Sensible move or thin end of wedge regarding freedom of expression?

[DonPeffers]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52674809  "Burning EU flag can now bring German jail term.  

 

Germany has made public burning of the EU flag or that of another country punishable by up to three years in jail, classing it as a hate crime.

 

The act of defiling the Union Flag in the UK is not a crime, but France has made desecration of the tricolour punishable by a fine of up to €7,500 (£6,600; $8,000) or six months in jail" in line with some other EU States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shrops-paul]

will they spend their jail time sewing new flags?

[DonPeffers]

Seems the same penalty applies for defiling the EU anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy theme.

 

Getting silly now.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

But why would a “reasonable person” want to? It’s never going to win a debate and will just entrench those that disagree further in their opinions, and risk pushing those on-fence away from your argument?

 

It seems in general to be an aggressive act designed to promote an aggressive response?

[DonPeffers]

Comedians and satirists could find themselves in trouble. Big row recently over Danish newspaper satirising the flag of China, but no jail time..

 

Problem is we are more and more seeing authoritarian leaders, including in Europe, extend their control (Hungary leader Orban rules by decree; in Turkey Erdoğan does similar) and not necessarily for the good of the people.

 

China has a 3 year jail term for flag desecration which Germany now matches for burning EU flag.

 

Apparently even flying a flag upside down can be construed as desecration.

 

I am for protecting free speech at all costs even though I do object to flag burning.

 

The photo below is not yet a crime in UK......hurrah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 17, 2020 by DonPeffers
EU reference corrected to Germany---China has a 3 year jail term for flag desecration which Germany now matches re. Eu flag.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

But again, what’s the case for desecration? I’m sure there are elements of society that feel they could make a valid case for rape, or any other crime. But that doesn’t make it right.

 

Now if it was a talk of banning criticism or alternative options, that would be something worth taking to task.

[Blatman]

2 hours ago, DonPeffers said:

Apparently even flying a flag upside down can be construed as desecration.

 

I'm betting a huge number of people have no idea what way up the Union Flag actually goes so that's a non starter.

And flag burning is a question of freedom of expression rather than speech???

 

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Funny thing is in this country, one of the accepted “dignified” ways to dispose of a Union Jack in poor condition, is by burning. Though I’m sure they were thinking of proper incineration, rather than with a lighter, in the middle of a street, in the hands of thugs.

[Blatman]

One of the rules of "warfare" (as I understand it) is to know thine enemy.

One can't help but wonder how badly our enemies know us if they think that burning a flag is going to turn us into foaming-at-the-mouth fundamentalists hell bent on revenge. But if they turned up and spilled my pint...

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

4 minutes ago, Blatman said:

But if they turned up and spilled my pint...

indeed! An outrage, after all, you’d have to apologies and buy them another, if you were a true Englishman!

[Blatman]

2 minutes ago, Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary said:

indeed! An outrage, after all, you’d have to apologies and buy them another, if you were a true Englishman!

 

Which would definitely cause an incident as I don't think those who seek our demise are much for drinking the poison of the infidel. I can already hear the U.N discussing a no-fly over my local... 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

[Blatman]

 

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

It's just another "little" freedom being withdraw not that I would wish to do it, demonstrating the move away from true Democracy, which does appear very common in some of our key EU neighbours and should be worrying for us all. They do appear to be going down the initial stages of another dictatorship.

[Captain Colonial]

I’ve got a stake in a flag making company, so please do keep burning flags, we need the business. 😛