Censored: First Twain, now Dire Straits!

In the previous blog I ranted about the political correctness that is being forced on us in many spheres of social life. In the meantime another thing happened which made me alarmed and sad in equal measure.

Based on a complaint by a single listener in Newfoundland, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) banned a popular song, “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits from being aired on radio stations in Canada. The reason for complaint was that the song contained the word “faggot,” which the listener found offensive. You can read more about this incident in the National Post.

The song was recorded in 1985. It took the merry (or should I say gay?) listener 25 years to be offended by it. More likely, the complainer found himself bored out of his wits (providing he is in possession of such a thing as wit) when the song played on the radio, so he made the complaint. To be honest, although I find his action completely senseless and dim-witted, I can’t blame the guy for being, for the lack of better word, plain stupid. What is really alarming and frightening is the action of CBSC. Who gave THEM the right to decide how we should listen our music and what music that should be? It’s also insulting to find out that the Council deems all Canadians incapable of recognizing sarcasm -- the word “faggot” was clearly used as sarcasm in the song. Isn’t it the same as calling the whole nation stupid and unable to think their own thoughts? With each of this thought-policing incidents I keep asking myself -- do I really want to bring up a child in such an environment? I better start looking for a place where one can think freely, and speak freely too. Sadly, neither the States, nor Canada seem to be that place any longer.