago I utilised everyone's favourite ass-wipes as representations of human faces, rather than just a bull-ring. (Boring!) Who did I use? Osama, Saddam and Hitler. Now, who wouldn't want to go rapid on these faces? Any guesses about what I was told to do, because it was "inappropriate"?
Admittedly, I then informed said supervisor about his ridiculous comment, and proceeded anyway, but that attitude of not wanting to offend ANYONE, is prevalent everywhere. I WANT to offend, no, that's not entirely correct, I just really want to empty a magazine of hollow points into Saddam's head, but hey, that's just me...OK, and offend people while doing it if possible.

Tex buddy,

If this matter ends up going further, and all your appeals to the varous University departments/bodies are unsuccessful...it might still be worth "appealing" to the board of PUBLIC OPINION via the media.

Individuals, businesses, governments, Universities, etc....none of them like bad publicity.

Richard.

P.S. Might be worth having a look 'round other buildings and seeing whether anyone has a Palestinian flag up on their doors. I'm sure there should be at least a few...if ANU's reputation is anything to go by. Probably a few old Soviet ones as well :-P

I've been wearing this for a year and am regularly abused.

Keep the faith Tex.

It's a pic with target rings over his face and riddled with .357 bullet holes. I doubt it could be construed as pro-Saddam

Depends whether they have more common sense than the University of Virginia. Someone got into trouble for saying

I can't believe in this day and age that there's a sports team in our nation's capital named the Redskins. That is as derogatory to Indians as having a team called Niggers would be to blacks.

as the person used the n word.

Remember there is real consequences to what Tex decides. Unlike the fantasies of the students.

Apparently, "The Right Not To Be Offended" only covers the originally offended person; even if the resulting "correction" offends someone else.

Therefore, I think, if you want to do something which you think might be offensive to someone else, you should launch a "pre-emptive offensive", and announce that you would be offended if someone else took offence of your offensive behavior!

God bless ya, Tex.

More importantly: how was your grouping Tex?

"More importantly: how was your grouping Tex?"

I wondered that myself.

Entering into a debate with the people offended would probably be pointless. Try their own approach and take offense to your freedom of expression being impinged on.

You may be fighting an unwinnable battle depending on the slant your administration puts on it. Good luck.

Tex, time for a comments section on your blog...

I agree with Jake D. Yell very loudly about your right to free speech being crushed. Also remind them of our racial vilification laws.

Alternatively, hang, say, the Italian and the Sudanese flags next to the Israeli one. Watch as your enemies break their brains trying to work out the connection. Ha ha ha.

Better yet, place the Iraqi flag next to it.

Figure that one out!