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EFF Looks At How Blasphemy Laws Have Stifled Speech in 2012
As part of their 2012 in review series, the EFF takes a look at how blasphemy laws have chilled online speech this year. A "dishonorable mention" goes to YouTube this year: "A dishonorable mention goes to YouTube, which blocked access to the controversial 'Innocence of Muslims' video in Egypt and Libya without government prompting. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, a group based in Egypt, condemned YouTube's decision."
A lot of people got offended this year, like Sarah from New York who was called several unpleasant names by a stranger on the street. Sarah, as most people, was told an important lesson from her parents: Sticks and stones may break my bones, But names will never hurt me.
Some people however, weren't brought up with common sense, and got quite a bit of a knee-jerk-reaction to the insults. These 'knee-jerkers' went as far as trying (and unfortunately in some cases succeeding) in shutting people up. Because of 'insults'. Mind you, these 'insults' are the 'names' bit in the lesson, not the 'sticks and stones' bit! People who just had a different opinion or said something the "offended" got REALLY CROSS about.
The nominees for the 2012 "Stop offending me"-award are:
- The Christians living in predominately Muslim countries for being physically and verbally abused by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The homosexuals that got beaten up, hanged, stoned or otherwise mistreated by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The Jews who got an even worse treatment by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The people who wore 'the wrong clothing' or listened to the 'wrong music' and got in quite a bit of trouble with the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The women who (this year again) had to suffer gross inequality, injustice, mental, verbal and physical abuse by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The Girl who got shot in the face by by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect for wanting to get a proper education
- The Girl who got accused for burning pages of the Koran and was severely endangered of being killed by the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims
- The people who got fed up with the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect, stood up to them and got their mouth shut by the Muslims
- And the last nominee is: the followers of the religion of tolerance, peace and respect; the Muslims themselves!
Complaining about 'offences' the most in 2012 were... DRUM ROLL PLEASE ! ! !
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