I see Rowan Atkinson has defended the right of Boris Johnson to make jokes about the burka
Rowan Atkinson has defended Boris Johnson after his controversial comments about women wearing burkas.
The actor, known for his comedy performances in Mr Bean and Blackadder, said the remarks were funny.
Atkinson wrote in a letter to The Times: "As a lifelong beneficiary of the freedom to make jokes about religion, I do think that Boris Johnson's joke about wearers of the burka resembling letterboxes is a pretty good one."
He added: "All jokes about religion cause offence, so it's pointless apologising for them.
"You should really only apologise for a bad joke. On that basis, no apology is required."
Atkinson wrote in a letter to The Times: "As a lifelong beneficiary of the freedom to make jokes about religion, I do think that Boris Johnson's joke about wearers of the burka resembling letterboxes is a pretty good one."
He added: "All jokes about religion cause offence, so it's pointless apologising for them.
"You should really only apologise for a bad joke. On that basis, no apology is required."
I suspect a huge number of people would agree with Mr Atkinson - no apology is required. Away from the mainstream media there are numerous jokes and visual lampoons concerning the burka. One would have to live in a light-proof tent not to know that.
The whole fracas is yet another embarrassing example of establishment grovelling in the face of blatant special pleading by politically favoured minorities. Special pleading for what? For unequal treatment ironically enough.
A longer running and more pleasing joke is the inability of feminists to join in.
4 comments:
Agreed. Burka-wearers, and Muslims in general, are one of the protected species. Theresa May is showing that she is part of the liberal establishment by criticising Johnson; who is showing that he is a challenger by departing from the script by a small but significant amount.
It's as though the comments are orchestrated, a wave of disapproval from the usual suspects but it hasn't buried the comment, in fact it has highlighted it . If you are sensitive about your beliefs and criticism annoys you, then you are in the wrong society.
Tell people what they cannot say and it's the trigger for them to say it. Particularly about a religion or way of life that already rouses deep suspicion and dislike because it seems to breed violence from it's sensitivity.
Get over yourselves.
Feminists lend themselves to humour.
Sam - and I'm sure Johnson had already measured that departure from the script, knowing the reaction he would stir up.
geebeetwo - yes it's the Streisand effect isn't it?
James - always have, comes from not being tuned in.
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