Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Ok so I read this today..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13872634

Im quite disturbed by the whole thing, as your aware, im staunchly pro Israeli, So ive no axe to grind against Jewish people, but what struck me as odd, is that, well.. how does essentially calling people names wind you up in court?

I mean, im thinking that the dock is reserved for criminals, not just people that are rude.

So im confused, can you be charged for calling people names? If "Jew bastard" can wind you up in court, what about black/white/yellow bastard? Or fat bastard? Or big nosed bastard?

I find it rather strange, and Im curious, exactly how does the law work with a bit of good old fashioned verbal abuse?

According to the article, France has a law specifically criminalizing "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity", which is what he's being tried for breaking. Breaking the law lands you in court, that's really all there is to it - France doesnn't follow the US constitution, so there's no first amendment issues with any kind of 'hate speech' laws, and that type of law is well-established in numerous European countries in the form of anti-Nazi laws. IIRC the UK has a similar law. In the US, generally laws about specific content of speech get shot down, but being extremely abusive will often lead to charges for assault or disturbing the peace.

Generally, if you're a big enough jackass, you end up breaking quite a few laws.

Wait, being anti-Israeli means you don't like Jews?


I'm anti-Israel, but my general feeling towards Jewish people is probably best described as ' ambivalence'.

Albatross wrote:Wait, being anti-Israeli means you don't like Jews?


I'm anti-Israel, but my general feeling towards Jewish people is probably best described as ' ambivalence'.

Yes yes yes, we can endlessly go over the fact that not liking Isreali policy on the West Bank and not liking Jews as a whole are entirely different things mate, but thats not the issue, I merely pointed that out because I didnt want the fact that Jews were mentioned to spill over into "that" argument, like I had an ulterior motive.

The point I was making is simply that I dont see how it is you can get 6 months for calling someone names, without threatening them, inciting violence, etc

Whats the problem? Government is here to help.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/377960.page

Didn't we have a couple of ah..."discussions" where people insisted that one person's free speech doesn't extend to the right to insult or disparage another?

BearersOfSalvation wrote:France doesnn't follow the US constitution

Those bastards.

Frazzled wrote:Whats the problem? Government is here to help.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/377960.page

Well, thats relevant isnt it?

I mean, my point is, being a rude fether shouldn't get you a custodial sentence surely?!

I don't know. There's quite a few people I would like to see locked up for being rude.

Is it really so difficult not to shout "You Asian whore, your boyfriend's a filthy Jew!" in a public place.

That reminds me of a rather good joke.

A man parks his car on a reserved parking space, puts a disabled card in the windscreen and gets out to go shopping.

A parking warden stops him and asks what his disability is, seeing that he's not in a wheelchair or anything.

The driver replies;



"fething TOURETTE'S, YOU fething witch! NOW feth OFF!"

Ahtman wrote:

BearersOfSalvation wrote:France doesnn't follow the US constitution

Those bastards.

Especially since if it wasn't for the US they'd be following the German Constitution!

...a tirade of anti-Semitic abuse that lasted 45 minutes.

mattyrm wrote: I mean, my point is, being a rude fether shouldn't get you a custodial sentence surely?!

Ranting at someone for 45 minutes is more than just a little rudeness. Simply staying in a bar after being asked to leave by the bartender is criminal trespass in the US and UK, and I'm pretty sure someone told him to leave before calling the police on him. In general, if you go into over-the-top jackass mode like that, you're facing jail time in any country, if you're lucky. If you're not lucky, the bar or patrons may deal with you themselves.

Even without the french 'hate speech' law tacked on, that sort of behavior can land you in jail (though obviously his lawyer is just going to get him a fine).

Monster Rain wrote:

I now have a horrible vision of him having shaved an 'A' into his pubes :(

If anyone would care to read the story, they'd note that there's a possible sentence of up to six months. Prosecutors are only asking for a fine, so the chance of a jail sentence is very unlikely.

Being racially abusive for a long time probably should carry a hefty fine. This all seems pretty reasonable to me. Galliano's work has been rubbish for years anyway.

Video of a third incident - in which he was shown saying to two women in a cafe, "I love Hitler", and telling them that their parents could have been gassed by the Nazis - was used as evidence in court.

But after watching the footage in court, Mr Galliano denied he was racist or anti-Semitic.

"All my life I have fought against prejudice, intolerance and discrimination, having been subjected to it myself," he said.

"I do not have these views and I have never held them."

this bit here is brilliant


Automatically Appended Next Post:

BearersOfSalvation wrote:According to the article, France has a law specifically criminalizing "public insults based on origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity", which is what he's being tried for breaking. Breaking the law lands you in court, that's really all there is to it - France doesnn't follow the US constitution, so there's no first amendment issues with any kind of 'hate speech' laws, and that type of law is well-established in numerous European countries in the form of anti-Nazi laws. IIRC the UK has a similar law. In the US, generally laws about specific content of speech get shot down, but being extremely abusive will often lead to charges for assault or disturbing the peace.

Generally, if you're a big enough jackass, you end up breaking quite a few laws.

Especially in France which still holds some pretty major anti religion grudges from the revolution.

Oh, come ON! Who here hasn't had a few beers then shouted 'I love Hitler' at some strangers?

"I love Hitler?"

Seriously? What is he, a cartoon character?

Funny that France would be upset about someone praising the Nazis. Can't see why that would annoy them at all. /sarcasm


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Albatross wrote:Oh, come ON! Who here hasn't had a few beers then shouted 'I love Hitler' at some strangers?

Not me, I always go down the "Pol Pot is my homeboy" route.

I love Hitler but I'm not anti-Semitic

Right he loved him for his mustache obviously

sebster wrote:This all seems pretty reasonable to me.

Of course it does. No one should be surprised at this comment.