Keyboard warriors - will the jail sentences deter others?

Imagine a panel of Alistair Campbell, Brendan Cox and Owen Jones telling you how to think

Galaxy

The thing about re education is that those wanting to educate are usually wrong on just about everything.
I dont want to think like the racists but I also under no circumstances want to think like the re educators.

What do you think should happen Galaxy? Every option seems to have plenty of downsides.

I think that I might be one of the 'do-gooders' - I do hope so .

Wyllow and Doodledog I've been thinking along the same lines as you. For people who haven't been involved in actual violence, maybe it would be a good idea for them to sit down with a group of Muslims and repeat what they've been posting face-to-face. I wonder if they'd still be so brave.

The people who use SM to spread their hatred are anonymous. Many people who write appalling comments would not say those things face to face. Therefore I'm wondering whether there could be some form of identification that they must wear so that the rest of us knew who they were.

Wrist or ankle bracelets could be covered up but maybe henna on their hands? I don't think that henna washes off quickly. I remember when I had my hair hennaed many years ago I had to grow it out.

Such ID could also be used on those who were rioting last week. It would be cheaper than keeping them in prison.

Its about time, perhaps she will reconsider in future. Abu Hamza preached hate but stayed on the street. I hope its going to cover all inciting others to violence.

I would guess community service would be the best option. I think speaking as the voice of doom it will all happen again, either via civil unrest or the ballot box, I think punishment of a few thugs will make no difference to that.

Allsorts

Its about time, perhaps she will reconsider in future. Abu Hamza preached hate but stayed on the street. I hope its going to cover all inciting others to violence.

Has to apply to all.

T.he Judge is the person to decide .
He said: 'you chose to take part in stirring up hatred. You threatened a mosque, wherever it was. It truly was a terrible threat. So even keyboard warriors like you must learn to take responsibility for your disgusting and inflammatory language. In circumstances such as these, even people like you need to go to prison because a message must go out that if you do these terrible acts the courts will say to you 'you must go to prison.'
She had posted her threat following publication of a photograph on a local Facegroup showing white and Asian people clearing up after an attack on a mosque, commenting, 'It's absolutely ridiculous. Don't protect the mosques. Blow the mosques up with the adults in it.'

I am all for defending freedom of speech but what about other universal human rights such as ‘the freedom to live without fear’?
In this day and age there is so much hate speech and disinformation online as well as abuse and bullying. People’s freedoms are being seriously affected by this, so what is the answer to this conundrum, allow haters and abusers to carry on until someone does commit a violent act that results in a loss of life but retain freedom of speech?
Or make an example of those who are guilty of hate crimes online and hopefully deter some from doing the same, in order for those targeted to live without fear?

Cossy

Mt61

I do actually find the expression “do gooder” quite offensive!

Do you those of us who have compassion and empathy with asylum seekers?

I simply don’t agree with the fact that “do gooders” should be used as an insult, if one isn’t a “do gooder” are they a “do badder”

Those with compassion and empathy are normally pretty balanced, can see both sides of situations and have to tolerant being called all manner of things, meant in a derogatory manner.

For instance, “lefties” “loony left” “bleeding hearts” etc etc etc

Let’s just agree not to label people any longer here in GNs, we are all grown ups and should be able to debate without resorting to personal insults.

I agree too that some people are called “fascists” and “racist” sometimes unfairly.

Yes exactly. I don’t like people on the right being called far right but we have to put up with the nasty comments. I suppose I am I do-gooder as well, because, I look after my dad who has Alzheimer’s, give plenty to charity, do my recycling to the point of obsession.

Cossy

doodledog

I’m pretty much sure I’m a “do gooder”!

These damned “do gooders” with their balanced views, compassion and empathy!

If one dares to make positive comments about immigration, for example, suddenly we are “do gooders” who want unfettered, uncontrolled immigration! (Said no-one, ever!)

#prouddogooder

I never mentioned the I word

Galaxy, I agree with you totally and what this woman said was disgusting but this government is beginning to scare me !!

I suppose I'm a do-gooder as well, because I look after my dad who has Alzheimer’s, give plenty to charity, do my recycling to the point of obsession.
No, that's virtue signalling, not do-gooding .

If we can just stick to the point of what is being debated, without name-calling or bringing in our good deeds, things would be far less contentious on here.

Doodledog

*I suppose I'm a do-gooder as well, because I look after my dad who has Alzheimer’s, give plenty to charity, do my recycling to the point of obsession.*
No, that's virtue signalling, not do-gooding .

If we can just stick to the point of what is being debated, without name-calling or bringing in our good deeds, things would be far less contentious on here.

If you say so

Dinahmo

The people who use SM to spread their hatred are anonymous. Many people who write appalling comments would not say those things face to face. Therefore I'm wondering whether there could be some form of identification that they must wear so that the rest of us knew who they were.

Wrist or ankle bracelets could be covered up but maybe henna on their hands? I don't think that henna washes off quickly. I remember when I had my hair hennaed many years ago I had to grow it out.

Such ID could also be used on those who were rioting last week. It would be cheaper than keeping them in prison.

This is a joke, right?
If not why not go one further and suggest they have some sort of emblem sewn onto their sleeves.🤬

I think / hope it will deter many people from posting inciting violence. It's a bit hit'n miss but some areas of prosections have always been like that - Tax evasion for instance, if there's a high profile person in a tax evasion prosecution they will get the book thrown at them & widely publicised & that helps to keep everyone from the (tempting) option of fiddling their income tax. Smaller lower profile cases judgement mayn't be quite as draconian. I'm sure others, anonymously, have said as bad & got away with it, but I hope these sentences will deter people from trying to out-do each other in being daring & vicious & "politically incorrect" online- there's no true courage in sitting on social media inciting others to get into trouble.

Galaxy

Imagine a panel of Alistair Campbell, Brendan Cox and Owen Jones telling you how to think

Add Shami Shakrabati and you have the nightmare team.😲

Especially hiding behind a username.

maddyone

It’s been reported that convicted criminals, some with as many as 100 convictions, many for theft, are not being sent to prison.
I’m not sure it sits well with a 55 year old woman with no previous criminal record at all, being sent to prison for 15 months, because she wrote a vile post on social media (and it was vile, although I only found out what she wrote on here, on GN) whilst long standing convicted criminals avoid prison.
It’s all very disturbing and puzzling to me.

This

Boz

I wonder if there are a lot of angry right-wingers out there upset by the Labour landslide and looking for some sort of release by on-line hate speech?
I didn't vote L but feel they ate doing their best in trying circumstances.

No, I think the rioters and the ones posting online hate messages could well be Labour voters and Conservative voters and those who don’t vote at all.

What do you think the punishment could be for the keyboard warriors Oreo?

Galaxy

The thing about re education is that those wanting to educate are usually wrong on just about everything.
I dont want to think like the racists but I also under no circumstances want to think like the re educators.

It smacks of China doesn’t it, re-education and rehabilitation 😖
I think prison is too draconian and a hefty fine linked with some community work a better way to show people ‘the error of their ways’ with online hate speech.

I had a look at community service sentences.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/519/justice-and-home-affairs-committee/news/199104/better-use-of-community-sentences-would-help-cut-crime-and-ease-pressure-on-prisons/#:~:text=Community%20sentences%20can%20guide%20offenders,widely%20and%20they%20need%20investment.

From my limited understanding, a programme specific to individuals who have committed online offences would be required, operated through the probation service.

How about twice weekly, or even daily probation appointments.

You just have to go and sign in to prove you attended.