NorthernLad

Just watched this, and for once I can understand the governments decision to hold the release and cut it...doesn't paint a particulary good picture of the Middle East.

Autonomy

I can't. Censorship is not justified just becuase something says something you don't agree with.

novita77

I watched it ... bought pirate DVD in Jordan. But IMHO it was no only pictured how bad the government in ME but also how bad the US government if it comes into oil. They will do anything for it.

Air Polygamy

The Pb is that we just do not know how far can govts go to protect their interests. We are the naives held in the dark....
I "liked" the part where some says something like : " A safer M/E is bad for business". Maybe it's true, didn't Randolph Bourne (1886-1918)say: "War is the health of the state"?

Jeeper

Personally i'm a bit tired of hearing about free speech and we can say what we please, watch what we want - draw anything we like in cartoons. It's utopia but not reality.
Censorship is necessary in many facets of life....i can't go around calling minorities by their racist names....that's censorship. By your argument I could if I wanted.
Personally I don't blame them from censoring it either.

Autonomy

You are incapable of moral self-censorship then. You need some one to tell you what to do and what to think.

Why you would want to call some one by a term that is likely to upset, anger or humilate them is your choice I guess.

Some of us are a bit more educated and have a bit more free thought and consider ourselves mature enough to handle ideas and concepts that may question our preceived values.

I don't mind what you prefer, but I like to have the opportunity to make my own judgements and exercise my own censorship as I feel is required.

Air Polygamy

Not to mention that censoring facts is hiding the truth and insulting somebody
is a lack of education.
We all have dear things to our hearts. How would one feel if some other person insults it?
"Let's say" you love your father and I come along and tell you, without any apparent reason : " You know what? I have a joke: Your father is lousy bastard and he's the scum of mankind"... Pardon my nasty language ladies and gentlemen...
What would your reaction be? "Ok, you have the freedom of speech and I accept it because your need to insult a dear person to me reflects the values of our society" ... ?
I know I wouldn't....

W10

Regardless of whether it is about moral self-censorship, we live in their country and have to live by their laws.

We may not like it. To us it 'may be wrong', but who are we to preach over what is right and what is wrong? Who made the West the arbiters of morality, decency and judgement.

Seems a bit arrogant to be self-appointed doesn't it?

If they want to censor the film then they can.

Autonomy

I don't intend to preach by any means. I'm also perfectly happy to live within the laws of Dubai. And if the government wants to cut or censor something then so be it.

All I stated was that in my opinion censorship is not needed, certainly in this case. I understand the position on these matters, you can't harm economically etc.

Who made the West the arbiters of morality, decency and judgement. Not me that's for sure!

I'm not some expat who hates Dubai, the UAE, Islam or whatever - I love it out here and am respectful - but I still have my own free thoughts... that's all!

I understand the rules I just don't agree with them in this case.