Salman Rushdie pulls out of Jaipur literary festival over assassination fears

[Naffa]

Salman Rushdie pulls out of Jaipur literary festival over assassination fears

Salman Rushdie says intelligence sources warned him that 'paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld' might try to kill him

Salman Rushdie has announced that he will not be attending the Jaipur literary festival, which started in the north-western Indian city on Friday, because of fears that he was being targeted by killers sent by local underworld figures.

"I have now been informed by intelligence sources … that paid assassins from the Mumbai underworld may be on their way to Jaipur to eliminate me," Rushdie said in an announcement read out to journalists at the festival. He said he had some doubts about the reliability of the information, but that it would be irresponsible to come to the festival in the circumstances.

"It would be irresponsible to my family, to the festival audience and to my fellow writers. I will therefore not travel to Jaipur as planned," the Indian-born author said. A row over Rushdie's presence at the festival broke out earlier this month after local journalists contacted a senior conservative Muslim cleric in India and told him about the writer's planned visit.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/20/salman-rushdie-jaipur-literary-festival

I am at a loss (again), in spite of the fact I have been expecting this to happen for a while, now. The stifling of freedom of expression is one of the few things I am consistently against, and I cannot think of anything so damaging to that as Supreme Leader Khomeini's Fatwa against Rushdie in 1989. Islamic totalitarianism is quite possibly the biggest threat against our freedom of expression today, and this is just its just recent manifestation. For an author of a novel to have to cancel his attendance at a literary festival on the grounds that some people have found his writing offensive is bad enough... But that they have found it offensive to such a level that they begin threatening violence, and even death against the author is such an affront to our intellectual freedoms that I am at a loss for how silent everybody seems to be about stories like this.

 

[Pate]

and what would you like us to do about it seeing as the place is in India....

 

[elrasho]

Hate the guy, surprised he's still alive after all this time

 

[Random Guy]

Islamic totalitarianism is quite possibly the biggest threat against our freedom of expression today, and this is just its just recent manifestation...

Er.....I think you need to look a little closer to home for the greatest threats against our freedom of expression today.

This whole tiresome bringing up of any and everything related to Islam and calling it a threat on your way of life/freedoms (possibly in a faux Tony Blair accent) is just a sideshow.

The main event is happening right on your doorstep (DING DING!).

 

[Destination]

and what would you like us to do about it seeing as the place is in India....

We already pay for his security, world wide, we pay for it, he is a millionaire author, who published inflammatory literature knowing what it would cause, and we the taxpayer foot the bill.
He should at least have to make a contribution.

 

[Naffa]

Er.....I think you need to look a little closer to home for the greatest threats against our freedom of expression today.

This whole tiresome bringing up of any and everything related to Islam and calling it a threat on your way of life/freedoms (possibly in a faux Tony Blair accent) is just a sideshow.

The main event is happening right on your doorstep (DING DING!).

Well, given that it is Islamic totalitarianism posing a threat to those freedoms, I don't understand your objection to me saying so. Unless you're denying that the leader of a foreign state issuing a death sentence to an author for writing a work of fiction is not an affront to the value of freedom of expression (which would be a flat out stupid thing to claim), I don't get you.

What do you mean that the 'main event' is happening on my front doorstop, right now? I live in Bordeaux, not Paris, but a few months ago the offices of Charlie Hebdo were petrol bombed because they posted a cartoon of the Islamic prophet on the cover of their magazine. That is an affront to freedom of expression, almost happening on my front doorstep. Or are you a nut that is convinced we are actually living on Airstrip One?

We already pay for his security, world wide, we pay for it, he is a millionaire author, who published inflammatory literature knowing what it would cause, and we the taxpayer foot the bill.
He should at least have to make a contribution.

We don't pay for his security, world wide. Besides, do you not think securing the right of freedom of expression is not worth that amount of money, ten times over? Can you think of a better use of the money? He did know that the Satanic Verses was going to cause offense, but his right, and his duty to do so as an author is so immensely important, and is a keystone to Western civilisation. If you would rather live in a country where this isn't the case, see how long you can get on in Iran.

 

[Johno please?]

Hate the guy, surprised he's still alive after all this time

And why do you hate him exactly?

More from the islamofascists...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16644141

EVEN MORE! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-16656679

I think this line is my favourite -

"The men admitted distributing the leaflet but said they were simply following and quoting what their religion taught them about homosexuality and did not intend to threaten anyone"

Disgusting.

 

[Random Guy]

Well, given that it is Islamic totalitarianism posing a threat to those freedoms, I don't understand your objection to me saying so. Unless you're denying that the leader of a foreign state issuing a death sentence to an author for writing a work of fiction is not an affront to the value of freedom of expression (which would be a flat out stupid thing to claim), I don't get you.

What do you mean that the 'main event' is happening on my front doorstop, right now? I live in Bordeaux, not Paris, but a few months ago the offices of Charlie Hebdo were petrol bombed because they posted a cartoon of the Islamic prophet on the cover of their magazine. That is an affront to freedom of expression, almost happening on my front doorstep. Or are you a nut that is convinced we are actually living on Airstrip One?

Ah, so the Western World has some monopoly over the term "Freedom of expression"? Presumably using it at its convenience, perhaps to perpetrate illegal wars and such?

In my post, I was referring to the whole SOPA fiasco, and the continual assault on privacy and civil liberties (not to mention the 3-strike BS France has going on at the moment), but I suppose that's not as important as your perceived ownership of freedom of expression for all mankind, is it?

If I am not mistaken, was a British Fashion Designer not criminally charged a few months ago for some sort of anti-semitism? Were you crying about freedom of expression then? What, no? What a surprise! You only do it when it suits you right?

It is people with perspectives like you that are a massive problem to modern life imo, because your type will be the first to cheer illegal invasions and bombings/slaughter of innocents in other countries because of your convenient form of "FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION".

And wth you mean by "Airstrip One" I have no idea.

 

[Cosimo]

Hate the guy, surprised he's still alive after all this time

Why the hate?

 

[SKYNHEDD]

Islam needs to die in the west.

Its the only religion I can think of which is mostly followed by total and utter dangerous nutcases.

sure, we have nutcases in christianity too, but they are not as deranged and filled with hatred as the muslims.

 

[Random Guy]

Islam needs to die in the west.

Its the only religion I can think of which is mostly followed by total and utter dangerous nutcases.

sure, we have nutcases in christianity too, but they are not as deranged and filled with hatred as the muslims.

It will never ever die in the West, East, South or North.

Tough cookies my friend, but you need to swallow them. Incidentally, Islam is also the only religion where the biggest population is concentrated in the most resource-rich areas of the world. What this means (to the layman uneducated buffoon) is that it follows that there is a high degree of conflict there.

 

[SKYNHEDD]

Where there is islam you can guarantee there will be conflict.

the most lame religion ever.

it scares me to see how easily they are brainwashed.

 

[Random Guy]

Where there is islam you can guarantee there will be conflict.

the most lame religion ever.

it scares me to see how easily they are brainwashed.

"Scares you"?

Quick RUN AND HIDE THE MUEZLIMES ARE CUMMIN!!!!!!!

"Lame"?

Ah I see what mental age I am dealing with here - ceasing and desisting....

 

[SKYNHEDD]

i thought people had more intelligence to belive that there are 75 (or whatever silly number it is) virgins sitting in the sky for them if they kill a bunch of people with a bomb.

obviously not.

Its sad really.. but the more that kill themselves the better I suppose. cheaper than having to pay for them to rot in prison.

 

[robgmun]

Ah, so the Western World has some monopoly over the term "Freedom of expression"? Presumably using it at its convenience, perhaps to perpetrate illegal wars and such?.

It's funny that 1st world western counties are the most free (relatively speaking) And that the most oppressed nations are the ones with Islam as the main religion, even communist China is more free then most of the countries in the middle-east!!

And yes i do know what I'm talking about i know these countries (including China quite well)

 

[elmarko]

Er.....I think you need to look a little closer to home for the greatest threats against our freedom of expression today.

This whole tiresome bringing up of any and everything related to Islam and calling it a threat on your way of life/freedoms (possibly in a faux Tony Blair accent) is just a sideshow.

The main event is happening right on your doorstep (DING DING!).

Yeah, we regularly stone women to death, kill homosexuals & deny 1/2 the population basic rights.

While I agree that our own government have undermined our freedoms significantly over the last ten years - if we were ever to find ourselves under Islamic law (I doubt it tbh) it would be sure to get worse.

Besides, my personal problem with fundamentalism is the way they treat there own women/homosexuals - nothing to do with the people here.

Freedom of speech is important & should be protected - but if you would like to find me somebody who has been threatened by death for say, criticising capitalism/the UK government or Bush/Blair I'd be interested to see it.

Edit - Just to clarify....

I don't support the wars in various nations to steal resources - I'm also opposed to that, but just because I oppose illegal wars it does not mean I turn a blind eye to the actions of religious fundamentalist nations either - because that would be hypocritical.

 

[Naffa]

Ah, so the Western World has some monopoly over the term "Freedom of expression"? Presumably using it at its convenience, perhaps to perpetrate illegal wars and such?

Urrr, what? Either I don't understand your point, or it was so pointless that I feel no need to respond to it.

In my post, I was referring to the whole SOPA fiasco, and the continual assault on privacy and civil liberties (not to mention the 3-strike BS France has going on at the moment), but I suppose that's not as important as your perceived ownership of freedom of expression for all mankind, is it?

What is my perceived ownership of freedom of expression? Once again, what are you talking about? And RE SOPA, it goes without saying that as an advocate of freedom of expression, I was bitterly opposed to it.

Oh wait, I think I get it. You think that I am stupid enough to interpret freedom of expression as simply meaning Westernised values should be allowed to prosper and anything else should perish. Well, to a degree that's a fair assertion, given that freedom of that sort is a cornerstone of our civilization, and is the antithesis of it in countries such as Iran, North Korea, or Iraq under the Saddam Hussein Ba'athist regime, for example.

If I am not mistaken, was a British Fashion Designer not criminally charged a few months ago for some sort of anti-semitism? Were you crying about freedom of expression then? What, no? What a surprise! You only do it when it suits you right?

Oh noes! You found an example of something I didn't make a thread about on OcUK, you're right. Yes, believe it or not, I don't write about every single violation of freedom of expression. But it's a trivial point.

It is people with perspectives like you that are a massive problem to modern life imo, because your type will be the first to cheer illegal invasions and bombings/slaughter of innocents in other countries because of your convenient form of "FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION".

I am 'a massive problem to modern life'? Again, I am unsure of how to respond... Other than to say, I hope I am a massive problem for the elements of modern society which I would wish to see destroyed. How on Earth do you get from simply not agreeing with my assertion (without making any attempt to say why I am wrong), to claiming that I would support an illegal invasion of another country? Possibly the most obvious straw man in OcUK history.

And wth you mean by "Airstrip One" I have no idea.

Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell. Most people have read it.

 

[Random Guy]

Yeah, we regularly stone women to death, kill homosexuals & deny 1/2 the population basic rights.

While I agree that our own government have undermined our freedoms significantly over the last ten years - if we were ever to find ourselves under Islamic law (I doubt it tbh) it would be sure to get worse.

Besides, my personal problem with fundamentalism is the way they treat there own women/homosexuals - nothing to do with the people here.

Freedom of speech is important & should be protected - but if you would like to find me somebody who has been threatened by death for say, criticising capitalism/the UK government or Bush/Blair I'd be interested to see it.

Edit - Just to clarify....

I don't support the wars in various nations to steal resources - I'm also opposed to that, but just because I oppose illegal wars it does not mean I turn a blind eye to the actions of religious fundamentalist nations either - because that would be hypocritical.

*Sigh*

What is the point of your post exactly? No one is asking you to find yourself under Islamic Law in 10 years, so what on Earth are you on about? And why on Earth should I find someone who has been threatened by death, when my post had nothing to do with that whatsoever? Where have you even addressed the main point in my post - which is, fix your own backyard before you dish out advice on your neighbour's.

Do me a favour and don't reply if you want to maintain this bizarre way of responding.

 

[Random Guy]

Urrr, what? Either I don't understand your point, or it was so pointless that I feel no need to respond to it.

Errr what? Either you failed to comprehend basic English or you failed to comprehend basic English. But oh wait! You managed to "get it" didn't you! See below.

What is my perceived ownership of freedom of expression? Once again, what are you talking about? And RE SOPA, it goes without saying that as an advocate of freedom of expression, I was bitterly opposed to it.

Oh wait, I think I get it. You think that I am stupid enough to interpret freedom of expression as simply meaning Westernised values should be allowed to prosper and anything else should perish. Well, to a degree that's a fair assertion, given that freedom of that sort is a cornerstone of our civilization, and is the antithesis of it in countries such as Iran, North Korea, or Iraq under the Saddam Hussein Ba'athist regime, for example.

Thanks for "getting it" and affirming your stance. No need to discuss anything then as you pretty much agree.

Oh noes! You found an example of something I didn't make a thread about on OcUK, you're right. Yes, believe it or not, I don't write about every single violation of freedom of expression. But it's a trivial point.

Oh noes! You didn't actually answer my question! How surprising! So how much "Freedom of Expression" do you support? Where does it start and end? Where you like? Where a rightwing maniac sets them? Geddit?

I am 'a massive problem to modern life'? Again, I am unsure of how to respond... Other than to say, I hope I am a massive problem for the elements of modern society which I would wish to see destroyed. How on Earth do you get from simply not agreeing with my assertion (without making any attempt to say why I am wrong), to claiming that I would support an illegal invasion of another country? Possibly the most obvious straw man in OcUK history.

Quite possibly the most exasperated comment in OCUK History. Look, I can see my post was a bit too much for you to deal with, but how does my refuting your point not equate to saying why your are wrong? Or are you one of those nutjobs who wants to have the same old tiresome debate that has been done on OCUK a million times?

Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell. Most people have read it.

Evidently not. Not everyone does things just because "most people have".

 

[robgmun]

Random Guy, you may think that you intellectually Superior to everyone else here but to be frank you're making yourself look like a total idiot. According to you no one *gets* what you're saying, we understand perfectly, what we don't agree with the way you think and you're a tiny minority in the grand scheme of things