Obama trying to limit free speech to "rehabilitate the US' image in the Muslim world"

[Toothpicvic]

Column: Just say no to blasphemy laws - Opinion - USATODAY.com

Perhaps in an effort to rehabilitate the United States’ image in the Muslim world, the Obama administration has joined a U.N. effort to restrict religious speech. This country should never sacrifice freedom of expression on the altar of religion.

Around the world, free speech is being sacrificed on the altar of religion. Whether defined as hate speech, discrimination or simple blasphemy, governments are declaring unlimited free speech as the enemy of freedom of religion. This growing movement has reached the United Nations, where religiously conservative countries received a boost in their campaign to pass an international blasphemy law. It came from the most unlikely of places: the United States.


While attracting surprisingly little attention, the Obama administration supported the effort of largely Muslim nations in the U.N. Human Rights Council to recognize exceptions to free speech for any "negative racial and religious stereotyping." The exception was made as part of a resolution supporting free speech that passed this month, but it is the exception, not the rule that worries civil libertarians. Though the resolution was passed unanimously, European and developing countries made it clear that they remain at odds on the issue of protecting religions from criticism. It is viewed as a transparent bid to appeal to the "Muslim street" and our Arab allies, with the administration seeking greater coexistence through the curtailment of objectionable speech. Though it has no direct enforcement (and is weaker than earlier versions), it is still viewed as a victory for those who sought to juxtapose and balance the rights of speech and religion.

 

[Dav]

Re: Obama trying to limit free speech to "rehabilitate the US' image in the Muslim wo

I'm pretty sure this breaks several BN forum rules.

If this is true it's pretty apalling, but I will wait until I see a non-opinion piece confirm it before I make any judgments.

 

[F107HyperSabr]

Re: Obama trying to limit free speech to "rehabilitate the US' image in the Muslim wo

Wow too much to readum Tonto.. Now I know why I never read War and Peace besides the fact that it was written by a Russian.. .

 

[Toothpicvic]

Re: Obama trying to limit free speech to "rehabilitate the US' image in the Muslim wo

I'm pretty sure this breaks several BN forum rules.

If this is true it's pretty apalling, but I will wait until I see a non-opinion piece confirm it before I make any judgments.

You can move it to the right forum then. But it is about a current event.