I'm sure the sign-holder's gallery isn't filled with rainbows and fuzzy ducklings, but he wasn't the equivalent of Illinois nazis marching in Skokie, either. The old school Liberal antidote to hateful speech is more and better speech, not mob violence.

It seems that one of his crimes was showing material in support of Donald Trump, who, loathe him if you will, is still the legally elected president of one of the UKs chief allies. If his supporters can't make their case in public then I fear for the future of civil discourse.

Regardless of the content of whatever expression this guy may have made elsewhere, in the video he really is protesting in favor of free speech, and he really is being assaulted while the cops wander away. I hold with the friends of Voltaire, who, though they might disapprove of what he says would defend to the death his right to say it.

As for editing the video, what could he have been doing in the lead up to this scene? Hawking Trump bobble-heads?

Aurelio Voltaire - I am Rammstein has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia on that post.

Aurelio Voltaire - I am Rammstein has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia on that post.

Aurelio Voltaire - I am Rammstein has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia on that post.

Voltaire and Amanda Palmer - Stuck with you has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia.

Voltaire - God Thinks has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia.

Voltaire - It's Bigger on the Inside (Funny Doctor Who Song) has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia.

Voltaire - God Thinks has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia on that post.

Voltaire - God Thinks has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia on that post.

Voltaire - It's Bigger on the Inside (Funny Doctor Who Song) has been added as a related post - related requested by Lilithia.

Also: Upvote just for being named "Candide". I'd name my child Voltaire if it weren't so pretentious.

EDIT: Fuck video-magic. This is so heavily edited I can't even trust that "Magical moment" that @Esoog pointed out.

Initial comment still stands: You don't need FinalCut or Premiere to fake your magic. It does happen naturally, just.... not so much in this video.

>> ^Yogi:

>> ^ChaosEngine:
I agree. Voltaire, free speech and all that. No-one should be murdered for their opinions.
That said, the rule is freedom of speech, not freedom of consequences from speech. You're free to call your boss a turd and he's free to fire your ass for it.
So with that in mind, I propose a compromise. No-one at the WBC gets murdered, but the next time they picket a funeral, a bunch of marines kick the crap outta them.
>> ^EMPIRE:
Yogi, they're fucking terrible, but unfortunately it's their right to be fucking awful.

edit: also am I the only one who really doesn't like Russell Brands comedy? It's childish, and I don't mean that it's juvenile, I mean its actually the kind of comedy an 8 year old would do at a school talent day.

People are murdered for their opinions every day. A lot of times they're brown people, in other countries who are just fighting for their freedom from oppression and someone who is US Backed kills them. I'm just saying we should bring some of the terror we export home, and even the score up a bit.


Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Yogi is saying we should murder them for their opinion, but simply for our convenience. Shit, Americans do that all the time.

>> ^ChaosEngine:

I agree. Voltaire, free speech and all that. No-one should be murdered for their opinions.
That said, the rule is freedom of speech, not freedom of consequences from speech. You're free to call your boss a turd and he's free to fire your ass for it.
So with that in mind, I propose a compromise. No-one at the WBC gets murdered, but the next time they picket a funeral, a bunch of marines kick the crap outta them.
>> ^EMPIRE:
Yogi, they're fucking terrible, but unfortunately it's their right to be fucking awful.

edit: also am I the only one who really doesn't like Russell Brands comedy? It's childish, and I don't mean that it's juvenile, I mean its actually the kind of comedy an 8 year old would do at a school talent day.


People are murdered for their opinions every day. A lot of times they're brown people, in other countries who are just fighting for their freedom from oppression and someone who is US Backed kills them. I'm just saying we should bring some of the terror we export home, and even the score up a bit.

I agree. Voltaire, free speech and all that. No-one should be murdered for their opinions.

That said, the rule is freedom of speech, not freedom of consequences from speech. You're free to call your boss a turd and he's free to fire your ass for it.

So with that in mind, I propose a compromise. No-one at the WBC gets murdered, but the next time they picket a funeral, a bunch of marines kick the crap outta them.

>> ^EMPIRE:

Yogi, they're fucking terrible, but unfortunately it's their right to be fucking awful.


edit: also am I the only one who really doesn't like Russell Brands comedy? It's childish, and I don't mean that it's juvenile, I mean its actually the kind of comedy an 8 year old would do at a school talent day.

The only wrong here is what was done to Lara. I don't think what happened to her was her 'fault', nor am I blaming her. I am blaming the crew's lack of common sense.
Voltaire said: "Common sense is not that common." This applies to both sexes.

I am simply saying this situation could have been avoided with more forethought. Which is true for a lot dangerous situations no matter what is between your legs.

Of course in a perfect world she should have been able to walk amongst an excited crowd without issue. However we live in far less than a perfect world. And that should be remembered by everyone that risks their own safety on a daily basis like reporters.
If Lara were a man and this had happened, I would feel the same way.


>> ^Gallowflak:

@<a rel="nofollow" href="http://videosift.com/member/Delirium" title="member since July 29th, 2009" class="profilelink">Delirium
"This appears to me like the typical reaction to a rape story. They are looking for what the woman victimized has done wrong. I believe that the wrong lies solely with the rapist, in all circumstances."
And I think that this is intolerably idealistic, and there's a cultural fanaticism about never questioning whether or not the rape could have been avoided should the victim have altered their behaviour (in a reasonable way).
Rape is possibly the vilest, most destructive common crime there is, and gang rape is a perfect example of the inalienable barbarism of the human species. Two people that I love have been raped. I know what it does, and I know what the victim has to carry with them through the rest of their life. But in all things, you're taking risks. Part of being intelligent is balancing the risk in whatever it is you're doing.
The wrong does always lie with the rapist or rapists, that's for certain. Questioning whether the circumstances that the woman was in were at all negligent isn't, in my mind, seeking to attribute any blame to the victim, although there are plenty of misogynists who would. But rape is too awful, and too horrific, to allow ourselves to wander around in some fantasy land where cause and effect doesn't operate. People are not to be trusted freely and easily.
These sorts of situations are dangerous for women precisely because of the inherent weakness and grotesquery of man, especially in a mob like this, where responsibility can be diffused so broadly. Add to it that it's an Islamic society, a religion with an associated culture that almost literally belongs in the 9th century.
We can't afford to not be practical.

Voltaire has always been a hero to me, but this seals it.

>> ^bareboards2:

I understand that there has been an attempt to ban shinyblurry. I don't understand that. What has he done? State his opinion? As has everyone else here?

I agree. To misquote Voltaire; I may disagree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

>> ^quantumushroom:

Hitchens: soon to be forgotten.
Jesus: less so.


There he is!