Cyprus-Forum.com

[cyprusgrump]

We must be free to insult each other: Rowan Atkinson attacks new rules that outlaw 'insulting words and behaviour'

Rowan Atkinson is demanding a change in the law to halt the ‘creeping culture of censoriousness’ which has seen the arrest of a Christian preacher, a critic of Scientology and even a student making a joke.

The Blackadder and Mr Bean star criticised the ‘new intolerance’ behind controversial legislation which outlaws ‘insulting words and behaviour’.

Launching a fight for part of the Public Order Act to be repealed, he said it was having a ‘chilling effect on free expression and free protest’.

He went on: ‘The clear problem of the outlawing of insult is that too many things can be interpreted as such. Criticism, ridicule, sarcasm, merely stating an alternative point of view to the orthodoxy, can be interpreted as insult.’

Campaigners say the Public Order Act is being abused by over-zealous police and prosecutors. Section 5 of the 1986 Act outlaws threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour, but what constitutes ‘insulting’ is unclear and has resulted in a string of controversial arrests.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested under the legislation for peacefully holding a placard reading ‘Scientology is a dangerous cult’, on the grounds that it might insult followers of the movement.

Gay rights campaigners from the group Outrage! were arrested under the Act when they protested against the Islamist fundamentalist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was calling for the killing of gays, Jews and unchaste women.

[Schnauzer]

Gay rights campaigners from the group Outrage! were arrested under the Act when they protested against the Islamist fundamentalist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was calling for the killing of gays, Jews and unchaste women.

[/quote]

Jesus Christ!, can you imagine what would happen if 'Hizb ut-Tahrir' ever came to power ?, the 'Houses of Parliament' would be empty, the 'Royals' would be looking for replacements, there would be peace in the 'Middle East', fewer broken marriages and only a few of us left to continue our 'Debates' on this forum.

Not to worry though, the contest between yourself and 'GreekIslandGirl' should suffer no abatement., as to 'Myself'., with such a 'Nose'.,who can tell ?.

[Jerry]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

[cyprusgrump]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

They are two different things Jerry...

As I said earlier, you can't draw the line because something I find funny or amusing might insult somebody else. That doesn't give them the right to become violent and they should (rightly) be punished if they did so...

[Jerry]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

They are two different things Jerry...

As I said earlier, you can't draw the line because something I find funny or amusing might insult somebody else. That doesn't give them the right to become violent and they should (rightly) be punished if they did so...

OK, should the law prevent me from opening a shop in Brixton that sells golliwogs? Common sense would tell me not to but should the law stop me from doing it in case it insults someone?

[cyprusgrump]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

They are two different things Jerry...

As I said earlier, you can't draw the line because something I find funny or amusing might insult somebody else. That doesn't give them the right to become violent and they should (rightly) be punished if they did so...

OK, should the law prevent me from opening a shop in Brixton that sells golliwogs? Common sense would tell me not to but should the law stop me from doing it in case it insults someone?

No, of course it shouldn't! The golliwog thing is a perfect example of how this has all got out of hand - why is it offensive? Should you be banned from selling white dolls in a predominantly white area...?

The problem with 'drawing a line' is deciding who gets to draw that line...

[Jerry]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

They are two different things Jerry...

As I said earlier, you can't draw the line because something I find funny or amusing might insult somebody else. That doesn't give them the right to become violent and they should (rightly) be punished if they did so...

OK, should the law prevent me from opening a shop in Brixton that sells golliwogs? Common sense would tell me not to but should the law stop me from doing it in case it insults someone?

No, of course it shouldn't! The golliwog thing is a perfect example of how this has all got out of hand - why is it offensive? Should you be banned from selling white dolls in a predominantly white area...?

The problem with 'drawing a line' is deciding who gets to draw that line...

Apparently it's offensive because of the association of how we treated and felt about black people in days gone by.
Interesting report in the PC Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/1 ... -golliwogs

[cyprusgrump]

I must congratulate the participants to this thread on thought provoking posts, some of the duels are quite thought provoking.

As for the subject matter whilst I agree that we are becoming too PC the law must draw a line somewhere so as to prevent insults and abuse degenerating into a physical response or public order offence.

They are two different things Jerry...

As I said earlier, you can't draw the line because something I find funny or amusing might insult somebody else. That doesn't give them the right to become violent and they should (rightly) be punished if they did so...

OK, should the law prevent me from opening a shop in Brixton that sells golliwogs? Common sense would tell me not to but should the law stop me from doing it in case it insults someone?

No, of course it shouldn't! The golliwog thing is a perfect example of how this has all got out of hand - why is it offensive? Should you be banned from selling white dolls in a predominantly white area...?

The problem with 'drawing a line' is deciding who gets to draw that line...

Apparently it's offensive because of the association of how we treated and felt about black people in days gone by.
Interesting report in the PC Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oct/1 ... -golliwogs

They need to get over themselves!

Should we really ban every image of 'gollywogs' in the entire world because a few people find them offensive?

[Schnauzer]

It was not until the 'Afro' hairstyle became fashionable among 'Black' races that the term 'Golliwog' became so unacceptable when ascribed to those sporting it.

Nowadays (with 'Bald Heads' being in vogue) I think 'Eight Ball' is the new term of derision, particularly when the object of such description stares 'Wide Eyed' at the one who delivers the comparison.

[cyprusgrump]

It was not until the 'Afro' hairstyle became fashionable among 'Black' races that the term 'Golliwog' became so unacceptable when ascribed to those sporting it.

Nowadays (with 'Bald Heads' being in vogue) I think 'Eight Ball' is the new term of derision, particularly when the object of such description stares 'Wide Eyed' at the one who delivers the comparison.

Another good point! That which offends changes over time...

Like changing the name of 'Nigger' in the remake of Dambusters...