Here in our Western "democracy" terrorism is the bogeyman, and to counter that will-o'the-wisp, what freedom of speech we still have, is being shut down. Added to the restrains on our rights, political correctness throws in its demands. There are certain groups against which you have to be very careful how you criticise them, a joke could be a joke too far. What can place you under the heading of a terrorist, can vary from country to country. In Spain recently it was a tattoo and owning a particular book, no bombs, no plot to maim or kill. This erosion of our rights, is like a creeping cancer, as each part of our freedom of speech is shut down, it is one helluva fight to try to get it back. Control and subservience is the aim of the state and it will use every opportunity to that end. Freedom of speech is the enemy of authoritarianism, conversely, authoritarianism is the enemy of freedom of speech. What type of society do we want to live in, one under total control of the faceless bureaucrats, or one in which we can all express our beliefs and thoughts openly without the fear of repression? We can only have the latter if we are vigilant and fight tooth and nail for that right of freedom of speech.
It is difficult to grasp just how far down the road to state censorship of our words and deeds we have been surreptitiously herded. It happens under many guises, protection for certain religions, individuals and institutions, placing them beyond criticism, but criticism is my right if I disagree with any on the list. In a true democracy we should not have to fight for the right to express our opinion openly and freely, it is a given, if we have to fight for that right, we do not live in a democracy.
Received the following article from comrade Loam, it is a must read and worth spreading widely. So read, think and share.
Notably, police also found “small sign” with the slogan “Gora Alka ETA” on one of the men. The judge adopted a curious interpretation. “Gore ETA” is a common meaning of “Long live ETA”, but the judge concluded it was meant to refer also to “Long live Al-Qaeda-ETA.” Putting aside the interpretive approach, finding a sign on one of the men is a problematic aggravator, let alone a basis, for a criminal case. This concern is magnified by the court noting that a “cover of a book called ‘Against Democracy’, by the Coordinated Anarchist Groups” had been found among their possessions.
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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 full article can be read HERE:
