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Apartheid

European Union

No, I'm not in South Africa (yet) and wouldn't engage in racism even if I were. However, the Dutch government has decided that apartheid is definitely cool.

New requirements for passport photos have been enacted and they are insanely strict: no hair over the forehead, visible ear lines, no smiling. All Dutchmen will have to comply to these requirements in order to get a passport and some have already complained they have been sent back four times in a row because it is nearly impossible to meet the demands.

So where's the discrimination here? Well, Muslim women are allowed to wear a headscarve on passport photographs. It kind of breaks the whole ear line rule and fucks up security, but apparently the equality remarks in our constitution no longer protect the indigenous species.

Note to government: fuck you. I'll choose my own hairdo and passport photo and if you deny me a passport on these futilities, you'll hear from my lawyer. My lifestyle is as valid as any religious belief system.

UK terror plot foiled

Anglosphere

A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted, says Scotland Yard, says BBC.

Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK, the department said.

Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

Glad I'm not flying today.

Interesting how this happens just a day after home secretary John Reid warned:

The UK might have to modify its freedoms in the short term in order to prevent their "misuse and abuse" by terrorists, John Reid has said.

He conceded that was never an easy request, but it was up to everyone to ask: "What price our security, at what cost can we preserve our freedoms?"

The UK faced its "most sustained period of severe threat since the end of World War II", the home secretary warned.

I think Benjamin Franklin would have a few words to say about that..

March for freedom of expression

Anglosphere

It's a shame I can't make it, but Samizdata just pointed me to the March for freedom of expression to be held March 25 at Trafalgar Square, London. If you're from the area, show your support. (Unless you pick the side of the fascist theocrats in the cartoon wars in which case I want you nowhere near Britain or even continental Europe at all.)

Free Gerhard Haderer

European Union

Cartoonist Gerhard Haderer was sentenced to six months jail for a cartoon satire involving Jesus Christ. Guilty of blasphemy in Greece, the Austrian government was not able to prevent extradition under EU law.

Please sign the Free Gerhard Haderer petition if you care about freedom in the European Union.

Update: I located Das Leben des Jesus on the German Amazon. Will order it soon.

Update 14/4: Good, he's free!

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Tom has more friends but mine are prettier! (#1/1)