Discussion
Don't know how anyone feels about this, but I'm appalled by the 2 years 8 months sentence on the bloke who wrote racist messages on an Internet Message Board about the death of Anthony Walker.
Firstly, I don't like the idea of the state regulating what you can and can't write, unless there is deliberate incitement (i.e. you are organising a lynch mob), simply because it is horribly unpleasant.
Secondly, I think the sentence is ridiculous irrespective of what was written. I've been on the internet for ten years and some things make your hair curl (what little I have left). Especially when racism is screamed at any point (e.g. at me for suggesting Inzamam-ul-Haq was a fat whining **** who should grow up.)
Thirdly, the sentence doesn't compare well to those sentenced for assault or causing death by dangerous driving etc etc.There was a bloke round here a while back who got the living daylights kicked out of him by some squaddies live on camera, no jail term. (It would be interesting to note if the blokes in the "Would you do my job" thread got this period of time.
Fourthly, it's pandering to special interest racism groups (again !)
But really, it's about effect. This bloke wrote extremely insulting racist messages, and some people were "upset" by this. So f****** what ? Rise above it.
I'm not sure I want to live in a country where assaulting a copper is a fixed penalty offence and saying the wrong thing (however unpleasant it is) gets you locked up.
Firstly, I don't like the idea of the state regulating what you can and can't write, unless there is deliberate incitement (i.e. you are organising a lynch mob), simply because it is horribly unpleasant.
Secondly, I think the sentence is ridiculous irrespective of what was written. I've been on the internet for ten years and some things make your hair curl (what little I have left). Especially when racism is screamed at any point (e.g. at me for suggesting Inzamam-ul-Haq was a fat whining **** who should grow up.)
Thirdly, the sentence doesn't compare well to those sentenced for assault or causing death by dangerous driving etc etc.There was a bloke round here a while back who got the living daylights kicked out of him by some squaddies live on camera, no jail term. (It would be interesting to note if the blokes in the "Would you do my job" thread got this period of time.
Fourthly, it's pandering to special interest racism groups (again !)
But really, it's about effect. This bloke wrote extremely insulting racist messages, and some people were "upset" by this. So f****** what ? Rise above it.
I'm not sure I want to live in a country where assaulting a copper is a fixed penalty offence and saying the wrong thing (however unpleasant it is) gets you locked up.
mondeohdear said:
Do we not have a law in this country regarding freedom of speech? Mind you, the bloke does sound like scum anyway as he was also done for creating 33 indecent images of a child.
We do have freedom of speech, but in exercising that freedom you can't trample on the rights of others.
Of course.
But does the right 'not to be upset' really justify a 2 year 8 month custodial sentence ?
Yes, he undoubtedly is scum : but he got 8 months more for the Child Porn. For a country that always is ranting on about doing it for the children, it's an odd balance.
But does the right 'not to be upset' really justify a 2 year 8 month custodial sentence ?
Yes, he undoubtedly is scum : but he got 8 months more for the Child Porn. For a country that always is ranting on about doing it for the children, it's an odd balance.
Edited by autismuk on Saturday 7th October 09:59
so he got 2 years for writing some personal comment about the guy who died and 8 months for some pix ?
actually left a message on that site and clicked a few random messages, 90% of which were offering viagra, cialis, some other drug, lots of mature adult fun and games, emailed the chucrh group to let them know that their site had been hijacked by scammers....
guess it shows that if leaving naughty messages to do it from internet cafe or use a proxy like torpark
actually left a message on that site and clicked a few random messages, 90% of which were offering viagra, cialis, some other drug, lots of mature adult fun and games, emailed the chucrh group to let them know that their site had been hijacked by scammers....
guess it shows that if leaving naughty messages to do it from internet cafe or use a proxy like torpark
r5gttgaz said:
Shame he wasn't a Muslim extremist, he would have probably been given a house instead.
The worst thing about all of this is that you could probably be prosecuted for saying that!
Yes there should be some regulation of offensive statements made about ANY group of people based purely on prejudice. I think that the problem is one of balance, the situation at present is stupidly wrong. Resources seem to be overwhelmingly targeted at "crimes" that are easy to convict, hence improving the stats, and there are always cases that the public can see are obviously plain wrong.
It is a disgrace....I do not condone anything that was writen and have the deepest sympathies for those who loved and knew the young man who tragically lost his life.... but I suggest those who have 'judged' this 'NONCE' for what he wrote take a trip to Northern France and Belgium (to name just a few)to see how many have fallen to preserve freedom of speech.
However he should be at the least castrated or given a lethal injection for being a 'Paedo'
However he should be at the least castrated or given a lethal injection for being a 'Paedo'
autismuk said:
Of course.
But does the right 'not to be upset' really justify a 2 year 8 month custodial sentence ?
But does the right 'not to be upset' really justify a 2 year 8 month custodial sentence ?
What "right not to be upset"?
autismuk said:
Yes, he undoubtedly is scum : but he got 8 months more for the Child Porn. For a country that always is ranting on about doing it for the children, it's an odd balance.
Quite. 8 years for that and 2 months for the other would be a better balance.
autismuk said:
I've been on the internet for ten years and some things make your hair curl (what little I have left).
I've been at it 19 years now and it was much better in
the 1980s before the Web.
They let anyone use it now, but in the past it
was a special network for anoraks, nerds and wierdos.
autismuk said:
But really, it's about effect. This bloke wrote extremely insulting racist messages, and some people were "upset" by this. So f****** what ? Rise above it.
I felt the sentence imposed was inappropriate, but
our friends in the Middle East are justifiably very sensitive folks.
Best not upset them.
autismuk said:
I'm not sure I want to live in a country where assaulting a copper is a fixed penalty offence and saying the wrong thing (however unpleasant it is) gets you locked up.
If you've got any marketable skills at all, feel free to leave.
Quite a few folks I know have left - Canada seems a popular destination.
vonhosen said:
mondeohdear said:
Do we not have a law in this country regarding freedom of speech? Mind you, the bloke does sound like scum anyway as he was also done for creating 33 indecent images of a child.
We do have freedom of speech, but in exercising that freedom you can't trample on the rights of others.
Unless you are of a certain religous persuasion of course. Then some police appear to become blind and deaf.
Edited by Tafia on Monday 9th October 10:21
I havent read the whole of this thread - so apologies if im repeating someone...
BUT
Look closer - avoid the media hype - he got the prison sentance for racist comments AND having child porn on his PC the latter being slotted in queitly at the end...
of course he deserved the prison sentance - it was for child porn...
End of.
BUT
Look closer - avoid the media hype - he got the prison sentance for racist comments AND having child porn on his PC the latter being slotted in queitly at the end...
of course he deserved the prison sentance - it was for child porn...
End of.
Tafia said:
PetrolTed said:
mondeohdear said:
Do we not have a law in this country regarding freedom of speech?
It's not actually enshrined in law is it?
Human Rights Act, Article 10, Freedom of Expression?
Article 10: Freedom of Expression
(1) Everyone has the right of freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without inference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
(2) The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
fidgits said:
I havent read the whole of this thread - so apologies if im repeating someone...
BUT
Look closer - avoid the media hype - he got the prison sentance for racist comments AND having child porn on his PC the latter being slotted in queitly at the end...
of course he deserved the prison sentance - it was for child porn...
End of.
BUT
Look closer - avoid the media hype - he got the prison sentance for racist comments AND having child porn on his PC the latter being slotted in queitly at the end...
of course he deserved the prison sentance - it was for child porn...
End of.
Nonononono. If he'd have got 2 years 8 months for the Child Porn (don't know the details) and 8 months for the abuse it would have been comprehensible.
He got 2 years 8 months for the Racist Abuse and 8 months for the Child Porn.
Now, I don't know what he said. But it is *irrelevant* what he said. It should not be possible to be jailed for 2 years for being rude, expressing an opinion, or upsetting people - however appalling those views are.
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