Posted on 06/27/2005 2:53:40 PM PDT by Cincinna
PARIS, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A second author Wednesday went to trial in Paris in as many months on charges of inciting racial hatred for a book that has denigrating passages on Islam.
The latest case involves "Rage and Pride," a best-selling novel by Italian writer Oriana Fallaci.
One plaintiff, the anti-racist group MRAP, wants the book banned from France altogether. Two others, including the Human Rights League, simply want disclaimers that its disparaging passages on Islam don't accurately reflect the Muslim religion.
Fallaci, 72, who has cancer, was not present during the opening hearing. But her lawyer, Christophe Bigot, denounced the trial as a campaign for political correctness, to the detriment of free expression.
Fallaci "has been very shocked by recent events, notably Sept. 11," Bigot told France-Info in an interview Wednesday. "She wanted to raise a cry of alarm against fundamentalism."
In her book -- a best-seller in Italy and Spain -- Fallaci characterized Muslims as "vile creatures, who urinate in baptistries" and "multiply like rats."
But Bigot argues Fallaci was targeting extremism, rather than the Muslim religion as a whole.
"She's attacking a certain manner of expressing it," he said.
The anti-racist associations argue otherwise.
"When one finishes reading the book, one recognizes the right to kill any Muslim on the street," argued Hacen Taleb, the lawyer representing MRAP, in a statement to the court.
In June, another French judge refused MRAP's request to ban the book in France.
The Fallaci trial echoes another opened last month against controversial French novelist Michel Houellebecq. Like Fallaci, Houllebecq faces charges of "provoking discrimination, hatred or violence" toward a group because of their religion.
But this time, the charges revolve around Houellebecq's anti-Muslim statements during an interview, rather than the passages in his book. A verdict is expected on Oct. 22. Copyright © 2001-2004 United Press International
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021009-121437-7274r
"The 1960s Jackie Gleason film "Gigot," in which he played a mute Frenchman, was pronounced "zhee-go"
Frankly, I think I like "giggott" better, just as I liked "jiggly" for that Affleck-Lopez stinker from a while back.
Yessss, thank you. I knot.
Is that really spoken English? LOL
"On the Internet, people in the UK and Europe always used to argue that they didn't need to have freedom of speech and freedom of the press in their constitutions because they weren't in danger without them being spelled out..."
Hmmm, recent rulings of the US Supreme Court make me wonder whether spelling things out in a constitution is worth the effort.
France again??
Another page in France's "Brilliant Ideas".
"Is that really spoken English? LOL"
Yep. By white folks, no less. The black folks have Gullah, which is even more unintelligible, but sounds prettier.
"I seem to recall this writer being heavily praised by certain liberals pre-9-11; I definitely recall her books being given lots of room in bookstores, as she could be seen as a feminist by those who choose to see everything in that way. Funny how I don't seem to see such attention from those corners these days."
Ms Falacci is one of those who came over from the dark side. She was a Socialist before she saw the light.
She was always an excellent journalist and interviewer.
To heck with them, and I'm being polite in my language. Enough already.
Just don't try order anything at a Boston sub shop or a NY deli with that lingo :)
Yup, I already ordered it on Amazon. She is an amazing writer, very clear and cohesive, good common sense springing from years of living history. It is quite an honor, really, to make the Muzzies mad enough to take you to court. Way to go, Oriana.
New book -- you can order it ahead, on Amazon, but it is not yet released. Comes out soon, tho. Should be good.
"Just don't try order anything at a Boston sub shop or a NY deli with that lingo :)"
I wouldn't even try. I only "know" a little of it due to summer jobs down around Florence, Marion and Summerville while in college. It's easier to understand than speak for me.
I'd bet money she appreciates/enjoys being an "infidel" to those folks today..........
i already ordered the book--Screw the french and screw the muslims(very intelligent ,i know,but it's what is called for here)
It doesn't sound as bad in French.
Bee -GO
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