Freedomofspeechbyebye

[Summerian]

I belive in freedom of speech but...
I belive in freedom of speech, however...
I belive in freedom of speech if...
I belive in freedom of speech when...
In Sweden it's been illegal to do the Hitler salute for some time now. But strangely enough the neo nazis hasn't gone away. So now the "riksdagen" have desided that"hets mot folkgrupp" (aggravating folkgroup?) is now illegal. Also, homosexuals are now protected by this new law too. I'm sure I belong to a folkgroup of some sort so if you aggravate me you are breaking Swedish law. (That's my interpretation anyway.)

Nazis 1 Swedish Democracy 0

(Not that anyone in Sweden can really say what they want anyways. Freedom of speech in Sweden is to, in a herd, jump and tear apart anyone who dares to speak their mind.

[bosse_s]

... You have to read the intention of the law! I doubt that it is seen as a mean for people to go around failing complains to the police, rather to be able to act give the police means to, as an example, shut down Nazi meetings. (Which I don't mind)

[thule]

Well, Summerian. It's what group you are part of that determines if you are protected by the "Hets mot folkgrupp" law. Because in our democracy - this paradise of equality, some are more equal than others.


/Alex

[bosse_s]

Thule, out of curiousity, which other country would you see as a role model when it comes to creating laws and policies that strives after a good society (in whatever terms you would define a "good society") - and that you think also works?

I am myself respecting countries like the Netherlands, but it is in many ways like Sweden (apart from the drugs and prostitution stuff, obviously!)

[Summerian]

Originally posted by thule
Well, Summerian. It's what group you are part of that determines if you are protected by the "Hets mot folkgrupp" law. Because in our democracy - this paradise of equality, some are more equal than others.


/Alex

Ha ha ha, funny Alex. Well maybe not...
You think politians are such a group?

I'm for freedom of speech and all non violent forms of expression of all thoughts and ideas.
And those who think different should all be destroyed! Just taken out and shot!!

[thule]

Bosse:

I consider no single country a role model or a utopia. A country can have a good law with regards to one thing and bad laws in regards to other things. But one criteria for me to consider it a good country is that freedom of speech is not infringed.

Summerian:

The way things are going I wouldn't be surprised if the politicians would someday include themselves in the HMF law.

"Tyrannier är vanligtvis byggda stegvis och förklädda med ädel retorik."

/Alex

[bosse_s]

I understand there is no utopia, but sure you must have some countries in mind... I am not sure how Swedish freedom of speach is limited in comparsion to lets say any other European country, but it sounds like you would now. Do you? I mean, what is your point of reference? Or are you being idealistic (which is ok, but I just want to know)?

This is a learning oppurtunity for me, so I'd be glad if you could explain to me.

[thule]

I suppose it is to a large part idealistic, but to my knowledge the US has no similar restrictions to freedom of speech as some european countries do. Though i'm not 100 percent sure about what goes and what does not go when it comes to the american first amendment since the Paladin-Press case.


/Alex

[Summerian]

The polititans in Sweden now want better laws to protect them.
Hate letters are to frightning for them.
Many have had thoughts of leaving their jobs.
So more laws to make sure that I as a Swede has to, at all times, say what's expected of me.

[thule]

Welcome to Sweden. The land in which policians protects democracy by abolishing it.