The Right of Expression and the Invasion of Privacy

In recent days, the media has treated us to three events:  the Islamic over-reaction to a stupid video, and the invasion of privacy of Prince Harry and then of Kate Middleton and her husband, Prince William.  In all three events the media has claimed freedom of expression, speech, and press, but only one, as sad as it is, can solidly claim that right.

Prince Harry was caught with his pants down while partying in Las Vegas.  So what.  Most people have not made the connection that a few days after "The Party In Vegas," Harry was deployed to Afghanistan.   Of course he knew of his deployment.  I don't know what planet you live on but here on Earth young men who are about to be deployed party hard; it just may be the last time that they can, and they know it.  Harry has a right to his privacy.  Any other soldier doing the same thing would not even be a blip on the media's radar.

Yes, it is true; Kate and William are the royal couple.  And because of who they are, the media goes into a feeding frenzy when they do anything.  Now stop and think.  They are young, in love, and want to enjoy each other.  And all you prudes out there please remember that they are married.  At the end of the day when all their official business is over, they have every right to kick back and relax.  Kate and William have all and every right to their privacy as anyone else.  Being a part of the cult of celebrity does not make a difference when it comes to that right.  Remember who put them in that cult.

I have no problem what so ever with a celebrity, when walking down the street alone or with family, is suddenly accosted by the media, and then throws a punch and curses them out.  None.  Everyone has a right to privacy.  The Royal family sued the French magazine Closer, and a French court rapidly agreed.  The court ordered a cease and desist, and a " let's have all the pix, copies, and digital order."  Good, very good.

I can still remember a time when the media was aware of the private goings-on of celebrities but kept all of that under their collective hat - because of decency; what was one's privacy was private, period.  It's time to return to that mind-set and forget about selling pictures or magazines.  I really don't care who you are; you have a right to your privacy.  if you want to run around naked within your own home, go have at it.  Oh, yeah, that dumb video.

Some asshole made an independent film, not much more than a video, that put the Prophet of Islam in a bad light.  This video is so bad that the worst skit ever presented on Saturday Night Live comes off as Emmy quality when compared against this piece of trash.  That being said, we in the western democracies  have a right to do that, even though the work is a piece of shit and insults another.  It's called freedom of speech, something that the people in the free world consider a God given right.  So for the over 1.5 billion people who do not like that right that we consider God given, I suggest that you get a really hard and firm grip.  Even though that guy's work is a piece of shit, he had the right to make it, do it, and say it.  Period.

We in the west have grown weary of putting our rights in back of your feelings.  Your feelings about your religion are yours, not ours, so stop trying to force them on us.  You sure as hell did not consider our feelings on 09/11/2001.  As I recall, you were dancing in the streets.  So you and your religion want respect?  I have a few suggestions for you.

#1 - Respect us and our rights.
#2 - Bring your religion into the 20th century.  The Crusades are over.
#3 - Stop burning down stuff that is not yours.  If I put a match to your beard, how would you feel?
#4 - Stop killing your mothers, daughters, and sisters.  Your reasoning for that is BS.

Maybe if you start with these simple four, maybe we can give you some respect.

Now listen up all you followers of the Prophet and the rest of you:

There are Christian extremists here in the States and throughout the world ( I am not one of them ) who are itching for a holy war with Islam.  You want peace?  Then change.  Guaranteed, those people will not send troops.

                                                 Copyright @2012 Terry Unger