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Originally Posted by foreverwar
May I ask what is "separate from reality" about that - it seems a logical progression (imho).
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I should point out there seems to be two different quotes floating about
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"After criminalising the use of the word 'cult', perhaps the next step is to ban the words 'war' and 'tax' from peaceful demonstrations?" -- The Guardian
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They will be banning words like 'war' and 'tax' from placards and demonstrations next. This is just barmy." -- The Telegraph
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Which are different.
Firstly, she is getting confused between the police and politicans. The politicans make the laws the police have to enforce them to the best of their description and intrepretation. Basically its upto to each individual copper to analyse the text and decide whether he suspects a crime is being committed. They have no power to make nor change laws. You'd think Chakrabarti would understand that.
The police have taken action here (following complaints which is unsuprising as it was in front of a CoS building), not the government. However Chakrabarti switches from the police to the government "They will be banning words like 'war' and 'tax'" which is solely a political matter. The government passed laws against religious hatred (along with race, etc) some time ago, not the 10th May.
Secondly whilst her trademark bitter sarcasm which seems to do her well, she's also using her argument "reducto ad absurdiam" (or thereabouts, been ages since I did latin). Trying to extrapolate calling a religion a "dangerous cult" to outlawing all mentioning of war or tax in protests is, putting it kindly, absurd. That's not really how an experienced spokeswoman for a leading human rights organisation should be putting her arguments across.
Thirdly, the protester hasn't been "criminalised" The CPS haven't even decided whether charges can be brought yet. She needs to brush up on her knowlege of due process as well.
Finally, I heavily suspect she'd have kept her gob shut if it were Christian BNP protesters outside of a mosque calling it a dangerous cult, but then that's just my supposition.