Tim Blair

i now have yet another reason to buy all the blackadder dvds...

I agree with Atkinson, but I don't understand why it has to be such a f*cking capital offense to kid about race or ethnicity; it actually seems more benign to me than taking jabs at someone's religion.

Either way, did anyone else notice how much Michael Moore resembles a Hut, as in Jabba's kin, in that photo?

Be careful what you say about Atkinson's car worship. Since Atkinson refers to his purchase of a McLaren F1 road car as a "statement of religious belief", it could be a crime to kid him about it.

Between individuals everything should be in play. If freedom of speech has restrictions it is a privilege.

Smart move by Mikey to wear slimming black...

The good news about the Orwellian idea to sanction "offensive" speech about one's religion is that the Euro press and punditry would then have to shut up about Bush's and 61 million of his fellow Americans' supposed red-neck, throw-back, and crudely-crusading Christianity. And, since Zionism is to Judaism as re-establishing the Caliphate is to true-believer Muslims, then maybe Jew and Israeli bashing will finally be dammed/damned.

Or not.

Good Lord, the man is ENORMOUS!

I hope he isn't on Marlon Brando's version of the low-carb diet!

These laws (this one and Brack's one in Victoria) are inherently absurd.

In many sacred texts, religions vilify other religions. The law is in breach of itself.

Trying link again

"http://www.wreckedexotics.com/mclaren/mclaren_071902_01.shtml"

Hey, I just saw a pig-man!

Looking at Mike Moore lately, it's obvious that his hindmost is the equivalent of Pinocchio's nose. He should be the size of a parade balloon by the next presidential election.

I see a distinction. Not as regards joking, though; someone's involuntary ethnic traits may be even funnier than their religious views. But when it comes to criticising or persuading, obviously it makes no point to say to someone "Stop being the nationality and skin colour that you are!" But religions themselves concede there is a point -- indeed, every point -- in arguing over the Kent Brockman Question. It's something you can meaningfully debate.

I really hope this law gets shot down. I'm a Christian, and one of the funniest bits I've seen Atkinson do was his skit about the bride-to-be in the confessional expressing her concern that she'd perfomed fellatio on her boyfriend. Classic skit, and the world would be less funny if he hadn't been able to do it.

i am amazed at the concept that Michael Moore has put anything in the wash.....

"Religions" may be subject to ridicule, but never the Word of Allah.

AKBAR THE GREAT

No doubt that means the monty python classic; 'Life of Brian' would become illegal as its a classic mickey take on the misconceptions of religion.

And as michael moore is virtually a religion to the US left at least, that law could spell an end to a whole genre of humour.
for example these gems would be no more :

http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_653moorefloat
http://www.brokennewz.com/displaystory.asp_Q_storyid_E_1023mooreair

Very soon it will become illegal to laugh at anything, as all humour is based on ridiculing someone or something.

Shakespeare will be outlawed next for ridiculing mans folly, oh wait, those foolish enough to make these laws probably miss his subtlety.

PBS was running a Black Adder thing last year and threw in a Mr. Bean Christmas special with some other holiday. I confess to not getting the character before, but it was quite funny. One bit has him using a nativity scene to great comic effect.

Bishop: You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church?

Edmund: No, I could never get used to the underwear

RC - I saw that Bean sketch. Absolutely hilarious. If I still had my old Kenner toys from my youth, I would immediately have set up my creche with Darth Vader and Boba Fett standing watch with the shepherds in the fields.