Originally posted by Rothy
Molly, at least those who 'abuse' Freedom of Speech in our country dont mysteriously go 'missing'. Over there they may be safeguards to protect Freedom of Speech, but there safeguards against it too (hint - The CIA).
Freedom of Speech is great, but you have to think about whether the consequences outwieght this individual right. Had Bin laden said in a public announcement to his 'people' that 'America is evil, and the Twin towers, A symbol of America should perish' on 10/09/2001 (or 09/10/2001 in yank terms?!) I dont think many would find the comment an acceptable use of Free speech.
There needs to be clauses in the Freedom of Speech for people like Hamza, and that's what's we're thankfully trying to do. Also, If Hamza was to litigate for assault by an American Patriot, I'm sure the Jury would be very sympathetic with him.
Molly, at least those who 'abuse' Freedom of Speech in our country dont mysteriously go 'missing'. Over there they may be safeguards to protect Freedom of Speech, but there safeguards against it too (hint - The CIA).
Freedom of Speech is great, but you have to think about whether the consequences outwieght this individual right. Had Bin laden said in a public announcement to his 'people' that 'America is evil, and the Twin towers, A symbol of America should perish' on 10/09/2001 (or 09/10/2001 in yank terms?!) I dont think many would find the comment an acceptable use of Free speech.
There needs to be clauses in the Freedom of Speech for people like Hamza, and that's what's we're thankfully trying to do. Also, If Hamza was to litigate for assault by an American Patriot, I'm sure the Jury would be very sympathetic with him.
I'm a little unsure which people you think the C.I.A. have 'disappeared' in the United States. As far as I know, critics of American foreign policy and domestic affairs such as Noam Chomsky are still very much alive.
Which 'consequences' of the freedom of speech are you scared of? On those vague grounds the U.K. government could lock up the B.N.P. and throw away the key- I'm quite sure that more Afro-Caribbean and British Asian citizens have a greater right to fear the B.N.P. than anyone does a media scare figure and scapegoat such as Hamza. He hasn't so much as shouted 'fire' in a crowded cinema and already he's demonized.
Of course, the B.N.P. seem to be exclusively white, and non-muslim. So that may explain that...
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