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May 26, 2005
Free Speech in Europe?
Prof. Volokh notes an example of the difference between European and American approaches to "speech that conveys disfavored viewpoints" -- Orianna Fallaci is being prosecuted for hate speech. Remember -- this is a continent-wide approach. A big chunk of our continent might do so as well. Mr Newman (the blogger of the last link) thinks La Fallaci is eager for martyrdom; I can't say that I disagree. She's certainly a woman of the broad gesture.
By the way, Adel Smith, the Italian Muslim making the allegations (his father was English, hence, Smith) is best known in Italy either for (1) suing to get the crucifixes removed from classrooms in Italian schools or (2) getting beaten up on an Italian talk show as though he were on Geraldo or Jerry Springer. I actually think that #2 is more widely known. Highlight clips are certainly shown frequently.
Posted by CrankyProfessor at May 26, 2005 9:05 AM