Make up your damn mind.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 10:58Recently, across various mediums, I’ve noticed a lot of talk surrounding the idea of free speech and what it really means to be uncensored. According to Wikipedia, “[f]reedom of speech is being able to speak freely without censorship”.
No exceptions. No additions. Period.
It’s a misnomer. It’s an ideology that doesn’t exist in reality. Ironically, whenever you speak to someone, their response is the same: “Do I believe in free speech? Hell yeah!”
A few days ago, majority of the country vehemently defended Slipknot’s right to sing about whatever it is that they sing about, violent lyrics or not. The same majority insisted that the responsibility lies squarely on the individual and not the music.
That is, until you ask them about Zuma troopers chanting Umshini Wami. Because then they’re undecided.
Society can’t make up its mind; it unanimously agrees that thousands of fans should be awarded the liberty to sing along to:
Next time i see your punk ass it’s mine
From behind dawg i’m gonna crack that skull
Then i’m gonna laugh when you fall cause you fucked me raw
But not:
Bring me my machine gun
Watching indoctrinated sheep prancing around on TV, reciting silly sentences about AK-47s, might piss me off because it is nothing more than a bunch of idiots being consumed by pointless nationalism, but have you ever observed a scene from a heavy metal concert? It’s quite something and, quite frankly, not all that different. Yet never questioned.
My point is that the moment you add a “yes, but”, to “[speaking] freely without censorship”, the said freedom is compromised, and as such, becomes censored. It’s either free, or it’s not.
I believe in free speech.
But I also believe that the responsibility lies with the individual, and not with state censorship.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 11:14
Jeremy, Fuck that, I believe in free speech as long as you are not contradicting my viewpoint. Of course I am entitled, I am always right.
Seriously, I am with you on this one except for religious bigots, politicians and idiots. They just talk shite anyway.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 11:15
Sigh… I hate to admit this, but you have a point.
Although we may not like what is being said/sung, we can’t pick and choose which statements we should keep as freedom of speech and which should be censored.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 11:17
PS Add Catto and those uppity little shits that are always whining about racism
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 11:47
I guess it’s the fuzzy line that separates Free Speech from Hate Speech … which is not terribly well defined.
I guess the pain of freedom of speech is having to listen to other idiots bull as well, and defend their rights to spout it. Difficult, but essential.
Anyway, the things idiots say are great material for us satirists … it’ll be sad if they were made to shut up.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 13:21
An injury to one persons freedom is an injury to all our freedoms in any respect including free speech.
The perspective you take here positioning yourself halfway between Heavy Metal and J Z has left you in the enlightened zone. If you stand closer to either end of the spectrum you would be condemning the other and defending your own.
The old adage of walking in the other man’s shoes for a mile!
But then I would be worried that you would lose the ascerbic insight seen so frequently in your Ditwits cartoons.
So you do need anger too!
When are you putting the “moer it” button back? My anger is building up having to restrain myself to merely “send it”
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 14:02
Glad to see a little irriation here, Grey!!!
I realise that one needs to invite comment, maybe even stimulate much needed dialogue between people that misunderstand one another. However, there’s a fine line between stimulate and instigate. There is enough anger, distrust and blatently suspect motives (politicians sweeping their voters into mass anger for their own personal gains) to last us all a lifetime or ten.
Why can those of us that are able not change such dialogue into something positive?
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 15:14
I agree with you fully Jeremy!
What does concern me is not that he says it, but that he says it and people still vote for him as president! I am a Slipknot fan, and don’t mind their lyrics, just like I don’t mind anyone singing about bringing machine guns, but I wouldn’t vote for any Slipknot member to be my president.
So, my point is, any politician should be punished (by losing votes of course!!) for that sort of behaviour. That doesn’t happen, and we wonder why live in a violent country…
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 15:22
Violence and noise is the only way the ignorant can rule the wise!
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 15:40
I don’t care if Zuma sings the song or not. I just don’t want him as president.
A few months (wow… many months back) I wrote a little write up on the SA Thought Police (found here: http://www.beyondyournose.com/post/9 ) where we have our wonderful government wanting to censor us. *sigh* So quite frankly… I hope we don’t go down that road with the new “Moral regeneration” project that gov-a-mont want to introduce.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 16:30
[...] Make up your damn mind. [...]
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 16:53
I have no problem with either scenario, if it stayed at only words. Unfortunately we do not live in such a world.
It’s the ignorant action taken by both the Slipknot fan and JZ rally attendee that pisses me off. And the fact that the violent action taken is blamed on either Slipknot or JZ.
As far as I’m concerned, people who take Slipknot lyrics seriously are just as idiotic as those who take JZ seriously.
If you’re a murderer, just own it. Don’t make excuses.
Ignorance is the real enemy.
Although, if one used only your examples as subject matter, one could argue that Slipknot are merely relaying an action taken by themselves against someone else. Whereas “Bring me my machine gun” is enticing violence against others.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 16:55
Also, Slipknot is a vehicle of fantasy (a band) and not a vehicle for truth and justice (a politician.)
Theoretically speaking, of course.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 17:00
@ GREY
When are you putting the “moer it” button back? My anger is building up having to restrain myself to merely “send it”
I think its just a case of limited Freedom of Speech on Jeremy’s part.
Me thinks the ‘moer it’ button will make its reapperance as soon as all this ‘blame it on the lyrics saga’ ceases to exist.
We don’t want to be reading about some kid out there in jail for ‘moering’ somebody, because some button on some blog website said ‘moer it’
far-fetched scenario yes, but one can say the same about that Swoord boy.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 17:13
Whew - there really is a need for those Thought Police!
I’ll send it - gently
Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 17:38
Kerryn, when exactly did any politician become a vehicle for truth and justice? Right before they were voted in?
Do help!
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 06:58
Anyone can say anything they want to, but should they then get airtime?
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 07:59
Don’t get you, Thinkit
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 08:04
Jacoba,
Which is why I added the theoretically speaking.
In theory, women should be able to wear short skirts at the taxi rank. People should be able to leave their homes without fear of being hijacked. Rock bands should be seen as fictional characters. And politicians should be champions of truth and justice.
However, in practise this is all a crock of shit!
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 08:28
Apologies - thought you were referring to Sipknot and politicians exclusively.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 09:13
*censored* *censored* *censored* *censored* nonsense *censored* *censored* what *censored* censorship?
*censored*
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 16:30
You make a good point Jeremy. I’m not a JZ fan, but I don’t blame him squarely for his support; I think his supporters are pretty dumb too.
I think of “bring me my machine gun” as hate speech.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008, at 17:28
I guess you gotta ask, who’s skull does Slipknot want to crack, and for whom does JZ want his machine gun?
If Slipknot were wanting to crack only a white/black/Jewish skull, then it would be hate speech.
The difference between them is that Slipknot is being “equal opportunity” violent, where as JZ wants to focus on being “exclusively” violent.
I feel JZ can take a page from Slipknots book and intergrate his facism. A good start was the xenophobic issue earlier this year, though it should have spread into the white, coloured, Asian communities as well to be REALLY “equal opportunity”.
Seriously though, JZ is the future leader of this country (God help us), a very violent country, he has no business singing about machine guns to blow a certain group of people away.
Slipknot are a heavy metal band, they are expected to be aggresive and violent.
There in lies the rub.
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 07:58
@Sikovit.. maybe you should ask for a translation of the song.. there is no mention of any certain group in the song..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 08:52
No, violence has no colour - nor murder, nor mayhem, nor hate. But should he be using it to create violence just to ensure votes and ignorance. His problem lies in the millions of young kids that once educated will not vote for him anymore. They will see him for what he is.
Granted there will be those that use him again for their own needs, but there will a majority of well educated, balanced young people - in that his danger lies. Unless he kills them all Mugabe style…..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 10:17
@Jacoba.. you are still as ignorant.. please explain to me why do you think only uneducated people vote for the ANC.. you are insulting us as black people.. i hope you refrain from making such statements.. Check the membership form of the ANCYL.. its specifically asks for a formal tertiary qualification as some of the requirements.. educated youth are given preference.. You have proven that you still harbour the old mentality that blacks are not educated.. the ANC got 70% in the previous election, are you saying 70% of blacks are uneducated?
I vote the ANC and will continue doing so till i die.. im i uneducated?
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 11:11
Morning Swart!!!
And you are, still as abusive. A really angry little boy running around biting all the other children because one little boy wanted to play with his little car ………. sweet.
I was not referring to the ANC, I was referring to JZ. I voted ANC in 1994. I will not vote for them this time round since I do not believe in one party rule - it is essentially that point that bothers most thinking people - and should bother even you, sweetie.
Now go and have that coffee!!!
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 11:15
Also, I will not vote for a brainless, raping, brute with more wives than sense and a penchant for guns and dancing on stages - it seems.
You seen what the European newspapers are saying about him? The Americans? The South Americans? The Ozzies? The Kiwi’s? The South Americans? The Brits?
Doesn’t it make you think?
Or are they all against us?
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:03
“His problem lies in the millions of young kids that once educated will not vote for him anymore” comment 24..
Don’t try to hide in flimsy excuses.. you insult the black population and defend yourself by saying you have a black friend.. we don’t care what those people say.. we don’t influence their choice of leaders.. again you have to note that SA is not a puppet of any Western or European unlike many African states.. All those people you mentioned are white.. “Bird of a feather flock together”
BTW: We don’t need the ‘white vote’ to win elections..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:16
Re my comment, so nicely quoted in your first line: yup - they will stand with the other half of the ANC who want JZ out.
Re your second para:
just what I thought - man I’m good!! Born again mugabiest! Like those poor Russian wannabe commies who just didn’t make it and changed their minds and started something else again. Wish you could see yourself through eyes of logic - but one day, when you grow up, we can have dinner. I’ll cook. 
Re your last: Oh really?
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:18
I see ol’ Bob got quite far with that attitude of yours.
Now he just wants a bit of pudding and then its him and his buddy, old Beezel
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:27
come 2009 elections and i will have the last laugh..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:33
Thanks for the insight Suck.
But consider the origin of the song.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out who he is talking about.
The ANC does rely on the ignorant, and the brainless. There are many ignorant and brainless educated people. George Bush, the ANCYL members you mentioned and you, Suck.
Education doesn’t mean clever, or free thinking.
You are a very clever sheep, Suck. An expert at being led.
Good for you.
If you developed your ability of free thought, you would see where the ANC is leading this country.
You do need the white man, Suck. Deal with it.
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:34
Yeah. I think the next election is going to be full of surprises….
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:56
Swart, winning an election doesn’t win a nation. Cast your eyes a stones throw north, little one - does that make you laugh? Oh do answer that - or are you a coward, like your leader?
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 12:59
we just don’t care.. what matters most is power.. you might hate the govt, but they make laws that affect you.. like it or not.. a white party will never rule this country ever again.. in respect of Madiba’s freedom speech..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 13:02
@Sico.. if you were smart, as all white people claim to be.. you would have not been fooled by the ’swart gevaar’ rhetoric by your barbaric masters.. you followed them and voted them in power for more than 4o years.. it took its those ignorant and brainless black people to show the way..
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 13:45
So answer my question, little man.
Power matters most?
Could you be so kind as to just help me understand what you mean when you say “in respect of Madiba’s freedom speech”? When Madiba talks, I usually listen in awe - but I don’t understand your comment. Please help.
Thursday, 28 August 2008, at 13:47
Also, you forgot to get back to me on my challenge in comment 34 - do, please.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 10:53
Madiba’s Never Again speech.. meaning whites should never again be allowed to rule this country.. thats what he meant.. believe what you may..
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 10:54
AGGG white woman.. im tired of all this crap..
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 12:29
Swart_Sak… How dare you call Nelson Mandela a racist. His speach about never again was about exclusion from Democracy on the basis of race which was how apartheid worked. If you value the change brought about by our past President then why not look at what he really was about. And try to emulate him.
Outbursts like the one above with no basis bring the value of your comments down to the same level as Melissa’s where it is either that you are bloody stupid (I dont hold this as true) or you are just trying to provoke.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 13:50
thanks Roger.. Jacoba’s silence is so loud..
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 13:52
‘Lying rapist’ caught, charged
29/08/2008 13:22 - (SA)
Want to know more?
Answerit can help.
Verashni Pillay
Bloemfontein - A man appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after allegedly lying about drugging and raping a teenager, claiming he had “saved” her, police said.
Marlo Ferreira, 20, was arrested with a naked woman in his car on August 21 after police stopped him when he skipped a red traffic light, police spokesperson Superintendent Annelie Wrensch said.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 13:53
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 13:58
so swart .. even *you* thought that all blacks are criminals ? geesh …. talk about being a hypocrite.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:01
Swart_sak, I’m genuinely confused here. So I’m trusting you’ll help me out.
Can you please direct me to a comment anywhere on my website where someone has said that “only blacks are criminals”. Because if someone said that, then they’re a buffoon.
Secondly, whether you like it or not, blacks do commit more crimes than any other culture in SA, simply because they’re in the sweeping majority. However, if you’re talking about stats per capita, then it gets interesting, and then I’d probably agree that crime is evenly spread across the board. But I wouldn’t be able to verify that.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:05
Yes, J, it would be very interesting to see those statistics, but interesting and absolutely nothing more than that.
It actually DOESNT MATTER whether it is “black”, “white”, “indian” or “coloured” people committing crime. There is crime and far too much of it.
We are really meant to be working towards seeing & treating everyone equally, yet people still persist in purposely playing the race / ethnicity card…..
FFS concentrate on the problem, not the colours ..
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:18
Jeremy.. i read some blood clotting comments on blacks on the net.. do you know the site: sasucks.co.za.. bet you do..
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:24
Yes, I do know that website. (Or wherever it’s new location is.) They’re an indoctrinated bunch of impregnated nationalists who can’t be taken seriously.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:26
Swart, my silence was only due to the fact that I was not here. I would have answered since I am expecting your replies - all of which are still outstanding. I have all Madiba’s speeches. There is not one racist speech among them which does confirm your uncanny ability to twist the truth. How sad that there are people like you still around.
The reason for my absence was that I had to see my orthopaedic surgeon again - it is the fun I have to face periodically as the result of a bad accident one and a half years ago.
Do me a favour and ask me what caused me to swerve because I am just looking for a reason to tell you.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 14:30
http://www.sasucks.co.za/
And that is something you spend time on???? It says it all.
Friday, 29 August 2008, at 21:39
impregnated? I would think retarded, inbred fuckwits would be a more apt description, but as I know those people kicked the crap out of Catto, I will never say anything like that about them. I like Afrikaners especially the band called Afrikaner Without Brain.
But enough of these bad bad jokes about such nice people.
Saturday, 30 August 2008, at 12:39
The day that someone would be smug over the race of a rapist, or murderer, is a very sad day.
Monday, 1 September 2008, at 19:31
Swart, you are more of a racist than any white person I know…
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
Monday, 1 September 2008, at 19:32
Exactly Janel - couldn’t agree more…
Monday, 1 September 2008, at 22:22
Swart has to justify the reason for his existence and for the existence of the scrap of unadulterated codswhollop that he call’s a newspaper or an online something-or-other.
If he does not take that stance, he just may have to give back the money the government gave him to start a business
or something like that.
And if that is not the case, he needs to go into counselling as soon as possible..
Wednesday, 3 September 2008, at 14:16
I don’t think there is a society on earth that is ready for true freedom of speech. Too many things piss people off completely. There’s always someone who wants to say the Holocaust never happened, or Apartheid was a good idea.
@ Swartsak, your eagerness in pointing out the white rapist made me blush on your behalf.
Monday, 8 September 2008, at 13:12
Um … when does freeom of speech change to incitement of violence?
I AM GOING TO KILL YOU …. is not freedom of expression, it’s a very clear threat to your safety. Umshini wami is not an abstract idea, it’s a call to arms.
We’ll start with the “Bring me my sjambok …. ” campaign, with alintention of sjambokking any and all people we find in cetral jhb.
That’ll last about 5 seconds befoe being declared hate speech.
Monday, 8 September 2008, at 13:16
Agreed, but I’m here on another mission today.
Zapiro is my hero - he was simply brilliant when ETV news interviewed him. I vote Zapiro for president!!