Arrests over anti-Semitic remarks on Facebook

[The Northerner]

Five men and a 15-year-old youth have been arrested in East Renfrewshire and Glasgow after anti-Semitic remarks were posted on social network site Facebook.

Almost 50 police officers raided seven addresses after complaints from members of the Jewish community in Giffnock.

It followed a number of offensive posts on a page entitled: "Welcome to Israel, only kidding you're in Giffnock."

The six people arrested were charged with a breach of the peace with religious and racial aggravations.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18087379


It's saddening to think that some idiots these days actually believe they have the right to post whatever despicable and hateful remarks they want directed against people of a certain ethnicity/race/religious group/etc.

I hope that the justice system over in Scotland punishes them all to the full extent of the law so that they'll have to think about the vile things they've posted.

I also hope that, at some point, lawmakers will consider drafting similar laws against hateful and offensive speech here in the US.

[Chef Eric]

1. I strongly disagree.

The problem with taking action against "hateful and offensive speech" is that it requires somebody to decide what is hateful and offensive. Which politicians and/or judges do you trust to determine what is hateful and offensive? I trust nobody in that regard.

I think our forefathers had the right idea when they wrote first amendment to the Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."

What it boils down to is this: people in this country should be free say anything they want to say, as long as they are not engaging in slander or inciting violence.

[Mammone]

2. Free speach as long as it is PC is not free speech

[provis99]

4. we've got laws against porn, too.

that also requires somebody to decide what is porn. Likewise with death threats and slander.

[Skinner]

3. I don't share your hope. I am strongly opposed to outlawing speech.

Fortunately we have the First Amendment here, so you're not going to get your wish.

[tritsofme]

5. The First Amendment always frustrates authoritarians.

Lucky for us it is not going anywhere.