zhasper.com

Wow.

Good thing he lives in a country where free speech is protected in the constitution.

Hang on, something about that last sentence wasn't quite right... but I can't figure out what.

he who, of his own free will, on a half a pint of sherry, was particularly ill:

We should remember John Stuart Mill's famous justification of the importance of the "marketplace of ideas". People should be given the chance to hear, and understand, even the most disagreeable opinion, because, "If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth; if wrong, they lose what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error."

From Amy Corderoy's column

I've just heard that police are in Hyde Park, stopping people, going through their cameras, and deleting photos they (the police) don't like.

Expecting unbiased, accurate third-party coverage of APEC and any protests that happen around it? I'm not.

It's not the end goal, but it's a step in the right direction:

A same-sex relationship register should be in place in Victoria by the end of this year, Premier Steve Bracks says.

He said he remained opposed to gay marriage, but said the register would allow improved legal recognition of gay couples and also those in defacto and long-term care giving relationships.

...

"What we're saying is we're not going to (take) any step in relation to civil unions or gay marriages, we actually have made a statement about removing discrimination," Mr Bracks said.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission described the planned register as a critical step in reducing discrimination.

"Federal laws are standing in the way of true equality for gay and lesbian couples across Australia who have to contend with partial social acceptance and limited legal protection," Commission chief executive Helen Szoke said.

She said couples on the register would receive a certificate which proved their relationship in dealings with government, courts and agencies.

Courtesy of Youtube, the latest hit video from the Westboro Baptists

My favorite lines are... well, there are a couple

God hates the world (He hates you!)
And all her people (That means you!)

You'll eat your kids (Yeah, you'll eat them)
You hateful people

You every one face a fiery day
For your proud sinning (so just stop it!)

Enjoy it, it's hilarious!

Yes, this is genuinely from them: it's even listed as "featured" on their website.

Wow.