Oh Hell...Now it's the Canadians
We have seen what is probably an historic change of mind by the UK bureaucrats, oh sorry, um... "authorities," when the Australian Minister for Tourism managed to persuade them to reverse an earlier decision to ban the Aussie Tourism commercial which included the evidently offensive word "bloody".
It seems it is no longer offensive. Strange how quickly sensibilities toughen isn't it. Anyway, good sense prevailed in the end and the add can now get some air time on British TV and give the poor interent servers a rest!
However, now it's the Canadians' turn. Evidently they have no problem with "bloody" but can't handle the word "hell." Simply amazing.
I have always thought very highly of the Canadians. They do seem a sensible, civilized and thoroughly decent bunch. I was mightily impressed by their portrayal in Michael, what's his name's, (is it Green?) documentary on guns (was it Bowling for Columbine? ...bit hazy on the details here).
However, I didn't realize that their society required such astonishing censorship to maintain their self-image. Can they not speak of hell? Must it never pass their lips or be heard by Canadian children or "families"?
What exactly are they in denial about here anyway? Is it the place, the concept, the sound of the word, the association with evil - what renders it a forbidden four-letter word? I just don't get it.
So on this isssue my dear Canadians, where the bloody hell are you? Don't let's get caught up in academic diatribes about cross cultural misunderstandings and subtleties. That would be serious overkill. Like the Brits, I think the Canadians have grossly overreacted, making themselves look rather silly in the process.
I hope the Canadians can deal with their repressions and suppressions and see a way to air the commercial in full, unaltered. And then, come see us in Australia ... you'll find we're an open, friendly and welcoming bunch, broad minded and tolerant. You may even find we're a lot like you :)
It seems it is no longer offensive. Strange how quickly sensibilities toughen isn't it. Anyway, good sense prevailed in the end and the add can now get some air time on British TV and give the poor interent servers a rest!
However, now it's the Canadians' turn. Evidently they have no problem with "bloody" but can't handle the word "hell." Simply amazing.
I have always thought very highly of the Canadians. They do seem a sensible, civilized and thoroughly decent bunch. I was mightily impressed by their portrayal in Michael, what's his name's, (is it Green?) documentary on guns (was it Bowling for Columbine? ...bit hazy on the details here).
However, I didn't realize that their society required such astonishing censorship to maintain their self-image. Can they not speak of hell? Must it never pass their lips or be heard by Canadian children or "families"?
What exactly are they in denial about here anyway? Is it the place, the concept, the sound of the word, the association with evil - what renders it a forbidden four-letter word? I just don't get it.
So on this isssue my dear Canadians, where the bloody hell are you? Don't let's get caught up in academic diatribes about cross cultural misunderstandings and subtleties. That would be serious overkill. Like the Brits, I think the Canadians have grossly overreacted, making themselves look rather silly in the process.
I hope the Canadians can deal with their repressions and suppressions and see a way to air the commercial in full, unaltered. And then, come see us in Australia ... you'll find we're an open, friendly and welcoming bunch, broad minded and tolerant. You may even find we're a lot like you :)
posted by Dr Peter Tylee at
12:40 pm
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