BruceVC

Yes young grasshopper please do that, it won't be a very good start to our online group if the founder gets banned

Be it as it may, your intention based on your personal history falls under Poe's law, hence misjudging your position. Regardless, considering the host of disfranchised kids here and the popularity of PC culture, my post is still relevant for the discussion at hand. Not really, on both counts. 'Poe's law' is not applicable to this scenario. You're new to the forum, there's nothing wrong with that. However, opining on things that are unclear to you is an indication of lack of good judgement skills at the very least. Stick around, read, get to know the posters, and have a clue what you're typing before you start typing and you might become one of the few here that post interesting things. Right now it's mostly just vitriolic idiocy based on assumptions you come up with in your head. Actually I am finding Torts views cogent and accurate. And he has made several very interesting posts, they just happen to disagree with you Vals You don't need to be a regular member of these forums to dispute points like " Freedom of press is the same in Russia and Western countries", that's obvious. I hope he stays active

I always wonder if you guys will ever get tired of these inaccurate and sweeping generalizations about the SJ movement? What worries me even more would be if you actually believed it?

It's a Trap! There is no trap laid for the General. I wouldn't mislead him so. No, not from the general. You appear to be taking seriously someone who writes that state sponsored channels are biased then immediately cites the BBC as an independent counterexample. He does that sort of thing all the time, it's a baited hook to get a a response- or alternatively, he's so incredibly un self aware that why bother anyway. That's why I didn't use a gif for "It's a trap!", Ackbar would probably sue me in Russia for using him against such a weak effort. You so insightful Zora....but not really I normally just ignore your attempts when you accuse me of being a troll but I can see the possible confusion so this explanation is more for others There is always the risk of state interference in a state owned media house like BBC, but this discussion is not just about RT or BBC. Its about the broader issue of freedom of speech and the Putin regimes influence in the media narrative within Russia . The BBC has many interviews and guests who criticize the British government and considering how seriously British journalists and broadcasters take there independence the suggestion that the BBC is just a mouth peace for the British government is just scurrilous and absurd. If you disagree produce links that show how BBC journalists have resigned because they got tired of discussing a subjective view of the news when it was anti-Britain. Oh thats right, you can't because the don't really exist because the BBC is allowed to produce the news based on the actual news and not what the government tells them. And that is not the same thing as misinformation that everyone believed at the time and later was proven false like the reasons for the invasion of Iraq. And I can produce links around RT and people resigning due to interference in there job Once again this is not the case with RT, so yes the two are different despite being state owned. This should be obvious to anyone who claims to have knowledge in global affairs and events. But no as usual you focus on one point, that I mentioned BBC, and everything else is forgotten and you say I not having this debate in good faith and I want to " trap people " You anti-Western bias actually blinds you to certain realities and perspectives, you really should work on this because its not a good way to view the world

Cool, it look like we are building a nice group to play online

Okay I want to buy the game next week, I want to get in hardcopy so I need to wait a few days

OMG .....guys Seriously I am watching episode 7& 8 of Vikings and words cannot express how brilliant it is With my new DSTV upgrade we now get shows 24 hours behind the USA.....so my viewing is cutting edge

Wrong thread

I wanted to ask you that, do your family find you funny? My dad is hilarious, seriously the guy is such a brilliant raconteur that all his jokes are funny

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