Today the attitudes of Americans towards Muslims somewhat resemble that of Germans towards Jews during mid 30’s. Also, the mechanisms that are used to drive these attitudes very well resemble the Freudian practices used by the Nazis to create hatred against Jews.

Turkey is a secular, democratic country (and its the only ally of US in the middle east region for over 50 years). And ironically, Ataturk, who is being insulted by these videos is the one who established modern, secular Turkish democracy. Removing these videos have nothing to do with free speech, it has more to do with respect and understanding, humanity.

Ah well, why am I telling all this… As indicated in one of the previous comments, the average American is a retard, and will never understand… That’s why the whole world should be concerned about their future… At least Germans were quite intelligent, but were forced to become slaves of their sub-conscious, dark, animal side…

meh…

It seems quite ironic that you live pathetic lives in a country that resembles a concentration camp, and at the same time, you’re so arrogant…

Just as corporations own and control your a**, they also do own YouTube.

Then tell me, why should they host non-sense videos entertain only a bunch of Greek retards, but offend a whole nation? Freedom of Speech?

HahA!

Tell me more of that Freedom of Speech considering Google vs. China case?

The case for your country is, more like Freedom of Corporations, don’t you get it?

Companies are bounded by laws and YouTube just deleted some videos that were violating its’ TOS. Simple as that…

If you want to talk about free speech then first criticize YouTube’s (an american company) TOS.

Do no evil my ass. They won’t obey lawful, ethical sanctions by democratic nations, but they’re completely fine with censorship by oppressive regimes.

I hope Google burns to the ground.

youtube video should be available to anyone regardless of color, political idealogy,sex,religion,race , culture etc.

Standing your ground doesnt equal profit. And everyone is out for money. The end.

Jumping into the political debate…..I am an Indian and yes I was deeply insulted when the Gandhi video was posted on the Internet. For me personally it was even more hurtful because I follow Buddhist principles and Gandhi was an ambassador for these principles.

But would I ban the website which hosted the video or prosecute the people who created it? No I would not. Gandhi himself fought for human rights and free speech. If he were around today I think he would be disappointed that we have suppressed free speech.

Also many people on this forum have used the phrase “freedom of speech” without understanding what it means. Did you ever think “Freedom” from what? “Freedom of speech” by its definition allows people to voice opinions which will offend/insult others. If you were always voicing opinions which never offended anyone you would never need “freedom of speech” as no one would stop you (or care as you would be irrelevant). That is exactly why you need ‘freedom’ from prosecution or censorship.

And like many things in else in life “freedom of speech” has a flip side. It cuts both ways. It allows you to voice your opinion about others but also allows others to voice their opinion about you. And yes it may insult you as well. But without it you cannot have a civilized society. In a civilized society people don’t suppress or kill each other, rather they debate with each other. And if you can’t take ‘it’ you have no right giving ‘it’ (or calling yourself a free society).

Oh… and by the way… you are free to reply to my post and disagree with my opinion or even insult me. I promise I will not ban you from the Internet or censor you or put you in jail.

“… a blow to freedom of speech in Turkey.”

Last time I checked, the US Constitution didn’t apply beyond our borders.

There is no “freedom of speech” in Turkey. Never has been.

I wonder how TechCrunch would handle commenters using the N word? My guess … you’d “censor” those posts … right?

Would that be a blow to free speech?

It’s Google’s site, they can do what they want. But the defense that it offended a bunch of people makes ZERO difference to me. It’s a voluntarily viewed video to begin with, for crying out loud. These people are simply looking to be offended. And if a society can’t keep from setting itself on fire when someone has a laugh at them, they shouldn’t be in the 21st century, much less on the Internet. Just turn it off.

Freedom of speech is not a part of a culture. It is a right every person has, and it’s not given by government. Some governments do act to destroy that right, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is an inalienable human right. A culture cannot be correct in forcibly restricting speech– period. That they do does not mean people that respect freedom have to respect or acquiesce or bow to their mistakes.

And just on a personal level, if your emotions are decided by what other people do or say, and you go searching out material that is offensive to you, you’re just plain pathetic. You have no control over your own life and have zero business giving advice to others.

I would like to point this comment to Michael Arrington… I believe youtube has done the right thing by removing a video which offended a whole nation.

I understandable that you tout for freedom of speech, but what I see lacking is why dont you also support music, information and all that stuff being free, the way you support freedom of speech? Why do you not like allofmp3.com?

For many of the countries who hasnt yet placed MONEY as their main value in life , there are still other values that are at least as important as money if not more. Like honor, honesty, being a good citizen, fighting for your country(not for money) .

So I wanna ask you, why dont you treat the same those who are offering stuff that is sold for money for FREE?

Its all about the money isnt it? Nope my friend it isnt, and you will have to respect other values just as much as MONEY. And Youtube has done just that. Good Job Youtube Bravo