Tom and Jerry up in smoke

It's unbelievable, yet true.

Tom and Jerry is to be edited because of episodes where the characters are smoking. Apparently it's a big no-no because it alledgedly 'glamorises' the habit. Some poor schmuck has to go through all of the episodes and take out those scenes.

The BBC is running this story on a viewer's complaint that the vintage animations were not appropriate for young viewers.

Yes, punters, that's right: one viewer, one complaint. About smoking.

I agree smoking is nasty and it sets a bad example but... Holy Shit! What About the Violence??? Cartoons are synonymous with over-the-top violence. Characters are killed and maimed in the most heinous of ways, yet it takes only one viewer complaint and the least offensive aspect is edited out. The online resource, Wikipedia has more information on the savaging Tom and Jerry has recieved over the years.

Build that bridge, viewer, move over it and move on; there are more important things being shown in the media that need your attention.

It's from these 'small' complaints that larger, stupeyfingly silly things grow. Does 'happy holidays' ring a bell? Why can't a Christian country celebrate Christmas? Why do those of alternative religions have to ruin it? Christians have yet to ruin their holiday season.

I'm a Pagan, but I'm not offended by Christmas, or Hannukah, or Ramadan or any other religious holiday celebrations. These kinds of celebrations are about peace and harmony and a pagan cannot be unhappy with that. Not so with some bitter and twisted religious nutjobs. Here, for example, it took the threat of one law suit by a Jewish father to stop a school from performing a Nativity play. One fuckwit sucked all the joy and excitement out of those confused children at a time when they should have been looking forward to Christmas while learning what it was all about.

My question is this: why is it that minority opinions have a larger sway than majority opinion?

If you find Tom and Jerry offensive, don't watch it! If you find Christmas, Hannukah or Ramadan offensive don't celebrate it! If you find Enid Blyton's Noddy books offensive don't read them! If you find Gangsta Rap offensive, don't listen to it. Isn't it simple? What ever offends you, you have a choice not to engage in it without denying the rights of others to indulge themselves.

For an ostensibly sophisticated and civilised society, we are increasingly allowing fringe-dwelling mutts to dictate anything historical, cultural, religious, political or societal that reflects their own twisted agenda. And yeah, sure, within this society they have the right to bitch and moan and complain, but not - hear me? - NOT at the expense of the majority and we should never give in to their hysterics. Individual rights do not outweigh the needs of the community.

As for Tom and Jerry? I didn't like them when I was I child, I still don't as an adult. But I object to anyone changing the cartoon. It is a slice of history, a commentary on society, a precursor to modern animation and, it is entertainment; for the legions of fans.