Freedom of Speech or vulgarity ? You decide.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3406041.stm and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3408511.stm

A bit over the top methinks. Certainly when the Prime minister chips in and says "well done chappy".

I can understand him finding it offensive, but as an ambasador he should have acted better.
What I don't understand is how they can call it anti-semetic when the artist was born in Israel and is jewish.

What disturbs me the most is that an ambassador (essentially a foreigner with jurisdiction limited to the ambassador's compound, nationals of his native country and all assets linked to the embassy) takes it upon itself to deprive someone else of his freedom of speech in a foreign country. With the applause of his prime minister.

You can disagree and voice your concerns but destruction ? He should be ordered to repay the damages if you ask me.

I would imagine that it would be up to the artist or the gallery to press charges in order to get damages.

They probably won't. Meanwhile the embassy considers moving out of Sweden due to "security risks".

Tetchy, aren't they ? :rolleyes:

Seems like any art project that conjured up such emotion should be considered a success.

Still, I'm not bidding on that one.

I think the art in question is absolute crap, but that doesn't mean someone has the right to vandalise it.

And I can't understand the Israeli ambassador who claimed it was inciting violence against jews.

First an ancient symbol of Life, now some framed oil on canvas, what next?