You know the drill – same old same old. Join this Facebook group. You know the media report it when causes get big support on Facebook, so join. I added a few people, because you can’t just invite any more – but I’m shy about adding because it seems so presumptuous, so if I neglected …
Tag Archive: Free speech
Feb 03 2012
Tragic failure of education
Via the LSESU ASH Facebook page and later via Alex Gabriel, a poster advertising an event put on by the LSE Socialist Worker Student Society. It reads: Religious discrimination is irrefutably on the rise at LSE. Both the Atheist Society’s efforts to publish inflammatory “satirical” cartoons in a deliberate attempt to offend Muslims, and the …
Feb 03 2012
“Open to all” does not mean “pleasing to all”
The LSESU Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society issued a statement yesterday. It starts with thanks for support from various groups (including One Law for All) and a chronology of the exciting events of the last couple of weeks, the first being an invitation from the SU to come in for a chat. Friday 20th In the …
Feb 02 2012
Why a book about censorship?
The Economist talked to Nick Cohen about his new book, aptly titled You Can’t Read This Book. First question was What made you want to write a book about censorship? Now what do you suppose he said.
Feb 02 2012
Taslima’s readers and fans
Taslima Nasreen has a lot of tweets about the cancellation of (or move outside of) her book launch in Kolkata. News media have been quoting her tweets, so I might as well do a few too. (How nice it would be if she had a blog.) She is getting plenty of support. The bullies don’t have a …
Feb 02 2012
More publications that will uphold love for truth
Now it’s Taslima Nasreen’s turn. Taslima Nasreen has faced protests at the launch of her latest memoir, with an event at the Calcutta Book Fair cancelled. Ms Nasreen is not at the event, and tweeted that her publisher was forced to launch the book outside the hall. It would be nice if she had a …
Feb 02 2012
Treason and offending
How not to understand free speech. The case of a cartoonist charged with treason and offending India’s national sentiments reflects a growing debate over what constitutes freedom of expression in India. His accusers argue that while it is permissible to make fun of politicians, you cannot make fun of the state. That’s how, right there. …
Feb 02 2012
Richard, Nick, Salman, Ayaan
Richard Dawkins has a response to “Froborr.” Ok I’m lying, he doesn’t really, but it might as well be. Plus it’s a response to all the “oh won’t you please think of the poor fragile believers?” wails that keep being wailed. Actually he’s talking specifically about the Jaipur Festival (where he was one of the …
Jan 16 2012
Developments
I hadn’t kept up with developments in the UCL/Jesus and Mo fuss until I got that email. There were developments. The New Humanist reported that the Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society at UCL reported that progress had been made. While debate raged online, however, both the UCL union and the atheist society have been working …
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