Reykjavik mayor jokes about porn, takes back comment
Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:49 pm
Two recent stories from Iceland:
Obviously the Mayor's comments were totally unacceptable but it's good that they've provoked such a strong reaction and that he felt the need to quickly take them back. Gnarr by the way is one of Iceland's most famous comedians and was elected for the 'Best Party' which was set up as a joke party and won huge support in the recent council elections among people who were disillusioned with the mainstream parties.
Mayor's Internet Porn Use Discussed in City Hall
9.9.2010
Due to a remark in an interview with the foreign press that Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr goes online to look at "mostly porn," the matter will now be brought up and discussed in city hall.
In the interview in question, with the AFP, among other questions, Gnarr is asked about his internet habits. His response, said with a laugh, was "Mostly porn."
Sóley Tómasdóttir, city council representative for the Left Greens, has taken the matter seriously and wants it discussed in city hall today.
"Maybe it was a joke, but I don't know how innocent it was," Sóley told Vísir. "Jokes like this don't do anything but normalize porn. Humor is a powerful weapon, as Jón knows well. This is very serious, and in direct opposition to the city's platform on human rights."
Sóley here refers to the fact that it is a part of the city's human rights platform - which Sóley helped author - to work against the spread of pornography. She also adds that it's a serious matter that the mayor of a city, himself a role model to young people, would make light of porn.
Hrannar Björn Arnarsson, assistant to the Prime Minister, agrees with Sóley, as does Björk Vilhelmsdóttir, chairman of the city social welfare committee. "Porn is violence," she writes on her Facebook page. "I don't understand why the mayor was saying this, seeing how he's a sincere spokesman against violence."
Mayor: "I Was Kidding"
9.9.2010
Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr clarified his position on pornography today after a remark he made during an interview with the AFP sparked harsh criticism from other Icelandic politicians.
As reported, he had answered a question about his online habits by saying, with a laugh, that when on the internet he's checking out "mostly porn". This remark prompted a strong reaction from a Left Green city councilperson, who said in part, "Jokes like this don't do anything but normalize porn. Humor is a powerful weapon, as Jón knows well. This is very serious, and in direct opposition to the city's platform on human rights." Björk Vilhelmsdóttir, chairman of the city social welfare committee, took the same opinion, adding, "Porn is violence. I don't understand why the mayor was saying this, seeing how he's a sincere spokesman against violence."
Today, the mayor clarified his position, stating in part, "I was kidding. I find porn tragic. It's a loveless world and unattractive. This is sex without love."
"Icelandic politics is at such a low plane that an inappropriate man can become mayor," he continued. "Politics is in many ways an act, and I haven't learned all the rules yet. But I'm getting it."
His response was welcomed by the Feminist Society of Iceland, for taking a clear position against pornography.
Obviously the Mayor's comments were totally unacceptable but it's good that they've provoked such a strong reaction and that he felt the need to quickly take them back. Gnarr by the way is one of Iceland's most famous comedians and was elected for the 'Best Party' which was set up as a joke party and won huge support in the recent council elections among people who were disillusioned with the mainstream parties.