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by svpk 328 days ago
This is an article that I came across a while ago that speaks to a number of instances in Germany and the UK of people arrested for speech that would be considered acceptable in the states.

Things like calling politicians idiots, giving the middle finger to someone, and insinuating government policy is ineffective.

https://thedispatch.com/article/europe-germany-britain-free-...
2 comments
exe34 328 days ago
I was able to open that link through archive.org, and searched for "finger", but it wasn't found. I assume you made it all up?
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kubb 328 days ago
Yeah, none of that is criticism of policies themselves, it’s all attacks on people or individuals.
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CamperBob2 328 days ago
"Attacks" with a middle finger?
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kubb 328 days ago
Show me the story, and it it’s as portrayed (someone went to jail for flipping a politician off), I’ll change my mind.

Until then, it’s made up.

Not to mention that it’s irrelevant to the the original point about hate speech and migration but whatever, you managed to change the goalposts now defend the new ones :)

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CamperBob2 327 days ago
The OP referred to Germany. Never mind politicians, a quick search brought up a couple of cases where people faced serious penalties including driving bans for flipping off an unmanned speed camera. [1,2] Failure to pay the resulting four-figure fines would certainly have resulted in jail sentences.

I can't find any backing for their assertion that people have gone to jail for obscene gestures toward government entities in either Germany or the UK, but obviously we have already slipped a long way down that particular slope. Apathy doesn't seem like the smart option. It's hard to put it any better than you did yourself: "Here the wolf is clearly visible."

1: https://driving.ca/auto-news/entertainment/middle-finger-to-...

2: https://www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/germany-news/driver-gives...

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kubb 327 days ago
It seems like you’re desperately reaching.

Yes but not the politicians but the police. Yes but not hate speech but criticism of policy. Yes but not criticism of policy but the middle finger. Yes but not to jail but a fine. Yes but…

Meanwhile in the US flipping the man off costs 175000 dollars: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna159185

It’s hilarious.

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