Re: MOVIES: New Ideas Welcome!
I pretty much live by Carlin's line (which Gottfried quoted) is "Find the line, and deliberately cross it." I'll paraphrase Lampenelli from the doc, where she said "I had people in wheelchairs write letters to me, asking why I don't make wheelchair jokes. What, we can't make fun of ourselves?" They actually were kind of hurt that they weren't treated to the same "abuse" as other groups. That's where I stand. You want to be equal with everyone else? Then I'll insult you (in a fun, poking manner) like everyone else. I will not treat you in a special way.
Jim: that is a great post, and it's understandable. However, trying to relate something to China (or other oppressive governments) does miss the point a little. This is America, the land of free speech (which this doc DOES address compared to other countries that ban hate speech; think Germany and anything Nazi). If we start determining what is "free speech" and what is not....ugh. And we are on our way.
The movie DOES bring up Westboro. Obviously, all involved condemned their speech, BUT all defended their right to say it. And, as any sensible person that hears Westboro's words....they make the opposition look so much better.
The whining about political correctness is worse than political correctness, but I have no problem with a comedian making a joke about anything. If they want to punch down and make fun of powerless people, and if their braindead audience thinks that's hurr hurr funny, so be it. Let the marketplace decide.
But if righties want to pretend PC is a disease of the left, they are deliberately ignoring the screaming outrage that's provoked when somebody challenges their sacred cows. Try suggesting we dump the anthem before sporting events or the prayer before Senate proceedings and you'll hear from some real snowflakes.
I pretty much live by Carlin's line (which Gottfried quoted) is "Find the line, and deliberately cross it." I'll paraphrase Lampenelli from the doc, where she said "I had people in wheelchairs write letters to me, asking why I don't make wheelchair jokes. What, we can't make fun of ourselves?" They actually were kind of hurt that they weren't treated to the same "abuse" as other groups. That's where I stand. You want to be equal with everyone else? Then I'll insult you (in a fun, poking manner) like everyone else. I will not treat you in a special way.
Jim: that is a great post, and it's understandable. However, trying to relate something to China (or other oppressive governments) does miss the point a little. This is America, the land of free speech (which this doc DOES address compared to other countries that ban hate speech; think Germany and anything Nazi). If we start determining what is "free speech" and what is not....ugh. And we are on our way.
The movie DOES bring up Westboro. Obviously, all involved condemned their speech, BUT all defended their right to say it. And, as any sensible person that hears Westboro's words....they make the opposition look so much better.