Concerning Blasphemy (and Irony)

The mayor of Aberystwyth (no, I didn't sneeze on my keyboard, it's a city in Wales) is attempting to overturn a nearly 30-year ban on the Monty Python classic, the Life of Brian. The mayor dismissed the argument that the film constitutes blasphemy, saying: "I would like to think that any religion would have the generosity to see the film for what it is, which is a comedy."

Well put. Except the mayor, Sue Jones-Davies also played the role of Brian's girlfriend in the film. In fact, she even performed nude in one scene. But considering what makes the air in Britain these days, Monty Python is almost family friendly by comparison.

It's reassuring to know that fighting conservative religious zealots is not a uniquely American problem.