61 replies to this topic

[Ullman]

I read this as Muslims Target Goole.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

I read this as Muslims Target Goole.

by the look of the place somebody already has.

[Northern Sol]

They are using free speech to protest about free speech.

And?

I didn't suggest that they had no right to protest.

In that they are no different to the people who stand for election on platforms that would reduce democracy.

Who are these people

[Leeds Wire]

I am far from saying that we should have strict blasphemy laws but we should understand that the freedom to do what clearly offends millions may not be as basic a right as we take it to be.

What exactly are the consequences of someone being offended?

Where is the line of offence drawn in the sand? Is it simply about not being allowed to offend religious people? Why is ok to offend some people but not others?

I just don't get it. If people are offended by words, or cartoons, or comedians, whoever... so what? Nobody gets hurt.

[gingerjon]

Who are these people

You'll find extremists on the right, left and religious wings of nutterdom standing on a platform of bringing about their utopia. Often it includes either dispensing altogether with representative democracy or severely restricting it.

[gingerjon]

It is however very concerning that the BBC is now reporting that 'people have been arrested' trying to reach Malala Yousafzai - the girl shot in Pakistan by the Taliban who is now in a UK hospital.

[Johnoco]

It is however very concerning that the BBC is now reporting that 'people have been arrested' trying to reach Malala Yousafzai - the girl shot in Pakistan by the Taliban who is now in a UK hospital.

Seriously?

[gingerjon]

Seriously?

Seriously. Sky are reporting it too.

Overnight arrests. No further details.

[gingerjon]

http://news.sky.com/...t-girl-recovers

[John Rhino]

One big difference, I could walk down the road with a banner deriding the royal family or the house of lords, I could draw a cartoon of them or even write a book ripping the shoot out of them..

I doubt very much that you could. Barry Thew has just been jailed for four months for wearing an offensive T shirt about the police.

Most people would agree it was off the scale of offensive but after all it was only a T shirt and therefore more than obvious who was making the comment . Within 30 minutes or so he would have got a bloody nose for his troubles anyway - the police and the courts are now deciding what you can say on your shirt.

A free country we most certainly are not. We have sunk to the level of theocracies and despots everywhere.

[Johnoco]

The difference there though is that he is a serial offender and broke the terms of his order, not necessarily because of what it said on his shirt. And he was unlikely to be attacked by a mob of pro-police enthusiasts either, which probably would be the case if wearing an insulting to Islam one.

I do agree with a lot of your post but we aren't quite that bad - yet.

[Hornetto]

Interesting one doing the rounds here today is to put '<social group> is/are' into Google and see what options/suggestions it offers. Try it with 'Muslims' - it's not very pleasant. Perhaps they DO have a gripe with Google?

[l'angelo mysterioso]

http://www.telegraph...-Google-HQ.html


What to make of this?

They can get outraged about this but apparently no-one gives a toss about the young girl shot in the head by the Taliban for promoting education for girls? Isn't that more offensive? Not to mention the people already killed over this ludicrous affair? I also don't like the thinly veiled threats about 'pushing people too far'. It's some troublecauser, not even in this country....what has it to do with us?

I mean, I can see why they are offended but since when has that not been allowed?

I've been having some discussions with Muslims I know over about the last year and had decided I was too harsh and somewhat unfair. But I don't see where we can compromise on issues like this. If you don't understand the concept of free speech, there's not a lot of places we can go really.

I agree John
apart from the bit about lack of concern about the shot girl.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

What exactly are the consequences of someone being offended?

Where is the line of offence drawn in the sand? Is it simply about not being allowed to offend religious people? Why is ok to offend some people but not others?

I just don't get it. If people are offended by words, or cartoons, or comedians, whoever... so what? Nobody gets hurt.

I find religion offensive(but not necessarily the religious)

[Johnoco]

I agree John
apart from the bit about lack of concern about the shot girl.

I was referring to the people on this march, although it might not have been clear. I know there has been protests against her shooting elsewhere.

I know we have previous on this matter but this is not just me stirring it mate. I think its a highly important matter that will run and run.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

I was referring to the people on this march, although it might not have been clear. I know there has been protests against her shooting elsewhere.

I know we have previous on this matter but this is not just me stirring it mate. I think its a highly important matter that will run and run.

I know John and I agree with you.

[Northern Sol]

You'll find extremists on the right, left and religious wings of nutterdom standing on a platform of bringing about their utopia. Often it includes either dispensing altogether with representative democracy or severely restricting it.

I'm aware of that but I fail to see how comparing this lots of protestors to the BNP (or similar) is supposed to reasssure anybody.

[John Rhino]

The difference there though is that he is a serial offender and broke the terms of his order, not necessarily because of what it said on his shirt. And he was unlikely to be attacked by a mob of pro-police enthusiasts either, which probably would be the case if wearing an insulting to Islam one.

I do agree with a lot of your post but we aren't quite that bad - yet.

Aplogies. The Indy has been running this story for the last couple of days and many of their correspondants have commented on it but not one has pointed out he has broken the terms of his order.

However what are his serial offences? Exercising his right to free speech? If they are all as offensive as his latest then perhaps he needs help/councelling rather than a jail sentence which is highly unlikely to stop him. Quite the reverse in fact.

[Northern Sol]

That may be because we've finally kicked some of the ringleaders out of the country! (And not let others in!)

Not before time.

But I agree the crazies seem to be keeping their heads down. Think what a difference it could have made if we had done something about extremist Islam in the 90s.

[Johnoco]

Aplogies. The Indy has been running this story for the last couple of days and many of their correspondants have commented on it but not one has pointed out he has broken the terms of his order.

However what are his serial offences? Exercising his right to free speech? If they are all as offensive as his latest then perhaps he needs help/councelling rather than a jail sentence which is highly unlikely to stop him. Quite the reverse in fact.

He might need counselling as he seems to be a complete bell end.