Isn’t it ironic? Don’t ya think?
And not really ironic in that stupid little Alanis Morissette way (other than it involves her), but really ironic:
“I am overjoyed to be back in my homeland, the true North … strong and censor-free.”
— pop singer ALANIS MORISSETTE, wearing a naked body suit with nipples and pubic hair, at Canada’s Juno music awards.
Yet:
A high school teacher in British Columbia, punished for writing publicly against homosexuality, is not protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the province’s Supreme Court has ruled.
April 6th, 2004 at 11:05 am
It figures.
April 6th, 2004 at 11:19 am
Ever since that video where she thundered about naked, I have no desire to see that again. Hideous.
April 6th, 2004 at 11:53 am
While I’m not fond of BC’s decision on its face, the fact remains that Canada’s television censors are considerably more lax than those in the US. Nipplegate likely wouldn’t even be a story up there.
And by the way, no, it’s not ironic, just like nothing in her song is ironic. π
April 6th, 2004 at 11:54 am
Now what would be ironic is if the Canadian government had censored Morissette. π
April 6th, 2004 at 11:56 am
Heh! I was picking songs. I could have gone with that whole you oughta know angle or no change in her pockets.
April 6th, 2004 at 12:06 pm
A more detailed version of the story is here.
April 6th, 2004 at 12:33 pm
I disagree, Tgirsh, on two levels. For one, they did censor her, telling her she can’t display the fake private parts, which were later removed. For another, even if they did allow boobies on TV, that doesn’t mean the censors are more lax generally. It means they are lax when it comes to showing skin, but anything but lax when it comes to stifling opposition. I’m against censorship in all forms, but given the choice between the free flow of ideas and the free flow of smut, I’d opt for ideas any day of the week.
April 6th, 2004 at 1:09 pm
How long has it been since Alanis Morisette had a radio hit? I’m guessing about as long as it’s been for Janet Jackson.
April 6th, 2004 at 1:38 pm
Has anyone told Morissette that almost everything since “Jagged Little Pill” sucks?
Hey, I’m for open expression of your beliefs, but it’s not 1997 any more, honey.
April 6th, 2004 at 1:47 pm
Xlrg:
For one, they did censor her, telling her she can’t display the fake private parts, which were later removed.
Read the story again. Them telling her to remove the stuff was a staged bit, not actual censorship.
As for the teacher in BC, no criminal action was levied against him; he was merely suspended from his job based on his conduct, and that sort of thing happens here in the US all the time. Specifically, he tied his job to the conduct:
I don’t really see how the same thing couldn’t happen here in the United States. Pro athletes are fined all the time for criticizing officials, for example, and I never hear people crying foul about that.
Your right to free speech is protected from criminal prosecution, but that doesn’t absolve you from responsibility for what you say. If you openly criticize your employer’s policies, is it not your employer’s right to censure you?
If the views expressed were not related to his job, it would be another matter entirely, but that is not the case here.
April 6th, 2004 at 1:52 pm
Canada’s TV censor’s are definitely much more liberal than American TV censors. Broadcast TV can show boobs fairly early in the evening. The movie censors are also more liberal to younger viewers, though the ratings aren’t exactly the same as in the US.
In terms of the free flow of ideas, Canada experiences a high level of media concentration so there are few outlets that one can use. Having said that, I don’t think there is anything to stop the free flow of ideas. The court case doesn’t stop private sector employees from expressing their viewpoints.
April 7th, 2004 at 1:55 pm
Tgirsh: All the teacher did was express his views and mention that he was a school teacher and a school counselor. That judge’s non-explanation doesn’t pass the laugh test. How would you feel about it if the tables were turned, and a school sanctioned a teacher for writing a series of letters endorsing homosexuality rather than opposing it?
Professional athletes are a red herring. They don’t work for the government, but for private entities not subject to the First Amendment.
April 7th, 2004 at 6:07 pm
Here’s the really ironic part: this post (1) refers to Alanis Morissette, (2) has the word “ironic” in its title, and, yet, (3) actually has something to do with irony.