Rou

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

It's like a new buzzword. The next paradigm or synergy. If you don't like something or it offends you, it must obviously be terrorism! What else could it be?

Take my favorite religious ideology, Catholicism. The Vatican's official newspaper said that recent comments by Andrea Rivera, were terroristic. That the words themselves comprised a terror attack on the church. That they stoked "blind and irrational rage against someone who always speaks in the name of love, love for life and love for man." I assume they're talking about Emperor Palpatine... I mean.. Pope Benedict.

Quick sidetrack... seriously... look at him. He looks like the Emperor. Side by side. Go look. I'll wait.

Anyway, back on topic. Well, those must have been some really bad words. I've said lots of really nasty, mean and spiteful things in my time, but no word of mine has EVER been an act of terrorism. I mean, seriously, really bad. I mean, to take language into a form of terrorism? That's a seriously badass speech.

Or... comedy. That's an alternative I suppose. You see, Rivera is a comic. Apparently an outspoken one. And during a presentation during a concert in Italy, he made a few jokes at the Church's expense because he doesn't agree with some of it's positions. Things like this:

The Pope says he doesn't believe in evolution. I agree, in fact the Church has never evolved.

I find that funny. Even if I didn't, I think it's a long way from terrorism. Have we seriously diluted that word down to the point that a opposing viewpoint should be labeled like that? Really? I mean, damn. I don't know what Italy's law on the issue is, but I don't see how the bar could be THAT low. At some point, as a society, we have to allow those that disagree with us to speak out against us. We have to accept that not everyone agree with us and they have the right to express themselves. That's part of what makes a society free.

I know Italy isn't the most free country in the world, but it's a long way from the back of the pack too. This is a basic right to speak. Not fucking terrorism.

Honestly, the entire business just helps the Palpatine connection.