Islamic proposals to ban criticism of religion, which have gathered strength since the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad two years ago, threaten to derail an already troubled U.N. anti-racism conference planned for next year.
The European Union rejects suggestions by Algeria — backed by other Muslim and African countries — that limits on free speech are needed to stop the publication of offensive articles and images.
Supporters of the proposal, who have been pushing for such a ban to be included in international anti-discrimination charters, want it discussed in April at a high-level United Nations anti-racism meeting in Geneva.
But European diplomats say that is out of the question.
“We have made it clear from the start that we will not negotiate,” French diplomat Daniel Vosgien told The Associated Press on Wednesday. France currently holds the rotating presidency of the 27-nation EU.
The U.N. expert on freedom of expression, Frank LaRue, has criticized so-called “anti-blasphemy laws” used to protect religion in some countries.
“Such laws are often used to prevent legitimate criticism of powerful religious leaders and to suppress the views of religious minorities, dissenting believers and nonbelievers, and are applied in a discriminatory fashion,” LaRue said in a statement released Monday.
Israel and Canada have already said they will stay away because of concerns that the meeting will see a repeat of anti-Semitic outbursts that marred the first anti-racism conference Durban, South Africa, in 2001.
#20 My psychopathologys is just slightly minor to your aphasia.
I think that means you’re not OK with the EU’s decision, right?
#21 – ‘dro
Me estás enojando, pendejo. No quiero tener que decírtelo otra vez: STFU.
#22 Oooooh, expletives in spanish. I’m learning a new language today.
Who’s off topic here???
Of course, if they banned criticism of religion on the is blog there would be 1/10th the articles and 1/100th the comments. Who would be left to click on the horoscope ads?
Since religion is about worshipping imaginary guys in the sky, all religions ought to be mocked and/or criticized.
#17, Cow Paddy, Ignorant Shit Talking Sociopath and Retired Mall Rent-A-Cop,
More bullshit from the guy who knows all?
I’ll bet you claim America has free speech. Go ahead, yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater. No? Then write an article claiming you know that Carol Burnett is an alcoholic. No??? Well, how about you go and scream at the President (or elect) he deserves to die. No????? Well how about a real easy one, try wearing a small button suggesting we should get out of Iraq to a Bush speech.
When you have done any of those four things and not been arrested then come back and tell us about “free speech”.
#26–Fusion==why are you including your first three example of utterances that no civilized people should protect as free speech?
Are you purposefully trying to confuse Paddy-O, or are you confused yourself?
Your last example is good one and of great concern. “The Free Speech Area” outside a Bush/Republican political meeting should be the entire USA–not a dogpen under lights, cameras, guns, and no reporters.
# 27 bobbo said, “Are you purposefully trying to confuse Paddy-O, or are you confused yourself?”
Neither. He’s till upset that he wrongly, tried to convince me that the Senate was passing the auto bailout.
I just saw a scrawl that Bush had approved a bailout for GM and Chrysler. Don’t have any details.
Thought I read that the PRIVATE INVESTMENT GROUP that bought Chrysler did so for the purpose of getting ahold of their financing business and other subsidiaries and the car part was almost worthless to them from the start.
Sounds like the type of people Bush would want to bail out.
I think the corruption of the Bush Repuglican party will stun people as details come out over the years.
It would be amusing if they weren’t destroying the USA in the process.
# 29 bobbo said, “I just saw a scrawl that Bush had approved a bailout for GM and Chrysler. Don’t have any details.”
I think it is for ~$17 billion.
#27 He’s just conFused.
#29 All I did was enjoy and LOL at the market manipulation done yesterday. A lot of people made a lot of dough ‘tween 2:30 p.m.yesterday & 9:31 a.m. today. That move with the “Planed Bankrupcy” BS was genious! Genious, I tell you!
Yesterday DJIA movement is here. Typical==trades down all day with a spike up at the end.
How much can you tell about anything from the “big chart?” Seems to me the devil is in the details: Who was selling short on the way down, who made their trades after the market closed, and all that other fancy inside stuff the Madoff is respected for.
Never bet against the house:
http://money.cnn.com/quote/chart/chart.html?ClientID=44711&symb=djia&sid=1643&pg=ch&time=2dy&freq=1hr&compidx=aaaaa~0&ma=0&maval=60&uf=0&lf=1&type=8&charts=0&mocktick=1&symbtype=0&country=US&rtsid=1000001643&style=2108&size=2
#32 A better picture is (if you can find it) yesterday’s GM & Ford’s trade.
The pre-trade was just too funny to miss. Still, GM closed as opened. Now that was a surprise and an opportunity to make a little more after the initial morning sell-out.
#27, booboo,
#26–Fusion==why are you including your first three example of utterances that no civilized people should protect as free speech?
Are you answering for the retired Mall Rent-A-Cop?
#28, Cow Paddy, Ignorant Shit Talking Sociopath and Retired Mall Rent-A-Cop,
Neither. He’s till upset that he wrongly, tried to convince me that the Senate was passing the auto bailout.
You were wrong then, the bill was still before the Senate, and you are avoiding the issue now. But not to worry, you will continue on in life with your bullshit and never answering for it.
Such as “where in the Constitution does it prevent Congress from regulating CEO’s wages?”
#28 – Paddy-RAMBO
>>Neither. He’s till upset that he wrongly,
>>tried to convince me that the Senate was
>>passing the auto bailout.
I’m surprised you didn’t get the straight skinny on that, RAMBO, while you were re-arranging knick-knacks on the Secretary of State’s office desk.
HAW! Paddy O’InsideTheBeltway!!
# 34 Mr. Fusion said, “You were wrong then, the bill was still before the Senate”
And died. As I predicted. LOL
#36, Cow Paddy, Ignorant Shit Talking Sociopath and Retired Mall Rent-A-Cop,
No, you said the bill WAS dead, not that it would die.
Still can’t handle the truth. A true Bushie to the end, making the facts fit the lie.