So Thailand is going to block the Intrawebz due to several disrespectful videos showing their king.
Okay, I get you are angry at the videos. I can undestand why – it’s totally disrespectful, it’s totally religiously inappropriate for Buddists, and it’s culturally insulting. I also understand some of the bitching about the porn on the YouTube. I get your anger. I understand what it’s all about.
BUT
Freedom of speech means you take the crap with the gold. Do not attempt to make statements saying, “This violates the freedom of speech.” The freedom to say whatever you want regardless of whom you insult or disrespect is part of the freedom of speech. When you start boycotting certain expressions and statements because they violate religious, racial or cultural norms, you are stepping out of the realm of free speech and into the realm of censorship and fascism. Once you make one exception, others follow, until no one can say anything that’s not acceptable to the government. Good-bye free speech.
Now, the wise and sensible approach would be to condone the actions of the people making insulting and disrespectful videos, and warn the public not to watch them for their content. But to ban YouTube? Dudes, it’s YouTube, FFS.
EDIT: Had I been on YouTube and stumbled on this video, I probably would have stopped it, and moved on, thinking, “Well, that was very stupid and wrong.” The rest of the world does not judge Thailand by the satirical videos of their leaders on YouTube.
