[Tom4784]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I don't think you can say it was free speech in one breath but say he should be banned from social networks in the other. If you think he should be punished in anyway, then surely he's done something other speak freely?

I never said he shouldn't be punished, just that we shouldn't waste the resources on jailing him. Jailing people for what essentially is free speech is a bit different and a lot more dangerous then banning them from Facebook.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I never said he shouldn't be punished, just that we shouldn't waste the resources on jailing him. Jailing people for what essentially is free speech is a bit different and a lot more dangerous then banning them from Facebook.

It is NOT free speech.

I can't imagine where people are getting the idea that mocking someone who is dead, causing people untold grief and anxiety is that same thing as free speech? Is it not!

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Livia

It is NOT free speech.

I can't imagine where people are getting the idea that mocking someone who is dead, causing people untold grief and anxiety is that same thing as free speech? Is it not!

It is free speech though. He did nothing but write words. To claim that someone's speech is responsible for other people's actions, is to take the responsibility from the people who ACTUALLY acted and did wrong.

People should be judged by what they DO, not by what they say or write.

the US first amendment get's it right. You may say or write whatever you like. Everyone will be held to account for their own ACTIONS, you cannot blame someone's actions on another person for saying or writing something.

Words are just words. Words are NOT violent. Actions are violent. and anyone who acts violently should be punished.

No one should be punished for WORDS.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by lostalex

It is free speech though. He did nothing but write words. To claim that someone's speech is responsible for other people's actions, is to take the responsibility from the people who ACTUALLY acted and did wrong.

People should be judged by what they DO, not by what they say or write.

the US first amendment get's it right. You may say or write whatever you like. Everyone will be held to account for their own ACTIONS, you cannot blame someone's actions on another person for saying or writing something.

Words are just words. Words are NOT violent. Actions are violent. and anyone who acts violently should be punished.

No one should be punished for WORDS.

Do me a favour... walk into your local airport and say you support Al Qaida's right to bomb the west. Claim it's free speech. See how far it gets you.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Livia

Do me a favour... walk into your local airport and say you support Al Qaida's right to bomb the west. Claim it's free speech. See how far it gets you.

Why would i do that? and if I did do it, do you think I should go to jail for it?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I never said he shouldn't be punished, just that we shouldn't waste the resources on jailing him. Jailing people for what essentially is free speech is a bit different and a lot more dangerous then banning them from Facebook.

I disagree, it was harassment, it caused someone to attempt suicide. I think labelling it free speech and not harassment is what would be dangerous.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I disagree, it was harassment, it caused someone to attempt suicide. I think labelling it free speech and not harassment is what would be dangerous.

With all due respect I think that girl's an emotional idiot and I don't think should be factored into a legal case. Technically I could attempt to kill myself because we're having a debate but would that mean you're responsible? I know that's a completely different scenario but I still struggle to see what "crime" he's committed.

As for the freedom of speech argument and where that ties in with a ban from social networking - Facebook and other sites have much too lenient and blinkered policies towards trolls and flaming at the moment. I've seen first-hand instances of racism and harrassment and tried to report the user for it and there's simply no option to do it. That is worrying. I imagine this is merely for a peace-of-mind thing on Facebook's perspective so they don't get a lot of emails about false claims of abuse, but at the same time you're shutting your eyes to everything that IS harmful.

So yeah, I'd argue that more legislation is needed for the conduct of online users. Perhaps a warning system where only repeat offenders are banned and/or jailed. But to jail someone with a very vague and nondescript legal system is the very reason we're having this confusion I just think in cases like these there's too much emotional influence over people. Yes he's a dickhead. But a criminal? I'm unconvinced, merely because he didn't issue any direct threats.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I never said he shouldn't be punished, just that we shouldn't waste the resources on jailing him. Jailing people for what essentially is free speech is a bit different and a lot more dangerous then banning them from Facebook.

Are you saying he should be punished then? If so. What for? You think what he has done is essentially free speech - and in your books, that is not wrong.