http://jonathanturley.org/2008/05/20/student-charged-criminally-for-using-the-word-cult-to-describe-scientology-during-london-protests/ Res ipsa loquitur ("The thing itself speaks") Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:32:18 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://jonathanturley.org/2008/05/20/student-charged-criminally-for-using-the-word-cult-to-describe-scientology-during-london-protests/#comment-13676 Make Them Accountable / The World Thu, 22 May 2008 17:13:18 +0000 http://jonathanturley.wordpress.com/?p=1877#comment-13676 [...] Student Charged Criminally for Using the Word “Cult” to Describe Scientology During London Prote... (by Jonathan Turley) One of the great divides between the United States and England is the scope and protection given to free speech, particularly when it comes to the media. Now, it appears that even a speech during a protest is regulated by the government. An unnamed teenager was charged criminally after he held up a sign reading “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.” Whether true or not, it is a view shared by many around the world. It also appears to be a crime to utter in England. The case is an outrage against free speech. [...] [...] Student Charged Criminally for Using the Word “Cult” to Describe Scientology During London Prote… (by Jonathan Turley) One of the great divides between the United States and England is the scope and protection given to free speech, particularly when it comes to the media. Now, it appears that even a speech during a protest is regulated by the government. An unnamed teenager was charged criminally after he held up a sign reading “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.” Whether true or not, it is a view shared by many around the world. It also appears to be a crime to utter in England. The case is an outrage against free speech. [...]

]]> http://jonathanturley.org/2008/05/20/student-charged-criminally-for-using-the-word-cult-to-describe-scientology-during-london-protests/#comment-13593 Dunce Tue, 20 May 2008 20:23:01 +0000 http://jonathanturley.wordpress.com/?p=1877#comment-13593 This is scary. This is scary.

]]> http://jonathanturley.org/2008/05/20/student-charged-criminally-for-using-the-word-cult-to-describe-scientology-during-london-protests/#comment-13572 Michael Spindell Tue, 20 May 2008 15:57:01 +0000 http://jonathanturley.wordpress.com/?p=1877#comment-13572 This is very disturbing and I understand from the links (and recent history)that it reflects a worldwide trend. Once we give police, special interests and/or politicians the right to define what is "proper" speech, we lose the right to speak freely and slide down the slope towards totalitarianism. While I am cognizant of "not yelling fire in the theater" standard, freedom absolutely requires allowing a wide latitude of speech and comment. This is very disturbing and I understand from the links (and recent history)that it reflects a worldwide trend. Once we give police, special interests and/or politicians the right to define what is “proper” speech, we lose the right to speak freely and slide down the slope towards totalitarianism. While I am cognizant of “not yelling fire in the theater” standard, freedom absolutely requires allowing a wide latitude of speech and comment.

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