British man arrested for making jokes about Mandela on the internet.

[Ghogiel]

 

Obviously there is more to the story than just a stupid joke posted to the web.

 

Funny how the headline is "Arrested because he joked about Mandela" and then there seems to be a bit more that isn't fully mentioned or even presented factually.

It says in the article that screen shots were taken; "One was of a shocking image of decapitation, another featuring a wheelchair-bound individual, both posted by Mr Phillips." and described as: "They are vile and deeply offensive, anti-Muslim, anti-disabled."

It also says; "He was one of two men interviewed by police following a bitter, ill-tempered feud over plans for a mining memorial in the town centre has been ambushed by some members of the Far Right and used as a propaganda platform."

 

Yes, it would seem Mr. Phillips is just an poor misunderstood innocent who has done nothing more than post a single weak inoffensive joke to a web site and then suffered the wrath of an oppressive police force.

 

I've explained why there doesn't need to be any more to it, as the law stands the police had to investigate following a complaint. Anyone who knows anything about the Liberal Democrats will be aware of what an deeply unpleasant bunch they are, the fact that one of their number made the complaint comes as no surprise at all.

 

See Section 5 (1) (a) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64 that's the part the terminally offended always use.

 

@HeyYou There's not much you can do when all you have is various idiots to choose from.

 

It's usually the digital communications act. iirc section 127 for all the twitter and facebook jokes people get offended by>

 

127Improper use of public electronic communications network

 

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—

 

(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or

 

(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.

 

(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—

 

(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,

 

(b)causes such a message to be sent; or

 

©persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.

 

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.

 

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).

[Vagrant0]

Why we insist on electing idiots as 'leaders' is beyond me.

 

Probably has something to do with how most people want to be represented by how they actually are. Unfortunately most people are idiots who are only out for their own benefit and who live by "do as I say, not as I do" too.

[JimboUK]

 

 

Obviously there is more to the story than just a stupid joke posted to the web.

 

Funny how the headline is "Arrested because he joked about Mandela" and then there seems to be a bit more that isn't fully mentioned or even presented factually.

It says in the article that screen shots were taken; "One was of a shocking image of decapitation, another featuring a wheelchair-bound individual, both posted by Mr Phillips." and described as: "They are vile and deeply offensive, anti-Muslim, anti-disabled."

It also says; "He was one of two men interviewed by police following a bitter, ill-tempered feud over plans for a mining memorial in the town centre has been ambushed by some members of the Far Right and used as a propaganda platform."

 

Yes, it would seem Mr. Phillips is just an poor misunderstood innocent who has done nothing more than post a single weak inoffensive joke to a web site and then suffered the wrath of an oppressive police force.

 

I've explained why there doesn't need to be any more to it, as the law stands the police had to investigate following a complaint. Anyone who knows anything about the Liberal Democrats will be aware of what an deeply unpleasant bunch they are, the fact that one of their number made the complaint comes as no surprise at all.

 

See Section 5 (1) (a) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64 that's the part the terminally offended always use.

 

@HeyYou There's not much you can do when all you have is various idiots to choose from.

 

It's usually the digital communications act. iirc section 127 for all the twitter and facebook jokes people get offended by>

 

127Improper use of public electronic communications network

 

(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—

 

(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or

 

(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.

 

(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—

 

(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,

 

(b)causes such a message to be sent; or

 

©persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.

 

(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.

 

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).

 

 

The CPS have agreed not to pursue cases anything but the most serious cases under that, they didn't go after OldHolborn after those tweets about Liverpool and James Bulger, they didn't go after those who threatened to kill him either. The police have made it clear they are sick and tired of dealing with squabbles on Twitter and the CPS did the right thing, come February the public order act won't be an issue either, the easily offended will have to learn how to press Twitters block button.

[HeyYou]

 

Obviously there is more to the story than just a stupid joke posted to the web.

 

Funny how the headline is "Arrested because he joked about Mandela" and then there seems to be a bit more that isn't fully mentioned or even presented factually.

It says in the article that screen shots were taken; "One was of a shocking image of decapitation, another featuring a wheelchair-bound individual, both posted by Mr Phillips." and described as: "They are vile and deeply offensive, anti-Muslim, anti-disabled."

It also says; "He was one of two men interviewed by police following a bitter, ill-tempered feud over plans for a mining memorial in the town centre has been ambushed by some members of the Far Right and used as a propaganda platform."

 

Yes, it would seem Mr. Phillips is just an poor misunderstood innocent who has done nothing more than post a single weak inoffensive joke to a web site and then suffered the wrath of an oppressive police force.

 

I've explained why there doesn't need to be any more to it, as the law stands the police had to investigate following a complaint. Anyone who knows anything about the Liberal Democrats will be aware of what an deeply unpleasant bunch they are, the fact that one of their number made the complaint comes as no surprise at all.

 

See Section 5 (1) (a) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64 that's the part the terminally offended always use.

 

@HeyYou There's not much you can do when all you have is various idiots to choose from.

 

Yeah, gotta agree with yout there. Seems all we get is assorted calibers of idiots.... so, ya vote for the lesser of the evils. Of course, that still means you are votiing for evil.

 

I want an option for "None of the Above", and if that choice wins, all the potentials go home, and we start the process all over again.

[WarRatsG]

 

@HeyYou There's not much you can do when all you have is various idiots to choose from.

 

May as well vote between a slap on the left cheek or a slap on the right cheek ;)

 

Arresting this guy is a real statement about the nature of free speech in the UK. Everyone should have the right to express their views on whatever beliefs they have, no matter how valid they are. Consider Westboro Baptist Church: consider how much attention they received and how much publicity their rabid hatred gained them. Now consider how much attention they brought to the gay rights debate. They represent baseless bigotry and needless hatred towards a stigma that should not even exist. It's not ideal but the stigma has always been there, although just one look at the depth and veracity of the WBC's animosity confronts you with any reservations you may have towards that stigma. People see how pointless the WBC's aggression is, and people see how pointless their own intolerance is.

 

Nelson Mandela is a hero. If the guy wants to disrespect him with his jokes then he should by all means be allowed to go on ahead. We all make our choices and we face the consequences, so on his head be it.

Edited December 13, 2013 by WarRatsG

[rizon72]

Its a joke, people make fun of others all the time. I don't understand the thinking of why its all right to make fun of one person, like Bush Jr, but not someone else. You can't pick and choose which one is okay and which one is not okay. Personally, Mandela was/is a public figure, it comes with the territory. If all this guy did was a joke online, then it shows how thin-skinned some people are, and a tragic loss for freedom of speech.

Edited December 15, 2013 by rizon72

[JimboUK]

 

 

@HeyYou There's not much you can do when all you have is various idiots to choose from.

 

May as well vote between a slap on the left cheek or a slap on the right cheek :wink:

 

Arresting this guy is a real statement about the nature of free speech in the UK. Everyone should have the right to express their views on whatever beliefs they have, no matter how valid they are. Consider Westboro Baptist Church: consider how much attention they received and how much publicity their rabid hatred gained them. Now consider how much attention they brought to the gay rights debate. They represent baseless bigotry and needless hatred towards a stigma that should not even exist. It's not ideal but the stigma has always been there, although just one look at the depth and veracity of the WBC's animosity confronts you with any reservations you may have towards that stigma. People see how pointless the WBC's aggression is, and people see how pointless their own intolerance is.

 

Nelson Mandela is a hero. If the guy wants to disrespect him with his jokes then he should by all means be allowed to go on ahead. We all make our choices and we face the consequences, so on his head be it.

 

 

 

Those from the Westboro Church would be dragged away and locked up, if they had been the Westboro Mosque the police would be standing there protecting them and arresting those who dare criticise them. The political correctness in the UK has gone so far that when it comes to freedom of speech and the law what we have now have a system of apartheid where people are treated differently depending on their race or religion, this of course is leading to ever increasing resentment, I hear more open racism now than I did in the 80s, the only difference being it's not directed at black people but rather at Asians and Eastern Europeans.

[MajKrAzAm]

What makes this all the more hilarious is that Britain has plenty of real crime to investigate instead.

 

Imagine bobbies taking a discrete detour around a chav or Muslim immigrant robbing a pensioner so that they can break down the door of someone who was improperly courteous about Nelson Mandela's greatness on Twitter.

[JimboUK]

What makes this all the more hilarious is that Britain has plenty of real crime to investigate instead.

 

Imagine bobbies taking a discrete detour around a chav or Muslim immigrant robbing a pensioner so that they can break down the door of someone who was improperly courteous about Nelson Mandela's greatness on Twitter.

 

They've got more serious crimes to be dealing with....

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2487476/Police-quiz-boy-12-flicking-pupil-rubber-band-Two-officers-gave-terrified-youngster-telling-playground-bullying-involving-coat-toggle.html

 

As I said, the country is run by lunatics.

[Mercbird]

Everywhere has more real crime to investigate, that would rate higher than cencoring peoples right to make idiots of themselves when they open their mouths, I would count the bomb threats as the real issue over the tasteless jokes for instance, but the slant of the article almost brushes over that. :facepalm: I would have no problems with someone being arrested/investigated for making public bomb threats.

 

People seem to forget that once youve uploaded something its pretty much there till the Internet bombs, and not everything you read is truth.

The salacious reporting leaves a somewhat to be desired, the name Mandela was slapped into the headline to attrack attention, and looking at the rest of the sites 'news' items it will certainly be my first stop to see what colour undies some (s)tartlet is flashing.

 

Also you only have to wait for real life to make the worst jokes inconsequential, and he certainly needs some investigating Fake Champion Schizophrenic Sign Language interpreter except he is now admitted to hospital cause he might have a breakdown the poor conman.

 

TIA! :dance: