Royal Pardon for Alan Turing...

[Livia]

A Royal pardon, finally, for one of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. It was an appalling miscarriage of justice which ended in his suicide. It's hard to believe what happened to him. Thank God we've moved on...


http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/7/19/1374260510909/Alan-Turing-010.jpg

Computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing has been given a posthumous royal pardon.

It addresses his 1952 conviction for homosexuality for which he was punished by being chemically castrated.

The conviction meant he lost his security clearance and had to stop the code-cracking work that had proved vital to the Allies in World War Two.

The pardon was granted under the Royal Prerogative of Mercy after a request by Justice Minister Chris Grayling.


"Dr Alan Turing was an exceptional man with a brilliant mind," said Mr Grayling. He said the research Turing carried out during the war at Bletchley Park undoubtedly shortened the conflict and saved thousands of lives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25495315

[Z]

I've heard of him before... that's been a long time coming. Hardly any consolation to his family though, if he even has any?? Poor guy...

[fingers]

60 years too ****ing late.

[Shaun]

**** royal pardons. what the **** does that even mean? "oh sorry". CHEERS MAJ

[Z]

**** royal pardons. what the **** does that even mean? "oh sorry". CHEERS MAJ

I agree, but I suppose it's nice to have official vindication than just a general consensus that something was ****ed up and nobody did anything about it.

[arista]

Yes its a Good thing
of course late

[Marc]

Scott would say... "He's hot! :amazed: let's dig him up!"

[lily.]

It disgusts me that this kind of treatment was once acceptable.

[arista]

It disgusts me that this kind of treatment was once acceptable.


Go back years we had a Empire
Back in the Days gays were not permitted
so its normal

[Z]

Go back years we had a Empire
Back in the Days gays were not permitted
so its normal

Doesn't change the fact she thinks it's disgusting that it was once considered acceptable... I agree with lily

[arista]

Doesn't change the fact she thinks it's disgusting that it was once considered acceptable... I agree with lily


Sure

[Z]

Does anyone know if he has any surviving family members?

[King Gizzard]

Find it quite insulting how they're 'pardoning' him if anything...it should never have been a criminal offense in the first placeso it should have been completely wiped from existence

[Livia]

I think the pardon, so long after the awful conviction, goes some way to say that the conviction was wrong, an acknowledgement of something that never should have happened. It's decades late... but I'm very pleased to see it. I'm pleased that people who perhaps didn't know him will learn what a hero he was, what a contribution he made, that they will be sickened by what happened and ensure it never happens again.

[arista]

Find it quite insulting how they're 'pardoning' him if anything...it should never have been a criminal offense in the first placeso it should have been completely wiped from existence



Do you study history?


Being Gay was Criminal
back then
you are aware of that.

[Livia]

Find it quite insulting how they're 'pardoning' him if anything...it should never have been a criminal offense in the first placeso it should have been completely wiped from existence

How would you go about wiping something from existence without wiping away the memory of Alan Turing, and how he suffered at the hands of a despicable society back then? I think the best they can do is a royal pardon.

[fingers]

I think the pardon, so long after the awful conviction, goes some way to say that the conviction was wrong, an acknowledgement of something that never should have happened. It's decades late... but I'm very pleased to see it. I'm pleased that people who perhaps didn't know him will learn what a hero he was, what a contribution he made, that they will be sickened by what happened and ensure it never happens again.

He was one of those responsible for our success during WW2 even more so than Churchill, and then he gets the shabbiest treatment from the "Establishment", many of whom were more than likely also homosexual!

How ****ing hypocritical is that?

[arista]

Gay Activist Peter Tatchell ( rushing around every news)
is Demanding the other 50,000 men
need the same pardon.

[Livia]

Gay Activist Peter Tatchell ( rushing around every news)
is Demanding the other 50,000 men
need the same pardon.

Absolutely they do. Let's hope this high-profile one starts that off... a public acknowledgement that what happened to all those people was not just wrong, it was evil.

[Z]

Hopefully, Livia!

[Livia]

There are several e-petitions on the go asking that the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square be dedicated to Alan Turing with a statue. A fitting tribute to a man who did so much for this country in particular, and technology in general.

[fingers]

There are several e-petitions on the go asking that the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square be dedicated to Alan Turing with a statue. A fitting tribute to a man who did so much for this country in particular, and technology in general.

Betcha milk-snatcher Thatcher gets the place! :devil:

[Livia]

Betcha milk-snatcher Thatcher gets the place! :devil:

I'd take that bet. I think there would be a public outcry if they put her statue on the plinth.

[Z]

There are several e-petitions on the go asking that the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square be dedicated to Alan Turing with a statue. A fitting tribute to a man who did so much for this country in particular, and technology in general.

That would be lovely!