Police arrest Twitter user after Big Brother racism

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s149/big-brother/news/a391887/police-arrest-twitter-user-after-big-brother-racism.html

OK I DONT KNOW IF THERE IS ALREADY A THREAD ON THIS AND IF THERE IS SORRY BUT WHAT DID THE TWEET ACTUALLY SAY COZ IVE BEEN SEARCHING FOREVER AND I STILL CANT FIND OUT WHAT WAS SAID

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i didnt mean to post that in caps

[Munchkins]

Can't find it either
but it just shows the scum that are on twitter..

[Urban Cragou]

To be honest, I fail to see how the actual post matters. Whatever post it was, it was clearly racist and unacceptable.

[billy123]

Probably one of conors 6 fans.

[armand.kay]

****ing Rapscallion :bored:. (:joker:)

[JayBlaze]

look at tweets from @racismreporter.. you will see it there

[armand.kay]

@macaulay_1:Haha deana you **** stirin p*ki, she's only sour because its wasting curry powder@tobygeorgecook: Deana you had to eat spam and ham, and you didn't so shut the **** up and leave P*KI@TomDotOwen: Shut up Deana you smelly p*ki #bbuk@ekd_1: '****ing hate deana, she represents what all p*ki's are about' hahahahahaha pissing at my mum@JonnyDowler: Stop thinking your hard your a p*ki! Not you @garyshackley but your a ******! Deana ‪#BBUK‬
:bored:

[billy123]

Theres quite a few on that page aimed at deana some of them worse it seems strange they just acted on that persons tweet.

[ElProximo]

The UK is lost. Absolutely lost. Big Brother (the actual novel) was terrified of a day when people would be arrested for offensive think speak.

And now its finally happening? Disgusting. Be absolutely ASHAMED of yourself UK. Be ASHAMED of what a disgusting anti-freedom, anti-speech, monster you became.

*and keep in mind, someone here actually DELETED comments I made about what some people disapprove of.
Imagine that. Oh you are lost UK. You are LOST. The fact there isn't public OUTRAGE over someone arrested for 'writing things that made someone feel bad',
and,
that you don't know why this means your society is a failing?
That this isn't crammed with a thousands comments OUTRAGED?
Oh.. its bad.
Its really bad.

[armand.kay]

The UK is lost. Absolutely lost. Big Brother (the actual novel) was terrified of a day when people would be arrested for offensive think speak.

And now its finally happening? Disgusting. Be absolutely ASHAMED of yourself UK. Be ASHAMED of what a disgusting anti-freedom, anti-speech, monster you became.

*and keep in mind, someone here actually DELETED comments I made about what some people disapprove of.
Imagine that. Oh you are lost UK. You are LOST. The fact there isn't public OUTRAGE over someone arrested for 'writing things that made someone feel bad',
and,
that you don't know why this means your society is a failing?
That this isn't crammed with a thousands comments OUTRAGED?
Oh.. its bad.
Its really bad.
Sorry I struggle to feel sympathy for bigots :idc:.

[ElProximo]

Sorry I struggle to feel sympathy for bigots :idc:.

And that is your downfall. That is exactly the problem. You are delighted if the 'thinkspeak' gets physically arrested and detained if its something that makes you 'feel bad'.
And now its over. And when the day comes you are physically removed from your house and taken in due to writing some 'disliked ideas' on a website... well, just remember this.

You are part of the problem you know? You need to know that.

[armand.kay]

And that is your downfall. That is exactly the problem. You are delighted if the 'thinkspeak' gets physically arrested and detained if its something that makes you 'feel bad'.
And now its over. And when the day comes you are physically removed from your house and taken in due to writing some 'disliked ideas' on a website... well, just remember this.

You are part of the problem you know? You need to know that.
I dint disagree with you in fact I also think its silly to arrest someone for a tweet. Its just that I don't care for the user who got arrested so I'm not really going to start a protest for them.

[Binstig]

I do think its a very depressing situation when people are being arrested for their tweets and such. And by the way I'm 100% against any forms of racism and bigotry. But I am a true believer in freedom of speech and personal freedoms as well.

[ElProximo]

I suspect I'm against 'racism' too but I suppose you don't need to know who I married,
however,
This is not a joke and I am not exaggerating: I have MORE FREEDOM of expression, speech and to 'voice ideas' in COMMUNIST CHINA than I have in the UK.

This isn't exaggeration to make a point. This is real now. Its real and the UK.. with the Olympics coming you need to please understand something:
In MANY countries around the world this is absolutely Disgusting, offensive, horrifying and is ALL the reason they need to absolutely cancel ticket to a country where they fear being arrested for 'thoughts' and 'saying uncomfortable things'.
Unbelievable,
I had to look online and low and behold TWICE now Brits arrested for 'saying mean things' on their Twitters.

[rinkydinkpanther]

the word racism is bandied about way too easily, the police need to actually do their jobs and catch serious criminals...some of these idiots writing this drivel, are too uneducated or unintelligent or illiterate to actuallly put what they mean into words....also what this reactionary drivel also misses is what type of discrimination is being shown towards those who do spout racist terms....some black people use the n word yets its fine, then other people get mocked for their disability, their blindness, their sickness, their mental state, their race their religion their secual orientation etc etc yet the reaction is more or lesser depending on which gets the biggest media headlines? its a kangaroo court and we need to realise this is just idiots posting nonsense. far worse is actions.....this reminds me of a time a chap with cerebral palsy got on the school bus, he staggered on and sat down with leg splints on, then some chap starts mocking him, the mocker happened to be asian and guess what , he in turn got racially abused as punishment for him bullying the disabled chap,,,,whats the punishment for all these people>?

[jet]

And that is your downfall. That is exactly the problem. You are delighted if the 'thinkspeak' gets physically arrested and detained if its something that makes you 'feel bad'.
And now its over. And when the day comes you are physically removed from your house and taken in due to writing some 'disliked ideas' on a website... well, just remember this.

You are part of the problem you know? You need to know that.

Just wondering why you remain a participating member of this forum that prohibits free speech with infractions and bans :conf:

[jet]

The UK is lost. Absolutely lost. Big Brother (the actual novel) was terrified of a day when people would be arrested for offensive think speak.

And now its finally happening? Disgusting. Be absolutely ASHAMED of yourself UK. Be ASHAMED of what a disgusting anti-freedom, anti-speech, monster you became.

*and keep in mind, someone here actually DELETED comments I made about what some people disapprove of.
Imagine that. Oh you are lost UK. You are LOST. The fact there isn't public OUTRAGE over someone arrested for 'writing things that made someone feel bad',
and,
that you don't know why this means your society is a failing?
That this isn't crammed with a thousands comments OUTRAGED?
Oh.. its bad.
Its really bad.

So do you think it is okay for people to be bullied in school or the workplace in the name of free speech?
The same mindset on Twitter is no different - cruelty and bullying behaviour in any form should not be tolerated.

[ElProximo]

So do you think it is okay for people to be bullied in school or the workplace in the name of free speech?
The same mindset on Twitter is no different - cruelty and bullying behaviour in any form should not be tolerated.

I am really offended by your comments and consider you to be bullying me. I'm now reporting you to the police. They will come to your house, arrest you and take you for charges.
Because something you wrote here (not against the rules of this service) but it offended me and 'made me feel bad about myself'.

Is that okay with you? Do you see a problem in that?

[rinkydinkpanther]

So do you think it is okay for people to be bullied in school or the workplace in the name of free speech?
The same mindset on Twitter is no different - cruelty and bullying behaviour in any form should not be tolerated.

what about the foul language and name calling used on here to mock aaron? or the word gorillia for adam or the girls mocking him for being overweight? what about lauren calling all young men liars? what about deana and others here frequently claiming them cant understand a word conor says? its all a form of bullying and discrimination, or do we only take it seriously of it happens to women or gay people?

[Donovan.]

what about the foul language and name calling used on here to mock aaron? or the word gorillia for adam or the girls mocking him for being overweight? what about lauren calling all young men liars? what about deana and others here frequently claiming them cant understand a word conor says? its all a form of bullying and discrimination, or do we only take it seriously of it happens to women or gay people?

Many of those examples that you have listed have already had many threads written about them. I'm sure you could look for member's opinions there instead of asking eveybody personally.

[jet]

I am really offended by your comments and consider you to be bullying me. I'm now reporting you to the police. They will come to your house, arrest you and take you for charges.
Because something you wrote here (not against the rules of this service) but it offended me and 'made me feel bad about myself'.

Is that okay with you? Do you see a problem in that?

The police would laugh in your face. It would take an awful lot more than that for them to take action, and you know it. You are being pedantic, you silly thing.
Think about the cruelty on Twitter against young people who have committed suicide or been murdered. That is pure, unadulterated evil that should be punished - and the police are having difficulty bringing charges. Do you think those people should be allowed to spout their cruelty in the name of freedom of speech?
Oh, and you didn't answer my question - do you think it is fine for people to be bullied in schools/ the workplace in the name of freedom of speech?

[rayheartbliss]

chavs/sluts

[Indy]

What exactly are the terms of the law that cover this in the UK? Over here, the only way you'd be arrested for something on Twitter is if it was an immediate and credible threat of violence. I can't wrap my head around a law that makes words the basis for being arrested simply for an opinion, but I know there are some odd laws on it there.

[rinkydinkpanther]

The police would laugh in your face. It would take an awful lot more than that for them to take action, and you know it. You are being pedantic, you silly thing.
Think about the cruelty on Twitter against young people who have committed suicide or been murdered. That is pure, unadulterated evil that should be punished - and the police are having difficulty bringing charges. Do you think those people should be allowed to spout their cruelty in the name of freedom of speech?
Oh, and you didn't answer my question - do you think it is fine for people to be bullied in schools/ the workplace in the name of freedom of speech?

why is cruelty against gay people or against women treated as more serious than against hetrosexual men...ARE YOU AWARE THAT MALE SUICIDES ARE 4 TIMES HIGHER THAN FEMALE SUICIDES IN EVERY NATION ON THE PLANET? WHAT ABOUT THE ENDLESS SEXIST POISON SPOUTED AGAINST MEN 24 HOURS A DAY? WHAT EFFECT DOES THAT HAVE ON THESE YOUNG MEN? WHAT EFFECT DOES THE LAW HAVE ON YOUNG MEN? WHO LOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR KIDS, WHO GETS FALSELY ACCUSED OF ALL SORTS, WHO GET LIED TO THEY ARE FATHERS WHEN THEYRE NOT, WHO GO TO FIGHT IN POINTLESS WARS, GET PAID PEANUTS THEN DO NOT EVEN HAVE 1 MILITARY HOSPITAL TO TREAT THEM AND SIMPLY GET DISCARDED WHEN THEY RETURN INJURED AND DISABLED FOR LIFE....SORRY BUT THE ODD IGNORANT WORD ON TWITTER IS TRIVIAL IN COMPARISM BUT MALE DISCRIMIANTION AND MISANDRY SUFFERING IS TOTALLY IGNORED BY EVERYONE ESPECIALLY THE POLICE

[rayheartbliss]

What exactly are the terms of the law that cover this in the UK? Over here, the only way you'd be arrested for something on Twitter is if it was an immediate and credible threat of violence. I can't wrap my head around a law that makes words the basis for being arrested simply for an opinion, but I know there are some odd laws on it there.

opinion?

its an abuse!

[rinkydinkpanther]

opinion?

its an abuse!

so what is being called a gorilla, what is someone posting they want contestants to die under a bus? oh wait thats straight men theyre not protected by equal rights?

[Indy]

opinion?

its an abuse!

Hence why I'm asking what the law says in the UK. In the US, an opinion, even an abusive one, is not a crime. The only way an opinion becomes a crime is when actual, measurable harm is involved. Hate groups like the WBC and KKK are protected in speech, allowed to post online, march down the street chanting racist/anti-Semetic/anti-gay slogans, have their own tv show if they want, and they say far worse things on a regular basis.

It seems odd to me that for a nation that has far less prissy censorship in regards to language and nudity on TV, expressing opinions is a crime.

[jet]

What exactly are the terms of the law that cover this in the UK? Over here, the only way you'd be arrested for something on Twitter is if it was an immediate and credible threat of violence. I can't wrap my head around a law that makes words the basis for being arrested simply for an opinion, but I know there are some odd laws on it there.

'Simply for an opinion' sounds very innocuous - when it some cases it is far from it.
There are a few cases here where young innocent people who have died in tragic circumstances have had sustained cruel and hurtful remarks made about them that is devastating to their family and friends. So much so, that action has been taken to track down the perpetrators.
Free speech is a right that everyone should have, but I also believe that with that comes responsibility as to how you use it.
Not many people would champion the rights of a bully to free speech if a child was being bullied in school, so why is it okay for those bullies to go online and cause pain and heartache as anonymous cowards?

[rinkydinkpanther]

Hence why I'm asking what the law says in the UK. In the US, an opinion, even an abusive one, is not a crime. The only way an opinion becomes a crime is when actual, measurable harm is involved. Hate groups like the WBC and KKK are protected in speech, allowed to post online, march down the street chanting racist/anti-Semetic/anti-gay slogans, have their own tv show if they want, and they say far worse things on a regular basis.

It seems odd to me that for a nation that has far less prissy censorship in regards to language and nudity on TV, expressing opinions is a crime.

it started under the awful tony blair (bliar) he passed over 3000 new laws instead of actioning the ones we already had, this lead to a two tier corrupt system, where the rich can pay to bypass the 3000 new laws and the poor couldnt....he also introduced into law the evil that is political correctness....he did it solely to gain short term votes from the more stupid people in the gay voters and the more naive women voters....he passed laws that are simply biased against males. period. now men kill themselves at 4 times the rate and lose 80% of divorces and their kids and homes...all towards a corrupt false biased dogma , you cannot have equality in law unless its equal for all

[ElProximo]

Who here has called the police to report Richard Dawkins for 'hateful' opinions about a religious group?
He needs to be arrested as his comments against the Jewish and Christians people's books and beliefs are HORRIFIC, Brutal and made many feel really really BAD!

I encourage everyone to start reporting any and all hateful things they heard that made them feel very bad or hurt their feelings.

BTW: Keep in mind, Twitter is a privately owned company with their own internal rules. SO how UK police can override that is even MORE HORRIFYING than ever.

[jet]

why is cruelty against gay people or against women treated as more serious than against hetrosexual men...ARE YOU AWARE THAT MALE SUICIDES ARE 4 TIMES HIGHER THAN FEMALE SUICIDES IN EVERY NATION ON THE PLANET? WHAT ABOUT THE ENDLESS SEXIST POISON SPOUTED AGAINST MEN 24 HOURS A DAY? WHAT EFFECT DOES THAT HAVE ON THESE YOUNG MEN? WHAT EFFECT DOES THE LAW HAVE ON YOUNG MEN? WHO LOSE CONTACT WITH THEIR KIDS, WHO GETS FALSELY ACCUSED OF ALL SORTS, WHO GET LIED TO THEY ARE FATHERS WHEN THEYRE NOT, WHO GO TO FIGHT IN POINTLESS WARS, GET PAID PEANUTS THEN DO NOT EVEN HAVE 1 MILITARY HOSPITAL TO TREAT THEM AND SIMPLY GET DISCARDED WHEN THEY RETURN INJURED AND DISABLED FOR LIFE....SORRY BUT THE ODD IGNORANT WORD ON TWITTER IS TRIVIAL IN COMPARISM BUT MALE DISCRIMIANTION AND MISANDRY SUFFERING IS TOTALLY IGNORED BY EVERYONE ESPECIALLY THE POLICE

I think all cruelty and bullying is wrong.

[Indy]

BTW: Keep in mind, Twitter is a privately owned company with their own internal rules. SO how UK police can override that is even MORE HORRIFYING than ever.

It sounds like Iran.

[jet]

Who here has called the police to report Richard Dawkins for 'hateful' opinions about a religious group?
He needs to be arrested as his comments against the Jewish and Christians people's books and beliefs are HORRIFIC, Brutal and made many feel really really BAD!

I encourage everyone to start reporting any and all hateful things they heard that made them feel very bad or hurt their feelings.

BTW: Keep in mind, Twitter is a privately owned company with their own internal rules. SO how UK police can override that is even MORE HORRIFYING than ever.

You still haven't answered my question - is bullying in schools/the workplace okay in the name of free speech, in your opinion?

[rinkydinkpanther]

I think all cruelty and bullying is wrong.

so do I but bullying against straight males is ignored by society , thats why so many young men kill themselves

[jet]

so do I but bullying against straight males is ignored by society , thats why so many young men kill themselves

It's probably ignored because they aren't a minority group, rightly or wrongly. I agree than men, especially young men are given a bad rap and are being failed currently in our society.

[ElProximo]

You still haven't answered my question - is bullying in schools/the workplace okay in the name of free speech, in your opinion?

No, it is not. Workplaces and schools have internal rules and codes of conduct. What is your point?
I'm starting to believe you are bullying me and thinking of reporting you for an arrest in your home tonight.
So please stop bullying and what are you on about?

[jet]

No, it is not. Workplaces and schools have internal rules and codes of conduct. What is your point?
I'm starting to believe you are bullying me and thinking of reporting you for an arrest in your home tonight.
So please stop bullying and what are you on about?

So you only support free speech if you can get away with it, otherwise it is not appropriate? Isn't that ironic? :shocked:

[ElProximo]

So you only support free speech if you can get away with it? Isn't that ironic? :shocked:

Uh, yes actually I support everyone *getting away with free speech.
*getting away = not being arrested and charged with criminal offenses or being censored either.

BTW: Not only when I was in school but as an adult I have DESTROYED bullies. Absolutely destroyed them.
What I did was use my free speech, my thoughts and ideas to say some very pointed words that really really hurt bullies feelings. Made them feel ashamed and experience hurt emotions for bullying.

You think about that for a while before replying please. Think of what I just told you.

[newsbb]

ive read far more offensive tweets coming from brainless biber fans...

[jet]

Uh, yes actually I support everyone *getting away with free speech.
*getting away = not being arrested and charged with criminal offenses or being censored either.

BTW: Not only when I was in school but as an adult I have DESTROYED bullies. Absolutely destroyed them.
What I did was use my free speech, my thoughts and ideas to say some very pointed words that really really hurt bullies feelings. Made them feel ashamed and experience hurt emotions for bullying.

You think about that for a while before replying please. Think of what I just told you.

I don't get it. You now say you destroyed people for using their right to free speech (in your opinion) by using YOUR free speech. Are you saying they can only have free speech if you agree with what they say or do? I thought you disagreed with censorship? Confused as I am, I nevertheless applaud you for standing up to bullies - go on Twitter and do the same to the bullies there who you defended for having a right to free speech.

[ElProximo]

I don't get it. You now say you destroyed people for using their right to free speech (in your opinion) by using YOUR free speech. Are you saying they can only have free speech if you agree with what they say or do? I thought you disagreed with censorship? Confused as I am, I nevertheless applaud you for standing up to bullies - go on Twitter and do the same to the bullies there who you defended for having a right to free speech.

It's scary as hell.. and makes you a serious threat to freedom when you 'dont get' how I used MY free speech to destroy and rebut and dismantle the offenders free speech.
It's genuinely disturbing that this is so confusing you can't understand if I'm endorsing censorship of 'bullies'.

BTW: 'Bully' (from where I come from) indicates some physical threat. We are not discussing this.
We are discussing (for example) a Muslim who goes to the park saying some Jew is a 'pig' and that he hates that Jew and thinks that guy is a subhuman.
Not actually physically intimidating or threatening some violence etc.

If you are talking about 'bullying' in terms of physical threats of violence, force etc then you have a 'crime' (REGARDLESS of what their 'opinion' or 'mean words' are.

BTW.. I already saw a bit of this getting leaked online. I recommend people stay OUT of the UK (especially during the Olympics) where they could be arrested IF they make 'mean comments' on Twitter.
(even if Twitter allows really mean comments).
That is way too dangerous and scary to be inside a country where that kind of Gestapo 'Think Speak Crime' can result in government arrests.

[jyunga]

"racially-aggravated public order offence"

Public Order offences

fear or provocation of violence (Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986)
intentional harassment, alarm or distress (Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986)
harassment, alarm or distress (Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986)



Maybe he posted on twitter racial slurs and how he was going to do things to her when she got out?

[Shaun]

Total idiot. Would rather this just resulted in a ban from Twitter, or limited internet access, rather than an arrest though.

[smeagol]

have to be haveful what you say online these days. its mad. they arrest for a twitter comment. yet what conor said in the house is ok. normally he'd be arrested.
people are so ignorant she's indian not pakistan as far as i know plus most indians dont like them either. so they so dumb lol

[Urban Cragou]

I wondered how long it would be before the TiBB free speech supporters turned up.

You may have free speech within reason, but we may not have the most abusive, ill thought-out ridiculous views that enters someone's mind to be expressed. If you don't draw the line at abuse, where will you draw it at? Murder?

[ElProximo]

I wondered how long it would be before the TiBB free speech supporters turned up.

You may have free speech within reason, but we may not have the most abusive, ill thought-out ridiculous views that enters someone's mind to be expressed. If you don't draw the line at abuse, where will you draw it at? Murder?

I want you to consider what you just wrote: You wrote 'I wondered how long the TiBB speech supporters'
As if we all know there is some crazy 'free speech' people. Those guys again! As opposed to what? Then we find out. You.

You decided free speech 'within reason' and went on to suppose, free speech, somehow taken to it's logical conclusion would end in murder.
No.
Actually no. It would not.
But if you want an example of what happens when you have a government that actually controls what can be 'said' and deems what is bad think-speak and disallows, censors and eliminates 'really mean words'?
Former Yugoslavia did that. (Just a the UK is now copying) and the inability of people to settle battles with words led to some of the most horrific ethnic cleansing and revenge murders Europe has ever seen,
well, not counting millions murdered in the Soviet era where 'bad words' were outlawed.
North Korea also has laws against 'speaking bad insults'.

I mean seriously, I wish you could understand just how downright HORRIFYING it is that you could even be talking like you are,
absolutely horrifying!
Maybe we can make some laws to have you arrested for saying such offensive things that really insulted my culture?

[Shaun]

How the living **** does murder have anything to do with free speech, Redway?

[Urban Cragou]

How the living **** does murder have anything to do with free speech, Redway?

I have to admit that was a bit melodramatic and taken up in the heat of the moment, but surely you can see what I mean. My point is that it's ridiculous people trying to defend people abusing a housemate just because they don't like her skin colour.

[Urban Cragou]

I want you to consider what you just wrote: You wrote 'I wondered how long the TiBB speech supporters'
As if we all know there is some crazy 'free speech' people. Those guys again! As opposed to what? Then we find out. You.

You decided free speech 'within reason' and went on to suppose, free speech, somehow taken to it's logical conclusion would end in murder.
No.
Actually no. It would not.
But if you want an example of what happens when you have a government that actually controls what can be 'said' and deems what is bad think-speak and disallows, censors and eliminates 'really mean words'?
Former Yugoslavia did that. (Just a the UK is now copying) and the inability of people to settle battles with words led to some of the most horrific ethnic cleansing and revenge murders Europe has ever seen,
well, not counting millions murdered in the Soviet era where 'bad words' were outlawed.
North Korea also has laws against 'speaking bad insults'.

I mean seriously, I wish you could understand just how downright HORRIFYING it is that you could even be talking like you are,
absolutely horrifying!
Maybe we can make some laws to have you arrested for saying such offensive things that really insulted my culture?

To be honest, I'm not on about the murder thing and I shouldn't have said that. Of course you're allowed free speech within reason, but once it borders abuse and all that nonsense that's exactly where you draw the line. No one should have to put up with all that crap from a couple of idiots who are sad enough to waste their energy on someone they supposedly hate that much.

[Indy]

To be honest, I'm not on about the murder thing and I shouldn't have said that. Of course you're allowed free speech within reason, but once it borders abuse and all that nonsense that's exactly where you draw the line. No one should have to put up with all that crap from a couple of idiots who are sad enough to waste their energy on someone they supposedly hate that much.

People can't decide when life begins or what constitutes porn, but you expect a solid, concrete line where an insult crosses over from an opinion to abuse? It's even more dangerous when you apply it to a written medium that does not convey tone, like Twitter/fb/tumblr, in small phrases or short thoughts.

It just seems so odd to me that the same mentality that is responsible for curtailing the civil rights of thousands of non-Christians in my own country in different states and counties, is the one being championed in a country that likes to pride itself on being "more open minded".

[MatthewS]

IMO its a pretty clear line, once physical harm is brought into play or a threat is made, then the line is crossed. I think the guy who made these twitter comments is a complete w*anker, and safe to say, with ignorant views like that, clearly isn't doing anything productive with his life. His punishment should be his ****ty life, surely that must be sh*te enough, but arresting him is a bit much.

[Livia]

It always makes me laugh when people equate 'Freedom of Speech' with spurting out any insulting, racist, homophobic or any other king of provocative, inflammatory thought into the public arena - which is what the Internet is. Freedom of Speech is not there to protect bigots, no matter how many words you write or which way you twist it.

[MatthewS]

Freedom of Speech is for everybody, bigots included...

[cfromhx02]

The twitter user probably deserved it although I don't what they said.Why didn 't the police arrest Conor though ? I suppose it's because the police didn't want to show up big business friends at Channel 5

[Indy]

It always makes me laugh when people equate 'Freedom of Speech' with spurting out any insulting, racist, homophobic or any other king of provocative, inflammatory thought into the public arena - which is what the Internet is. Freedom of Speech is not there to protect bigots, no matter how many words you write or which way you twist it.

What you overlook is that what constitutes a bigot is entirely dynamic, based entirely on who happens to be in charge that day. I can drive around the town where I live and pull 5 random people off the street and ask them to define it, you'll get 5 different answers. At least 2 will say it's gay people who want to get married or adopt children (bigoted against Christians) and 2 will say it's Christians who won't let gay people marry or adopt (bigoted against GLBT).

Freedom of Speech is there to protect EVERYONE...even people you don't like, because tomorrow, you might be the minority that needs protection.

[Urban Cragou]

People can't decide when life begins or what constitutes porn, but you expect a solid, concrete line where an insult crosses over from an opinion to abuse? It's even more dangerous when you apply it to a written medium that does not convey tone, like Twitter/fb/tumblr, in small phrases or short thoughts.

It just seems so odd to me that the same mentality that is responsible for curtailing the civil rights of thousands of non-Christians in my own country in different states and counties, is the one being championed in a country that likes to pride itself on being "more open minded".

That's exactly what I'm saying. As I said, of course you're allowed an opinion, no matter how ludicrous they are...but if you think that being extremely abusive and racist to a housemate through the internet can be justified by free speech, then I cannot take you seriously.

[MatthewS]

It's not justified, but he's entitled to the opinion, and therefore the right to voice it. Is he an ignorant a*shole? Absolutely.

[Urban Cragou]

What you overlook is that what constitutes a bigot is entirely dynamic, based entirely on who happens to be in charge that day. I can drive around the town where I live and pull 5 random people off the street and ask them to define it, you'll get 5 different answers. At least 2 will say it's gay people who want to get married or adopt children (bigoted against Christians) and 2 will say it's Christians who won't let gay people marry or adopt (bigoted against GLBT).

Freedom of Speech is there to protect EVERYONE...even people you don't like, because tomorrow, you might be the minority that needs protection.

No, it isn't there to protect everyone. For example, if a drunken cockney chav gets on public transport and starts mouthing off about how she hates hangovers after a good night out then she'd be looked on as weird, yes, but it can be justified by free speech.

However, someone who choses to be openly racist and use extreme abuse and threats on someone simply isn't acceptable and nobody should have to be subject to that. If free speech was there to protect everyone, would people really be arrested for this sort of thing? If you don't have boundaries then you're basically saying that every abusive, vile, idiotic thought that enters someone's mind - even if it hurts someone, which it will - should be tolerated. Why defend the idiots but not the people who are being victimised?

[Jezzy]

It always makes me laugh when people equate 'Freedom of Speech' with spurting out any insulting, racist, homophobic or any other king of provocative, inflammatory thought into the public arena - which is what the Internet is. Freedom of Speech is not there to protect bigots, no matter how many words you write or which way you twist it.

Freedom of Speech is not there to protect ANYONE. It's there as an accepted ideal. Sadly, it doesn't exist. Because of the way we are guided to think, feel, speak, yes, REAL Big Brother, you are guilty of thoughtcrime any time you deviate from the norm. It's tough on you if you don't conform. The older I get, the more frightened I am for the future generations.

I used to lecture in revolutionary politics, and what frightens me most is that most freethinkers are culturally automatically cowed. I've forgotten what the original topic is, sorry. But I do love and hope to make people think.

[Indy]

No, it isn't there to protect everyone. For example, if a drunken cockney chav gets on public transport and starts mouthing off about how she hates hangovers after a good night out then she'd be looked on as weird, yes, but it can be justified by free speech.

However, someone who choses to be openly racist and use extreme abuse and threats on someone simply isn't acceptable and nobody should have to be subject to that. If free speech was there to protect everyone, would people really be arrested for this sort of thing? If you don't have boundaries then you're basically saying that every abusive, vile, idiotic thought that enters someone's mind - even if it hurts someone, which it will - should be tolerated. Why defend the idiots but not the people who are being victimised?

I think that's the point you're missing - people are NOT arrested for this sort of thing in most countries. It's rather freakish and scary. It happens in Iran, China, North Korea. I'm in the US - if you arrested someone for making a racist comment on Twitter here, assuming you could even get a court willing to order their ISP to give you their home address, and the ISP actually agreed, you'd lose your job and the agency which employed you would be sued for civil rights violations.

Someone mentioned in another thread the other day that there was no point in worrying about some abusive comment made on Twitter because the poster of it would be arrested. I thought they were kidding. The very idea of being arrested because someone is offended by what you've typed is the antithesis of free speech. Once again, what you consider abusive is not universal, and tomorrow, the people in charge may decide it is your opposition to that idea which is the abusive. I absolutely cannot fathom embracing that kind of slippery slope.

[Jezzy]

Just asked my 18-y-o daughter if she thinks true Freedom of Speech exists. She says no. Thank you TIBB for providing the evening's debate topic ;)

[Urban Cragou]

Just asked my 18-y-o daughter if she thinks true Freedom of Speech exists. She says no. Thank you TIBB for providing the evening's debate topic ;)
I don't care what your daughter thinks. Within reason, it does exist, no matter how much you object to it or twist it.
I think that's the point you're missing - people are NOT arrested for this sort of thing in most countries. It's rather freakish and scary. It happens in Iran, China, North Korea. I'm in the US - if you arrested someone for making a racist comment on Twitter here, assuming you could even get a court willing to order their ISP to give you their home address, and the ISP actually agreed, you'd lose your job and the agency which employed you would be sued for civil rights violations.

Someone mentioned in another thread the other day that there was no point in worrying about some abusive comment made on Twitter because the poster of it would be arrested. I thought they were kidding. The very idea of being arrested because someone is offended by what you've typed is the antithesis of free speech. Once again, what you consider abusive is not universal, and tomorrow, the people in charge may decide it is your opposition to that idea which is the abusive. I absolutely cannot fathom embracing that kind of slippery slope.

I'm on about this country, though. Everyone here knows what to be expected. Whilst I'm not necessarily saying that the prison sentence was necessary, that's what we have right now in this country and the rules aren't difficult to follow.