> On Thu February 9 2006 18:29, Badri Natarajan wrote: >> Free speech carries "terms and conditions" everywhere. There is no such >> thing as an absolute right to free speech > > Really? > > Check this out - an Indian minister is offereing a reward to behad the > cartoonist
There is, no doubt, often a disconnect between a principle and how it is actually applied - the disconnect can go in the direction of excessive censorship, or sometimes the other extreme as has happened here. It's a disgusting, tasteless statement, no doubt. As long as he is serious about it, there should be action taken..but if it isn't taken seriously..well..yes, tasteless as it is, that's still free speech. Admittedly, this is a case on the very borders of what I personally consider the limits of free speech and (for me), it will turn on whether it is serious or a publicity stunt - I suspect it is the latter.. B
