Spain is on the verge of passing a draconian measure that threatens fundamental values of free speech. Faced with ongoing protests over economic conditions, the Spanish government is about to make insulting police officers and protesting without permission crimes punishable by fine greater than dealing drugs or prostitution. Not since Franco has the country turned so decidedly against civil liberties and free speech.
Once passed by the Spanish Parliament, citizens who dare to protest without permission will face fines up to $810,000. It would be better to sell drugs which are subject to less than five percent of that fine.
Harassment or insults can be charged with fines as high as €600,000. An insult to a police officer is now treated as a “serious offense” with fines of €30,000. Most people consider insulting the government or police to be a core exercise of free speech.
The concern is that, as economic and social tensions grow, such measures may expand throughout Europe.
Source: The Local
what is their definition of an insult?
Reblogged this on SiriusCoffee and commented:
The emperor has no clothes, and wants to punish anyone who points out that fact. Look for the disease of denial to spread.
Oxa,
One can only hope other countries, including the U.S., don’t have to learn the value of dissent the way Germany did but instead can learn from their costly (in every way possible) lesson. As a people, they understand the slippery slope of oppression better than most. What is surprising – or perhaps the word is “depressing” – is that the Spanish have apparently so quickly forgotten their own domestic lessons on the matter.
Next comes voter id laws.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
“The NSA overreach poses a serious threat to our economy
Genuine NSA reform is a Constitutional and economic necessity.
Transparency and privacy are critical for citizens and tech firms
Beta”
by Jim Sensenbrenner, in The Guardian
Wednesday 20 November 2013
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/20/jim-sensenbrenner-nsa-overreach-hurts-business
Excerpt:
“These endorsements send a clear message: transparency and privacy are paramount for internet and telecommunication companies. It is the bedrock of their credibility and stability as corporate entities.
Unfortunately, on 31 October, the Senate Intelligence Committee – created to conduct oversight on these programs – abdicated leadership and responsibility by voting for the first time in our country’s history to allow unrestrained spying on innocent Americans.
But with over 100 cosponsors covering the political spectrum, my colleagues and I will continue to work pragmatically towards the balanced approach supported by the American people, businesses and our friends abroad.
Genuine reform is a Constitutional and economic necessity. If the USA Freedom Act is brought to the floors of Congress for an up or down vote, I am confident it will pass with strong bipartisan support.”
End of extract.
There’s some seriously wicked s… taking place domestically. Passage of The Freedom Act would be a step in the right direction.
Italy already has those laws on the books – left over from the Mussolini days.
Watch the trend in the U.S. towards more police protection, AKA First Amendment suppression. If you disobey a “lawful order”, you can expect the situation to escalate very quickly to “obstructing a police officer” and “resisting arrest”.
When arrested, most people face a litany of charges stemming from one incident (which is why most people plead guilty rather than risk years in jail).
However, the Fascist history of Spain is very recent in historical terms, and there is a segment of the Spanish culture that yearns for those days. I have a couple former students who have spent semesters in Spain. UW has a strong Spain program. They have said what you just did but also see a militant backlash. This scenario is playing out across Europe.
Blouise, Brava.
“The concern is that, as economic and social tensions grow, such measures may expand throughout Europe.”
Perhaps here, too, if some in our “government for the people” had their way…
It’s not clear what brought this on. What issue is supposedly being addressed by these measures? (I don’t see how immigration has much to do with it.)
I also don’t see it expanding to other countries. This would never take hold in Germany, for example.
In this country the cops simply shoot you or tazer you. They have feelings too.
I hate to get all analytical here but Spain is trying to grapple with the same immigration problems that are besetting so many other European countries. Due to immigration and birth rates, Spain’s Muslim population is forecast to grow by 82% over the next 15 years (Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life) while non-Muslim growth in population is forecast at half that rate.
As in France and other neighboring countries where lack of jobs and financial stability is problematic, the immigrant Muslim population is mainly confined to ghetto-type areas and discontent is fermenting resulting in riots and other civil disobedience.
And the problem is made more profound because all this immigration is perfectly legal thanks to “Old World Colonization” policies which grant automatic citizenship thus putting the immigrants on equal footing with the rest of the population and resentful that that equal footing is not respected.
I am not defending Spain’s Parliament as much as I’m attempting to widen the view of the situation for I believe we will be seeing more and more of this type of legislation as “Old World Colonization” policies come back to bite these countries in the hind quarters.
We are a nation built on immigration and look at the arguments that we have when contemplating granting citizenship to people who have crossed our borders without the benefit of legal paperwork. That argument can not even take place in Europe as the huge influx of immigrants is all perfectly legal.
The culture clash is huge and violent and “free speech” is one of the victims.
Reblogged this on Dead Republican Party (DeRP).
Reblogged this on Brittius.com.
Maybe Spain is just looking for a way to make some money since their austerity programs are not reinvigorating the economy as much of the EU is finding out. I guess you need to tape up your mouth in Spain in order to save some money.
Bankers go free but citizens who exercise free speech go to jail, sounds like a policy our own corporatists in both parties can envy. I shudder to think what will happen as this crosses the Atlantic.
wonders how long before this happens here? seeing that they are already trying to curb free speech. first by going after whistleblowers and reporters. which strikes me as funny. its alright for reporters to print anything they want as long as it doesnt have anything to do with the latest ceo of the corporation u.s.a.
Yet when you think about it. they own all the major lame stream media sources so their next step is to go after bloggers. who don’t require having to attend their accredited schools to be taught how to tell lies for the corporation. bloggers can print what they want and so far there is nothing the corporation can do about it…. but if the rumors going around are true. they’re definitely coming for them…
Next stop…. The US …… We are already ready there with Judges in some jurisdictions…. Police… They arrest you for failure to obey a lawful command…..
Reblogged this on News You May Have Missed and commented:
Spain Moves Toward Heavy Fines For Insulting Police And Protesting Without Permission
Generallisimo Francisco Franco is smiling, FROM HELL!