I think this is a nifty idea. Theatre groups across the world are performing Aristophanes Lysistrata as an anti-war protest (Lysistrata is probably the oldest piece of anti-war literature). Interestingly (and expectedly) there is a backlash against it, with many people claiming that artists shouldn’t have an opinion about the situation in Iraq. Gee, that’s a real American thought. Suddenly only certain people can have opinions (like politicians and people who agree with your cause). All we need is someone to kill one of the players, and we’ll be a step closer to resembling a country like Iraq where free speech is just a dream.

Why has peace suddenly become anti-American? And riddle me this: why, if the administration is attacking Iraq to protect America and free the Iraqi people from a tyrant, are we passively sitting around while North Korea does everything in its power to provoke us (I’m certainly not advocating a war in Korea, but as far as tyrannical governments go, North Korea is up at the top of the list). I read an interesting little quote on Plastic yesterday (and I don’t remember where so I can’t link to it)….a smart government gives its people the illusion of free speech until it’s a detriment to its cause. I don’t expect America to slip into a police state anytime soon, but it’s obvious that at least a few people think free speech is a option, not a commodity.

Posted on 4 March 2003