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Originally posted by INDOMITABLE
Was he a criminal, or did he just have unpopular views?
Originally posted by destination now
reply to post by SpaceMonkeys
You just don't get it, you fully accept that there should be restrictions on what you can say on a forum, but don't think that should apply in real life? Because it's not about what Govt says we can and can't say, it's about what society decides is acceptable and what is not. The hypothetical example given a few posts above ours about someone taking their disabled son out and having all sorts of abuse shouted at them, is unacceptable, and sadly whilst that was a hypothetical example sadly it happens all too often in real life.
So what do you suggest is a reasonable way to deal with people who verbally abuse people for no reason?
Originally posted by BMorris
I've said it before, many times on these forums.
The UK does not have a right of free speech.
What we have is called the negative right to the freedom of creation and expression.
Basically this means we can say and do whatever we want, providing it does not contravene any laws, local or national.
Hate speech, in the UK is ILLEGAL under the Public Order Act of 1986.The guy broke this law, and in doing so, lost his rights under the Negative Right to the Freedom of Creation and Expression. While you may not agree with it, and I personally don't agree with it, his arrest IS justifiable under established UK legislation. Quite old legislation at that, too.
You can't ignore a law just because you don't agree with it, neither is ignorance of said law, an excuse.
If you don't like a law, run for Parliament, and change it.edit on 31/12/2012 by BMorris because: Additional
Originally posted by INDOMITABLE
What was his crime exactly?
Was he a criminal, or did he just have unpopular views? How much resources have been wasted arresting this man, over an internet diatribe. LOL Are we gonna start policing opinions and comments online.
Originally posted by DoomDoomDoomy
Originally posted by INDOMITABLE
What was his crime exactly?
Was he a criminal, or did he just have unpopular views? How much resources have been wasted arresting this man, over an internet diatribe. LOL Are we gonna start policing opinions and comments online.
His Crime - and I think section 1 (a) applies here (menacing character).
I think it's pretty naive to assume that laws that apply to one country immediately apply to another - intimated by the use of your word 'we' (though I say that under assumption and nothing more). Though, I am in agreement that a possible misuse of resources have been applied to this one case - more so when I read of gangland style executions less than two miles away from where this guy lives. However, if there are laws in place then they must be upheld...surely?edit on 31-12-2012 by DoomDoomDoomy because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by DoomDoomDoomy
I think it's pretty naive to assume that laws that apply to one country immediately apply to another
What was his crime exactly?
At Common Law, an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact.
An assault is carried out by a threat of bodily harm coupled with an apparent, present ability to cause the harm. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in either criminal or civil liability. Generally, the common law definition is the same in criminal and Tort Law. There is, however, an additional Criminal Law category of assault consisting of an attempted but unsuccessful Battery.
Statutory definitions of assault in the various jurisdictions throughout the United States are not substantially different from the common-law definition.
Originally posted by DoomDoomDoomy
As a quick follow up from the Liverpool Echo
Link
Lawrence, of Toxteth, appeared at Liverpool magistrates court on Saturday after being charged with sending, by means of public electronic communication, a message which is deemed grossly offensive.
Originally posted by Grimpachi
You get a ticket jaywalking. Don’t be absurd.