British man jailed for wearing offensive t-shirt

While the shirt is pretty tasteless, there's absolutely no reason to arrest him for that. Leave prison for actual criminals who threaten society.

Jethawk11

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"][QUOTE="Laihendi"] I realize it's considered a punishable offense. I'm saying it shouldn't be. You seem to believe that the law of the government is always right because the government says so. Wearing a shirt with a disagreeable opinion written on it is not harassment because it can be easily ignored. If every person who ever did something that someone else found offensive was jailed, we would all be in jail.Laihendi

4 months for being a dick? Jesus.

man kraychik would've gone giddy with glee with this thread

He's a moron but I don't think he should be jailed for it.

tryagainlater

Voltaire (I think): "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

UK: "I disapprove of what you say, therefor, jail"

Funny how times have "changed", eh?

The__Kraken

Total freedom of speech violation there. However, Im not sure how the UK laws compare to USA. It might be offensive... but it's a shirt. Who cares. It's a shirt.

Total freedom of speech violation there. However, Im not sure how the UK laws compare to USA. It might be offensive... but it's a shirt. Who cares. It's a shirt.

Shmiity

Probably would have wound up in jail for shoplifting anyway.

It is a reebok shirt

[QUOTE="Shmiity"]

Total freedom of speech violation there. However, Im not sure how the UK laws compare to USA. It might be offensive... but it's a shirt. Who cares. It's a shirt.

SolidSnake35

What does that have to do with anything? It's a shirt. You should not be arrested for your thoughts. Also, are butts sensored on USA tv? Maybe, but... you also don't get arrested for it.

I hope this case blows up- I mean, sure, it was offensive, but its 2012... come on UK.

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"][QUOTE="Shmiity"]

Total freedom of speech violation there. However, Im not sure how the UK laws compare to USA. It might be offensive... but it's a shirt. Who cares. It's a shirt.

Shmiity

What does that have to do with anything? It's a shirt. You should not be arrested for your thoughts. Also, are butts sensored on USA tv? Maybe, but... you also don't get arrested for it.

I hope this case blows up- I mean, sure, it was offensive, but its 2012... come on UK.

To be fair Voltaire was French and historically the two have been at odds.Ace6301

I was actually getting at the idea that times have not actually changed much at all. Voltaire was not particularly at peace with the establishment, and (if my memory is not mistaken) he was often not too far away from being arrested and imprisoned for his opinions and criticisms of government/religion. Even that famous quote was at odds with the traditional views held by the French government and the religious authority in France at the time. Voltaire was met with the whole "I disapprove of what you say, therefor, jail" sentiment in his time.

Even today, one can potentially be arrested in many different countries for what is conceptually similar to what Voltaire did. After a few centuries, times have truly "changed" (which is to say, things have not changed much at all in certain aspects). Fact is, the sentiment that Voltaire had is still at odds with the views held by much of the world today.

[QUOTE="meconate"][QUOTE="Laihendi"] If it's against their laws then the problem is their laws.SaintLeonidas

So there is a law that specifically states that if 2 police officers are killed you can't wear a t-shirt like that within the next few hours?

[QUOTE="Laihendi"][QUOTE="SaintLeonidas"] Right, yes, a shirt saying "f*ck emos* is definitely comparable to a shirt directed towards police officers just hours after two were killed. :roll: The man is a moron trying to intentionally offend the friends and family of two innocent officers gunned down. Whether you agree with his jailing or not, their law is still the law, this ditsh*t broke it, move on. SaintLeonidas

So sue the guy into oblivion. Unless there's a law specifically covering this, I don't see how he can be jailed legally.

[QUOTE="SaintLeonidas"][QUOTE="meconate"] I once saw a guy wearing a t-shirt saying 'F*ck Emos' and the police didn't bat an eyelid. Yet somebody wears this and it's a whole different story. Not that I have any particular love for emos, I don't care either way.nunovlopes

So there is a law that specifically states that if 2 police officers are killed you can't wear a t-shirt like that within the next few hours?

[QUOTE="nunovlopes"]

[QUOTE="SaintLeonidas"] Right, yes, a shirt saying "f*ck emos* is definitely comparable to a shirt directed towards police officers just hours after two were killed. :roll: The man is a moron trying to intentionally offend the friends and family of two innocent officers gunned down. Whether you agree with his jailing or not, their law is still the law, this ditsh*t broke it, move on. SolidSnake35

So there is a law that specifically states that if 2 police officers are killed you can't wear a t-shirt like that within the next few hours?

What if it's the next day, is that ok?

I would have thought it would have been sensible for the guy to be jailed for wearing such a shirt. People who say "freedom of speech ftw" honestly have little idea of the implication of how bad freedom of speech can be.

Sure it would be fine if everyone could switch off from seeing things and hearing things but people can not. Its the same way that if you burn a koran, you are going to get people coming after you. You burn an English, USA or whereever flag, you are going to get people coming after you. It will simply cause problems that can be easily avoided if you put people like this guy away for a day or so, so they get over their stupid idea.

Just imagine if you had a younger member of your family raped by someone, abused in a horrific way, I come along wearing a t-shirt saying "yeah that *insert name* had a tight ******" I am sure you would probably want to kill me. However do you think I have a justifiable reason aside from "freedom of speech" to do such a thing? Do I have the right to cause you distress with such a t-shirt. No I dont believe I do, and I believe that is common sense. Dont be a pr1ck and everyone can get along.

This is a blatant violation of freedom of speech. Laihendi

I would have thought it would have been sensible for the guy to be jailed for wearing such a shirt. People who say "freedom of speech ftw" honestly have little idea of the implication of how bad freedom of speech can be.

Sure it would be fine if everyone could switch off from seeing things and hearing things but people can not. Its the same way that if you burn a koran, you are going to get people coming after you. You burn an English, USA or whereever flag, you are going to get people coming after you. It will simply cause problems that can be easily avoided if you put people like this guy away for a day or so, so they get over their stupid idea.

Just imagine if you had a younger member of your family raped by someone, abused in a horrific way, I come along wearing a t-shirt saying "yeah that *insert name* had a tight ******" I am sure you would probably want to kill me. However do you think I have a justifiable reason aside from "freedom of speech" to do such a thing? Do I have the right to cause you distress with such a t-shirt. No I dont believe I do, and I believe that is common sense. Dont be a pr1ck and everyone can get along.

o0squishy0o

That's up to the individual to think of the consequences of those they offend. The problem with censoring freedom of speech is, when does it stop? There is always someone offended by something.

Freedom of speech can go fvck itself when someone crosses such boundaries. Have a good time there hero.GazaAli

Hope they have a lot of spare jail cells if they want to incarcerate every disrespectful bastard.

He's an idiot, but jailing him seems a bit much.

[QUOTE="GazaAli"]Freedom of speech can go fvck itself when someone crosses such boundaries. Have a good time there hero.MrMr-x2

[QUOTE="Shmiity"]

[QUOTE="SolidSnake35"] A shirt can be read by anyone of any age. On a similar note, in America, don't you censor butt cracks on TV?SolidSnake35

What does that have to do with anything? It's a shirt. You should not be arrested for your thoughts. Also, are butts sensored on USA tv? Maybe, but... you also don't get arrested for it.

I hope this case blows up- I mean, sure, it was offensive, but its 2012... come on UK.

Freedom of speech can go fvck itself when someone crosses such boundaries. Have a good time there hero.GazaAli

He's an idiot ,but none of the words were inflammatory.

roulettethedog

He was making fun of the police right after two local officers had been killed... I think he got what he deserved

[QUOTE="roulettethedog"]

He's an idiot ,but none of the words were inflammatory.

LaytonsCat

He was making fun of the police right after two local officers had been killed... I think he got what he deserved

[QUOTE="MrMr-x2"][QUOTE="GazaAli"]Freedom of speech can go fvck itself when someone crosses such boundaries. Have a good time there hero.GazaAli

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

[QUOTE="GazaAli"][QUOTE="MrMr-x2"] As soon as you are jailed for expressing your mind your view on this would change at a drop of a hat. Kamekazi_69

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

[QUOTE="Kamekazi_69"]

[QUOTE="GazaAli"] I do believe people should be entitled to expressing their minds, but I also know my limits.JohnF111

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

[QUOTE="Kamekazi_69"]

[QUOTE="GazaAli"] I do believe people should be entitled to expressing their minds, but I also know my limits.JohnF111

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

[QUOTE="JohnF111"][QUOTE="Kamekazi_69"]

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

LJS9502_basic

section 4a public order offence - displaying writing or other visible representation with intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Sucks to be him but it's his own fault.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="JohnF111"] It wasn't a statement, he only did this when specific people had died, that's not just freedom of speech, he might as well have gone to the funeral and said "Good riddance scum!" to the coffin.JohnF111

section 4a public order offence - displaying writing or other visible representation with intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Sucks to be him but it's his own fault.

[QUOTE="JohnF111"][QUOTE="Kamekazi_69"]

Thats why its called freedom of speech. It not there to satisfty your limits or anyone elses. I honestly can't believe people should lawfully punish others over a dumb statement. I did not know England was like that. dawm

Kamekazi_69

This is a blatant violation of freedom of speech. Laihendi