I think I'll just ignore you, other people seem to be able to carry on a sensible debate without resorting to drivel and tiresome contortions. You people should be able to say anything they like, I think that's the best summary we can hope for.
No crimes were committed in the singing of these songs The songs became the crime so the Scottish Government could be seen to be tackling sectarianism without actually tackling sectarianism
It's easy to criticise the Judge. As MD says we are not getting the full story here, I doubt that the ned who got the jail was a stranger to court, personally I have no sympathy with anyone who thinks it a wheeze to annoy people in the street.
Nor do I, however, the judge made it clear (in the quote in the OP at least) that he was being jailed for singing that song. The ned is obviously an arsehole for singing it in a busy street and no doubt offended many people. However, in my opinion, he broke no law other than possibly being drunk and disorderly. For the judge to want to "send a message" is about him being jailed for what he was singing and is attack on free speech.
I think the speech and the vehicle it's delivered in are being confused If two people are on an empty train speaking about how they hate blacks and using horrible racist language, but quietly... Should they be arrested?
I was going to put a little old lady on board but then we'd start discussing her hearing.... So I just went with the speech itself
If someone hears it then I think they have every right to report it if they wish to do so. Whether the police choose to follow it up is, of course, a different matter altogether.
Ah, the old "if a tree falls down in a forest" argument. You, sir, are an affront to free speech. And trains. And deaf people.
The Lives of Others... Most "ism" language is emotive and rarely peaceful so if the aggressiveness is taken away and its only words, doesn't it seem Stasi like to prosecute on those terms Disclaimer: I'm not calling anybody an East German communist
