US defends Jay Leno Golden Temple jibe (India claims anti-Sikh bigotry)

[alp227]

The US has defended comedian Jay Leno's right to free speech after India condemned a comment made by him about the holiest Sikh shrine.

A Leno skit showed the Golden Temple of Amritsar as the summer home of Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Mr Romney has faced questions over his wealth and many Sikhs are angry the temple has been depicted as a place for the rich.

The Sikh community has launched an online petition over the comment.

full: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16695749

[JI7]

1. what a bunch of idiots, it's like some religious people just sit around

waiting to be offended.

[msongs]

2. sorry but freedom of speech is not much of a family value in many places nt

[EFerrari]

6. Objecting to repulsive right wing hackery is also freedom of speech.

[Loudmxr]

3. Cultural ignorance is the source of bigotry.

I inherited a little black kitty from my late friend Gennie King.

His name was "Spook".

One day he got lost and I searched the apartment complex crying "Spook! Spook!!"

Then one of my black neighbors came around the corner and I remembered what my dear artist Eddie Marie Kurgan, a black country singer, once said.

Sounds like there is a spook in the room... I mean besides me.

I realized that "Spook" is a pejorative term for black people at that moment.

I gagged.

I strive to eliminate prejudice and bigotry in my life every chance I get....but it takes education.

Jay should apologize.

And, because I and Tony the producer recently lost her

enjoy our finest work together

[Tunkamerica]

12. If he really thought it was romney's house, and wasn't making a joke, then he should apologize.

If it was a joke that hurt no one, was marginally funny, and is his right... then he should just keep being jay leno.

[bananas]

13. Yes, Jay should apologize, here's a link to the peition

Here's a link to the petition: http://change.org/petitions/nbc-the-tonight-show-with-jay-leno-stop-defaming-sikhs-and-using-derogatory-remarks-against-the-sikh-shrines

[limpyhobbler]

4. Joke was lost in translation.

It doesn't make any sense to them.
Culture gap.

It would be like if Leno made the same joke but then showed a picture of a Jewish temple.
It's not just a religion, it's an ethnic community with a history.

Or if he showed a picture of Notre Dame Cathedral.
We'd be like "how does that even make sense, it's a church, not a mansion?"

The joke is funny as long as you don't know what the building in the picture is.

[Recovered Repug]

5. If it weren't for the complaint,

I wonder how many Americans would have known what the building really was. I'll admit I wouldn't have.

[Glimmer of Hope]

7. What was Leno thinking? It is holy place for Sikhs so I can imagine why they are upset.

They also feed more than 40,000 people a day at that temple. It is a rather amazing place.

[Ecumenist]

8. He Wasn't. that's the problem.

[Tunkamerica]

11. OMG! he called it something other than it was?! and it was a place where good is done!?

well they should just shut the place down now. Stupid Leno.

[MADem]

9. The skit called it Romney's "summer home at Lake Winnepesaukee."

The thing is a Golden Temple and it is HUGE and looks like it is made of, well, gold. The idea was to suggest that Mittsy is rich as Midas, not to insult Sikhs.

Who watches Jay Leno anymore?

[muriel_volestrangler]

10. It is a huge, fabulously decorated and lit building

If Sikhs don't want anyone to notice it, they should turn the lights off and paint it grey the next time.

What an absurd objection to the use of a picture.