Extreme Makeover: Indian Sedition

Aseem Trivedi, an Indian cartoonist charged with sedition over images critical of the government, has been released on bail. Trivedi had originally refused to seek bail and wanted the charges dropped, but changed his mind after receiving assurances from authorities that they would be reviewed. In comments after his release, televised from outside the jailhouse, the satirist vowed to continue his campaign against the country's colonial-era law on sedition. The law in question is section 124A of the Indian Penal (and no, I am NOT referring to penises) Code, which was introduced by the British colonial government in 1860. The law prohibits "words either spoken or written, or by signs or visible representation" that attempts to cause "hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection," toward the government. Trivedi then thanked his supporters for rallying around him after his arrest triggered a debate over free speech in the world's largest democracy. But until that undemocratic and irrelevant law is repealed, a better option would be for him to head for a foreign embassy and seek asylum like Julian Assange did. And speaking of foreign embassies, the United States said it was taking measures to protect its citizens worldwide after protesters angry about an online film considered offensive to Islam attacked U.S. diplomatic compounds in Libya and Egypt yesterday, killing an American. In Cairo, several men scaled the walls of the U.S. Embassy and tore down its American flag, according to CNN producer Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, who was on the scene. And speaking of scenes, set photos were released today of Chris Hemsworth shooting a battle scene for Thor: The Dark World, set to be released on November 8 of next year, in Bourne Wood, England, where he is seen in a slightly altered God of Thunder armour.