Hands-On Activity: Case Review Writing 03 March 2009

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report Instructions Read the article titled “Achmed the Dead Terrorist banned in South Africa as offensive to Moslems” Summarize the S. Write the A. Arrive at a D. Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report CASE: "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" banned in South Africa as offensive to Muslims Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report CASE: "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" banned in South Africa as offensive to Muslims Wait a minute. Aren't we supposed to believe that Muslims condemn and abhor terrorism? At least until someone mocks an Islamic terrorist. Then suddenly one has offended all Muslims. But if they really condemn terrorism, wouldn't they find Achmed the Dead Terrorist inoffensive and maybe even helpful? Free Speech Death Watch Update: "Comedian Defends 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist' Puppet Routine Against South African Ban," by Joshua Rhett Miller for FoxNews, October 2 (thanks to Sidekick): It's no laughing matter. Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report CASE: "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" banned in South Africa as offensive to Muslims Funnyman ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is fuming after a ringtone advertisement based on his popular comedy skit, "Achmed the Dead Terrorist," was scrubbed from South African TV because it mocks Islam. The ringtone was taken from a puppet routine performed by Dunham, a native Texan, in a TV special on Comedy Central. A 10-minute clip of the comedian's routine that was posted on YouTube has been viewed more than 66 million times since April. But the government of South Africa doesn't think it's funny. According to iafrica.com, South Africa's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that a GloMobile ringtone commercial featuring Dunham and his puppet was offensive to Muslims. Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report CASE: "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" banned in South Africa as offensive to Muslims The commercial depicts Dunham holding his skeletal puppet, Achmed, dressed with a white cloth around his head and demanding that the audience keep quiet, uttering, "Silence! I will kill you!" ASA officials said a South African man, Moegamat Khan, had filed a complaint that the commercial was offensive to the Islamic religion and created an impression that all Muslims were terrorists. Questions: Have you ever seen a Muslim spokesman say, "Hey, we really liked this anti-terror presentation"? Have you ever seen a Muslim spokesman say, "Hey, we really liked this anti-terror presentation because it stated that not all Muslims are terrorists"? Have you ever seen a Muslim spokesman react to an anti-terror presentation without saying that it gave the impression that all Muslims were terrorists, even when the presentation in question explicitly denied that all Muslims were terrorists -- as does Obsession? Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report CASE: "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" banned in South Africa as offensive to Muslims And the ASA agreed. "To associate this divine inspiration to a terrorist is offensive to the people who believe in [Muhammad]," the authority ruled. Muslims make up 2 percent of South Africa's population. But Dunham begs to differ. In a statement to FOXNews.com, he said: "Achmed makes it clear in my act that he is not Muslim, so I'm sorry the gentleman Khan didn't see my entire show. "I've skewered whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my wife. As a standup comic, it is my job to make the majority of people laugh, and I believe that comedy is the last true form of free speech."... Achmed is not Muslim? How insanely PC.* Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report

Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report URLs: http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/022941.php http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431866,00.html Source: Commentary on FoxNews Report