Where have all our freedom gone? So if someone is against the government policies can't go around anymore? (Because he hurts other people's feelings?!!!!) This is sickening. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6285971.stm
It was clearly offensive. However, Bush is not responsible for this action. 1. This happened on a flight between London and Australia, not in US. 2. This action was taken by the company Qanta, not a government. 3. Are you suggested that governments should force Qanta to get their bush-hating passangers onboard? Isn't that restricting someones freedom?
I didn't blame Bush for the incident... 1- I know it happened between london and australia 2- Action was not taken government (i didnt say it did). And your third point is completely out of line. (Restricting freedom of Qanta from not allowing freedom?)lol Again, I didn't blame Bush or any government for it. But that incident should be taken to court and that airline should be fined and penalized. Freedom means you should be able to able to express your opinions (no matter how much other people might not like it). Him calling Bush a terrorist (and offending some people) is just like me or you calling Osama Bin Laden a terrorist (and offending some other people)... I guess you could say that the airline has a right to allow or not allow any passengers on board. But if they choose to stop people who wear anti government t-shirts, they should announce it and make it clear to everyone (and i can guarantee you, if they did that their stock will drop immediately. Cheers, Nima
Regardless of where people stand politically, airlines don't have to allow people to "express themselves" freely. We live in a post-9/11 climate and the airlines have plenty to deal with in keeping people safe. Did they go over the line? Perhaps, but fighting the "freedom of speech/expression" issue over something like this gets a little old after awhile. Sometimes, common courtesy for other people takes precedence.
It is just natural that after exporting so much democracy to Iraq, the western countries are running a little bit short on the supply of democracy.
So why don't mention it in your post? I'm not sure on what laws that applies to this, I think what Qanta did, could have been done in another way. But I don't think it's enough reason to take away the freedom for people to make their own judgments, look, if you don't want to let me to be your costumer, it's not nice of you, but it's still your freedom to do so. However, in more autocratic countries, there's laws that's limits the individuals decision making. If those laws doesn't exist in other countries, it's not automatically due to lack of freedom. I think many people that stands for liberal values are going to disagree with you on this part. Freedom means you are allowed to express yourselves and your opinion. In my opinion, it also includes ability to make decisions without government involvement. Just because you hate bush and compare him to a terrorist doesn't mean that people must respect you. But the government should respect it. Do you really think that they are prepared for everything? Also, as I said in point 2. this not a government issue. I dunno what it's really an argument for? More freedom-restricting regulations?
So when someone wants to run their business any way they want, you think the government should step in and tell them how to run it? Where is the freedom in that?
While traveling through some states during 1960s, you could still see the sign in some Motel's windows that no blacks, no Jews, no Dogs are allowed. Do you also think that it was not nice of them but they should have the freedom to do so? Just because you are a company, it does not give you the right to limit other people's legal rights and discriminate against them because you don't like their opinion, race or religion.
Oh, the outrage! It's victimization! Grievance theater! Quick, somone put together a list of bad things from the US for moral equivalence. Oh wait, gworld already rushed to the rescue
From the article: Just wondering what his agenda was, obviously this wasn't some innocent incident, he was trying to stir the pot and thus perceived as a threat.
Well we all got different opinions, but you are comparing this to a completely different thing. It's not like Hindus or moslems aren't allowed to take the flight. It's about one guy that carried one T-shirt in where Bush was portrayed as a terrorist. What he could do was to take it of and get on board. Takes like two or three seconds. Not a big problem IMO. But I agree, that Qanta could have handled the situation in a better way.
Freedom of association.... Freedom of spech..... Do they really have a conflict with each other...? I don't think so. ----------- but it seems that some people favor only one of those freedoms.
Companies have the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. Nobody's rights were violated. If the airline is forced to allow people on that they don't want to then the company's rights are being violated. Society has a right to boycott a company if they feel that they wrongfully discriminated. That's the system of checks and balances. If society supports the guy then the airline may choose to let him on. If society supports the airline then the airline may continue with the boot.
So it is right for a company to say we will not offer service to black people and jews (of course based on your logic)?
I know that airline would definately let me wear an anti mossadegh t-shirt lol. Since that is a statement by me that its ok to take out third world leaders who never harmed me over oil rights heheheheh Opps me and my big fat mouth, i appologize everyone