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Rowan Atkinson on free speech
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- Published on May 30, 2023 veröffentlicht
- The Christian Institute spearheaded the Reform Section 5 campaign to get the word ‘insulting’ removed from Section 5 of the Public Order Act, as part of the Crime and Courts Bill.
After a lengthy campaign, which included support from celebrities including Rowan Atkinson and Stephen Fry, the then Home Secretary Theresa May eventually agreed. The change is now incorporated in Section 57 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 which came into force on 1 February 2014.
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You know it’s a crazy world when Mr. Bean makes more sense than most modern-day politicians.
(swallows goldfish won at fair) BINGO!
Politicians never made sense btw
Problem is that many politicians are also obstructed by the limitation of what the public allows them to say. Say one word that the public doesn't like and all the empty cans start to rattle and his or her effort to conduct a certain policy is over without any real debate.
What a hero. A truly intelligent, well spoken and wise man. My respect for him has grown even deeper.
Indeed!!!
It's not that deep bro, he's just saying I'm okay and I can say whatever because the law say so.
@That Guyif that’s all you got from this you need to watch it again
He had like 5 other shows where he spoke all the time. Ffs😂
Mr. Atkinson's speech is, unfortunately, in the world we live in, heroic. 'Save me from the "good" people.'
Hear hear 👏
jolly good
Bean
@2Signal2 B E A N
Can we elect this man? Mr.Atkinson has my vote
He is too smart to get involved.
SIR Rowan Atkinson is a highly intelligent man and as all intelligent men know, politics is not worth it, it's too dumb.
@Puro Rowan has not been knighted so unfortunately he isn’t a sir, he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire)
Methinks the only way Mr. Atkinson would end up in a political position was if the UK reintroduced National Service targeting competent and capable individuals to be placed into a position of leadership within the government for a few years at a time. Clearly, few level-headed, intelligent, successful, capable and trustworthy individuals ever enter politics thus this may be the only method to actually create a viable long-term system of governance for this country!
I always found this man's diction to be legendary. MR.Bean spitting facts better than elected officials..
Mr. Bean himself, I wondered why that name seemed familiar.
Maybe Lord Blackadder, please...
To be fair, that bar is resting on the ground and half-buried. Still... yes.
Not bad for a guy who used comedy acting as a way to cure an overwhelming stammer...
Outstanding. This is the first time I have ever heard Mr. Bean speak and he is so eloquent. Thank you for addressing such an important subject. God Bless You Rowan Atkinson.
Are you able to recognise Rowan beyond Mr Bean? His career spans so much beyond that one character he played.
@Brendan Parsons Don't be so hard on this person,I'm sure they know that there's more characters that Mr. Atkinson has played. Mr. Bean is probably the most memorable for this person. Have a good day 😊
I have listened to Rowan Atkinson speak on other occasions and he is amazing.
Smart people understand how important free speech is and Rowan is a prime example.
Yes, smart people both good and evil. Alas, evil people are trying to kill it precisely because it's so important.
how can anyone take Mr Bean seriously
jup he's also funny AF
The freedom to trade with cash comes first. When they take away that; freedom of speech is secondary
He'd get banned today for his NON-Speech.
This was an amazing speech. So well written and delivered.
Even when he's dead serious and talking about a rather serious subject,He STILL manages to make everyone laugh while at the same time make them all understand thanks to his light hearted stand up comedian style delivery...The man still got it.
Kinda insane how rare people like Rowan really are
cus there are politicians who takes things far too seriously and there are those who doesn't take it seriously at all and joke 24/7
Deep respect for Mr Atkinson, so much common sense and an antidote to the crazy society that is being created.
Mr Bean rarely gives speeches but if he does it means we came to a dangerous point when he can't help but warn us. Topical and strikingly concise talk to the point.👏
This is the best lesson ever on Free Speech
Well there is another one in The Netherlands, Hans Teeuwen after the murder of Theo van Gogh
My appreciation for Rowan Atkinson has just been amplified. He is another powerful man who has used his position to defend and uphold the right to free speech.
You hit the nail on the head ( no offence to nails intended! )
Yes, so true. Unfortunately, we are government by the least among us, not people like Rowan.
They certainly are a poor lot. The upcoming Covid review is reminding me how low they sunk during the pandemic.
Rowan is like the definition of a philosopher king. The very reason we want him to be in politics is the exact reason he never would be.
Same here... I'm proud to see the man of no words (Mr. Bean) speak out about the issue. God bless you Rowan
Absolutely brilliant speech by Sir Rowan Atkinson. I've been saying for a very long time that when society bases fundamental freedoms on what are essentially feelings, liberty suffers, and quickly. Notice how fast one goes from saying "hate speech isn't allowed" to "hate speech is anything I don't want hear." Increasingly, shockingly rude and hateful speech gets dumbed down to the point where it really is entirely in the eye of the beholder. There is NO fixed standard of what is truly unacceptable in terms of speech. Thus, the freedom to speak is ultimately in the hands of those who wield political power, nothing more. If they don't like it, you can't say it. This reminds me of Orwell and Lewis Carroll all rolled into one.
Huuuuge respect for Mr. Atkinson. Highly intelligent, modest and genuine human being. Very well spoken, grounded, reflected and he has a MSc in electrical engineering on top of being a brilliant actor.
Да имеет смысл высшее образование получать по гениальным изобретениям тоесть учиться на электриков и так далее
I love how he has remained reasonable and logical amongst other celebrities losing their minds due to pressure.
It is important that we have freedom of speach and freedom of expression otherwise we become less human . 100% Agree with Rowan Atkinson !
That is the point, to become less human.
This man knows how to give a proper speech 👏
People forget how utterly intelligent Rowan Atlinson really is.
Love his true and honest speech.
The fact that he can play witty and moronic characters equally well says much about his intelligence and versatility
@Vangror yeah I wonder if he make to make a fun of them, very intelligent people have very high egos and I'm sure Rowan has it, he look down on people that act moronic
He even said himself, how he hates mrbean(character)as a person
For me is like, he thinks: this is the most moron person on earth, we should look down on him and make fun of him because I absolutely despise people like him
Which is not bad because I love the character, but I wonder what goes inside Rowan Atkinson mind
Adam Sandler make silly character but he does not act with high ego like Rowan
@luistrim When Atkinson says that he puts freedom of speech above shelter, you know he's a person of privilege by wealth. Homeless people want shelter more than freedom of speech to preserve whatever dignity and self respect they have left. Atkinson has never been in their shoes and can't understand them. I am therefore not surprised that he would despise Mr Bean as the moronic character he portrays from his position of privilege. Perhaps that why he is so good in making others laugh at him too.
In the same measure, he is unable to see the perspective of victims of offensive speech. He advocates freedom of speech to give more of the offensiveness to get victims to become more tolerant of it! In another word, fight abuse by giving more abuse, a dangerous suggestion. He is talking from the white privilege of the majority not on the receiving end of offensive language. I wonder why he's called wise.
@PeaceMatters idk man I didn't watch the video ngl just watched the comment lol
@PeaceMatters I don't care about Rowan Atkinson on free speah
That was so refreshing to hear. What a legend Mr Atkinson is.
One of the best speeches on free speech you'll hear...
I wouldn't have thought that Mr. Bean was so well spoken
Brilliant, just brilliant. He needs to represent not just the UK, but to travel around the world some.
From a man, who made a career only with gestures and faces, this is incredible
MR.Bean spitting facts better than elected officials.
"elected"
If only he was the king
Mr. Atkinson*
Had it BEEN Mr. Bean, he'd say at most 5 words, and the listeners around could NOT stop laughing!
Thank you sir. We try.
I fuckin vote for him!
Heads up to mr.Bean, he was my favorite guy to watch when I was a kid, and after all those years he still never disappoints 😁
A wise and articulate man who dedicated his life to making the whole world laugh. What a rare and wonderful thing! I am not laughing this time. That is ok. He found something in that world that is not funny at all. This time I am just listening and taking his wisdom to heart.
Well said 👏 Amazing to see a childhood hero who brought happiness to my whole family, standing up for common sense and freedom
I've always loved this guy as an actor, and his story when I researched him further for a school project some 10 years ago.
But after this my respect has grown even more, I never thought Mr. Bean would be this based
Hear hear, Rowan! When a nation has lost the right of free speech, it's on its way to the sort of mind control history has seen in various of the obnoxious regimes we so decry.
What's truly horrifying is that I haven't heard a single politician give a more polished and reasoned speech in all my life.
I have. Enoch Powell.
I think you should listen to a lot more of them, and also include those of people outside of the spotlight, plus include those from other nations
Its not perfectly accurate but relatively good.
He has been influenced by the Mar ists talking points that are not the reality.
That's because Atkinson is simply portraying pure truth. He's not trying to hide anything and tying himself up in knots. The exact same way the priests were when covering up the sex abuse charges. But of course he's a highly refined, educated, gentleman and that helps but mainly the first reason.
Rowan needs to run as PM. He would be the best we ever had (not difficult really) because he's clearly more than just a comedian, as we can witness here during this brilliant speech. Legend in every way. 👏😊
Well said, sir. It’s not the most outrageous suggestion you make. Zelensky did it, and love him or loathe him, THATS a leader.
He's a great speaker and makes a great activist, but politicians should ideally do more than just talk. There is more to the job.
I remember Constable Savage on NTNN really well. I thought it hilariously funny at the time but nowadays I am shocked and concerned that the absurd has now become reality. Thank you Rowan for speaking out on our behalf.
Sad to see how far we've sunk even since this speech. Things have only gotten worse.
What I learned, from Mr. Bean, is that actions speak louder than words. Mr. Bean always did what others rarely had the courage to do. That's what made him so funny. What isn't funny is why this comedian has to speak common sense to power. When common sense dissappears, it's a scary, unsafe, place to exist.
When what was considered "common sense" becomes "a refreshing voice of reason" then you know how deep we have already fallen as a society. Frightening.
In the middle of the madness, I dare say Mr Bean can run the country better than the current establishment
Current establishment follows some kind of "guidelines" which means they are a part of some kind of ongoing plot (conspiracy). What needs to be done is: all the politicians who follow such "guidelines" need to be arrested as suspects for commiting "treason" then you go all the way up from people who gives such "guidelines" to people who organised all this mess.
Absolutely !
No doubt about that.
Well! I'm sure you're right about Atkinson probably could run any country better than most politicians simply because he's a decent, honest and thoughtful person....unlike most politicians
Mr. Bean for President! Yes!
Man famous for being silent expresses views on free speech. Thank you Mr.Bean.
Underrated comment
This dissertation speaks for itself. Bravo, sir.
Great speaker and brave for speaking out when he didn't have to. Unlike so many other celebs.
What a speech it was brilliant , everything he said made sense , we live in an age where everyone is looking to be offended , what happened to sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me , mr Atkinson all i can do is applaud everything you said and say thank you for highlighting the worlds failings ,so so well done .
always looked up to this guy when i was a kid, this dude is spot on
Mr Atkinson, you have earned my respect. Well done on educating and reminding us of Freedom of Speech.
Gained my respect just for playing The Sheriff of Nottingham in Maid Marian and her merry men (she was op and a favourite for sure 😉) way back when.
I have grown up a lot since them days and only ever gained more respect for the man-hopefully he don’t mess that up somehow ✌️
Had he not earned your respect by being a great comic actor, then?
@David White treat actors the way the Romans did
@lunar locust Then we shouldn't listen to a word Mr Atkinson has to say anyway.
We don’t have freedom of speech in the U.K.
Rowan’s got such a beautifully well spoken voice!❤
Hello how are you doing today can we be friends if you don't mind..?
Always been a big fan but this is my favorite of Rowans work. Much respect❤ thank you.
AWESOME SPEECH! I especially appreciate how he addressed how 'prickly' (and quick to anger) society has become in recent past. 😱
Love, Light, and Blessings of Peace. 🙏😇✨💫🌱🌿🌻🐝🌳🌎💖😺
Over the years my respect for Rowan grew immensly, his speach here perfectly shows why
So much respect for this guy!! ❤
we live in a world where comedians make more sense then political leaders now .
Hey, Volodymyr Zelenskyy used to be a comedian too!
@Alex Kuhn Canadian PM Justin Trudeau used to be a drama teacher...
@Bosey that's a lil different but the concept is close enough
@Bosey oh he was removed due too relashions with a 15 year old girl I heard ? Wouldn't put it past the dirty gubberment being's. Much love stay sane from the uk 🇬🇧
@Alex Kuhn and a singer 😂🤮thanks thought I'd wiped that image from my mind till I read your comment 😂
Love him. Even though he's speaking in a UK context, this could not be more relevant to us in Ireland at the moment, with our government trying to push through a vague hate speech bill despite vast public discontent and international criticism.
A wise man’s way to speak out about ugly truths 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 thank you Sir!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Talking common sense in a world of unconsciuos individuals, that feel offended not because of an actual "insult" but because they "feel uncomfortable" with a different point of view. Well spoken, Mr Atkinson. Thank you for the clarity! Thank you for being outspoken!
A brilliant, succinct and formidable speech. I couldn’t agree more with Rowan. I do hope many more with this platform and intelligence speak up to protect our society. We like to think democracy equates to freedom , however we are currently in a dangerous situation, where lunacy is shouting louder. The core of democracy for me always has been an ability to form our own judgments and FREE speech.
there's no such thing as absolute free speech. he's talking about freedom of expression, not freedom of speech
What an excellent speech. Founded in rational thinking and basic common sense. We need people like Rowan heading up the public sector, civil service and woke institutions who’re cancelling anyone whose opinion they dislike.
What an era we are living in where Mr.Bean himself delivering how important free speech is. Mad respect for my childhood favorite actor
Childhood favorite MUTE actor. :-)
He's almost like the Charlie Chaplin of our time, but uniquely himself.
Baldrick : Blackadder never gave me the freedom of expression to criticize him though I am smarter than him.
British Politicians: American politicians are like Blackadder. They never gave us the freedom to criticize America though the British are smarter then the Americans.
Reply
HE DONT EVEN SPEAK
If more people knew how smart Mr. Bean is, I think he has a graduate degree in an engineering field as I recall, they would give his words more weight!
A true hero in our time. Thank you 🙏
As an Australian I couldn't agree more Say what you've gotta say , argue or debate but don't hurt each other 😊
My respect for this guy is always going up
One can hardly imagine such words coming from Atkinson which in reality is factual.
The reality is that most politicians would love to suppress free speech more especially when it comes from a common man.
Well said Mr Atkinson
We need more heroes like Rowan. And we are starting to see more pushback against the censors. But we all must push back or we will lose what our forefathers fought so hard, and died for, to bring us. Free speech is the most important thing when discussing governance that there is. Without it we will lose every right that falls after it.
It’s amazing that a man who made a career of not speaking can speak with such clarity and grace. It just proves that it’s not how much you say, but what you say when you choose to speak. Sir Atkinson, my hat’s off to you.
Is Mr. Bean the only thing you've seen him do? He is brilliant.
@Sparky the Secret Squirrel I actually have seen him in speaking roles as well, and yes I realize he’s a very intelligent person. But at least here in North America he’s best known for Mr Bean
You need to check out his standup routines. He's one of the smartest comedians ever.
It takes incredible eloquence to speak clearly through silence.
remember that President Zelenskyj is a former comedian ?
"The freedom to be inoffensive, is no freedom at all". Thank you
We must be guarded against our law enforcement becoming a state police who would have anyone arrested for petty and ridiculous offences. As Kennedy said 'The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.'
Thank you Rowan Atkinson. I appreciate what you have said to be the truth, and I'm glad that you spoke on the subject.
I could not agree more with Mr. Atkinson. Rowen's words are right on target with what is wrong with society. Free speech is required for freedom to exist for all.
💯💯
We need real
Truly inspiring words so elegantly put fourth from a man of the people
Beautifully articulated! The marketplace of ideas and opinions is a fundamental cornerstone of all civil societies.
An exceptionally brilliant actor and speaker. He must be protected at all costs.
Who knew Mr.Bean would be not only a cherished individual in my childhood but now as an adult
Brilliant well said ... plus we need to have irony and humour back...just feels like we've lost it completely these days
When MR. Bean has to be the voice of reason, you know something went wrong. If this isn’t an eye opener then your blinders are on to tight.
Mr. Atkinson's comedic brilliance is nothing compared to his common sense and logical intellectual ability.
As offensive as it may sound I agree.
for all we know he might have been given a script for this speech and also for the Mr Bean series... if someone writes something brilliant and asks me to read it out loud, does that instantly make me a smart guy?
that being said, I think he is very talented, he has the skills of course, and I laughed a lot watching his Mr Bean character.
Yes, but only if this is the first time you've listened to him..
This guy never says anything dumb, it's always worth it to listen to what he has to say..
6:00 this worked in the 90s, the "n" word was bombed until little kids around the world were calling their friends "n", it's hard to be hurt when you've heard it a thousand times a day from little white kids.
it makes you miss the older generations a bunch.
Very well written speech. Wish I would have had him as, my professor when I was back in college.
"Who would have thought that we would end up with a law that would allow life to imitate art so exactly" - That's Rowan's way of saying "your laws are a joke".
You know it's getting bad when mr bean starts speaking like this 😂
The man of the century without a doubt!!! 🫡
What an amazing Human being 🙏
RESPECT
I love the irony of Mr. Bean - the ultimate "No speech" icon understanding free speech better than most people.
True that! Also love the irony of his career in general, in that one of the wittiest and most intellectual actors I've ever seen is most famous for a character that can barely mumble.
He was Edmund Blackadder before Mr. Bean. Prince Blackadder (the first incarnation) was rather dumb, but the other incarnations were very witty. Blackadder is brilliant comedy, in some episodes both Fry and Laurie are present, Hugh Laurie being in most of them.
A genius of our time
Never thought of it like that hahah
How to add up to the campaign ?
I love this man, he talks so much sense.
Very well delivered. ❤
Well said, succinct, informed and brilliant as always...
Good speech! And yes, one should take responsibility for what one says. In nowadays reality this has to be a point taken, but can only go as far as people want to or are able to. Although I believe responsibility and accountability to be examples of a healthy and selfconsious society, I also observe many people are still far from this, creating an evironment where free speech is abused for acting out their deepest fear and darkness. So we have to take into account and be aware of the impact of free speech on ourselves and our society.
completely agrre Mr. Atkinson. We need to keep free speech for us and for our childrens children.
A smart man knows how to satirize. A wise man knows how to satirize well and educates others at the same time. Mr Atkinson is a wise man.
Always reject totalitarianism, and embrace individual liberty. This should be the main motto for all humans as long as humans exist in this planet.
Free Assange!
@Pineapple On Pizza **Big brother is watching.**
@Pineapple On Pizza It is just sad that there was a person who fully embraced his individual liberty and expressed totalitarianism that led a certain ethnicity to almost extinction.
A clear and unambigious speech. expressing the need for common sense when applying criminal law to people's right to express opinion and differing points of view.
What a wonderful speech. Hard to believe thisis Mr Bean. Shows what a wonderful actor he is. Lovely voice, calm, intelligent, fantastic .❤
From across the pond: You are not alone. This was brilliant and accurately reflects the state of communications in democracies world-wide.
God bless you Sir! When, Mr. Bean speaks it is a beautiful thing! ❤
Thank you sir, for your concern for us, ordinary people, who are surrounded by the strange and unpredictable censorship of self appointed "well thinkers". Come help us in France !
Well said!
An articulate expose of the insanity that has gripped people
Has gripped the entire Western World
Only the Western World.
“Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.” ― Winston Churchill.
He is so clever and sensible. Like and respect him❤
"We need to build our immunity to taking offense". Wise words indeed.
Sorry things are this idiotic, as his examples showed. I live in Germany now and it's worse here! You get a lawsuit for writing honest truth, that can be checked. And since the lawyers are in it for their own paycheck and it seems the judges too, they don't check, but just make you pay for speaking obvious truth. What a horrid world this 'free' world has become.
At last the voice of reason. Respect Sir. This should be required reading for every police employee.
Awesome! Thank Mr Atkinson for speaking out and using your well deserved popularity to make an impact. We need more prominent people with courage to speak up.
@paulywogg59 We also need more "people with courage to speak up." Apathy shrivels the masses and they become helpless and indifferent ...
Free Assange!!
Rowan Atkinson is an absolute legend! Glad he understands this stuff, so sad how many people in his circles have dropped off and become raging hypocrits.
I like how he can tackle a serious subject very seriously as well putting some humor in there , humor is the way forward as well as trying to stop their stupid plot
I admire he's speech ❤
I thought this would be a mocking parody but he is correct and absolutely a man standing up for free speech. Almost sounds like hes a secret Christian. (I don’t know if he is one I don’t follow famous peoples lives) but I love him even more, you were amazing in Johnny English.
Thanks Rowan for taking the time to highlight the importance of Free Speech, fundamental to democracy💚
This is a video I seen well over 5 years ago.