There is another arrest in the United Kingdom for criminal speech, a crime that is on the rise in the West to censor and punish those who are deemed hateful or insulting in their views. The latest arrestee is reported to be Matthew Doyle, 46, a partner at a London PR agency. He was arrested after tweeting about how he asked a Muslim woman to “explain” the terror attacks in Brussels. It was a stupid and insulting act, in my view. Moreover, Doyle reportedly used some slur for Muslims in later postings. However, none of that justifies criminalizing speech and the arrest shows the increasing appetite in England (and the West) for rolling back on free speech. Indeed, we recently discussed the Obama Administration’s threats of prosecution for those who speak in ways deemed misleading or hateful.
We have previously discussed the alarming rollback on free speech rights in the West, particularly in France (here and here and here and here and here and here) and England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). Much of this trend is tied to the expansion of hate speech and non-discrimination laws. We have seen comedians targeted with such court orders under this expanding and worrisome trend. (here and here). This includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s disgraceful pandering to authoritarian Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over the exercise of free speech by German citizens deemed insulting to Erdoğan.
London’s Metropolitan Police on Wednesday reportedly arrested Doyle after social media started to comment on his tweet that read: “I confronted a Muslim women [sic] yesterday in Croydon. I asked her to explain Brussels. She said “Nothing to do with me” a mealy mouthed reply.”
Doyle was obviously upset over the bombings at the Brussels airport and at a metro station killed at least 31 people and wounded 300 others. However, the young lady was right to be insulted by the suggestion that just because she is Muslim she would have to explain the actions of these murderers and terrorists.
The tweet was later deleted but the controversy raged on social media. Doyle doubled down and strangely thanked his followers “for proving I can still do PR.” The comments were inappropriate and ignorant but they were also in my view an exercise in free speech, something that is increasing precarious in England.
England has seen the rise of calls for speech prosecutions. We have previously discussed the crackdown on free speech rights in the West, particularly in England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here).
What do you think?
Turley needs to learn what constitutes free speech in other countries. It is not the same as in the USA.
The United Kingdom of England and Wales was established in 1535 by Henry VIII. Great Britain was established by the Acts of Union in 1707.
The situation with regard to Northern Ireland is so complex I won’t even try to summarize.
It is good that we have these blogs in America and others around the world. I note that there are many folks who read this blog and comment from all around the world. If we did not have this vehicle and mode of communication we would be way behind of where we are now. We need to promote free speech and the right to petition our various governments to redress our grievances. The comments on this particular topic here are quite good and yeah there is some snipping back and forth but thank God we have this computer technology. Otherwise I would be watching old movies on tv.
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles: Why people hate the truths' of the real world and commented:
Free speech is only allowed if you keep your mouth shut and your fingers off the keyboard.
or maybe I should say Authority.
My US friends accuse me of being too serious whereas my German friends accuse me of being too flippant.
I think they are both spot-on
Paul,
My genetic heritage is Scots-Irish with a teensy bit of Cherokee (no, I am not Pochonatas =)) so I have fighting in my blood apparently.
Add to that that I was raised in Germany so I’m a bit of a hybrid culturally. Back in the day there were only 3 official government channels which ran documentaries/films about the Nazis to combat a rise of neo Nazism.
I grew up reading Orwell and Huxley — and later learned about experiments by Milgram and Zimbardo so I have an engrained suspicion of authorities =)
Sandi,
Agree with you that if people move to another country they need to assimilate (one major reason I’d never even want to visit Saudi Arabia!). The rule of law is important and if certain judges do not enforce it they should be held accountable. I am fully aware of honor killings that take place even in Western nations – terrible and true hate crimes cloaked in some insane interpretation of the Koran. I guess what I’m saying is that we need to make sure that people who break our laws are brought to justice and that includes those who turn a blind eye.
Paul,
I was aware of that, however, if you and others feel so strongly you must ensure it is overturned in the court of law. Excusing people who blow up abortion clinics “to save lives” is not the answer. And there are many situations like what my boss went through where the options are so stark.
One thing I will add though is that abortion has been too often used as a form of birth control – some of my friends had more than one abortion and now regret it deeply. There should be more counseling offered so those who feel they cannot raise a child could give it up for adoption.
Autumn – I am half-Irish. My people have blown up a lot of things to get their way.
A Muslim by definition believes the Koran to be the perfect and immutable word of God. There can be no exceptions. This same Koran forbids friendships between Muslims and Christians or Jews, states that Jihad must be waged against them, that they will spend eternity in hell and on the Last Day all Jews who have managed to hold out will be rounded up and murdered.
This woman obviously identifies herself as a Muslim, therefore having identified herself as a devoted enemy of all Christians or Jews it is perfectly logical to ask her why she supports such insanity.
The problem here is that it’s a REAL camel’s nose that’s under the tent.
Paul,
But isn’t killing others who are performing abortions which are legal an act of lawless violence? And you would save the life of a child over its mother? I remember my old boss who is Polish-American Catholic telling me when they had their third child that the doctor came out and said he had to choose – did he want them to save his wife or the unborn child? Mike chose his wife – his mate of many years and mother to their two other young sons.
I, too, am agnostic BTW
Autumn – there is a difference between following the laws of God and man. Some abortions are legal. Some are not. However, the Roman Catholic Church teaches all abortions are a mortal sin for both and murder.
Roe, in Roe v. Wade lied (on the advise of her attorney) and said that she had been raped. This made it easier for the Supreme Court to allow her to get an abortion. Actually, Roe got pregnant from her boyfriend. Roe is now anti-abortion.
So, we have legalize abortion based on a lie. How does that make you feel?
Sandi,
When I lived in Fairfax, VA and attended GMU I had at least 10 female Muslim classmates all of whom wore the hijab. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I respected their choice to dress according to their religious beliefs. Do you have a problem with devout Hindu women who wear a bindi on their foreheads and saris? And how about Amish / Mennonite women who wear “archaic” attire?
While there are certainly Muslim suicide bombers there are also “christian” folk who attack abortion clinics. Hell, there were even Buddhists who were attacking the Royinga (a Muslim tribe) in Burma! The small percentage of fundamentalist radicals who are violent do not represent the majority of their adherants.
We must be careful IMO not to demonize people according to their religious beliefs.
Autumn – I am agnostic and I believe that abortion is the killing of babies. I believe there is no cause for abortion, including the health of the mother (in this day and age that is a dodge for doctors to perform an abortion). I can understand someone killing an abortionist because to them they are saving lives, even if it means giving up their own.
If I moved to another country I would assimilate. Learn the language. I’d probably wear a sari, though not every day. A section of Dearborn is mostly Muslim. They practice Sharia law. Men can beat their wives. Here, that is against the law and that applies to everyone. Except Muslims. One Muslim man did an honor killing running over his wife and daughter killing them. It was planned and aided by other Muslims. He was rushed to a plane to Dallas with a short wait and flown out of the US. Because the daughter loved a Christian and was marrying him and the mother was fine with that. Killed them! So wouldn’t it be prudent to spend a little more time investigating people who want to live here? Two Muslim men were on a plane and several other people got off, including me. That was shortly after 9/11. Muslims are paying a price since 9/11. As each shooting occurs our fear escalates. And all Muslims continue paying a price. But it’s our country, with our laws, and if you don’t like it, leave!
I saw that vapid, French-Canadian PM trying to put a few cogent sentences together w/o a teleprompter yesterday @ the 3 Amigo’s summit. Hilarious! Don’t concern yourself w/ polemics from Canadians here that don’t understand free speech. They are not a very advanced civilization. Just chuckle @ their trying to keep up w/ us Americans higher order thinking. Hell, they can’t even compete w/ the US in hockey any longer.
There is no “freedom of speech” in the Muslim world. Why would you suppose they will change their views on such a basic Western Civilization construction just because they live next door? Face it. We are confronting an invasion by people who are inimical to out very way of thinking. Pulling back on freedom of speech is just the first step by our “political geniuses” to curry favor with and earn the votes of this new anti-democratic group.
I do not think the speech is actionable. I think they will have a hard time getting a conviction in court. I get the feeling they are more upset over the comments than the original statement.
When Muslim women are covered in black clothing and hidden faces are they not showing loyalty to Muslim teachings? Also, are they men with weaponry under those vast dresses? We don’t trust Muslims or any Arab dressed in an archaic way. Do we walk around wearing leather breeches? I believe citizens of a free country should show their faces. Protestors at political rallies hide their
faces to escape arrest from video later. I have not read “Clash of Civilizations” but think the title incongruous. Where are places of civility in the Middle East? Damn scarce. We’ve had attacks by followers of Muslim, Islam, ISIS, et al. Israel has lived with this every day. We are a society afraid of these maniacs and for good reason. If they don’t want to assimilate, but put their religious beliefs before our laws, why are they here? Did we not have surveillance of the KKK? Because they were evil killers. Now we have more evil killers and worry about offending our multiculturalism. They are here to kill us. Let’s not bury our heads in the sand. I admire the people of the UK. There are too many immigrants and they want it stopped. Obama brings them here without approval of our laws. I don’t say bad things, but I physically remove myself. This is America, or used to be. I have never left my house with fear. I do now.
This is why Brexit will not cure Britain’s cancer. They continue to embrace Islamopandering. All nations that engage in Islamopandering will eventually be destroyed by the cancer that eats away at what Civilization remains.
@isaacbacon
What a crock of poop! How dare you invoke “McCarthy”, while you liberals are busily trying to intimidate and blacklist anybody who doesn’t go along with your warm and fuzzy bull manure and various sexual perversities.
Under your theory, if I don’t think some dude, replete with a penis, wants to put on panties and a bra and claim he is a woman—under your theory, if I think and say that he is some kind of kook and freak, then I can be punished.
Get off your stupid high horse. You ain’t nothing but a fascist! Spend your time practicing goosestepping for when the social warrior brown shirts take over!
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
(((issacbasonkavich)))