HYPOCRISY, THE GREATEST LUXURY
It was interesting watching the whole ‘Donnie Davies’ video episode unfold across the net last week. Interesting not so much for all the angry and perplexed reactions the video received, but for how Davies video, in which the supposed pastor is seen singing “God hates a fag“, has been repeatedly removed from YouTube, Google Video, Revver, and myspace. Is that because they don’t get the gag, don’t think it’s funny, don’t want to incur the wrath of God, or worse yet, the wrath of the religious right? At this stage it’s hard to tell.
The video is an edgy parody of the kind of religious nonsense that has left many wondering whether or not it could actually be genuine. Certainly it wouldn’t be the first time such a hateful message has been heard from those who claim to otherwise be full of the love of Christ. However it’s now emerged that Donnie Davies is actually 28 year old comedian Joey Oglesby from Dallas. Oglesby insists he is not Davies, but if he isn’t then it would seem he and his twin brother were separated at birth.
So it’s joke then. Clearly not one that everyone will find amusing, but it is nonetheless a joke and therefore deserving of it’s rightful place aside other clips? Apparently not if you’re Google, YouTube, Revver, Myspace, or any of the other American video sharing websites that have spent the last week feverishly removing the video wherever it appears.
ETHICALLY OFFENSIVE
According to YouTube the video was removed “due to terms of use violation.” One assumes they felt it crossed what they term an “ethnically offensive” line. Google Video, Revver and Myspace would probably cite much the same reasons. But the question isn’t so much why they removed the video, but why they have never felt equally motivated to remove other such material that might be deemed “ethnically offensive”. In particular the videos produced by the Westboro Baptist Church who are deadly serious when they proclaim that God really does hate “fags”.
It seems likely that much of the inspiration for the Donnie Davies video might have been derived from the venomous hateful spew that is preached by the Rev. Fred Phelps and his church. Their message that “God hates fags” and so called “fag enablers” is exported around the world using their website and services such as YouTube and Google Video.
The church has basked in media attention created by their highly controversial protests at military funerals, holding placards with slogans like “Thank God for 9/11” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers”. The protests are staged to highlight their belief that because of America’s acceptance of homosexuality, God is punishing the country by killing U.S. servicemen in the Middle East.
DOUBLE STANDARD
If you search for Fred Phelps YouTube and you will quickly find plenty of videos from the Westboro baptist church in which you’ll find many videos that contain “ethnically offensive” language that is surely no less offensive as that used in the Donnie Davies video, which lets not forget is a joke.
Google video, who own YouTube and who also removed the Donnie Davies video, go one better. They have a whole section of videos by the “fag” hating ‘Christian’ group!
It’s therefore puzzling as to why a parody video featuring “fag” hating Christians is repeatedly removed while a whole slew of genuine “fag” hating so called Christian material remains online. Are we to conclude that these videos are somehow less “ethnically offensive” than Donnie Davies singing that “there lies no virtue in sodomy”? How come genuine “fag” hating ‘Christians’ don’t incur the same kind of anger and complaints that has surely befallen the Davies song?
While I am not calling for internet censorship, I would be happier if the sites that removed the Davies video were to show some consistency and apply their ethical and moral judgement equally across the board instead of allowing extremists to voice quite hideous and unpopular opinions while silencing those who would mock them.
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[Video] On YouTube : Thank God for Dead Soldiers
[Video] On YouTube : Your pastor is a whore
[Video] On YouTube : President Bush is a “fag recruiter.”
[Video] On YouTube : God is America’s terrorist
God hates a fag
On Google Video : Videos by the Westboro Baptist Church
Westboro Baptist Church : godhatesfags.com
Westboro Baptist Church : thesignsofthetimes.net
‘God Hates Fags’ music video stirs up storm in cyberspace
Donnie unmasked!
Joey Oglesby’s acting resume
Joey’s myspace
Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury by Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy
Wrote the following comment on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Maybe this is a dumb question – but how do we know these videos were actually removed by the websites in question? I’m wondering if the pranksters behind it all just took them down and said they were removed to add fuel to their fire. Has anyone actually confirmed with YouTube etc. that the powers that be there removed the videos and not the posters themselves?
Wrote the following comment on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:20 pm
The YouTube hosted video was most certainly removed by YouTube. (Here is the link) The page now shows the message “This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.”
As YouTube is owned by Google it stands to reason that the decision to remove it was also supported (if not came from) Google.
Also, a number of people were angry enough to push YouTube hard to remove it. This guy is Seattle is just one of the many who expressed outrage at the video. Though at least he is also actively seeking the removal of the content from Westboro Baptist Church too.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:23 pm
The hypocrisy of google with you tube blows my mind. I can’t believe they still host the hatemongering of Fred Phelps, yet remove something that seems to be a satirical commentary as offensive and below the community standards. I am amazed that a company, google, who’s company motto is “Don’t do evil”, is doing exactly that. I think the whole donnie davies thing is pretty brilliant and I have to admit that some of their musings on censorship on http://www.lovegodsway.org/ are on the mark.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 28, 2007 at 9:28 pm
You preach it, brother!
Wrote the following comment on Jan 29, 2007 at 4:16 am
You’re exactly right. The censorship is much scarier than the sillier video. I don’t think anything should be censored, no matter what. But considering that you can watch Saddam Hussein having his neck snapped on Google video, banning obvious satire like “The Bible Says” is, well, ridiculous.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 29, 2007 at 4:31 am
i will say the discrimination in the censorship is scarey. I dont want to live in a country that makes tilted decisions because of a fear of any group. Granted this happens everyday by whatever party is in power, BUT since when are google, or myspace scared of what religious people care about? or are they scared of both the religious and homosexual community’s wrath? I dont see any reason in it… its just a sad situation.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 29, 2007 at 5:06 am
Perhaps Fred Phelps’ rantings are somehow theoretically protected as being part of “legitimate” religious dogma, whereas this parody could be construed as hate speech supported only by an attempt at ‘frivolous humor.’ But I don’t actually believe that. I don’t think Phelps should be removed from YouTube, because I believe in freedom of speech, and because the world should be witness to dangerous hatemongers like him. By the same token, the promoters of “C.H.O.P.S. The Movie” should be able to tease their flick with a bit of musical parody [viral marketing]. It is hypocratic.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 29, 2007 at 5:29 am
Yes, I absolutely agree. I am flat out anti-censorship. ‘Freddie and the hatemakers’ should be allowed to spout all their poisonous crap all they like as should ‘Donnie and the CHOPing board.’
The whole censorship issue reminded me somewhat of Larry Flynt, the notorious pornographer. He has fought many court battles to do with free speech and once said;
“You take a picture of a murder, which is illegal, and you can win Picture of the Year for TIME Magazine. You take a picture of two people having sex, which is not illegal, and you can get thrown in jail.”
I wonder if the people who were calling for the Donnie video to be removed also made as much fuss about the cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) in a less than favorable light? Or do you suppose they were among the many who condemned the protests while at the same time talking up the freedom of speech and freedom of expression we enjoy in the west?
Wrote the following comment on Jan 29, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Wrote the following comment on Jan 30, 2007 at 10:18 am
The answer as to why it was taken off is that it is fake & thus can’t be used as proof of how unenlightened & bigotted Christians are or how dangerous they are & should be silenced. Instead it makes fun of Westboro Baptist & shows how far from the true Christianity they are. & we can’t have that in our campaign to silence Christians, now can we?
Wrote the following comment on Jan 30, 2007 at 11:07 am
Al, I’m not really sure I understand you there. I think you’re trying to make a point but I’m a little lost as to what it was. One thing though, YouTube don’t check for authenticity of clips, I know that much for sure.