European Freedom of Expression

Yes. Freedom of expression. That was the phrase emanating from many European lips during the Muhammad cartoon controversy as rightists and their attendent rags defended their overt provocation of Muslims everywhere. It was blatant hypocrisy, of course, since a few European countries have laws banning public statements of Holocaust denial.

And now, France has just charged a one of the country's biggest rap stars with "offending public decency," a charge stemming from a law introduced by a Daniel Mach, a man who appears possessed of many of the same qualities that caused Joe Lieberman to launch his own crusade against "offensive music." The French law makes it a "criminal offence to insult the dignity of France and the French state" and Richard Makela, aka Monsieur R, is facing potential jail time for calling France a "bitch."

And the Euros were telling us that the Muslims were touchy.

But Europeans value freedom of expression, just as long as it's directed at someone or something outside of Europe. Don't forget that, or your ass could wind up in a freedom of expression loving prison.