Sticks and stones may break my bones…

Okay…. He was defending the rights of women to be in female only spaces.

Agreed all round - as to why on earth aren't the police acting like police any more (ie going after criminals - as that's what they are there for).

In all sorts of directions they're acting "political" - rather than as police. Looking in another direction and I think it was about 20 of them arresting one solitary elderly protester at the latest Palestine Action demonstration. It was very clear they had him specifically in their sights from feet away and all of them going after that one elderly vulnerable man!!!!

What a farce! Such heavy handedness about "hurty "words, 5 police officers can be spared to address a non crime. It makes them look absolute laughing stocks . Graham Linehan is entitled to his opinion, an opinion shared by many. When did they become so politicised?

In the meantime, my hairdresser , like many other victims of crime, has her car stolen outside her house, not interested! said she can supply them with video evidence of it being stolen, not interested! umpteen people all over the nation have to put up with "oh don't tell us we're far too busy to address your insignificant problems" we'd far rather go after soft targets like Graham Linehan, the man needs to be made an example of

I also agree that they shouldn't be carting off peaceful, elderly protesters we live in a democracy, or I thought we did Arrest the violent ones by all means, but honestly some are so elderly and frail, they clearly wouldn't hurt a fly, what can they be thinking of.

Arrest the violent ones by all means, but honestly some are so elderly and frail, they clearly wouldn't hurt a fly, what can they be thinking of.
Because the elderly and frail are so easy!

Galaxy

I am terrified of anyone who thinks a comedian should be arrested for tweets. I think it looks like there are going to be changes to how the police interpret the law, the Met police are chuntering on about it.

Absolutely.
Comedy should be exempt from being politially correct, as long as it is a gentle ironic comment on ourselves, not coming from a place of hate or prejudice.

I’m not terrified of others thinking differently from me - people can think what they like - but I do feel that there should be clarification about what is and is not criminal when it comes to online activity.

I don’t like the way the phrase ‘hurty words’ is used to minimise what can be obvious incitement to violence, but there are many shades of grey in the way people express themselves, and much can be open to interpretation. ‘Let him have it’, for instance.

As I see it, people should know when they are breaking the law, and if they do so in that knowledge they know they are risking arrest. But we shouldn’t be at risk of being arrested for doing something that would be perfectly legal in other circumstances. Maybe I feel that GL should be left alone because I happen to agree with his stance on women’s rights, but I do think his arrest is an overreaction, and hope the courts deal with it accordingly.

What confuses me is that the tweets were delivered in America where they are perfectly legal!

valdavi

Galaxy

I am terrified of anyone who thinks a comedian should be arrested for tweets. I think it looks like there are going to be changes to how the police interpret the law, the Met police are chuntering on about it.

Absolutely.
Comedy should be exempt from being politially correct, as long as it is a gentle ironic comment on ourselves, not coming from a place of hate or prejudice.

The tweets weren't comedy, though, were they?

ronib

What confuses me is that the tweets were delivered in America where they are perfectly legal!

Very valid point - ie re legal when sent!

petra

GrannyGravy
easy targets that’s exactly it. Tick box, job done.
We are continuously being told that crime is dropping, bullshit.
Real crime is on the increase.

👍🏻

Scribbles good comments.

Doodledog

I’m not terrified of others thinking differently from me - people can think what they like - but I do feel that there should be clarification about what is and is not criminal when it comes to online activity.

I don’t like the way the phrase ‘hurty words’ is used to minimise what can be obvious incitement to violence, but there are many shades of grey in the way people express themselves, and much can be open to interpretation. ‘Let him have it’, for instance.

As I see it, people should know when they are breaking the law, and if they do so in that knowledge they know they are risking arrest. But we shouldn’t be at risk of being arrested for doing something that would be perfectly legal in other circumstances. Maybe I feel that GL should be left alone because I happen to agree with his stance on women’s rights, but I do think his arrest is an overreaction, and hope the courts deal with it accordingly.

So Graham Linehan's tweet which I believe was something along the lines of suggesting to women in the position of finding a trans woman in a women only private space suggesting something along the lines of "make a fuss, call the police, or finally kick them in the balls" Well no two wrongs don't make a right. However, access the "Sex Matters" website and there are numerous mentions of the violence women have suffered at the hands of trans women, and as mentioned there it tends to go one way. Contrast GL's tweet with this from transwoman, Sarah Jane Baker, with previous convictions, imprisoned for seven years as a young offender for kidnapping and torturing her stepmother's brother, the attempted murder of another inmate suggested to an audience "if you see a Terf punch them in the f*****g face" I may be wrong but I don't remember that person being arrested by a 5 police, although they were arrested. Unlike GL though they are actually dangerous and his incitement, would carry far more weight given some of the violence already meted out by trans women to women. I think GL's tweet, possibly unwise at the worst, was borne out of frustration and quite honestly tongue in cheek!

Yes, I think you're absolutely right, Terribull

We are not supposed to challenge the rights of men who claim to be women even when they commit rape and sexual assaults but now the tide is turning.
It may take more than this but there are high profile people out there not afraid to speak the truth despite threats - and arrests.

I meant to add, clearly hey wanted to make an example of GL in treating him as a pariah, but all they've done is make the general public question their heavy handed tactics in arresting someone who made a pretty innocuous tweet, ostensibly in support of women. I'm not on X but I imagine in comparison there is some seriously nasty stuff out there.

Yes, I think it's backfired on the Met Police, Terribull.

Now, the question is, should a small woman or girl tackle a huge man claiming to be a woman if they are threatened by them in a women's only space? Or should they just keep their head down and try to scuttle out and then call the alarm?
Or should they use the Queen's method?

I'm not even sure what the purpose of the Police is these days. They just seem to hang around where protesters are most of the time.

Last week in Nottingham a man had his bike stolen. When he reported it he was just given a crime number as per normal. He was actually doing a bike ride around many different countries and stopped off for something to eat. All his belongings were on his bike. It was an item on the local news and now the Police are supposedly looking for his bike.

Poor man and what must he think of this country.

Millie22

I'm not even sure what the purpose of the Police is these days. They just seem to hang around where protesters are most of the time.

Last week in Nottingham a man had his bike stolen. When he reported it he was just given a crime number as per normal. He was actually doing a bike ride around many different countries and stopped off for something to eat. All his belongings were on his bike. It was an item on the local news and now the Police are supposedly looking for his bike.

Poor man and what must he think of this country.

Yes, I saw that on the news. What must he think of the UK!

I wondered if some kind donor had bought him a new bike or if there was crowdfunding appeal for him? It might restore his faith in the British people.

Millie22

I'm not even sure what the purpose of the Police is these days. They just seem to hang around where protesters are most of the time.

Last week in Nottingham a man had his bike stolen. When he reported it he was just given a crime number as per normal. He was actually doing a bike ride around many different countries and stopped off for something to eat. All his belongings were on his bike. It was an item on the local news and now the Police are supposedly looking for his bike.

Poor man and what must he think of this country.

Millie2
Yes, he has had lots of offers of help which may do something to restore his faith in the British people. He has travelled through many countries, comes here and this happens.

I hope the police find the scumbags who did this but I doubt it.

TerriBull

Doodledog

I’m not terrified of others thinking differently from me - people can think what they like - but I do feel that there should be clarification about what is and is not criminal when it comes to online activity.

I don’t like the way the phrase ‘hurty words’ is used to minimise what can be obvious incitement to violence, but there are many shades of grey in the way people express themselves, and much can be open to interpretation. ‘Let him have it’, for instance.

As I see it, people should know when they are breaking the law, and if they do so in that knowledge they know they are risking arrest. But we shouldn’t be at risk of being arrested for doing something that would be perfectly legal in other circumstances. Maybe I feel that GL should be left alone because I happen to agree with his stance on women’s rights, but I do think his arrest is an overreaction, and hope the courts deal with it accordingly.

So Graham Linehan's tweet which I believe was something along the lines of suggesting to women in the position of finding a trans woman in a women only private space suggesting something along the lines of "make a fuss, call the police, or finally kick them in the balls" Well no two wrongs don't make a right. However, access the "Sex Matters" website and there are numerous mentions of the violence women have suffered at the hands of trans women, and as mentioned there it tends to go one way. Contrast GL's tweet with this from transwoman, Sarah Jane Baker, with previous convictions, imprisoned for seven years as a young offender for kidnapping and torturing her stepmother's brother, the attempted murder of another inmate suggested to an audience "if you see a Terf punch them in the f*****g face" I may be wrong but I don't remember that person being arrested by a 5 police, although they were arrested. Unlike GL though they are actually dangerous and his incitement, would carry far more weight given some of the violence already meted out by trans women to women. I think GL's tweet, possibly unwise at the worst, was borne out of frustration and quite honestly tongue in cheek!

I'm not disagreeing with that, *Terribull. I thought that was clear from my post.

No I'm not really disagreeing with you either Doodledog, I always remember your posts on the whole trans debacle were and no doubt still are unparalleled, just expanding as to why I used the 'hurty' words reference.

God forbid we should offend anyone 🤬

It’s perfectly obvious to us all that we no longer have freedom of speech in this country, even when the truth is being said.

Scary times.

I suppose it depends on your definition of comedy.. There is in my view nothing funnier than those who pretend that people with balls (aka men) are women.
There is absolutely no evidence of incitement there, and as someone says if there is than the queen presumably is guilty too.
I think if I remember rightly he is considering suing the Met with support from the FSU, I hope that goes ahead.
My view on this is nothing to do with whether I like or agree with GL ( I actually have quite conflicting views about him) mine is about free speech, I apply the absolute same principle to those who are protesting about Palestine Action, and I think a lot of those people are absolute muppets.

Doodledog and TerriBull, one of my increasingly moments of feeling just a bit puzzled was when my memory nudged me as I read about GL’s arrest, asking me why those aggressive trans women in frocks peeing on statues of suffragettes, wuth their lady dicks exposed, weren’t arrested by armed or even non armed officers.

Iam64

Doodledog and TerriBull, one of my increasingly moments of feeling just a bit puzzled was when my memory nudged me as I read about GL’s arrest, asking me why those aggressive trans women in frocks peeing on statues of suffragettes, wuth their lady dicks exposed, weren’t arrested by armed or even non armed officers.

Yes!