Far right political leader, Marine Le Pen, has been ordered into psychiatric evaluations after she posted graphic images of bodies of people executed by the Islamic State. She was accused under the French laws criminalization different forms of speech — laws that I have long criticized as part of a European rollback on core free speech rights. Posting the pictures was
charged as circulating “violent messages that incite terrorism or pornography or seriously harm human dignity” and that can be viewed by a minor.
The posting by Le Pen occurred after the Paris terror attacks in November 2015 killing 130 people. The images included the decapitated body of US journalist James Foley, which Le Pen deleted at the request of the family. She wrote a caption reading “Daesh is this!” That seems core political speech, but in France even offensive or insulting speech can be a crime.
Le Pen will now be required to prove that she “is capable of understanding remarks and answering questions.” Le Pen has responded with outrage over the demeaning evaluation, which is automatic with this type of charge.
There are plenty of good-faith reasons to disagree with the views of Le Pen and the tweeting of images of this kind. However, this is also part of an alarming assault on free speech in Europe and the addition of a mandatory psychiatric evaluation raises analogies to authoritarian countries like China. 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).
The order was issued by the district court in Nanterre on September 11th.
Once again, none of this goes to the merits of Le Pen’s views or postings. Rather France is quickly becoming one of the most speech-intolerant countries in the world. we do not need free speech to protect popular speech. It is there for the unpopular views of minority viewpoints. We tolerate such speech to avoid the very slippery slope that France is careening down in these endless prosecutions of speech.
The evaluations that are made as a result of the best part and have been able to make the details well
https://www.baneh.com
goodluck
The American Founders adopted a Bill of Rights that includes freedom of speech, thought, religion, belief, opinion, propagation, press, socialization, assembly and every other conceivable natural and God-given right and freedom per the 9th Amendment.
These rights and freedoms were established within the context of a restricted-vote republic. Never did the Founders intend a one man, one vote democracy or ochlocracy.
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“the people are nothing but a great beast…
I have learned to hold popular opinion of no value.”
-Alexander Hamilton
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Nature is of the entire universe as are the blessings of God. Natural and God-given rights and freedoms belong to human beings everywhere.
French people and those of every nation have the same natural and God-given rights and freedoms as Americans do under their Bill of Rights.
The French and and any all other governments have no authority to deny citizens their natural or God-given rights and freedoms.
American officials must inform foreign governments that they are in violation of nature and God and that the tyrannical and
oppressive aspects of their forms of governance shall ultimately be purged completely.
Barring this, humanity will fall into the abyss of “dark ages” of despotism and dictatorship…like China under the Chinese communists.
France surrendered to the Nazi fascists in 46 days. Took a little longer to surrender to the modern day fascists, but it was surrender all the same. Takes courage to be free, not truffles.
mespo – I do not know why but the French never expect the Germans to attack them through Belgium. 😉
Cowards do seem to run stupid, too. Maginot that!
Very punny mespo. 🙂
mespo – the French fought bravely in both wars.
The soldiers were brave if ill-led. The politicians were cowards. Petain should have been guillotined. Instead he was exiled.
Here’s a helpful historical primer on French politics that will shed light on today’s events. You know it has to be true because Orson Welles is narrating, and he’s a voice of authority.
Indeed
A big win for NATO cold warriors who are addicted to the money and power that flows from a continued cold war with Russia. NATO can not have electable candidates who want detente because a zero chance of war with Russia puts them out of business.
French people are referred to as Frogs. It is because they eat frogs. But they can be at the same level mentally.
To all and sundry: Replys to the small nth power are too narrow guttered on this mobile device to be able to read. Indeed, past one letter per line follows no letters at all. So if you expect me to read your deathless prose, start over with a new comment, not a reply to a reply.
http://cultofthe1st.blogspot.com/2018/09/why-christine-blasey-fords-high-school_19.html
let’s not hold it against those kids that they were big partiers and racists too according to that blog.
i don’t know them myself, who knows
but they’re aiming their rhetorical guns at Kav. Glass houses?
Wrong thread for this comment.