Steven re:
“But what now? In coming years will the directors of the MIFF exercise some self-censorship? Will they decide that it is too much hassle to screen certain films?”

I would posit that it is already with us – that the media( including, if not, especially, film makers) by-and-large have been self censoring for some time.
There appear to be certain issues /perspectives that are not in favour with the bulk of main stream media.

Fractelle Re:
“I never dreamed that in 2009… an American president could refer to other countries as an "axis of evil"

(Actually is was before 2009 –but point taken)
Maybe it’s just my warped view of the world but I would hazard a guess that a number of former –now, media canonized –US presidents/administrations have called unfavoured regimes a lot worse in the past!

The Satanic Verses written in Australia are written by anti-Christian committees of Judges and Magistrates with a view to denying justice to all except those brought to worship in a Court by a legal professional. There are numerous versions of them ranging from the Federal Court Rules and High Court Rules 2004 down to a separate set for every Supreme Court in each of eight jurisdictions, and some even for Magistrates Courts and District Courts.

Compared to these Salman Rushdie was an amateur. I also saw a special on Rushdie, and the Fatwa, imposed upon him by the Ayatollah, but there are virtual death sentences passed by Judges in Courts every day in Australia. Bankruptcy is a civil death sentence in practical terms, because after the trustee has picked over the bones of an estate, there is usually nothing left except heartbreak.

Australia has such a bunch of lackluster clerics, that not one whimper has been heard from them, and in return the attendance at their pathetic little gatherings has declined. The Church that has been standing up for justice all over the world is thriving.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is definitely law in Australia, but the Rules of the Courts do not accept it as law. It should be the rules of every court, and the Parliament of the Commonwealth should be shown respect, but while we have weak ineffective churchmen we will continue to let the Satanic Verses be given full force and effect.

We need some passion Muslims have, and should threaten to teach Judges and Magistrates manners in the same way as Muslims do, to get back what is in effect our birthright. One of those manners should be respect for the Christian right to worship, in a jury equipped court, as we were before the Satanic Verses were written

Horus

Oops. Of course I meant George W's doctrine of alienation, no doubt many world leaders have said far worse, but not made it a part of a public crusade. My thinking was that in 2009, we're not exactly an enlightened lot in spite of some steps forward we have slid back in many ways.

Houllie

Thank you for proving my point.

Man I get a laugh out of you. You're like a black guy saying 'It's because I'm black' every time he feels hard done by.