Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: How much speech does it take?

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  • Joe Wylie, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Are there not laws against using electronic media (phones, emails, etc), or even normal mail, to intimidate or threaten others?

    I seem to recall Barry Crump in one of his books claiming to have sent a thinly veiled death threat to an uncooperative civil servant. He received a visit from a policeman, who explained that such things were specifically prohibited under rules governing the use of Her Majesty's mails.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    anyone to hazard a guess when we can start suppressing hate speech again?

    Germany, for instance, has some of the strongest laws on such speech in the democratic world. It doesn't stop the neo-Nazis.

    Also, isn't it better that such people identify themselves so they can be watched appropriately?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I'd argue (if I may)

    Well, that's why we're here, right?

    To paraphrase Monty Python, if I wanted abuse, I'd go next door.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    that assumes that watching is done.

    i guess the uruwera 16 could count as an example of surveillance converting to action.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I just got a letter saying “congratulations, you’re a citizen now”, which struck me as a fundamentally more British way of doing things.

    Indeed. There's no need for any unnecessary fuss and flag-waving, is there?

    Yes, but there is a stupidly large amount of weirdly symbolic rituals deeply embedded in public life in the UK, which does seem to run counter to that stiff-upper-lippedness. Suppress the crazy, and it squirts out somewhere else. Royal wedding, anyone?

    Possibly related as well: it was for decades, and to an extent still is, considered extremely bad form in liberal-lefty-type circules to wear or display a 'cross of st george' flag. To display one was to effectively send the message that you were a neo-nazi racist thug.

    I do wonder what sort of effect that opprobium has on the psyche of people who aren't really inclined that way, but who do identify strongly with 'being english' and wanting to be proud of themselves.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to webweaver,

    Stoopid test if you ask me :)

    Yes, but the fact there is a test at all is indicative of a lot of other things that are going on in relation to (UK) immigration, multiculturalism, trying to define national characteristics, etc, etc.

    The fact the test was/is useless was pretty much a given from the start: it's probably impossible to actually design an effective one.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Rich Lock, in reply to anth,

    I do wonder how deep-seated the biological/psychlogical urge to ‘other’ those who are different is.
    No idea.
    A study from last year suggests that this is related to oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" because it was previously known for the role it plays in bonding (eg sex, childbirth). More discussion here.
    It does, to a greater or lesser degree, seem to be quite deep-rooted in the human psyche. How do we deal with that?
    If love and hate are opposite sides of the same coin (or hormone) then it'll be pretty hard to deal with.

    Nice. Thanks for that.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • Rich Lock,

    There is a school of thought (which I semi-agree with) that for a moderm-western-world rite of passage to be meaningful, it has to be designed by the participant.

    I can think of several that I did for myself, but I only really recognise them as such with the benefit of several years, and sometimes several decades-worth, of hindsight.

    PS - apologies for the multi-post blurt: I only get limited windows of opportunity to read and post per 24-hour cycle.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report

  • DCBCauchi, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    anyone to hazard a guess when we can start suppressing hate speech again?

    Germany, for instance, has some of the strongest laws on such speech in the democratic world. It doesn’t stop the neo-Nazis.

    No it doesn't. And it's a silly way to try.

    And a child-murdering maniac quoting right-wing blogs doesn't reflect or represent those blogs, in the same way that the Weathermen didn't represent the larger SDS movement they explicitly came from.

    In a free, open, and tolerant society, people have the right to hold and express whatever beliefs they like. There is no fucking test. That is what being a free, open, and tolerant society means.

    Keep your thought crimes to yourself.

    Since Feb 2011 • 320 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Rich Lock,

    I do wonder what sort of effect that opprobium has on the psyche of people who aren’t really inclined that way, but who do identify strongly with ‘being english’ and wanting to be proud of themselves.

    Proud of an accident of birth? and who are the English if not a product of centuries of conquest and pillage annat?
    I have to admit to being rather amused when a friend of mine barged through a crowd crying "let me through, I'm British" and people stepped out of his way, well you would, wouldn't you ;-)
    To me, being called English puts me in mind of Mad Dogs.
    Also of note, I found it rather pointless having to swear allegiance to the Queen to gain NZ citizenship, me being a Pom an' all.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to DCBCauchi,

    people have the right to hold and express whatever beliefs they like

    not without constraint - for instance, broadcasting regulations (as discussed previously)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Alex Coleman, in reply to DCBCauchi,

    And a child-murdering maniac quoting right-wing blogs doesn’t reflect or represent those blogs, in the same way that the Weathermen didn’t represent the larger SDS movement they explicitly came from.

    In the same way that AQ don't represent Muslims. Which is a point the counterjihad movement explicitly reject. And, when you tell them to keep their thoughtcrimes to themselves, one transmogrifies into a cultural marxist.

    I respect their freedom of speech, but it's not free in the sense of being without cost.

    And I don't think it is at all unfair to call them to account for the contradictions between how they teat Islam, and how some of them are asking for nuance at the moment.

    Though this guy isn't asking for nuance:

    http://islamversuseurope.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-left-shouldnt-gloat-about-anders.html

    Where does that fit in to things? Legitimate free speech? I'm ok with that, but I'm still disturbed by it.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 247 posts Report

  • webweaver, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    Also of note, I found it rather pointless having to swear allegiance to the Queen to gain NZ citizenship, me being a Pom an’ all.

    Hehe. Me too. As I think I have mentioned before, I mumbletymumbled my way through that bit so I didn't have to say it. Not believing in all that monarchy stuff meself.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 332 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    And Mai Chen wades idiotically into the argument, conflating free speech with a right to broadcast without consequence or constraint.

    Breivik's lawyer said of his client: "He had been politically active and found out himself that he did not succeed with usual political tools and so resorted to violence."

    People will always have differing views on immigration, and on race issues, but that is why debates like those between Don Brash and Hone Harawira on TV1's current affairs programme Close Up are important. It is also why Peter Ansell should be able to say in newspaper advertisements that he is "fed up with the Maorification of everything", whether this is true or not.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to webweaver,

    Not believing in all that monarchy stuff meself.

    I'd rather swear allegiance to Craig ;-)

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • mark taslov, in reply to Rich Lock,

    PS – apologies for the multi-post blurt: I only get limited windows of opportunity to read and post per 24-hour cycle.

    When’s the parole hearing?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to mark taslov,

    When’s your parole hearing?

    You're out then?

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    same. i'd take "a harawira" at any opportunity.

    the royals can just go GTFO

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Steve Barnes, in reply to Che Tibby,

    the royals can just go GTFO

    You Sentimentalist you.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report

  • Che Tibby, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    i was frightened by a womans weekly as a child.

    the back of an envelope • Since Nov 2006 • 2042 posts Report

  • Islander, in reply to Che Tibby,

    +1

    webweaver...I did the mumbletymumble bit when I joined the PO -in 1969, you were *required to swear an oath of allegiance to be a postie*...

    anyone know whether the NZPO still requires this? Other government departments?

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • mark taslov, in reply to Steve Barnes,

    You’re out then?

    Sure, but still serving time.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Islander,

    you were *required to swear an oath of allegiance to be a postie*...

    You were a postie too? Such a noble profession--and it leaves the afternoons free for other things.

    When I first joined the BCNZ, I had to sign the Offical Secrets Act--not that they were going to let a callow youth anywhere near secrets.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • uroskin, in reply to Russell Brown,

    one denizen warn another that I was an “extreme Marxist” and should not be listened to

    Bomber Bradbury called you a middle class fog horn, so take your pick which one is the more insulting.

    Waiheke Island • Since Feb 2007 • 178 posts Report

  • Greg Dawson, in reply to Islander,

    anyone know whether the NZPO still requires this?

    Didn't in 2001.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report

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