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RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to French movie star Gerard Depardieu, who has threatened to give up his French passport to protest a proposed tax hike on the rich.
“Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting Russian citizenship to France’s Gerard Depardieu,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
Depardieu said on Sunday that a decision by France’s highest court to strike down a 75 per cent tax rate on millionaires would change nothing in his highly publicised decision to move out of France.
The government has vowed to push ahead with the tax rate, which would apply to incomes over €1 million a year, and propose a new measure that would conform with the constitution.
Putin at his end-of-year press conference said he was ready to offer Depardieu – whom he called a businessman and a friend – a Russian passport to resolve his tax row.
“If Gerard really wants to have a residency permit in Russia or a Russian passport, we can consider this issue resolved positively,” Putin said on December 20.
Depardieu had previously mentioned moving to Belgium, although he is a frequent guest of Moscow cinema festivals and other Russian celebrity events.
Special bonus content: a reminder of the high-pitched laugh of CNN’s Anderson Cooper:
(YouTube: SuchIsLifeVideos)
Who would want to read it?
Not the point imo. Are you happy to have others decide for you what you can read?
If anything we need laws to protect us from government interference in our privacy and free speech in Ireland needs additional legal protections as a matter of urgency. Lorraine Higgins almost got elected in the last election. She very nearly made it. People like her should be kept as fare away from the legislature and democracy as is humanly possible.
It is the point. If you really want to read it, it’s very very easy to get it. It’s not like they are banning books every day. It’s extremely rare, and in this case warranted. Why should the sicko who write get financially rewarded for their sick work?
Paedophiles probably.
This is really a very serious infringement of civil liberties. No matter how distasteful the text is, it should not be banned. Almost all of society would be appalled by such a book and would presumably choose not to read it. If we allow others to decide what we may read, it diminishes our own autonomy and we become less by allowing others to decide for us!
Oh and the content of the book isn’t an infringement of the civil liberties of our most cherished citizens? – namely our young children and future of this country who will no doubt as adults commend the board for making what is as much a symbolic objection as it is a censorship to this depraved material that only child abusing perverts would want to read, and perhaps even act upon as it would be seen in their sick minds to legitimise the horrors and their warped fantasies contained between it’s sick covers.
Oh please, this children nonsense again. First of all, I have read many books where children are tortured, starved, burnt in a concentration camps or beaten. This does not make me want to do these sick things. Second, child rape is a huge issue in Ireland and so it is clearly something that happens, Third, the article mentions nothing about how the context of the rape in the book. Context is everything Mr. Pope. You haven’t read it and you assume its sick. Schindler’s list is sick, the boy in the striped pajamas is sick. Should I not read those either lest my simple brain be warped by the experience?
Hilarious how you took my comment out of context while at the same time lamenting me about context, you haven’t read it either but I’ll damn well take the word of once or twice in a career censors acting on their sense of ethics over your desire to have every pervert and paedophile in the country fapping off to this or possibly even worse, acting on it, seems your simple little brain is already warped.
SST aka The Pope.
Ban it if you want, but anyone who wants it will probably just get it off Amazon or whatever.
I hate censorship and the fact someone else gets to ,or 5 other people in this case get, to decide for me what I can and can’t read. How infantilising. Almost infantilising as feminism would feel to me I suspect were I a woman.
I hate it too. If I wanted to read or watch something myself, I would. If I don’t want to then I wouldn’t. People know they’re own minds and you don’t need censorship to tell you what to do. If you want to ban something, ban censorship.
Ironically enough this ban will probably make the book more popular! Just look at what happened with the life of Brian!
The author should be arrested. What kind of sick minds produce shite like this. If people think that this rubbishy should be free for children to read then they need to ask themselves very serious questions.
Well they already ban child porn in video and image format, I guess that censorship must piss you guys off as well.
@Luke kelly. I’m with you there. How dare anyone! Tell me or anyone what they can or cannot read. The only good thing is the censorship board (Quango) has pretty much been an irrelevance sense the invention of the video player, and has been totally irrelevant sense 1992 with the invention of the Internet.
Child porn and herion are banned too Thomas, does that also upset you?
Child porn and heroin are readily available to anyone who wants them despite them being banned so banning anything is ridiculous when it can be gotten hold of anyway.
Banning books especially is the most backward of all and will now just make this book more popular as is the case with anything else that has been banned previously.
Ban censorship as in this day and age it’s pointless to try to ban anything.
Ron, banning child porn is a bit different from a banning a book wouldn’t you say? The reason it’s banned is because in videos & images, actual children are abused in almost every way imaginable. There’s a reason why that’s banned, but this is a book. I don’t think an actual child was abused for this book to be written.
So as long as it’s not an actual child it’s okay? You are, I take it, fine with cartoon child porn? Our legal system isn’t. if they were banning books left right and centre, I’d agree with you. But they don’t , it’s extremely rare and sometimes it should be done, if fot no other reason as to not financially reward this kind of tripe.
I agree Michael, You will probably get someone spouting on about freedom of speech etc as an excuse to get away with writing such trite. It is this sort of shite that really does make you question the mentality of some folk. However, censored or not, Folk will get their hands on it, and by censoring it, gives some the urge to want to read it just because someone has said they can’t.
@Thomas. I couldn’t care less what you or the rest of the perverts want to read but I do care what kind of filth is available for my children to read. Of course it’s pretty clear you don’t give a shite about the welfare of children.
Do you REALLY think it’s the same thing???
Should books about taking heroin be banned too!?
Your children – your responsibility surely?
TheBull, I’ve never even seen cartoon child porn, but I’m pretty sure that would be illegal too, even if there wouldn’t be actual kids in it.
You’re wrong Keith, people have been convicted of possessing child porn for having drawn images and animated videos.
This book is obviously child porn, you can deduce that from the title and the ban. As TheBull says above, they don’t ban books left right and center. This is a case of people who have read the book exercising common sense and idiots on the internet getting offended because they believe their “right” to read and publish ’50 shades of child rape’ is being infringed on.
I was typing my comment above before Keiths comment immediately before it was published so I was replying to his earlier comment before he adapted the exact opposite position to the one he expressed in his earlier comment. apologies to all if it seems a bit confusing.
How am I wrong? I just said it would still be illegal didn’t I? Though yes your right, maybe this book is child porn. So with that in mind, I don’t want to read it and I don’t need censorship guidelines to tell me that. The ban could be repealed and it could be made available everywhere and I still wouldn’t want to.
Please read my comment immediately above yours, the one that starts with the words “I was typing”.
So if you think that people should be allowed to decide from themselves whether or not they read the book then how can you square that with cartoon porn being banned when nobody gets hurt in its creation. You can grasp that the cartoon should be banned almost instinctively, what makes the book different? Why don’t you feel that the cartoon should be available and you can decide not to watch it yourself without needing censorship guidelines to tell you that?
calm down man !!!!
Ron I realise what you said about the comments because yours came up while I was typing mine so I made the same mistake. But my original point is that censorship doesn’t work because whether it’s banned or not, anyone who wants to read it will read it. Same with the cartoons, banned or not, anyone who wants to watch them, will watch them. Either way, only a certain kind of person will do either one or the other.
Luke, again I appeal to you – please get help for your ‘issues ‘ with women. It will make you ill you know, if it hasn’t already
@ Keith McDonagh – Amazon has banned at least one book that I know of.
You’ve read it then Elaine have you?
Sorry – what ‘author’ or publisher lets a book like that go out into the world??
Does this mean that the censorship board have been getting paid to do fek all since 1998?
No, they had lots of interesting reads, and were paid for it, and decided to ban none of those interesting reads. I’d like that kind of job.
Shake my hand GB :)
Horrific, just the description of the content was enough to make me sick.
Has anyone ever read The Kite Runner? The sodomy rape and molestation scenes were extremely graphic and this best selling book was made into a movie, how come it got past the censorship police in Ireland?
I read this book and completely agree with you! I saw a post recently on FB where a mum was looking for suggestions of books for her 12 year old son to read. Another person commented on it and suggested The Kite Runner. I pointed out that the book was hardly appropriate given the main character is gang raped and she told me she read the book when she was 13! Where was the parental supervision there! Imagine if that mother went and got that book for her 12 year old son based on that recommendation? It is an adult book! I know if I was her and had let the child read it I wouldn’t be one bit happy.
I’ve not read the book, but why ban it?
It does nothing to stop people buying it and reading it and if anything it now is a book that more people know about, they can buy it legally over the internet no doubt from any number of sources.
If you were on that board would you be so sure if yourself? – that’s not the point anyway, they are making a statement that this is not for for human consumption and should be avoided.
fit for human consumption”
Re: “the first book banned in Ireland since 1998.” At least we won’t have to look at it being promoted or reviewed anywhere now that the Censorship Board has had the guts to do the right thing. I certainly don’t envy them their job. And hopefully other publishers and writers will be discouraged from producing such filth for public consumption. Of course any of you who REALLY wana read it will have no problem getting it online. So no need to be self-righteous about having your reading material censored. Even if you are someone with zero interest in this sorta dark matter, remember censorship in this case is well-deserved and intended to protect that which we hold dear – our children. And basic decency. Mary Power.
Re: “the first book banned in Ireland since 1998.” At least we won’t have to look at it being promoted or reviewed anywhere now that the Censorship Board has had the guts to do the right thing. I certainly don’t envy them their job. And hopefully other publishers and writers will be discouraged from producing such filth for public consumption. Of course any of you who REALLY wana read it will have no problem getting it online. So no need to be self-righteous about having your reading material censored. Even if you are someone with zero interest in this sorta dark matter, remember censorship in this case is well-deserved and intended to protect that which we hold dear – our children. And basic decency. Mary Power
Say again? – I didn’t hear you the first time.
Just joking Mary, totally agree with you, and your comment was worth reading twice :)
How can you comment on something that you haven’t read? You are the one being self righteous here lady.
How can you either Ed? Embarrassingly stupid comment to make.
I disagree in that I’m not telling people how to think. I’m simply saying that if we haven’t read the book then how can we say for sure that this was the right thing to do. Once I have read it, then I can decide for myself if it is sick or not. I don’t have the same faith in the censorship board as you do.
Except on here of course lol and every other news site.
One argument against censorship is a personal one:- how dare they decide what is not suitable for me to read! But they are not aiming the banning of the book at you specifically. They are preventing the said book from going into bookshops generally where all and sundry can pick it up and buy. All and sundry means people of sophisticated intellect and taste, yes; however it also means people of immature taste, intellect and sexual proclivities – and these latter are the buyers most likely to derive motivation from a reading to go out and put the perverse dehumanising ‘idea’ of child rape into practice. If sophisticated selfstanding readers want to get their hands on a banned book they can fly to London or possibly New York and search out the banned book. Or search out a seller on the world wide web. Ireland is not being culturally deprived by the decision to ban the book in this case.
Then you have a special section in the bookshop for over 18′s. Problem solved.
There are lots of dangerous sex weirdos aged 18+.
Including this author
Why does your argument not apply to books featuring the rape & murder of adults? Should the same criteria not be applied in those cases?
Rape and murder of adult women is degrading, antihuman and criminal. Rape of children is caused by a mental disorder called pedophilia, for which psychiatric treatment is available. Possibly censors distinguish between a book which might stimulate evil actions against children by criminally ill pedophiles, and books which highlight degrading crimes against the adult person by sane adults.
So we police everyone to ensure that a sick minority cant get their hands on something. Nonsense. That’s the society we used to live in, remember? That was not so nice for a lot of us.
You really need to sort out your tags Journal.
Why isn’t #CENSORSHIP a tag for this article?
It is used as a tag on the Italian gay film ban story so when I clicked on it, I expected to see this article show up.
Don’t agree with censorship.
Would like some context re this book.
Is it fiction?
Non-fiction?
Or some oddball projecting?
In what context though is it to demonstrate what happened to a character or just something perverted. Sounds fairly disturbing though.
Anyone any idea what they banned back in 1998?
The Base Guide To London
Was it Madonna’s book ?
The passion of St Tibulus
It was The Base Side To London ,that was the last book to be banned here.
um, internet anyone ?
Not that I’d be running out to buy this, but how dare they decide for me. Where are we?
To censor this book is to do yourself & others a disservice. “every time you silence somebody, you make yourself a prisoner of your own action, because you deny yourself the right to hear something”. Christopher Hitchens.
Ah, so because I don’t agree with you, I must have a closed mind? One thing people in general have forgotten how to do is to THINK for themselves. And to watch out for those who are too young/ too immature/ still learning how to say ‘NO’. I take your point about The Kite Runner (film) it is not fair for me to knock it as I never had the chance to even try watching it. But my point is: how often do ADULTS choose for themSELVES what to watch (or read) and how often do we choose NOT to partake of something? Must we consume EVERYTHING that’s thrown at us? No doubt the author of this banned book will make a mint out of the unexpected free publicity given it by websites such as this. And some people will feel compelled to read it – for fear of being branded “holy Mary’s” God forbid! People can be sooo mindless, sooo easily goaded into doing things they really would prefer not to. Nobody wants to stand up and be counted
“Must we consume EVERYTHING”
No Mary we shouldn’t. We should still have the freedom to choose though.
Who is ‘we’?
- You Mr. Normal and a few sick paedophiles?
You’re on your own there mate.
Did I just get Poped?
But this action of censorship is removing our ability to think for ourselves on this issue. i.e to read it or not. By your logic you should be against this action. If you are turned off by some of the contents of a book then that’s cool, don’t read it, but to take away my choice to think for myself here and decide the merit of this book, by arguing that we don’t think for ourselves enough is just madness. Madness Mary, utter madness :).
Ironic with a handle like that, throwing such accusations around the place. Don’t worry Charlie, he’s fooling no one
New genre – paedo porn.
The word ‘porn’ isn’t appropriate for evil material or actions that involves the sexual abuse or exploitation of children by adults.
Yeah. Child porn didn’t have that punch in the title.
What are you implying you creep?
Not new unfortunately, but is that what this book is about? I don’t know yet. All I’ve found online is that we are the only ones to ban it.
I am disgusted by some of ye’er comments, I really am. Personally I would gladly do prison to protect my children (and grandchildren) from stuff like this. I don’t know why The Kite Runner wasn’t banned – maybe it should have been? In any case, I didn’t read it and would have great problems watching the film if it is as depraved as you describe. Am fussy about what I choose to feast my eyes on.
Mary, The Kite Runner was one of the best books I’ve ever read and the graphic sodomy rape scene was just a tiny part of the book and the movie didn’t depict the rape scene carried out by children on children as graphic as was detailed in the book.
Maybe you should open your mind and stop being such holy mary type.
How do you feel about books depicting the rape and murder of adults? They’re words on a page, nothing else. Nobody has actually been abused and as far as we know nobody is advocating abuse. Would you for example advocate the banning of Nabokov? Or books which actually carry instructions on child rape.. such as the Bible or the Koran ? Remember one persons filth and depravity is another’s satire or insight into the darkest recesses of the human mind… Nobody has actually been hurt here..
Mary your fussiness is denying you an education & a liberation. Before you make your mind up always open it.
Kool Tiger , I also read The Kite Runner and thought it was a great read too .
Suzie, don’t know bout you but this book had me in floods of tears so much so I had to stop taking it out with me when travelling on the tube cos I kept welling up at some of the harrowing scenes depicted in it.
Another great read by Khaled Hosseini is A Thousand Splendid Suns, if you haven’t read already give it a go.
Kool Tiger , there was sections in the book that got to me too but I had to see it through to the end , very well written , I read A Thousand Splendid Sun , enjoyed that one too . the other book got to me more though .
Perhaps you should read it before deciding it should be banned. Just sayin
Ah Mary, go rattle you rosary somewhere ya anachronistic harpie.
The tangible and historically significant nature of this medium makes it an easy target of state censorship even though they know and the public know the effectiveness of censorship in this age of communication is minimal and at worst encourages curiosity.
And what happens when it goes online, shut down the internet.?
Does anyone know who is on the committee?
Does it still have a couple of priests?….Lunch could be awkward.
Strawmanning – bad sign – move on.
I did just get Poped. Nice
So can it be downloaded too Kindle ?
I know it’s not an original idea,but why don’t we just burn all books ?
There are people out there banning books,and they talk of reforming the dail eairann,what a joke !
Just watch all the heads driving to Newry just to buy that book. The author of a book which would soon vanish without trace will be guaranteed some good sales in good old Ireland.
I can’t see this book searching on Google. Are they blocking it somehow? The only one with that title is be Sherry Murkin published in 1976. Is this a giant cock-up or North Korean style repression?
Lot of keyboard warriors on here trying to justify not banning this depraved piece of writing, wouldn’t like to be your children that’s for sure, anyone who buys this online from the likes of Amazon etc should be flagged to the police!
“down with this sorta thing”
ehhr…did anyone noticed that the publishing company’s name is ” Star Distributions Ltd” ( short for PornStar)?..Their published material is mostly about adult sex..is there any doubt this book is out there to supply the paedophile niche market?….This book was rightfully censored to protect children…
can anyone find the actual up to date Censorship of Publications Board “Register of Prohibited Publications”? http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/WP15000099
Before today I had never heard of this book, or the author, the only thing the censors have actually done is give the book free publicity.
I do not agree with censorship, I prefer to make my own mind up about things, as as no one seems to know what the context of this book is, I have just looked up other books published by Star Distributors and I have found a list of thirteen books which include “Lust Nympho”, “Tied Tight”, “Holding Wendy down”, “Health Spa Orgies” and “Holding Her Down” to name a few. So they basically publish porn, which leads me to believe that “The raped little runaway” is Child Pornography
I do not agree with censorship, I prefer to make my own mind up about things, as as no one seems to know what the context of this book is, I have just looked up other books published by Star Distributors and I have found a list of thirteen books which include “Lust Nympho”, “Tied Tight”, “Holding Wendy down”, “Health Spa Orgies” and “Holding Her Down” to name a few. So they basically publish porn, which leads me to believe that “The raped little runaway” is Child Pornography and pedophilia
have your say