When they came for Monty Python, I did not speak out...

[Sword_Of_Truth]

When they came for Mr. Bean, I did not speak out.
When they came for me, there was no one left to point and laugh.
(Apologies to Martin Niemöller)

Early 1970s, Monty Python, with the assistance of the publicly funded BBC, conceives a game show called "Shoot the Poof" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19fcN3VaXs4). In which the gameplay consists entirely of gunning down "stinking homosexuals".

Fast forward to 2009... the British Parliament (presumably also publicly funded) is considering a law which would make Monty Python reruns a major felony. Rowan Atkinson (Blackadder, Mr. Bean) is not impressed. (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2339701.ece?OTC-RSS&ATTR=News)

I'm siding with Monty Python and Mr. Bean on this... if for no other reason than they'd be the coolest guys to share a cell with. ;)

[The Fool]

"I wish to register a complaint!"

[The Atheist]

Fast forward to 2009... the British Parliament (presumably also publicly funded) is considering a law which would make Monty Python reruns a major felony.

You copied The Sun?

Aside from being a newspaper not fit to use in a dunny, even the article refutes your claim that a Monty Python rerun would be illegal:

...the Bill which makes it a criminal offence to incite hatred over sexual orientation

Monty Python's skit is not an attempt to incite hatred over sexual orientation.

The Sun: not letting facts get in the way of catchy headlines since 1863.

[Sword_Of_Truth]

You copied The Sun?

Aside from being a newspaper not fit to use in a dunny, even the article refutes your claim that a Monty Python rerun would be illegal:

Hey, gimme a break. All we know about The Sun over on this side of the pond is topless Page 3 girls.

Monty Python's skit is not an attempt to incite hatred over sexual orientation.

That would depend on your interpretation of "Shoot the Poof" and "stinking homosexuals".

I know the Python piece was harmless, and I know you know that, but in this day and age, can you really guarantee no-one would go nuts over it?

[The Atheist]

Hey, gimme a break. All we know about The Sun over on this side of the pond is topless Page 3 girls.

Here you go. (http://www.immortality.co.nz/news%20network/sun.html)

They just make things up. And all their women have been Photoshopped!

That would depend on your interpretation of "Shoot the Poof" and "stinking homosexuals".

Nope; it would depend on the context they're used in.

I know the Python piece was harmless, and I know you know that, but in this day and age, can you really guarantee no-one would go nuts over it?

Oh hell yeah - I can imagine some small-minded dick complaining, but I can't see the police or courts touching it. More people worship John Cleese than god in England.

[Tsukasa Buddha]

That is certainly a unique objection to hate speech laws.

[Nogbad]

That is certainly a unique objection to hate speech laws.

To be fair it would be a unique use of hate laws if they tried to ban comedy satirising hateful attitudes.

[Comsat Angel]

Does Graham Chapman know about this?

[MG1962]

Who will be next? The Goodies. They did do a very cutting satire on police brutality in the day. And lets not forget the Rolf Harris hunt :(

[JihadJane]

Similar stuff is posted on JREF today and no-one bats an eyelid.

Who needs sources? If it puts the stinkin' Jews in a bad light, it must be true!

They stun easily (in "The Sun").

[Terry]

They're coming for you! (a-goodie-goodie-yum-yum...)

[Tin Foil Timothy]

I'm siding with Monty Python and Mr. Bean on this... if for no other reason than they'd be the coolest guys to share a cell with. ;)

I won't lie: It wasn't easy having to agree with you.