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The Forum > Article Comments > The standard you walk past > Comments

The standard you walk past : Comments

By Vic Alhadeff, published 8/9/2015

Ismail al-Wahwah, spiritual leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir, accused Jews of corrupting the world, describing them as 'the most evil creature of Allah'.

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The comments cited were scurrilous, bigoted and hateful. Nevertheless, in a free society speech cannot be limited due to the scurrilous, bigoted and hateful nature of that speech. Speech can be limited only if it presents a clear and present danger such as inciting a lynch mob or yelling 'fire' in a crowded theatre where there is no fire.

If Ismail al-Wahwah committed any act which harmed anybody or directed someone else to commit such an act he would be guilty of an offense. However, there is no indication that he has done that.

We cannot have a society which values free speech and also make it an offense to make scurrilous, bigoted and hateful statements. There is a danger that someone may be inspired by those statements to commit an offense. However, we have to live with that danger.

We have the right to point out that Ismail al-Wahwah has made scurrilous, bigoted and hateful statements. We have neither the right to shut him up nor to prosecute him for making those statements.
Posted by david f, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 8:38:47 AM
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Andrew Bolt questions how so many white people on the Government sucker train can claim to be aboriginal and then get taken to court and charged. This fellow along with others can talk about white girls being meat and spread their hatred to the Jews and the regressives yawn. Sums it up pretty well.
Posted by runner, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 9:56:40 AM
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If the creature in question had been a Jew or any other non-Muslim saying the same things about Muslims and Islam, the wacko Left, including the HRC, Left-Labor, the Greens and sundry "progressives" would be up in arms demanding prosecution; possibly citing Section 18C, which cowardly Abbott wiimped out on repealing as promised. Why isn't he now using it against this extremist animal if it is still important to retain.

Remember what a Christian pastor in Victoria was put through for merely quoting what is actually in the Koran? It is so easy to be contemptuous of Australia's awful and gutless politicians, its judiciary and its unwillingness to protect our values and culture.
Posted by ttbn, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 11:10:13 AM
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We are all aware that words can, and do, result in death and not just death by suicide of our youth when they are bullied on line or socially.
Within the last 24 hours Sydney's controversial and brilliant brain surgeon has spoken out about the treatment of Dr Emery who was driven out of this country by his 'colleagues' constant use of words, complaints and audits.
He also spoke of his personal experience with a friend who choose death by suicide after years of hate speech.
Words are sound objects make no mistake about it - they penetrate as effectually as bullets - they can destroy reputations, lives and sanity.
This law must be changed and quickly.
Posted by shades of blue, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 1:00:03 PM
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We are all aware that words can, and do, result in death and not just death by suicide of our youth - when they are bullied on line or socially.
Recently Sydney's controversial and brilliant brain surgeon has spoken out about the treatment of Dr Emery who was driven out of this country by his 'colleagues' constant use of words/hate speech.
He also spoke of his personal experience with a friend who choose death by suicide after years of hate speech words.
Words are sound objects make no mistake - they penetrate as effectually as bullets - they can and do destroy reputations, lives and sanity.
This law must be changed and quickly.
Posted by shades of blue, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 1:14:01 PM
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And another thing!
What example do we set for our youth when we allow any group to incite- (using hate speech) - for the death of another? Young people are punished for such hate speech, parliamentarians sent to the naughty corner and sports people sent off the field .
It is my belief that we Australians, our politicians and our police fear upsetting the Muslim far right because we know we may be targeted as a consequence . Free speech does not mean free for all Ausie style or does it?
What steps to we need to take to change this law? The Martin Place slaughter of two innocent people can't be dismissed because the perpetrator of the incident had a mental illness....all fundamentalist's have a mental illness - our jails are full of people with a mental illness because that being so, does not mean you get to do what ever you want!
Posted by shades of blue, Tuesday, 8 September 2015 2:00:31 PM
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