How far can political correctness go?

Encore · 06-10-11, 00:39

Lars Von Trier has actually been QUESTIONED, and apparently could be prosecuted, for his comments during the Cannes festival.

Quote:

"Today at 2pm I was questioned by the Police of North Zealand in connection with charges made by the prosecution of Grasse in France from August 2011 regarding a possible violation of prohibition in French law against justification of war crimes. The investigation covers comments made during the press conference in Cannes in May 2011. Due to these serious accusations I have realized that I do not possess the skills to express myself unequivocally and I have therefore decided from this day forth to refrain from all public statements and interviews."

Wanna know what he said?

He joked about his german roots by calling himself a nazi, and claimed he understood Hitler.

I found this article to explain it better, however, it DOES NOT feature the full extent of his comments on "understanding Hitler" - I read them through a portuguese news site, and I can't seem to find any article in english that actually puts those comments in context as the portuguese one did. (coincidence?)

Basically what he said (according to the portuguese article) is that although he didn't like or support what Hitler did, he understood why someone like Hitler appeared.

But that doesn't matter to these people, of course, all that matters is that he CALLED HIMSELF A NAZI. Off with his head.

Seriously, how can we sit here and judge iranians or venezuelans for banning freedom of speech, and then go around and do something like this?

Ward Dragon · 06-10-11, 00:46

I don't think there would be any problem with what he said if he was in the US (certainly not any criminal investigation about it). Based on your summary it certainly doesn't sound like he was advocating violence so it would be protected as free speech.

However the US wasn't occupied by Hitler's forces. I understand why France and Germany are a little touchy over discussing Hitler because it brings up too many bad memories and they don't want to take any chances that Hitler's ideology would regain power. I still don't think that guy should get in trouble for what he said though.

scoopy_loopy · 06-10-11, 02:08

I remember this being on the news at the time, but why the **** is New Zealand doing this... now/at all...?

EDIT: Need my eyes checked, NORTH Zealand, not "new". xD Still, my comment stands... I don't think he was totally serious. A joke in poor form, probably, but come on.

patriots88888 · 07-10-11, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward Dragon

I don't think there would be any problem with what he said if he was in the US (certainly not any criminal investigation about it). Based on your summary it certainly doesn't sound like he was advocating violence so it would be protected as free speech.

However the US wasn't occupied by Hitler's forces. I understand why France and Germany are a little touchy over discussing Hitler because it brings up too many bad memories and they don't want to take any chances that Hitler's ideology would regain power. I still don't think that guy should get in trouble for what he said though.

Yea, that's what I'm thinking as well, but this (not your reply, what is stated in the article) is way over-reacting to his comments.

'Thou shall not joke about oneself in any way, shape or form!' Hell, practically every comedian in the US would face prosecution then. LOL!

Encore · 07-10-11, 01:57

I understand and sympathize with the need to prevent those weeds from ever growing again, hell, I even agree that fascist parties should be banned.

But what I can't accept is supposed free societies acting like the inquisition, ie, making up false charges and judging people for them. It was pretty clear from the start that this guy does NOT support fascism, neo nazis and Hitler, and BTW it pisses me off that he's gonna be shunned by the movie industry forever for such a stupid (and dangerous) reason.

I know this may not sound right, but I'll say it anyway - jewish lobby in cinema should die already.

DragonSlayer · 10-10-11, 18:04

I had been going to start a topic about this subject don't have to do that now.

PC can indeed go too far for example the latest PC lunacy has been applied to of all things Thomas the Tank Engine

I'll summarise the latest PC nonsense:

New adventures for the little blue engine rebranded Christmas as "the holidays" in its latest storyline, to comply with “politically correct” thinking.

In the offending TV episode called “Keeping up with James”, the trains compete to carry presents to children against a background with a fir tree decorated with baubles and a choir.

But instead of using the word Christmas, the programme talks of the “winter holidays” and a “holiday tree.”

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/...t-2901015.html

A few years back i read in an article on political correctness gone mad, i only remember one part from it, a woman went up to a supermarket manager to complain about a product she felt was racist to irish people, the product was thick irish sausages, the manager tried to explain that the word thick didn't apply to the irish but to the sausages and they say political correctness will be the death of comedy.

Back in December 2008 i read about 2 guys who said that Santa Claus should lose weight, not drink the beer left out for him by kids, not feed Rudolph the carrot left out for him by kids just in case Rudolph would fart and harm the enviroment and that he should put enviromentally friendly fuel in his sleigh and change his customary greeting of ho ho ho to ha ha ha just in case his greeting might offend women, these ridiculous ideas were understandably dismissed as political correctness gone mad.

No tipple for Santa this year, he might get breathalysed
http://www.independent.ie/national-n...ed-138351.html

Dennis's Mom · 10-10-11, 18:45

What I hate about your Thomas example is that it's dishonest storytelling. If you're going to write a story about Christmas, don't insult us all by pretending it isn't about that.

Blackmoor · 10-10-11, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward Dragon

I don't think there would be any problem with what he said if he was in the US (certainly not any criminal investigation about it). Based on your summary it certainly doesn't sound like he was advocating violence so it would be protected as free speech.

I was going to say that - what happened to "free speech"? Might not agree with people's views, but next we'll be burning books.

----------------
I know this isn't quite the same, but in the UK a few years back, Prince Harry went to a fancy dress party dressed as a Nazi and the storm of "tut tutting" it caused was eyebrow raising to say the least. It was a fancy dress party!! People go to things dressed as pirates, the devil, adolf, all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Encore

But what I can't accept is supposed free societies acting like the inquisition, ie, making up false charges and judging people for them. It was pretty clear from the start that this guy does NOT support fascism, neo nazis and Hitler, and BTW it pisses me off that he's gonna be shunned by the movie industry forever for such a stupid (and dangerous) reason.

Well if he does then I don't know why. When I think about Polanski and how he's lauded and applauded despite his heinous crime (and actors like Jodie Foster and Kate Winslett jumping to work with him

), I can't see this will bother anyone.

Mad Tony · 10-10-11, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmoor

I know this isn't quite the same, but in the UK a few years back, Prince Harry went to a fancy dress party dressed as a Nazi and the storm of "tut tutting" it caused was eyebrow raising to say the least. It was a fancy dress party!! People go to things dressed as pirates, the devil, adolf, all the time.

Oh yeah, that was pretty ridiculous. Context is vital and is something that is all too often cast aside.

interstellardave · 10-10-11, 20:28

The irony is that Hitler would admire the way Political Correctness has selectively suppressed speech. Over time it has also shaped thought and society itself.

Hitler would be so proud of those who go on the attack at the very mention of him and his movement.

06-10-11, 00:46	#2
Ward Dragon Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Temeria ♀ Posts: 33,422	I don't think there would be any problem with what he said if he was in the US (certainly not any criminal investigation about it). Based on your summary it certainly doesn't sound like he was advocating violence so it would be protected as free speech. However the US wasn't occupied by Hitler's forces. I understand why France and Germany are a little touchy over discussing Hitler because it brings up too many bad memories and they don't want to take any chances that Hitler's ideology would regain power. I still don't think that guy should get in trouble for what he said though. __________________ We all make choices. But in the end, our choices make us. ―Andrew Ryan (BioShock)

06-10-11, 02:08	#3
scoopy_loopy Tomb Raider Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kyōto-shi Posts: 16,047	I remember this being on the news at the time, but why the **** is New Zealand doing this... now/at all...? EDIT: Need my eyes checked, NORTH Zealand, not "new". xD Still, my comment stands... I don't think he was totally serious. A joke in poor form, probably, but come on. __________________ Summer of my life, not doing what I should. Last edited by scoopy_loopy; 06-10-11 at 02:12.

07-10-11, 01:57	#5
Encore Tomb Raider Join Date: May 2006 Location: With Loki's army Gender: Female Posts: 17,259	I understand and sympathize with the need to prevent those weeds from ever growing again, hell, I even agree that fascist parties should be banned. But what I can't accept is supposed free societies acting like the inquisition, ie, making up false charges and judging people for them. It was pretty clear from the start that this guy does NOT support fascism, neo nazis and Hitler, and BTW it pisses me off that he's gonna be shunned by the movie industry forever for such a stupid (and dangerous) reason. I know this may not sound right, but I'll say it anyway - jewish lobby in cinema should die already. __________________ I am Loki, of Asgard. And I am burdened with glorious purpose.

10-10-11, 18:04	#6
DragonSlayer Archaeologist Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USG Ishimura Posts: 1,990	I had been going to start a topic about this subject don't have to do that now. PC can indeed go too far for example the latest PC lunacy has been applied to of all things Thomas the Tank Engine I'll summarise the latest PC nonsense: New adventures for the little blue engine rebranded Christmas as "the holidays" in its latest storyline, to comply with “politically correct” thinking. In the offending TV episode called “Keeping up with James”, the trains compete to carry presents to children against a background with a fir tree decorated with baubles and a choir. But instead of using the word Christmas, the programme talks of the “winter holidays” and a “holiday tree.” http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/...t-2901015.html A few years back i read in an article on political correctness gone mad, i only remember one part from it, a woman went up to a supermarket manager to complain about a product she felt was racist to irish people, the product was thick irish sausages, the manager tried to explain that the word thick didn't apply to the irish but to the sausages and they say political correctness will be the death of comedy. Back in December 2008 i read about 2 guys who said that Santa Claus should lose weight, not drink the beer left out for him by kids, not feed Rudolph the carrot left out for him by kids just in case Rudolph would fart and harm the enviroment and that he should put enviromentally friendly fuel in his sleigh and change his customary greeting of ho ho ho to ha ha ha just in case his greeting might offend women, these ridiculous ideas were understandably dismissed as political correctness gone mad. No tipple for Santa this year, he might get breathalysed http://www.independent.ie/national-n...ed-138351.html Last edited by DragonSlayer; 10-10-11 at 18:07.

10-10-11, 18:45	#7
Dennis's Mom Moderator Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston Area Posts: 7,391	What I hate about your Thomas example is that it's dishonest storytelling. If you're going to write a story about Christmas, don't insult us all by pretending it isn't about that. __________________ "Yeah, the members here who think this place is strict need to get out a bit more."

10-10-11, 20:28	#10
interstellardave Tomb Raider Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 14,979	The irony is that Hitler would admire the way Political Correctness has selectively suppressed speech. Over time it has also shaped thought and society itself. Hitler would be so proud of those who go on the attack at the very mention of him and his movement. __________________ The church of my choice is the free, open world. -- PKD