Gene Simmons' Comments Anger Australians - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 05-14-2004, 10:58 PM

Kiss Bassist Comments Anger Australians

The Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia - Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has sparked outrage in Australia with comments seen as attacking Islam.

"This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it's willing to just live in the sands of God's armpit you've got another thing coming," Simmons said during an interview on Melbourne's 3AW radio Thursday. "They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil."

The Western world was under threat from extremists and a culture that treated women worse than dogs, he claimed in a segment of the interview that touched on the war in Iraq.

"You can send your dog to school to learn tricks, sit, beg, do all that stuff — none of the women have that advantage," the 54-year-old said.

Angry Muslims flooded the radio station with calls, furious over Simmons' comments.

Susan Carland, Australian Muslim of the Year, rejected what she saw as Simmons' stereotype of Muslim women. She has two university degrees, she said, and "I certainly do not walk behind my husband."

"Mixing the entertainment world with the political and religious world is a minefield," said Yasser Soliman, the chairman of Victoria state's Islamic Council.

"I think it would be good for overseas speakers and commentators to be given some sort of advice in regards to our vilification laws here," Soliman said. "They leave and go back to where they arrived from, but they leave behind a big mess that we have to live with."

Chrissie Camp, who is in charge of publicity for Kiss' Australian tour, said Simmons was unavailable for comment Friday.

The band was due to perform in Melbourne on Friday night and Saturday before shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

Dean Winchester · 05-14-2004, 11:27 PM

I am very apalled at what happened with Nick Berg (which could've been the cause of Gene's comments), but it's stupid to attack the entire Islamic culture because of what a few extremists do.

AKA · 05-14-2004, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79
I am very apalled at what happened with Nick Berg (which could've been the cause of Gene's comments), but it's stupid to attack the entire Islamic culture because of what a few extremists do.

Yeah. The Nick Berg thing made me sick to my stomach. But that doesn't justify Mr. Simmons' comments.

Glad I never liked Kiss. Otherwise, I'd be getting rid of all my Kiss albums right now.

ABlairican Pie · 05-15-2004, 11:08 AM

I can see how he came up with that sort of view, seeing that he's Jewish and was born in Israel, but yeah, he's been known to be arrogant and wallows in his own ignorant opinions.

Btw, speaking of Nick Berg, has anyone heard about a radio dj in Seattle who got fired for mocking his execution on the air?

AKA · 05-15-2004, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Captain ABlairica
Btw, speaking of Nick Berg, has anyone heard about a radio dj in Seattle who got fired for mocking his execution on the air?

I read about that. Those DJs got what they deserved.

I thought it was in Portland, though.

05-14-2004, 10:58 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Gene Simmons' Comments Anger Australians Kiss Bassist Comments Anger Australians The Associated Press MELBOURNE, Australia - Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has sparked outrage in Australia with comments seen as attacking Islam. "This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it's willing to just live in the sands of God's armpit you've got another thing coming," Simmons said during an interview on Melbourne's 3AW radio Thursday. "They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil." The Western world was under threat from extremists and a culture that treated women worse than dogs, he claimed in a segment of the interview that touched on the war in Iraq. "You can send your dog to school to learn tricks, sit, beg, do all that stuff — none of the women have that advantage," the 54-year-old said. Angry Muslims flooded the radio station with calls, furious over Simmons' comments. Susan Carland, Australian Muslim of the Year, rejected what she saw as Simmons' stereotype of Muslim women. She has two university degrees, she said, and "I certainly do not walk behind my husband." "Mixing the entertainment world with the political and religious world is a minefield," said Yasser Soliman, the chairman of Victoria state's Islamic Council. "I think it would be good for overseas speakers and commentators to be given some sort of advice in regards to our vilification laws here," Soliman said. "They leave and go back to where they arrived from, but they leave behind a big mess that we have to live with." Chrissie Camp, who is in charge of publicity for Kiss' Australian tour, said Simmons was unavailable for comment Friday. The band was due to perform in Melbourne on Friday night and Saturday before shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

05-15-2004, 11:08 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I can see how he came up with that sort of view, seeing that he's Jewish and was born in Israel, but yeah, he's been known to be arrogant and wallows in his own ignorant opinions. Btw, speaking of Nick Berg, has anyone heard about a radio dj in Seattle who got fired for mocking his execution on the air?
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

05-14-2004, 11:27 PM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I am very apalled at what happened with Nick Berg (which could've been the cause of Gene's comments), but it's stupid to attack the entire Islamic culture because of what a few extremists do.