That story was so beautiful it brought a tear to my eye. At least true freedom of speech does exist somewhere that it is allowed to live openly with independent thought. God bless Sweden.

Man, Sweeden sounds great. Plus the great women! ;)

It's at least a little comforting to know there is such a place left on earth.

Thank you, American politicians, for being such fucking bastards. Thanks alot!!!! You FUCKS!!!

Thanks for posting! I'm going to look for a pair online now.

I look forward to the day when religion can be denigrated as much as atheism is today. When those tables are turned we'll be a lot better off than we are now. This article makes me wonder if there might be a market for antireligious apparel. My daughter has wanted to get a T-shirt that says, "Agnostic, but pretty sure". That's quite mild but would probably still provoke fanatics. How much more so would say, a "Christianity sucks" T-shirt, or a "Take your religion and go to hell" bumper sticker. But for the entrepeneur who's got the guts and imagination to do it (and avoid getting shot, burned out, or disappeared) it could probably be a pretty good little source of income. And for such a good cause!

Have seen these jeans a couple of times. Had no idea they also had a meaning behind them (no pun intended). Can't really say there has been any talk about them, first time I ever heard of this.

I do question APs sources though. "...in Stockholm's trendy SoFo distric". How '03.

Anyway, if this makes BO hate (fear) us even more it's just fine by me.

My friend has a cradle of filth t-shirt that has a nun fingering herself on the front and the words "JESUS IS A CUNT" written in huge white writing on the back.

Doesn't get much more offensive than that :)

"If Jesus Christ ever came back to earth and saw what was being done in his name, he'd never stop throwing up."

-Max Von Sydow Woody Allen's "Hannah & Her Sisters

I find it so interesting that things like clothing labels and home furnishing designers pick issues and advertise with them. I mean it's a brilliant idea but something about the two connecting elsewhere just never crossed my mind. Here in Japan, it's mainly either you make traditional clothes and market them to old people, or trendy clothes marketing them to young people and perhaps throw in an occasional anti-war or anti-authority message to reach to that market. It's interesting, and wonderful, to see a label picking a specific topic and 'preaching it'. I've heard that about Sweden. Hey, Japan is one of the few nations on the planet that has no official organised religion. It's liberating to see restaurants open on Sunday! (damn you Chick-Fil-A)

I find it interesting that this is labeled under "free speech." Since when has there been a problem with wearing T-shirts, or whatever, that say offensive things? Have any of you had your clothing censored by the U.S. government? Didn't think so. Yeah conservatives will raise a stink and boycott things and carry on. They do have the right to do that. It should in no way infringe on your ability wear whatever you want. If it is such a problem here in the U.S. then move away and wear whatever you please. Happy New Year!!!

Goodness, yeah, the fact that this is even encouraging to decent people shows how many civ liberties we've compromised, or at least that, well, goodness, it's possibly a bit intimidating to say such bad bad things here. Geez. And it mentions that these might be controversial in "more religious countries." And how do we know we're religious? Coz our Prednit is a compassionate conservative, apart from the occasional flagrant human rights violation and pretending stuff doesn't happen, situation.

Cure said, "If it is such a problem here in the U.S. then move away and wear whatever you please.".. nooo. Stay here and fight against the puritanical uptight attitudes of the damned conservatives. The conservatives have a right to boycott and liberals have a right to fight against the boycott just as they are doing here!!

"Freedom of speech is the liberty to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related liberty to hear what others have stated. Recently, it has been commonly understood as encompassing all types of expression, including the freedom to create and distribute movies, pictures, songs, dances, and all other forms of expressive communication." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech

Happy New Year to you too Cure. Perhaps in the new year we will find at least ONE thing to agree on! LOL..

"That story was so beautiful it brought a tear to my eye. At least true freedom of speech does exist somewhere that it is allowed to live openly with independent thought"

Whenever I read stuff like this, I'm even happier that I don't follow the liberal party line. You guys are just so funny.

Tell me, how does 'true freedom of speech' not exist here? These jeans could certainly be made and sold here. I've seen clothing with much more 'offensive' content worn by people everyday.

You need to learn what censorship is. Censorship is not people being offended by something. Censorship is not those people making a fuss, or getting headlines for protesting. Nor is it censorship if a person decides to stop selling something because it is causing a backlash. Nor is it censorship if someone says something inflammatory on their show, and a sponsor decides to pull their support.

Those are all, in fact, evidence of free speech. It's just freedom that you might disagree with.

Frankly it's rather obvious that this whole thing is a gimmick - the person is being offensive to generate free publicity. That's rather transparent, and anyone who could be manipulated into buying a pair of these jeans based on the idea that they're actually doing something is pretty foolish.

Which, of course, makes them a great candidate for 'liberalism'.

"People who claim they support free speech but try to destroy people whose speech they disagree with are liars. When confronted with speech we disagree with, we are entitled only to exercise our own free speech and say, "I disagree." But if we attempt to punish the people with whom we disagree, we are revealing ourselves as fascist bullies. Trying to silence someone with whom you disagree is not respecting free speech. It is the act of a totalitarian who fears above all an open and honest debate... There is no free speech when people have to sacrifice their careers in order to utter an honest opinion." — Charlie Reese, Journalist

"People who claim they support free speech but try to destroy people whose speech they disagree with are liars. When confronted with speech we disagree with, we are entitled only to exercise our own free speech and say, "I disagree." But if we attempt to punish the people with whom we disagree, we are revealing ourselves as fascist bullies. Trying to silence someone with whom you disagree is not respecting free speech. It is the act of a totalitarian who fears above all an open and honest debate... There is no free speech when people have to sacrifice their careers in order to utter an honest opinion." � Charlie Reese, Journalist

Joe: if the RNC is paying you, they're overpaying you.

Joe said,"Frankly it's rather obvious that this whole thing is a gimmick - the person is being offensive to generate free publicity"

That was a good point that Joe made, and Marshall McCluhan would agree. Joe was always getting the facts wrong and enjoyed arguing with others and twisting their words, and yet there were times when buried beneath the vituperation and platitudes which usually spewed from his mouth, a few words of wisdom would escape.

His online name was Joe blowme@blowme.com. He was like a little boy with a few adult thoughts. Most of his comments began with the usual vitriol... "Whenever I read stuff like this, I'm even happier that I don't follow the liberal party line. You guys are just so funny"..."You need to learn ...".. "Frankly it's rather obvious that..".."and anyone who...is pretty foolish.. which of course makes them a candidate for liberalism"..

Joe looks out the window and sees this classy, sweet, sophisticated, lovely young woman walking along the sidewalk and an awful feeling of loneliness comes over him knowing that such a woman would never have anything to do with him. Bah!, he says to himself, she is probably just some silly hippie commie feminazi anyway!! He then takes another look at what he wrote to those silly liberals, and feels much better now, as he has that glowing satisfaction of being far superior to all of the hippie libbies. Well, enough of this, he says to himself, as he returns to his former activity of dittohead and shuffles off to get some more Rush Limbaugh and try to forget about his own miserable life. How comforting to see Rush, another lonely, homely, unattractive, conservative which he could relate to...

This may over simplify things a bit, but this is one aspect (of many) that has turned me off to "progressive" thought. Libs. and progs. want the ability to wear and say offensive material. (no problem for me) But they want to do it in an environment that is void of the consequences of being offensive.(this can't and will never happen...that's the way the world is) And those who do take offense are marginalized and written off as insignificant to the culture as a whole. It's like "I want to be offensive but I don't want to be reminded by others that I'm being offensive"....it's so silly to me. And this comes from a group who alot (not all) are offended if you call first year female students "freshmen" or are offended by words like "Christmas" or "under God" or "patriotism." JoAnn...It's good to engage once again. Do you really see the conservative attitude the demon to be fighting? What is it about Judeo-Christian values that needs to be struck down. (not the religion or the religious) but the set of values put forth by the Judeo-Christian doctrine? If anything the permisive attitude that I see promoted on TV, radio, movies from the left is far more dangerous. It seems you want to promote some sort of conservative censorship. I guess Bono put is best.... "COEXIST."

I hate to say it, but I agree with the Joe guy - I have never been censured for anything I wore here in America, and haven't heard about it happening much when it wasn't in a school or some other "private" or "controlled" venue. I can't imagine an actual statue being passed outlawing the label of a brand of jeans for containing an anti-religious message (although, I could never have foreseen the passage of the Terri Schiavo thing either, so what the hell do I know?).

I know Abbie Hoffman was arrested for that American flag shirt like thirty years ago, but that case was eventually thrown out of court and the statute declared unconstitutional, I believe.

I certainly think that this thinking would offend a great many people, but there is much said and done in this country every day, already - ON ALL SIDES - that offends a great many people ON ALL SIDES. I liked Jon Stewart on Crossfire for just that reason - pointing out the idiocy of trying to break every issue down to "us vs them" demeans everybody and ensures that the character of the conversation never rises above fifth grade recess.

Sure, Wal-Mart would never carry such a pair of jeans, or such a line of clothing, but that is not censorship.

God bless America.

Oh, and thank you to the guy who posted about the nun fingering herself and the Jesus is a Cunt shirt - that was great.

Cure4Pain,

"Do you really see the conservative attitude the demon to be fighting? What is it about Judeo-Christian values that needs to be struck down. (not the religion or the religious) but the set of values put forth by the Judeo-Christian doctrine? If anything the permisive attitude that I see promoted on TV, radio, movies from the left is far more dangerous. It seems you want to promote some sort of conservative censorship."

I've got to take issue with what you stated. I am so freaking tired of hearing that being against conservatives is also somehow a strike against Christian values. Yes, there is a very vocal religious wing of the republican party but I believe that they are a minority, the rest of the party is the old school Ayn Rand conservatives. Cure4Pain, alot of Christians are bleeding heart liberals! Sometime check out the surveys of the religious make-up of both political partys, you'll be suprised, I guarantee it.

The permissive attitudes from the left on TV, radio and movies???? Did you know that Desperate Housewives gets it's highest ratings from the "red states"? The CEO's of those media companies? I bet they're Republican. Your chasing your own tail, my friend.

When the religious right wing boycotts another TV show, my reaction as a Christian is "Yeah, my family already watches very little TV and spend our time doing things together. But where are you, religious right, on the real battles for Christian values? Why isn't there similar outrage over communities harassing churches over hosting Tent City (for homeless people) on their own property. Why isn't that on the right wing echo chamber? Because they do not care. Period. Dirty homeless people, please...boycott a stupid TV show, now that's good TV.

The crap that's on TV influencing your kids is easily solved by turning off the electronic babysitter and maybe playing some games with your kids or going to the park. Trust me, there are people in both political parties who dislike the commercial lowest common denominator crap on TV. Liberals differ in that we believe ourselves capable of choosing for ourselves (and our children) what we watch on TV and what movies we see, rather than have the government decide (censor) for us.

Cure4Pain,

"Do you really see the conservative attitude the demon to be fighting? What is it about Judeo-Christian values that needs to be struck down. (not the religion or the religious) but the set of values put forth by the Judeo-Christian doctrine? If anything the permisive attitude that I see promoted on TV, radio, movies from the left is far more dangerous. It seems you want to promote some sort of conservative censorship."

I've got to take issue with what you stated. I am so freaking tired of hearing that being against conservatives is also somehow a strike against Christian values. Yes, there is a very vocal religious wing of the republican party but I believe that they are a minority, the rest of the party is the old school Ayn Rand conservatives. Cure4Pain, alot of Christians are bleeding heart liberals! Sometime check out the surveys of the religious make-up of both political partys, you'll be suprised, I guarantee it.

The permissive attitudes from the left on TV, radio and movies???? Did you know that Desperate Housewives gets it's highest ratings from the "red states"? The CEO's of those media companies? I bet they're Republican. Your chasing your own tail, my friend.

When the religious right wing boycotts another TV show, my reaction as a Christian is "Yeah, my family already watches very little TV and spend our time doing things together. But where are you, religious right, on the real battles for Christian values? Why isn't there similar outrage over communities harassing churches over hosting Tent City (for homeless people) on their own property. Why isn't that on the right wing echo chamber? Because they do not care. Period. Dirty homeless people, please...boycott a stupid TV show, now that's good TV.

The crap that's on TV influencing your kids is easily solved by turning off the electronic babysitter and maybe playing some games with your kids or going to the park. Trust me, there are people in both political parties who dislike the commercial lowest common denominator crap on TV. Liberals differ in that we believe ourselves capable of choosing for ourselves (and our children) what we watch on TV and what movies we see, rather than have the government decide (censor) for us.

Cure4Pain,

"Do you really see the conservative attitude the demon to be fighting? What is it about Judeo-Christian values that needs to be struck down. (not the religion or the religious) but the set of values put forth by the Judeo-Christian doctrine? If anything the permisive attitude that I see promoted on TV, radio, movies from the left is far more dangerous. It seems you want to promote some sort of conservative censorship."

I've got to take issue with what you stated. I am so freaking tired of hearing that being against conservatives is also somehow a strike against Christian values. Yes, there is a very vocal religious wing of the republican party but I believe that they are a minority, the rest of the party is the old school Ayn Rand conservatives. Cure4Pain, alot of Christians are bleeding heart liberals! Sometime check out the surveys of the religious make-up of both political partys, you'll be suprised, I guarantee it.

The permissive attitudes from the left on TV, radio and movies???? Did you know that Desperate Housewives gets it's highest ratings from the "red states"? The CEO's of those media companies? I bet they're Republican. Your chasing your own tail, my friend.

When the religious right wing boycotts another TV show, my reaction as a Christian is "Yeah, my family already watches very little TV and spend our time doing things together. But where are you, religious right, on the real battles for Christian values? Why isn't there similar outrage over communities harassing churches over hosting Tent City (for homeless people) on their own property. Why isn't that on the right wing echo chamber? Because they do not care. Period. Dirty homeless people, please...boycott a stupid TV show, now that's good TV.

The crap that's on TV influencing your kids is easily solved by turning off the electronic babysitter and maybe playing some games with your kids or going to the park. Trust me, there are people in both political parties who dislike the commercial lowest common denominator crap on TV. Liberals differ in that we believe ourselves capable of choosing for ourselves (and our children) what we watch on TV and what movies we see, rather than have the government decide (censor) for us.

First, ditto to everything Hannah said! She is so articulate and expresses my views better than I do! Wow, Hannah, you rock!

Cure, what you said about being offensive.. well, I don't even know where to begin. First, I have never even heard about anyone being offended by first-year female students being called "freshmen"? Where on earth did you hear this from? I could care less myself. I don't want to censor anything, never said I did. As for what is offensive, who decides that? So if a group of people get together and decide that a devil's face is offensive, then they create an environment which is not void of any consequences, so those who want to wear the devil's heads have to contend with those consequences, you are right. In France, Muslims are not allowed to wear their veils, because it violates separation of church and state regulations and some of the French find the veils offensive. So by your own reasoning, the ladies who are wearing the veils there in Paris, say, should not marginalize and consider insignificant those who are offended by the veils? The girls who wear the veils want the ability to wear the veils, but they want to do it in an environment that is void of the consequences of being offensive (this can't and will never happen..that's the way the world is). Some people are just turned off by burkas and veils, that's the way the world is, right?

Well, I am not offended by being called a freshman (were I a first-year student) nor chairman, I am not offended by sexy jeans with a devil symbol, nor am I offended by veils. Yes, indeed, we all need to coexist, I can agree with you on that one.... hey, we did find ONE thing to agree on this year! :)

CORRECTION... I meant that young Muslim girls are not allowed to wear their veils at school... they can, and do, wear them outside of the school environment.

Hannah, Believe me there are a lot more homeless people being helped than there is TV boycotting. And dare I say being helped more by Christians/religoius than liberal progressives. And I think you missed my point. I asked what aspect of the value system does she have fault with. My point being that conservatives "TRY" to uphold these. Yes there are plenty of PEOPLE who are Christians who have faults and I understand her contention there. But what do liberals pick fights over? They are teaching a whole generation to be "offended" by things that are not offensive. Like the word "Freshmen" But I don't buy the "turn off the electronic babysitter" idea. That still doesn't solve the problem of broadcasting crap. JoAnn.... I see your point but I think we would agree being offended by burkas or veils is ridiculous. Is that 2 things we agree on?

Cure4Pain,

"Believe me there are a lot more homeless people being helped than there is TV boycotting. And dare I say being helped more by Christians/religoius than liberal progressives."

I was not saying "liberal progressives vs. Christians/religious. I was saying that most of those "liberal progressives" are religious. Sorry, but religious belief isn't exclusive of the republican party.

When have you ever heard on National TV about Tent City? But we do hear about stores that say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas on TV News and boycotts of some new stupid doll. I do agree that there is alot more helping of homeless people than TV boycotting. I see alot of Christians helping people out of the limelight, fighting injustice and then there's a small group focusing on scandals and boycotts. Dreaming up Wars on Christmas so people can shake their heads and cluck their tongues and not notice the homeless family down the street huddled in their car. It's a distraction! Jesus wouldn't be focused on those things!

The aspect of the conservative/republican value system I find fault with is the "every man for himself, social darwinism, greed is good, etc."

What do liberals pick fights over.....the word "freshman". Are you serious or being funny? In case you're being serious, I'll make a list for you of the things liberals value and fight for.

Liberals fight for: Civil rights, equality, justice, compassion, a living wage, family leave, a secure retirement, affordable healthcare, to be able to afford having and taking care of your family, a clean and safe environment, a level economic playing field, a bigger middle class, investment in education and scientific research......

• OGM posters, did I forget anything? Feel free to add. -

No, turning off the TV (or just watching programs you like or rent DVD's) doesn't solve the problem of other people watching crap TV but then it would solve you being upset by what other people watch on TV.

What other people watch does not upset me. I am upset by what Hollywood thinks it needs to send me. I am upset that people watch shit like D. Housewives and and the E! channel and see nothing wrong with it. I don't think only conservatives are only Christian. I am sorry if I gave you that impression. I know liberals can have Christian worldviews. So it sounds like where we differ is you advocate a social culture. Nothing wrong with that. The needs and desires you listed "fighting for" are legitimate. I happen to believe in capitalism and smaller government. Actually, the Gospel of Christ, ironically, can fulfill alot of the things you are fighting for. If people seriously took on what Christ advocates (not talking about church, praying, Bible Studies, Pro-Life rallies and religious traditions) your idea of Socialism will work. But there will always be selfish, greedy bastards out there (on both sides) ruining and cutting short the utopia, that I would love to see, and that you wish to create. So….with that being said, I choose to live in the reality of our circumstances and know that I have to be 100% self-sufficient for me and my family. That is the most honoring option to you and the rest of the world. And when hard times come, and they will, I will ask for help knowing that I need to not fully rely on others, but humbly work to become self-sufficient again. What about those who are less fortunate than you or me? Good question. Under socialism there is no incentive to better one’s self. Like I said before….those less fortunate would have a better chance under socialism , but that requires the implementation of “Christ like thinking” for it to be fully realized. Capitalism requires people to continue to better themselves to stay competitive and useful. Yes, it leads to great corruption, but it also leads to great rewards. It creates the vehicle for our society to operate. For every 1 entrepreneur there comes the potential for several jobs. In socialism, even if fully realized, there is no reward. Sorry for trying to (attempt to) give Politics 101 here…..I just realized I am rambling and straying away from the topic. Anyway….rock on!! I use the Fresmen story as an example of the complete lunacy of progressive thinking. That's all.

ooooohh Wait I meant to say....I Used the Freshman example to show what liberals get "offended" by. Not what they chose to fight over.

Dear Cure4Pain,

"I use the Fresmen story as an example of the complete lunacy of progressive thinking...I Used the Freshman example to show what liberals get "offended" by. Not what they chose to fight over."

The freshman example is a straw man. No one here is offended by the word freshman. This isn't an example of progressive thinking, it is an example of what conservatives think and say what progressive thinking is. I agree it is ridiculous to be offended by the word freshman, as would most people.

As to your Politics 101: I perfectly well know the difference between capitalism and socialism. Did I mention I advocated a socialist government in my earlier post? No, I didn't. We live in a democracy, representing we the people, and that post is what I would vote for as a liberal. I really think it's dishonest to paint liberalism as socialism, just like it is dishonest to label conservatism as fascism. When a liberal government becomes socialist it is no longer liberalism. When a conservative government becomes fascist it is no longer conservative. I think either extreme is bad and that is one of the reasons I am suspicious of too much power for any political party.

"Under socialism there is no incentive to better one’s self."

Not socialism!!!!.....Liberalism gives many incentives to better oneself. It levels the playing field and creates safety nets so that people who aren't born privliged can partake in capitalism. For example, I know alot of people who were able to do better for their families and move up on the economic ladder through the GI Bill. My grandpa asserts that that was one of the number one causes for the boom in the fifties. How about social security? We no longer use the term "going to the poorhouse" (which was a euphemism for homeless) because old people are no longer destitute after they are too old to work. They now get a social security check every month.

Also, I hardly think helping people and making things fair is making it so they have no incentive to better themselves. I know that thinking is completely against the spirit of the Gospel. Jesus spent alot of time preaching about social and economic justice, so much so I don't see how you can miss it.

Because you've said before in other posts that you're Christian, I'm going to say something that you may be offended by I hope you reflect on anyway because you're a Christian. Reread the gospels. From some of the things you post, I think you are seriously straying from the path and what Jesus preached about. There I said it, it's rude (cause I barely know you) but now I've said it and perhaps it will cause you to consider things. Maybe not. Either way, Cure4Pain, I'll think of you in my prayers. : )

"Liberals fight for"

Hardly.

Some liberal ACTIVISTS may fight for that selective list of positive accomplishments. But just because you call yourself a liberal doesn't mean you've done anything like that. In all likelihood, you've just posted some rather juvenile ad hominem attacks to a liberal website, and tried to ride the coattails of actual activists in the past who have done something positive, while calling themselves liberals.

Most liberals are just as stupid as their conservative enemies. People are stupid and gullible, no matter what uniform they decide to put on in the morning. There's some ridiculous notion amongst liberals that they are all somehow smarter because the believe one kind of propaganda - just like there is among conservatives that they're more 'holy' or whatever for believing their own propaganda.

The best proof? Whenever you catch one of these coattail liberals in one of their acts of stupidity or a lie, they get defensive and start with the name calling.

Joe, It's good to hear somebody else echo those sentiments.

Hannah, It is not rude to confront in the respectful way that you did. In fact I appreciate your compassion. I have taken what you've said to heart. I am currently reading a book that has been kicking my ass in a lot of areas and helping me get perspective on my Christian Worlview. Growing up in the mid-west, I am realizing that I have learned some facets Christianity that are not accurate or complete. Anyway, that is for another time. There are valid "social" programs out there that you mention. Yes making economic situations "fair" is a worth while endevour for our government. I honestly feel that most of this stuff needs to be thrust upon the church. Faith based initiatives. Let the church handle the homeless. We want them. At least our church does. That's one of the reasons churches are here. Orphans and Widows!!! Drug addicts!!! Bring 'em on, we want you too. Then maybe the government could afford to do the things you mention. That's all for now. Thank you for your words.

Cure4Pain,

I'm glad you took that in the spirit it was intended!

I read the synopsis/review of the book you're currently reading, are you sure it's really stretching your mind beyond your current worldview? ; )

Now if you'd like to read some books that challenge your current perspectives on Christianity, I'm making a little wish list for you on Amazon of some my favorite books sitting on my family's bookshelf. All these books had an imact on me. Alot of them focus on serving through doing Good Works because, as my pastor would say, Christianity is not a spectator sport.

Cure4Pain's Wish List (In case you need the password to view it, I made the password: cure4pain )

Also, check out this website with a progressive Christian perspective: Sojourners

All these books aside, my advice is the same, go to the source and reread the Gospels.

• Hannah

"go to the source and reread the Gospels."

W3rd, Hannah - no better advice to give.

Regardless of whether or not you believe it (yet), belief in Jesus is the only way to know true peace.

Thank you. That is very kind. I will check it out right now!!