BruceVC

I have been really busy at work today so I haven't been able to comment on this thread for about 30 hours...and I already feel like an outsider..I don't recognize any of the conversations or themes. The last thing I was discussing was " white people can't say they truly suffer from racism "...have you guys been replaced by Body Snatchers !!!1 But on further reflection a break from that discussion is a really nice and appreciated distraction...so well done all

I don't blame you ....imagine waking up every morning and having to take your Canadian Moose for its obligatory walk....I'm sorry but those animals smell !!!! Plus I would have to be nice to everyone and learn to add "eh" to the end of every sentence. Who needs that hassle? I want to pay you a compliment, you very funny. I have noticed it particularly over the few months. Much of your humor really appeals to me ( like the white devil comment in the limerick thread )... of course I have been told that I have strange a sense of humor but don't let that be a negative reflection on your funny comments

In case it's completely missed you, which it seems to have done, the issue is not merely about 'freedom of expression'. There are other issues at play. Libel and fraud being two of them, both of which are recognized in western law (to varying degrees depending on where you live). As I said before, I can't read Russian so can't get at the finer points of the law, but as it's been represented, there actually may be little wrong with it, and very well might even stand up as a law in the U.S.. Concerning that later, in Russia there many laws that might be constitutional on paper, but not in their actual application. For example, recently Russia passed a law nominally strives to reduce internet child pornography, but in practice its vague language was used to silence opposition sites. Similarly while internet users rights (as they are) are presumably guarantied, the providers have to give all info without seeing any warrants. Add to that all the blunderbuss over opposition leaders etc. That and the systematically trample of Russian freedom of expression, that we have seen over the last decade and IMO it is silly to assume that this law will be used against silly internet memes, which no can stop spreading, more likely it will be used against Russian opposition "press" to stifle criticism using caricatures and the like. Well said, QFT

I don't blame you ....imagine waking up every morning and having to take your Canadian Moose for its obligatory walk....I'm sorry but those animals smell !!!!

I have never rallied against Al-Jazeera, I consider them an objective source of news on most levels. They also have access to interviews that most Western media houses don't have so they are offer an very relevant perspective that doesn't generally differ from the likes of CNN or BBC. I have disdain for RT because they are funded and controlled by the Russian state yet claim to be objective, its not hard to understand the difference between RT and other international news channels that bring us global news

I have never rallied against Al-Jazeera, I consider them an objective source of news on most levels. They also have access to interviews that most Western media houses don't have so they are offer an very relevant perspective that doesn't generally differ from the likes of CNN or BBC. I have disdain for RT because they are funded and controlled by the Russian state yet claim to be objective, its not hard to understand the difference between RT and other international news channels that bring us global news

I must be misunderstanding, are you saying this type of event, which is clamping down on freedom of expression , is common in Western countries? In case it's completely missed you, which it seems to have done, the issue is not merely about 'freedom of expression'. There are other issues at play. Libel and fraud being two of them, both of which are recognized in western law (to varying degrees depending on where you live). As I said before, I can't read Russian so can't get at the finer points of the law, but as it's been represented, there actually may be little wrong with it, and very well might even stand up as a law in the U.S.. We have legislation on the books in regards to Libel and Fraud already, which, situationally could apply to memes. The thing about memes in the U.S. though is that it would generally be hard to prove who was responsible for it, one meme alone isn't usually damaging, and the people behind most of them are idiots without much money, so a civil suit is almost never going to be feasible because of these and other factors. Very well said and i agree. In fact there isn´t that much difference in free speech if you compare russia and the west. The whole idea that everyone in the east is oppressed is realy nothing but a propaganda tool, too many people believe Russia today is still like the Soviet Union, well it´s not Also, concerning free speech in the west...i always saw it more like a farce full of double standarts, but before i write another mega post i will just point to this article, which is a decent view on it, in my opinion: http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/01/10/392456/The-farce-of-Western-free-speech Yeah,..,..there isn't much of a difference between freedom of speech in places like Russia or the USA ...except for the fact that is Putin has been actively involved in controlling the narrative in the country, RT ( Russia Today)is state owned...how can you seriously suggest that freedom of press is the same in Russia and West? You do realize that the likes of CNN, Sky or BBC are independent media houses that regularly criticize there own governments and presidents or prime ministers. You never hear this on RT ...its just a constant negative view of the West and a bias view of Russian activities http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RT_(TV_network) How many Western Journalists have been killed or arrested in Western countries? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_journalists_killed_in_Russia How much influence do Western governments have on the independence on media houses in there countries http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press_in_Russia Self-censorship is rife in Russia because of the consequences if the news isn't what Putin likes to hear. Western media houses constantly undermine or question there own governments..because that's the strength and purpose of a true free press. They are the watchdogs of a Democracy I get you have been drinking the "Putin kool-aid "...thats you choice. But don't expect the rest of us to do the same. I can accept the issue of Ukraine is nuanced and complicated but you go too far when you say things like " freedom of press is the same in Russia and The West"

I must be misunderstanding, are you saying this type of event, which is clamping down on freedom of expression , is common in Western countries? In case it's completely missed you, which it seems to have done, the issue is not merely about 'freedom of expression'. There are other issues at play. Libel and fraud being two of them, both of which are recognized in western law (to varying degrees depending on where you live). As I said before, I can't read Russian so can't get at the finer points of the law, but as it's been represented, there actually may be little wrong with it, and very well might even stand up as a law in the U.S.. We have legislation on the books in regards to Libel and Fraud already, which, situationally could apply to memes. The thing about memes though is that it would generally be hard to prove who was responsible for it, one meme alone isn't usually damaging, and the people behind most of them are idiots without much money, so a civil suit is rarely going to be feasible because of these and other factors. So you support this move in Russia ?

Yeah I saw this, the good news is he survived

Thanks Bruce, but me being a member of a historically oppressed group means I don't need to listen your white devil thoughts. You funny

I must be misunderstanding, are you saying this type of event, which is clamping down on freedom of expression , is common in Western countries? I think he means celebrity images being co-opted into memes is so common, the fact that one was made and a celebrity didn't like it wouldn't make the news. You clever Amentep, I think that is exactly what he meant. It makes sense

This is classic...very funny To be honest I would have no issue living in a world dominated by women like this picture...as long as they hot

I dunno if you're trying to be funny, but that is exactly what Christianity has done for centuries. Exactly my point! And theres absolutely nothing wrong with that as they were once themselves discriminated against. Its so simple. No Gfted1 I think you are really misunderstanding this whole thing, I can explain it if you want ? But it may take time so if you don't really care then say so then I won't spend time on the proper response ?

When you say level do you mean rates of occurrence or just in terms of how bad it is ? If it's the latter, I'd hope hateful speech would be seen the same regardless of who's saying it. Funny enough I don't think it is, as I mentioned in South Africa as a white person we are subjected to hate speech from some groups. Things like "whites will driven to the sea and back to England ( its always England we come from remember ) and " one settler, one bullet " but I don't get hurt by it. Its more annoying because it comes from a silly and irrelevant perspective Just because its understandible doesn't make it excusable. Sure its easy to shrug off for the majority powerbase, but... ...IMO the reason why "reverse -ism" is a thing (it crops up everytime racism, sexism or similar get debated) is because there is a perception - right or wrong - that the people who talk about ending racism don't really care about solving the problem of racism, they only care about moving their group out of the oppressed position. And in its way, that's fair - no one wants to be on the short end of the stick. But doing that doesn't really solve the problem. The worry I have is that fixing a symptom here and there doesn't address the root cause. If you've grown up being taught to hate Group X, odds are you're going to teach your kids to hate Group X. And it doesn't matter if you have power in the society or not; what it means is that when you have the power though, you have an opportunity to exercise something you've been taught to be right all your life - that Group X isn't worthy of the same human rights as you. Edit: Fixed a missplaced "T". I'm not saying its right, in fact some white South Africans get really worried and angry and phone in on that radio station I am active on and then are racist themselves But I think its more a knee-jerk reaction...I don't think its as serious as some South Africans make it out to be because of the context Ad yes you right, it would be different story if people were raised to hate or dislike white people

A guy was dressed up as a noblewoman. Perhaps transgender? Okay I see, good observation. I missed that completely...its at the end. Noblewomen arrived, " he " was set upon by brigands. Maybe a typo..is that possible ?

Well, you're just shrugging it off (as one really should - they are just words the majority of the time) but the behaviour is the same - just spouting hateful things based on the race of some people. Sure, I get I am shrugging it off but the reality is the racism that black people have been subjected to historically is really hurtful and dehumanizing for them. It is generational in some cases, I mean African Americans were once slaves...your self-worth can't be much worse than a slave ? Its like if I said to you " Canadians are the scum of the world because you guys are....." I can't even think of way I could insult Canadians that would be meaningful ? But I can think of many hurtful ways to insult black people

I don't get it, what is the surprise? I haven't played the game yet so maybe that's why?

When you say level do you mean rates of occurrence or just in terms of how bad it is ? If it's the latter, I'd hope hateful speech would be seen the same regardless of who's saying it. Funny enough I don't think it is, as I mentioned in South Africa as a white person we are subjected to hate speech from some groups. Things like "whites will driven to the sea and back to England ( its always England we come from remember ) and " one settler, one bullet " but I don't get hurt by it. Its more annoying because it comes from a silly and irrelevant perspective

Why even bother buying more than 1 game in your life then? It's gonna stay fresh forever. That's a good point, now if I could just remember what you are saying the next time I purchase a game

I must be misunderstanding, are you saying this type of event, which is clamping down on freedom of expression , is common in Western countries?

Can you imagine how many threads we would need if it was indeed a ballad

Good points, I hear you

- Joyce Chin, Marvel pencil artist and Asian-American woman. Okay that does seem unreasonable...good example of unfair SJ criticism How would you guys feel if all comic book characters just looked like stickmen...would you accept it

You seem mad ? Whats wrong...you want to discuss it ?

Well I have to say that's a new view on the limerick that I haven't heard before, he killed himself because he was transphobic I don't agree with it because it doesn't make sense. Generally people that demonstrate any form of bigotry like racism or sexism are fine with it because they have disdain for the minority group and feel superior. Why would someone kill themselves if they feel that way? I suppose its possible but unlikely in my experience