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**Arrian** · February 3, 2003, 13:03

Just ignore Pattycakes. As usual, he has nothing but vitriol to spew.

-Arrian

**Bereta_Eder** · February 3, 2003, 13:04

LOL @ Arrian...

***End Is Forever*** · February 3, 2003, 13:06

Libel and slander are much easier to sue for in the UK and the government can (and does) ban books. Compared to most of the world, you have very unrestricted speech, but AFAIK, only the US actually has free speech.

I trust you'll be expanding your theory with examples...

**Felch** · February 3, 2003, 13:07

Let me get this straight Paiktis.

Greek dictatorship = Bad. America should have done something.

Iraqi dictatorship = Good. America should do nothing.

I know it's off topic, I just want to know if that's how you actually feel.

**TheStinger** · February 3, 2003, 13:07

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

No you don't. Libel and slander are much easier to sue for in the UK and the government can (and does) ban books. Compared to most of the world, you have very unrestricted speech, but AFAIK, only the US actually has free speech.

That is typical US is the best nonsense.

The libel laws need reforming, but as they stand they only mean you have to be able to back up what you say.

The only books taht would get banned are those which advocate csex with children or animals, I'm not sure how that makes the US more free.

BTW I know the US is very free but that doesn't mean it is the most free. There would never be a fuss over burning flags in the UK

**TheStinger** · February 3, 2003, 13:09

One more point - It would be better if the UK had a constitution protecting free speach.

**Bereta_Eder** · February 3, 2003, 13:11

Well Stinger if you were to liberate us from the dictatorship (which you supported BTW) by massacring 500.000 of us, no thanks. See we don't have that much oil.

**chequita guevara** · February 3, 2003, 13:11

Originally posted by *End Is Forever*
I trust you'll be expanding your theory with examples...

How about the McLibel case? McDonald's couldn't sue against activists passing out similar literature in the US, because in the US, a simple finding that an accusation is factually true shields you from those charges. Not so in the UK.

A fairly recent book (in the last decade) by a former British secret agent was banned in the UK. We can buy it here in the US.

BTW, common law is no protection at all, since the House of Commons can change it at any time. You folks need a constitution.

***End Is Forever*** · February 3, 2003, 13:14

A fairly recent book (in the last decade) by a former British secret agent was banned in the UK. We can buy it here in the US.

That's technically breach of contract. Would CIA agents be allowed to spill all after they retire? Thought not!

**TheStinger** · February 3, 2003, 13:14

Originally posted by chegitz guevara

How about the McLibel case? McDonald's couldn't sue against activists passing out similar literature, because in the US, a simple finding that an acusation is factually true shields you from those charges. Not so in the UK.

A fairly recent book (in the last decade) by a former British secret agent was banned in the UK. We can buy it here in the US.

BTW, common law is no protection at all, since the House of Commons can change it at any time. You folks need a constitution.

The Mclibel case was a disater for McDonalds even though they won.

If a former CIA agent wrote a book blabbing verything i think the US gov would try and ban it.

The US can change the constitution to outlaw free speach if it wanted.

I'm not having ago at the US. I just think most people would say there is free speach in the UK

**Felch** · February 3, 2003, 13:19

Che, it's not like the Constitution really protects our rights. Remember the War on Drugs?

**Ben Kenobi** · February 3, 2003, 15:04

BTW, common law is no protection at all, since the House of Commons can change it at any time. You folks need a constitution.

As opposed to the judges?

At least the politicians are accountable to the people. The judges in Canada just have to 'reinterpret' the constitution to make fundamental changes to Canadian society.

**Provost Harrison** · February 3, 2003, 15:06

Well he has the right to say it I suppose, despite how much I say it. Like should be countered with like, he should certainly be denounced for his comments in an official capacity with popular support (perhaps a petition or something). That is, after all, the right to free speech...

**Gibsie** · February 3, 2003, 15:16

The best thing to do with people like this is to ignore them. That way, the less outraged attention they get, the less police attention they get when someone beats their heads in.

**chequita guevara** · February 3, 2003, 15:19

Originally posted by *End Is Forever*
That's technically breach of contract. Would CIA agents be allowed to spill all after they retire? Thought not!

Actually, many have. They only went after one (Phillip Agee, Inside the Company)and that's because he was the first. The only legal requirement is that they can't divulge sensitive information. Furthermore, the books by American agents are available in the US (and the UK too for that matter), while books by British agents might be available to the rest of the world, just not in the UK (it depends on the book, IIRC, Spycatcher is the book about which I'm thinking, but I could be wrong on this).

Try again.

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