Do you support the prosecution of Nick Griffin?

[kyser_soze]

I think thats prefectly sane and will follow kyser_soze anywhere if only out of a morbid sense of curiosity

Excellent!! My first follower!! You can be First Trim Coordinator

 

[Taxamo Welf]

think archer without the wit and a side order of hatred

Richard Littlejohn?

 

[bluestreak]

well, on a personal level i support anything that makes his life a little more unpleasant. and a theoretical level i ahve to admit that the state has played nicely into his hands here. he can't lose.

 

[Treacle Toes]

In the context of a private meeting of the BNP, the quotes of his that have been reported are hardly likely to incite any more racial hatred than was already present in the room.

Not sure I can agree with that although I do take your point. Some of the guff he comes up with may not have been believed before he spouted it.

 

[durruti02]

griffin thives on publicity .. this trial is brilliant for the bnp

yesterday on radio 5 news
1st news item .. mulsim planed to blow up tube under thames
2nd news item .. bnp leader says muslims are violent

.. do ya'll not think maybe the state are shit stiring here??

 

[kyser_soze]

Actually a lot of people may well start saying 'he's got a point'.

Its clear what the BNP agenda is, but I cant see anything in what Griffin said that is a clear incitement to violence or racial hatred. Arguing for the state to clamp down on what the far right says in its own meetings opens the door for them to do exactly the same to the likes of Eco-activists, anti-war campaingers, anarchists, animal rights activists, millitant anti-fascists - in fact any radical group you care to mention who cause problems for the state.

Far far better for ordinary people to take their own collective action agasint the far right then to press the state to gather yet more power onto itself to supress non-mainstream political discourse.

See that spot? You're right on it.

 

[In Bloom]

In principle, I'm against any attempt by the state to prosecute people for expressing opinions, no matter how vile, and I can see the negative consequences of prosecuting him as well.

On the other hand, I'm not going to lose much sleep over it.

 

[smokedout]

i support the persecution of nick griffen

 

[TAE]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bradford/6125834.stm

Odious little shit that he is, should Nick Griffin be prosecuted for calling Islam a 'wicked, vicious faith'? I think this is a sad day for freedom of speech in this country. Much as it may stick in the craw, should we be hoping for a not guilty verdict?

If that is all he is accused of, I agree with you. Have ClassWar not said exactly the same thing?

 

[In Bloom]

Oh for fucks sake, how difficult is it to read the article before you post?

The charges arose out of speeches made in Keighley in 2004 which were secretly filmed by BBC journalist Jason Gwynne for a documentary on the party.

Giving evidence on the third day of his re-trial, Mr Griffin said the speeches were intended to "get people involved" in the party.

But he said he changed the theme of his speech after being approached by a woman who told him that young white girls were being given alcohol and drugs by groups of older Muslim youths.

When asked by his barrister, Timothy King QC if he was trying to direct hatred at Asians as a whole he said he was not.

He said: "This isn't a racial thing. It's not an Asian thing. It's a cultural and religious thing."

'Paki street thug'

Mr Griffin, who has a law degree from Cambridge University, was questioned about his use in the speech of the term "Paki street thug".

I don't ever recall reading anything by Class War where they claimed that dirty Arab sexual predators are coming after innocent, young, white girls.

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Mr Griffin, who has a law degree from Cambridge University, was questioned about his use in the speech of the term "Paki street thug".

I love the way they've done that there

 

[N_igma]

Odious little shit that he is, should Nick Griffin be prosecuted for calling Islam a 'wicked, vicious faith'?

No.

I've heard countless people calling Christianity a "wicked, viscious faith."

I disagree with it, just like I disagree with anyone who offends anyone's personal beliefs (whether it be the lowering of taxes or the hating of Islam.)

One of the pilarstones of European values is the freedom to express one's opinions without persecution. So no, I don't believe he should be persecuted and anyone who condone's it are blinded by their own beliefs that are contradictory to true European values! *Awaits the onsluaght*

 

[bolshiebhoy]

Even Blair would have the good grace to say democratic or human values not 'European'. It's as if Edward Said was never born

 

[treelover]

i think that,like some others on here, we are moving into dangerous territory if the state can prosecute people for things they said in a private meeting with an invited audience meeting and for a 'crime' that is very problematic anyway.
I'm also concerned, wit the usual proviso: (i'm not a racist but...) at the way the dreadful Kris Donald murder by 3 Asian men was covered by the BBC, or wasn't. This just gives ammunition to the the far right, imo, all racist murders should be given the same balanced coverage.

 

[treelover]

Yes, much of it from the left wing sects who are now cheerleading the prosecution of the BNP leader

 

[kyser_soze]

dreadful Kris Donald murder by 3 Asian men was covered by the BBC, or wasn't

What, 2nd story on the 6 o'clock and 10pm bulletins after the US Congressional elections? With a 10 minute piece on News24? Complete with a mention in the report that some observers suspect that the majority of race-hate murder victims in the UK are white? I'd say that was pretty decent coverage...

 

[TopCat]

Surely he incites racial hatred with his crap?

Against which race exactly? How does faith equate to race?

 

[treelover]

I meant the coverage leading up to the trial, should have made it clearer

 

[kyser_soze]

Ahh...aren't there issues with pre-trial reporting tho? Or was it only reported locally until the verdict...need some McUrbans to answer that one...

 

[dylanredefined]

I'm worried about this how many people have gone on a drunken rant on "what i think should happen to people i dont agree with "if its in private who cares? If he been outside a mosque yes throw the book at him .In private unfortunatly think he is allowed to speak his little mind.

 

[JHE]

If he been outside a mosque yes throw the book at him .

Desecration!

 

[The Black Hand]

To answer the threads title. At this point in history, I really don't give a toss.

 

[kyser_soze]

If he been outside a mosque yes throw the book at him

Which book? And TBH I don't see why I can't stand outside any religious establishment and proclaim that it's an evil and vicious faith that's practiced within. If I then went on to encourage it to be burned to the ground then by all means throw something at me...but not for saying something...

 

[Spion]

Which book? And TBH I don't see why I can't stand outside any religious establishment and proclaim that it's an evil and vicious faith that's practiced within. If I then went on to encourage it to be burned to the ground then by all means throw something at me...but not for saying something...

a) people tend to think evil and vicious things are fair game, so in calling a religion that you are pretty much declaring war on it, with all the implications that involves
b) I also think you'd be wrong to describe many/most(??) religions that way. They may in some senses be evil and vicious but that is not ALL they are. They are often a valuable social support and network for their adherents.

I'd love to see all religions disappear but don't think it will ever happen by people haranguing them

 

[JHE]

dylanredefined demonstrates the correct Koran-chucking technique

 

[kyser_soze]

b) I also think you'd be wrong to describe many/most(??) religions that way

You might think that, and TBH it's not something I'm likely to come out with (I'd be far more erudite, witty and creative)...

 

[littlebabyjesus]

b) I also think you'd be wrong to describe many/most(??) religions that way.

You may think this is wrong, but would you make it a CRIMINAL offence to say it? This is very dangerous ground. What if you are homosexual - would you not be entitled to think religions which branded you a sinner were evil and vicious? If they are convicted, it will be a sad day for freedom in Britain.

 

[Roadkill]

This is very dangerous ground. What if you are homosexual - would you not be entitled to think religions which branded you a sinner were evil and vicious?

I am homosexual, and I think people - religious or otherwise - should have the freedom to say I'm evil and vicious and immoral and the rest of it.

I've no right not to be offended. But nor have they, so they can say exactly what they like about me, as long as I can tell them to shove their holy books up where the sun don't shine, and to say that their religions are reactionary and immoral.

If either of us directly incites violence against the other, then that is (and should be) criminal, but there should be no legislation for anything less than that IMO.

 

[JHE]

According to Radio 4 News, one of the hysterical Islamonuts who had a very public tantrum in London over some irreverent cartoons has just been convicted of incitement to racial hatred at the Old Bailey. The jury could not agree on whether he was also guilty of incitement to murder.

 

[kyser_soze]

Was he? I heard it was t'other way round - done for ItM but not for rachel hatred...