The Slow Death Of Free Speech

[silverfaun]

A scroller but intensely interesting to anybody who cares about our rights and freedom.

How the Left, here and abroad, is trying to shut down debate —  from Islam and Israel to global warming and gay marriage

April 2014

These days, pretty much every story is really the same story:

• In Galway, at the National University of Ireland, a speaker who attempts to argue against the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) programme against Israel is shouted down with cries of  effing Zionist, effing  pr…..… Get the eff  off our campus.’

• In California, Mozilla’s chief executive is forced to resign because he once made a political donation in support of the pre-revisionist definition of marriage.

• At Westminster, the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee declares that the BBC should seek ‘special clearance’ before it interviews climate sceptics, such as fringe wacko extremists like former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

• In Massachusetts, Brandeis University withdraws its offer of an honorary degree to a black feminist atheist human rights campaigner from Somalia.

• In London, a multitude of liberal journalists and artists responsible for everything from Monty Python to Downton Abbey sign an open letter in favour of the first state restraints on the British press in three and a quarter centuries.

• And in Canberra the government is planning to repeal Section 18C — whoa, don’t worry, not all of it, just three or four adjectives; or maybe only two, or whatever it’s down to by now, after what Gay Alcorn in the Age described as the ongoing debate about ‘where to strike the balance between free speech in a democracy and protection against racial abuse in a multicultural society’

http://www.spectator.co.uk/australia/australia-features/9187741/the-slow-death-of-free-speech-2/?

[spotweldersfriend]

On the 28th of September Bolt was found to have contravened section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. "It's so hip to be black" "White is the new black"-Bolt

[spotweldersfriend]

Now there's 2 for you to read.sf.

[boris1gary]

http://www.independentaustralia.net/article-display/but-andrew-bolt-is-a-racist-in-black-and-white,6...

[silverfaun]

Anything from the hate press like that link is not counted and is a furtherance of the appalling hate racist tags put on an innocent person  of racial vilification and racist speech.

The verdict found that Bolt caused hurt feelings nothing a else. That finding was the most horrific finding ever uttered by the judiciary and my fervent hope is that 18c will be repealed never to be countenanced again.

[freakiness]

Meanwhile, some people try to shut others down with constant accustations of playing various cards and hating conservatives.

Another funny little quirk around here is the posts full of hate words which are used to accuse others of being full of hate when those targeted rarely use such words of hate to express their point of view.

Posters are free to discuss whatever they choose and the constant accusations that people are playing the race card or the gender card or class warfare are just attempts to shut them up. Name calling and suggesting that people have no right to be here are just another ploy to shut people up.  So much for free speech, huh!

[boris1gary]

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@silverfaun wrote:

Anything from the hate press like that link is not counted and is a furtherance of the appalling hate racist tags put on an innocent person  of racial vilification and racist speech.

The verdict found that Bolt caused hurt feelings nothing a else. That finding was the most horrific finding ever uttered by the judiciary and my fervent hope is that 18c will be repealed never to be countenanced again.

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So are you now accusing the Judge of being part of the "hate press" (isn't that murdochs domain), the verdict was clear - "horrific", what exactly was "horrific"?..................

Finally, to the matter of whether Bolt is a racist. The judge was specifically asked to address this when Bolt and the HWT urged him to exonerate them of racist intent.

This he did [para 458]:

“Mr Bolt and HWT contended that the terms of any declaration made should expressly state that the conduct in contravention of s 18C ‘did not constitute and was not based on racial hatred or racial vilification’. It is contended that the inclusion of these words will facilitate the educative effect of the declaration made and contribute to informed debate. I do not regard the inclusion of the words suggested as appropriate.”

[silverfaun]

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@freakiness wrote:

Meanwhile, some people try to shut others down with constant accustations of playing various cards and hating conservatives.

Another funny little quirk around here is the posts full of hate words which are used to accuse others of being full of hate when those targeted rarely use such words of hate to express their point of view.

Did you read your post before you pressed post???

Posters are free to discuss whatever they choose and the constant accusations that people are playing the race card or the gender card or class warfare are just attempts to shut them up. Name calling and suggesting that people have no right to be here are just another ploy to shut people up.  So much for free speech, huh!

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Name calling and playing the racist card, using hate and hate words. Now I know you are not releated to the great verballer but.....

 Casting accuastions  like you just have,   I suggest you look at my posts on this thread and an apology would not be out of the question imo.

Descriptives are allowed in an opinion but I have never called you full of hate or a racist I leave that up to others who do that and get away with it.

[piggysplace]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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@boris1gary wrote:

no it isn't  "free speech" at all and in fact in this state (NSW) the Libs recently passed a new law with $500 fines for swearing.

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so you think it's not against common decency for people be able to incorporate foul language in their speech. How would you like to here the F and C word used in mainstream media and general language, for instance.

It already is on some programs. I won't mention names but their initials are ABC.

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May I ask all ya'll a question? 

What if a child is raised and the lowbrow language is the only language they know? 

Wouldn't that be like a foreign language? Why not get a translator so those who speak proper  "Kings English" can understand? 

In the USA, courts and government agencies have to provide a translator for other languages, so if a child is raised on cuss words, why do they have to learn the Kings English, and be fined for not using it correctly; when other languages are afforded an interpreter?

Just wondering is all. As a person whom wishes to comunicate effectively so others understand me,  it is better for me to be more presice, vs. using vague, general, misunderstood terms, that have no legal meaning.

[piggysplace]

BTW, I can say "I love you" with hate in my eyes and heart. Is that hate speech then? 

[boris1gary]

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@possum_kitty wrote:

BTW, I can say "I love you" with hate in my eyes and heart. Is that hate speech then? 

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no