> All because people are scared of offending muslims.
The are not scared of offending Muslims, per se. They are scared of being murdered. Their fear is not unfounded and is with precedent.
Censorship is self inflicted and never under pressure from an "offended" group at least that's my experience. Muslims use intimidation and fear. For example under pressure from Muslims, Australia told them that that they have to abide Australian rules. Australia has to deal with terrorism threats but they kept their stand.
In Kenya where I am at the moment, there is a debate on whether to include Sharia courts in the constitution. Fear and intimidation is being used by the side supporting it and yet a passage in the current constitution which says that all religions are equal has been deleted. The interesting thing has been how the government has gone about dealing with the debate, anyone against it has been silenced, those for it are threatening violence if NO wins. The media has practically blocked out all descenting voices a minister has been demoted for being on the NO side. The government has invoked a hate speech law on all debates by equating intolerance to hate.( Christians are being accused of being intolerant ) Yet Muslims make up 10% of the population in Kenya.
The fear of being killed is real, but what it does is isolate Muslims by losing any goodwill. Muslims always turn against anyone who is perceived not to be on their side. Ask any Algerian if he would ever vote for an Islamic party ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_Civil_War ).
Comedy Central has set a precedent that will have to be used in all its programmes. I watched the original Season 2 episode depicting Mohammed and hardly noticed it. In my view they went too far in censoring the use of his name. Censoring his image is acceptable.
Look guys no need to fret about what he will do or what the republicans should have done. This presidential campaign was looong! Here in Kenya Thursday has been declared a public holiday...like Obama is our president...and in one city beer was sold out by midday today. I for one will just enjoy the moment as long as it lasts!
"Nigeria... parting fools from their money since 1992"
I have seen something similar on Slashdot pin 2005 about a Nigerian song. At that time a song by actor/comedian Nkem Owoh (popularly known as Osuofia) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktz7vc70hZ8) had become the number one hit in Nigeria even though it did not get any airtime coverage. The lyrics:
"419 is just a game, you are the losers, we are the winners.
White people are greedy, I can say they are greedy
White men, I will eat your dollars, will take your money and disappear.
419 is just a game, we are the masters, you are the losers.
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
No one feel sorry for rich white men who are greedy
their government will reward them, not the needy
they would do the same
if they only knew the game
it is the fool that pity him and not his own family
419 is just a game, we are the winners, whitey is the loser
In this there can be no shame, time to live it up, my brothers
We've found the goose that laid the golden egg, let's use it
419 is just the game, and Maghas are greedy, sick, and stupid.
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars"
Now its no secret that the USA is FAR behind most of the world when it comes to mobile phone usage. Thats why most of you are complaining about the cost of the gadget and also about being fixed to one provider. Apple should market and sell the gadget in Africa and yes at $499 - $599 a piece. Africans buy their own phone (no subsidised phones) and then buy the sim card from the desired provider. This is a system that I have now come to appreciate because I can jump ship everytime a price war gets underway.
Being an African and living in Africa again after being in europe for most of my high school and campus life, let me explain a few things about the mobile phone revolution that has taken place in africa. The BBC has covered a few points of what mobile phones have done in Kenya (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm) like providing services, economic growth and even democratic rights! Motorolla and Nokia have also noticed this and are heavily advertising in Africa. Nokia has a model search called Nokia Face of Africa (http://www.faceofafrica.co.za/). Motorollas Motorola RAZR V3 phone goes for $250...and some new Nokia phones go for as much as $800. So $499 for the iPhone is not really a bad deal...in Africa. I know I want one and so do most of my workmates.
Slashdot Mirror
> All because people are scared of offending muslims.
The are not scared of offending Muslims, per se. They are scared of being murdered. Their fear is not unfounded and is with precedent.
Censorship is self inflicted and never under pressure from an "offended" group at least that's my experience. Muslims use intimidation and fear. For example under pressure from Muslims, Australia told them that that they have to abide Australian rules. Australia has to deal with terrorism threats but they kept their stand.
In Kenya where I am at the moment, there is a debate on whether to include Sharia courts in the constitution. Fear and intimidation is being used by the side supporting it and yet a passage in the current constitution which says that all religions are equal has been deleted. The interesting thing has been how the government has gone about dealing with the debate, anyone against it has been silenced, those for it are threatening violence if NO wins. The media has practically blocked out all descenting voices a minister has been demoted for being on the NO side. The government has invoked a hate speech law on all debates by equating intolerance to hate.( Christians are being accused of being intolerant ) Yet Muslims make up 10% of the population in Kenya.
The fear of being killed is real, but what it does is isolate Muslims by losing any goodwill. Muslims always turn against anyone who is perceived not to be on their side. Ask any Algerian if he would ever vote for an Islamic party ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_Civil_War ).
Comedy Central has set a precedent that will have to be used in all its programmes. I watched the original Season 2 episode depicting Mohammed and hardly noticed it. In my view they went too far in censoring the use of his name. Censoring his image is acceptable.
To quote Robert A. Heinlein: The United States has become a place where entertainers and professional athletes are mistaken for people of importance.
Look guys no need to fret about what he will do or what the republicans should have done. This presidential campaign was looong! Here in Kenya Thursday has been declared a public holiday...like Obama is our president...and in one city beer was sold out by midday today. I for one will just enjoy the moment as long as it lasts!
A fool and his money are soon parted...
That'd make a good slogan:
"Nigeria... parting fools from their money since 1992"
I have seen something similar on Slashdot pin 2005 about a Nigerian song. At that time a song by actor/comedian Nkem Owoh (popularly known as Osuofia) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktz7vc70hZ8) had become the number one hit in Nigeria even though it did not get any airtime coverage. The lyrics:
"419 is just a game, you are the losers, we are the winners.
White people are greedy, I can say they are greedy
White men, I will eat your dollars, will take your money and disappear.
419 is just a game, we are the masters, you are the losers.
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
No one feel sorry for rich white men who are greedy
their government will reward them, not the needy
they would do the same
if they only knew the game
it is the fool that pity him and not his own family
419 is just a game, we are the winners, whitey is the loser
In this there can be no shame, time to live it up, my brothers
We've found the goose that laid the golden egg, let's use it
419 is just the game, and Maghas are greedy, sick, and stupid.
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars
419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars 419 is just a game
I go chop your dollars"
Now its no secret that the USA is FAR behind most of the world when it comes to mobile phone usage. Thats why most of you are complaining about the cost of the gadget and also about being fixed to one provider. Apple should market and sell the gadget in Africa and yes at $499 - $599 a piece. Africans buy their own phone (no subsidised phones) and then buy the sim card from the desired provider. This is a system that I have now come to appreciate because I can jump ship everytime a price war gets underway.
Being an African and living in Africa again after being in europe for most of my high school and campus life, let me explain a few things about the mobile phone revolution that has taken place in africa. The BBC has covered a few points of what mobile phones have done in Kenya (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3681938.stm) like providing services, economic growth and even democratic rights! Motorolla and Nokia have also noticed this and are heavily advertising in Africa. Nokia has a model search called Nokia Face of Africa (http://www.faceofafrica.co.za/). Motorollas Motorola RAZR V3 phone goes for $250...and some new Nokia phones go for as much as $800. So $499 for the iPhone is not really a bad deal...in Africa. I know I want one and so do most of my workmates.