New crime of blasphemous libel proposed for Defamation Bill - goodbye free speech ?

[Clanrickard]

I guess you have to consider which reference could lead to an extensive hospital bill. That should help you determine which is civil or not.

Its animals like you make me more determined than ever to restrict Muslim numbers in this country.

[Alterego]

This is a blistering opinion piece from Andrew Lynch in todays Herald:

God only knows where Dermot gets his ideas - Comment, Opinion - Herald.ie

Hardly blistering, more of a sulk. First challenge:

Even by the standards we've come to expect from Dermot Ahern, his choice of priorities here is truly breathtaking.

A disingenuous attempt to sully the reputation of a politician by inferring that this is all he has done. In a time of economic downturn, this is a wise and calculated move to preserve social harmony. the only ones who will suffer are those who cannot keep a civil tongue. Well done Mr Ahern, well done.

[imokyrok]

I guess you have to consider which reference could lead to an extensive hospital bill. That should help you determine which is civil or not.

Ah - the mask of civility slips away so easily and the true violent nature of the underlying persona makes itself apparent.

[swansandtyphus]

"Labour spokesman on justice Pat Rabbitte is proposing an amendment to this section which would reduce the maximum fine to €1,000 and exclude from the definition of blasphemy any matter that had any literary, artistic, social or academic merit."

How does one define "literary, artistic, social or academic merit"?

This law is so vague and so obtuse that even if it passed into law it will be unworkable.

[Alterego]

Its animals like you make me more determined than ever to restrict Muslim numbers in this country.

All Muslims are animals now, are they? That's a very offensive retort Clan. I don't think Mr Cochrane will be happy with that kind of response considering the libels that have been leveled against discussion forums in the US. Kindly keep a civil tongue, if you can.

[corelli]

"Labour spokesman on justice Pat Rabbitte is proposing an amendment to this section which would reduce the maximum fine to €1,000 and exclude from the definition of blasphemy any matter that had any literary, artistic, social or academic merit."

How does one define "literary, artistic, social or academic merit"?

This law is so vague and so obtuse that even if it passed into law it will be unworkable.

Methinks thats Pat's whole purpose in introducing the amendment. Intended to water it down to nothing.

[imokyrok]

Its animals like you make me more determined than ever to restrict Muslim numbers in this country.

Let's not tar all members of a religion with the same brush. Believe it or not there are many moderate Muslims and even feminist ones throughout the world. Alterego is not necessarily an example that Muslims resident in Ireland would want to follow. Afterall we already know that Egan is held in contempt by most Muslims in ireland.

[bob3344]

Kindly keep a civil tongue, if you can.

Civility is high on your list ? What is your comment on the following ?

As hundreds of women and some children came to pray, a preacher called for adulterers, homosexuals, women who act like men and Muslim converts to other faiths to be killed, saying: "Kill him, kill him. You have to kill him, you understand. This is Islam."

Channel 4 said: "Worshippers are repeatedly told they must lead separate lives from non-believers and not tolerate other religions. Christian teachings are described as "vile and disgusting, an abomination."

At private, invite-only prayer meetings linked to the mosque, the reporter films the leading preacher from the women's prayer circle issuing strict diktats on women's personal
freedoms - decreeing they must not travel far without a male member of the family to escort them, and instructing them not to integrate with British society or work in a non-Islamic environment."

In the same mosque, the reporter visited the bookshop and discovered books and DVDs still on sale, promoting extremist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and intolerant messages, Channel 4 said.

"Unbelievers are described in one DVD as: 'Evil, wicked, mischievous people - you can see the evil in their face.' Whilst Jews, 'have abominated, filthy, disgusting gross belief - their time will come like every other evil person's time will come.' "

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...e-returns.html

[Clanrickard]

Let's not tar all members of a religion with the same brush. Believe it or not there are many moderate Muslims and even feminist ones throughout the world. Alterego is not necessarily an example that Muslims resident in Ireland would want to follow. Afterall we already know that Egan is held in contempt by most Muslims in ireland.

I said "Animals like him". I wasn't saying nor would I say all Muslims are animals. But his nasty statement about hospitalization being a good rule when opening your mouth shows what kind of small minded scum he is. Imagine if like Denmark when had 100,000s of his ilk.

[imokyrok]

Methinks thats Pat's whole purpose in introducing the amendment. Intended to water it down to nothing.

I don't care if it's is watered down. I want it of our statute books and out of our constitution altogether. I'm starting to think that us non-believers have been mistaken in our easy-going live and let live attitude here in Ireland. Maybe it's time to swell the ranks of Atheist Ireland. Apparently they at least get consulted some of the time, though obviously not on this occasion.