THE OFFICIAL CENSORSHIP that never happened (D&G)

The moral of this story I'm about to tell you is, think, read, learn, think, question, think. Oh, and the next time you see, read, or hear someone griping our congresscritters don't come together in concert to make "demands," just remember, when they do, it's interpreted by many as OFFICIALLY sanctioned by the GOVERNMENT.

So, yesterday, all the articles began "A CONTROVERSIAL ad by fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana suggesting gang rape has been banned from Italian publications." One itty, bitty problem with that sentence. By whom had it been banned?

In a wonderful example of how to manipulate rhetoric (and people), most of the articles continued with "13 Italian senators and Equal Opportunity Minister Barbara Pollastrini demanded in a joint letter to the IAP that the ad be withdrawn from circulation."

Well, a "logical" conclusion might be - THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY BANNED AD! Or not.

Let's start at the bottom with the perception of government involvement. Ya, see, it's like this - Imagine a situation in which our congresscriters might come together to, oh, say "demand" an apology of say, oh, trent lott or even our most recent diva of slime, little miss repub mouth-piece annie. Might be nice, huh? However, even if it were to happen, it wouldn't be an official act of the government. It would however be a group of congresscritters coming together to lend their authority to the issue. See other examples such as repub congresscritters constant demands we hold our people accountable (Edward's bloggers, anyone?) - lot o' hot air - not much government sanction.

Next - on to the BANNED issue. Check this out - the IAP, who is the organization who is allegedly responsible for said ban is

(from their website) "The self-regulatory system was set up in Italy in 1963, the year in which the 7th National Conference on Advertising was held. IAP has been set up and funded by the advertising industry to apply code and rules regulating advertising content. IAP receives complaints for investigation, and in case the complaint is upheld, the advertiser will be requested to withdraw or amend the advertisement. (emphasis added)

So, an industry "watchdog" group formed and funded by the industry itself, received complaints and requested the ad to be withdrawn. The Italian Minister and the 13 Senators came together to lend their authority to the issue by "demanding" in a letter to the industry funded industry regulating group, that it "apply code rules and regulat(e) advertising content," i.e., their function.

Today, after "Italian union CGIL's textile workers' division had called for a boycott of Dolce & Gabbana products on International Womens' Day over the advert. (and) Italy's self-regulatory advertising body IAP called for the advertisement to be withdrawn..." Dolce & Gabbana bow to criticism and pull ad. Sounds suspiciously like an effort we have going here; except they actually have an industry watchdog group that, ya know, watches their industry? Censorship? Banned? Maybe. Government sanctioned censorship or banning? Not so much. With a hue and a cry and a threat to the bottom-line, D&G got some free publicity and paid a price.

Gotta love the free market.