Does Britain need to catch up ?????
#47
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,529
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
I can't disagree more strongly, you have to quote Voltaire "I may not agree with what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it"
I mean, I think Engels and Marks were, through no great fault of their own, two of the most evil men to have lived. I don't think you should be allowed to quote them in your sig, because I am most awfully upset by the results of their writings.
I mean, I think Engels and Marks were, through no great fault of their own, two of the most evil men to have lived. I don't think you should be allowed to quote them in your sig, because I am most awfully upset by the results of their writings.
#49
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
http://today.yougov.co.uk/sites/toda...ues_101026.pdf
Clearly if you stand up and decry people who want capital punishement for certain crimes, you are committing "Hate speech" ?
#50
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,529
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
But who are you to judge what I find offensive or "hateful"...is it to be by simple majority ? Because if it is for example, IIRC the overwhelming majority of the British want capital punishment back for a start (75% from a poll taken in 2010).
http://today.yougov.co.uk/sites/toda...ues_101026.pdf
Clearly if you stand up and decry people who want capital punishement for certain crimes, you are committing "Hate speech" ?
http://today.yougov.co.uk/sites/toda...ues_101026.pdf
Clearly if you stand up and decry people who want capital punishement for certain crimes, you are committing "Hate speech" ?
Your point about capital punishment doesn't seem to have anything to do with hate speech. As a parliamentary democracy, supporters of capital punishment would need to get the issue on the parliamentary agenda then they'd have to somehow get a majority of MPs to agree with them. Then they'd have to get it through the House of Lords. Not to mention the EU dimension.
#51
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
The ultimate definition of hate speech is that which those in power find objectionable.
Now the UK definition of not quite that far reaching, well currently.
It has been interesting to note how Russia for example has morphed to using 'legal' breaches of its laws to deal with dissidents.
We had a recent example in North Korea where the legal system sicwas used more obviously.
Now the UK definition of not quite that far reaching, well currently.
It has been interesting to note how Russia for example has morphed to using 'legal' breaches of its laws to deal with dissidents.
We had a recent example in North Korea where the legal system sicwas used more obviously.
#53
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
For once, I completely agree with you HH. I find it worrisome that expressing my opinion here in the UK could get me thrown in jail if the wrong person overhears me. Hypothetically, if I happen to say "I hate brown-eyed people", I'm entitled to my opinion - I'm not asking anyone else to hate them along with me. That is not 'hate speech'.
#54
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
You seem to take very naiive view of it. If the majority of people don't like something, the way the law is drafted, you can be charged with "hatespeech" which is exactly as Orwellian as it sounds. We've had people charged with "hatespeech" for being rude about people with ginger hair.
#58
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,529
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
You seem to take very naiive view of it. If the majority of people don't like something, the way the law is drafted, you can be charged with "hatespeech" which is exactly as Orwellian as it sounds. We've had people charged with "hatespeech" for being rude about people with ginger hair.
I don't see anything to substantiate your assertion that "if the majority of people don't like something ... You can be charged with "hate speech." And I also still don't see what point you are making about people who want to reintroduce capital punishment. They could be prosecuted for hate speech? The people who oppose them (anti capital punishment people) could be prosecuted for hate speech? What conceivable offence could either group be deemed to have committed, under this group of laws??
#59
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
Sorry, I just looked at the wording of the various legislation (most of which has been on the books for decades, apparently.)
I don't see anything to substantiate your assertion that "if the majority of people don't like something ... You can be charged with "hate speech." And I also still don't see what point you are making about people who want to reintroduce capital punishment. They could be prosecuted for hate speech? The people who oppose them (anti capital punishment people) could be prosecuted for hate speech? What conceivable offence could either group be deemed to have committed, under this group of laws??
I don't see anything to substantiate your assertion that "if the majority of people don't like something ... You can be charged with "hate speech." And I also still don't see what point you are making about people who want to reintroduce capital punishment. They could be prosecuted for hate speech? The people who oppose them (anti capital punishment people) could be prosecuted for hate speech? What conceivable offence could either group be deemed to have committed, under this group of laws??
#60
Re: Does Britain need to catch up ?????
This is a very slippery slope. Now we already have censorship of the press coming.