NationStates Jolt Archive

Italy cartoon row minister quits
The Italian reform minister who angered Muslims by wearing a T-shirt decorated with Western media cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad has resigned.
Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4727606.stm)

And a little picture from Tagesschau.de:
http://www.tagesschau.de/styles/container/image/style_images_default/0,1307,OID5250774,00.jpg

I think rightly so. Freedom of speech is one thing. Publishing pictures known to be offensive is certainly going in the wrong direction, but still allowable.
Abusing the controversy by pouring more oil in the fire for political gain is downright unacceptable. What this guy did was not "in the name of freedom" as he claims, but simply to provoke. The smug satisfaction on his face tells all.

I think rightly so. Freedom of speech is one thing. Publishing pictures known to be offensive is certainly going in the wrong direction, but still allowable.
Abusing the controversy by pouring more oil in the fire for political gain is downright unacceptable. What this guy did was not "in the name of freedom" as he claims, but simply to provoke. The smug satisfaction on his face tells all.
Weather he did this for freedom of speech or just for his own perverse plessure dosn't matter. It is his right to do it no matter what.

Weather he did this for freedom of speech or just for his own perverse plessure dosn't matter. It is his right to do it no matter what.
He also has a responsibility to his office and people he represents. ;)

It's pretty serious misconduct, and it is appropriate that he should leave.

I think rightly so.

Indeed. Politicians actually taking a stand is intolerable.

He also has a responsibility to his office and people he represents. ;)

It's pretty serious misconduct, and it is appropriate that he should leave.

Does he not also have a responsibility to himself and to protect his own rights

its bringing your party and your government into disrepute.

its also the fact that as a politician his views affect the party as they are also seen as the parties views to a certain extent

The needs of the many outwiegh the needs of the few. Bull shit.
When the needs of the few are ingnored for the needs of the many the whole is dimished. All people count but all should be held to one standered.

its bringing your party and your government into disrepute.

its also the fact that as a politician his views affect the party as they are also seen as the parties views to a certain extentWell, not really. He's from the anti-immigrant Northern League.

He is bringing the government into more disrepute than it already is, though...

And after all my rhetoric in other threads I'm going to agree here. This guy should resign. Anyone who would do that has no place in politics. He's of course free to do it, but he must accept the consequences if he does.

Does he not also have a responsibility to himself and to protect his own rights
Of course not. The small print of any contract clearly states you cannot make your employer look like a dumbass. Even I, as a lowly corporate warrior, cannot exercise free speech in an official capacity.

So you want an anti-blasphemy law in Italy like the UK is doing?

Freedom of expression guarentees you the right to express yourself. It doesn not free you from the consequences of your actions. You are free to get a swastica tatooed on your forhead, but don't bother applying for a customer service job.

So you want an anti-blasphemy law in Italy like the UK is doing?You missed the point.

He was a public representative. He can excercise his rights on his own time. When he's speaking for others, it is his responsibility not to misrepresent them or damage their reputation.

This guy did both, so just like any other wholly incompetent moron, he had to go. Free speech & whatever rights you can think of, has nothing to do with this.

You missed the point.

He was a public representative. He can excercise his rights on his own time. When he's speaking for others, it is his responsibility not to misrepresent them or damage their reputation.

This guy did both, so just like any other wholly incompetent moron, he had to go. Free speech & whatever rights you can think of, has nothing to do with this.
More to the point, even in his official capacity he is allowed to express himself. He's not going to be prosecuted for it. But his party is free to excuse him for damaging their reputation. He knew thsi was a political party he was representing. He knew the importance of public perception. Free to wear the shirt. Free to be excused from the party for doing so.

Off-topic

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/6882/temp4pp.jpg

Couldn't resist.

Off-topic

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/6882/temp4pp.jpg

Couldn't resist.

You win this thread.

Off-topic

http://img332.imageshack.us/img332/6882/temp4pp.jpg

Couldn't resist.
AHH... hahaha