Open letter to all TDs

[Pippitypopify]

So what happens if Al Quaeda for some reason ever takes an interest in us? Will us calling them crazy Muslim psychopaths get us fined? Ridiculous law, stupid government and I can not wait to get arrested or fined for using Gods name in vain! What happens if I can't pay the fine? Prison?

[rozeboosje]

Who knows?

[EncompassedRunner]

thanks for having tried, *sigh,* foolish dhimmis

[rozeboosje]

Dhimmis? Dermot is caving in to pressure - not even REAL but perceived pressure - from the Christian lunatic fringe here in Ireland.

[EncompassedRunner]

whoa...that's not the danger I had in mind...I'm over here in Florida & didn't even know you had a Christian lunatic fringe over there, theocracy types?...am seeking out more info... I'd heard about this legislation in the context of it's abuse potential by hypersensitive Muslim stealth jihadists...thanks for the info!

[rozeboosje]

That's the thing, we don't actually have a Christian lunatic fringe worth worrying about here. Ireland has become increasingly secularlised and most people here are scratching their heads wondering wtf is wrong with him for pushing this arcane piece of nonsense at this juncture.

[EncompassedRunner]

thanks for the education

[subsoil007]

i notice labour party voiced their opinions against this law and fair play but they { pat rabbite } tried to stop anti-gang criminal law during the week, maybe labour should get their priorities straight,put the safety of law-abiding citizens from gun loving scum before a law that makes no sense and has no relevence,i agree that this blasphemy law is a joke but labour have some neck after supporting the scum loving vultures of the four courts.

[rozeboosje]

Ok, I would need a bit more information on that. What would that law entail?

[subsoil007]

it was passed a few days ago which entails a member of a criminal gang can be on trial without a jury, its to prevent jury intimitation which pat rabbite claims does not exist in ireland.

[rozeboosje]

I've often thought that if I had a choice between being tried by 12 people who could be legal ignoramuses, and a few judges who understand the legal system, I'd know what *I* would choose.

[subsoil007]

exactly!!!

[RobHandMusicFilms]

I was appalled when i heard that they were trying to rejuvenate this arcane law. It's nice to see that some of our politicians replied, especially David Norris, he's a great man! I can only hope that this is completely opposed in the Seanad and the Dáil.

Stupid Dermot Ahern, we've enough to be worrying about over here than this silly thing! I'll blaspheme if i want to god-fucking-dammit!

All the best man, RobHand! =D

[rozeboosje]

Thank you!

[Kozaack]

In modern western society we should have right to insult everyone that believes in something else than we do! This is what's it all about?

[rozeboosje]

In modern western society we should have the right to express ourselves in any way we see fit. If somebody else decides to feel "insulted" by that, it's their problem.

[Kozaack]

I don't need a blasphemy as a tool. Why do you need it?

[rozeboosje]

Wrong question. Why do you need to clamp down on it with a €25,000 euro fine?

[083js]

oh my god, holy shite, what is the world coming to ridiculous religious laws made by power hungry men, the christian militia is marching now!!!! everybody likes a righteous cause , jesus titty fucking christ,

[rozeboosje]

That about sums it up

[FacedPalmedPlanet]

Politics thread edited :)

[TheLovePizza]

Good to see the response you got there Pino. That's two people in Ireland I know arn't nutcases ;)

[rozeboosje]

Two people in government

[TheLovePizza]

Didn't see number two down there. The second person was you :p

[rozeboosje]

LOL. I see.

[TruthSurge]

Just shows that there are dumb people running the show and powerful $ from the religious they don't want to lose.

[rozeboosje]

Tempting conclusion but I fear in this case it's pure stupidity guiding the decision making process and nothing else. Stupidity and/or laziness.

[Anekantavad]

A blasphemy law. Well, I would like to see what ahppens when they try to enforce that one, given the Irish predeliction for "colourful" language (I am Irish; I should know ... heh heh).

I suppose there's bound to be an embarassing test case, as laws of this nature do occasionally get enforced by some zealot and then end up splashed all over the news.

[rozeboosje]

Exactly. The moment someone tries to enforce this, it will either be laughed out of court on some technicality (I'd love to see someone try to prove that an utterance is "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion" as the proposed law states) or it will be taken to Europe where the State of Ireland WILL be taken down a peg or two.

[ContinuumXT]

Nicely written. Laughing stock of Europe? I thought we had the same law in the Netherlands. And the UN had proposed something like that a while ago.

[rozeboosje]

I think the Dutch have dropped that law. It took them a while, but hey.

[seustaceRotterdam]

Well, at least it is better here. The scenery sucks, but Ireland makes up for that.

Groet,

Stephen

[rozeboosje]

Bedankt!

[FacedPalmedPlanet]

'....from an irishman, thank you.

I support this 100%.

5ive 5tarz,

& once again,

thank you...

[rozeboosje]

Thank you, too. And don't forget to send e-mails to your TDs! I sent e-mails to all Wicklow TDs. Got a response from Liz McManus - see video description.

Let's get this ball rolling. Dermot will get the message if we have to bulldoze it all over him.

[TheAtheistKnight]

I really hope this get's shot down.

[rozeboosje]

Yup, me too.

[premed2]

I completely agree, but did you have to sign off "Yours faithfully"?

;p

[rozeboosje]

HAHAHA

Now you mention it XD

I have had one response so far. W00t!

[spleenblender]

Well... reality is crazier than you.

[rozeboosje]

LOL

[blackchimp99]

...fucking...insane...

what more can i say?....

[rozeboosje]

You've said it all

[1rishShaman]

Anyone interested, I have footage from an Atheist Ireland meeting from the 25th of May on this subject. Theres another meeting on July 11th I'm going to be attending and more footage will be coming, hopefully including a mass blasphemy challenge video.

- Paul M.

[rozeboosje]

Yup. Saw that. Good stuff.

[rozeboosje]

One response so far - see video description.

[hal2017]

Pino, this proposed legislation sounds more like it is a move back to the 9th century rather than the 19th.

Amazing the length to which theists will go to protect their delusional view of things.

[rozeboosje]

Yup

[SpookyFan]

For people who don't know: In Ireland under Article 40 of the Constitution, the publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is a criminal offence. It previously carried a jail sentence. The Irish "solution" to modernising this, was to propose a fine of €100,000 instead of jail time. This was later reduced to €25,000. Mr. Ahern has admitted the new legislation was drafted to, make it virtually impossible to get a successful prosecution [for blasphemy] out of it.

[rozeboosje]

Of course. After all, blasphemy is a victimless crime

[youvexme]

tell America that! (that you can't successfully prosecute a victimless crime, that is)

We can still teach the republic of Ireland to do that well.

[rozeboosje]

That scares me

[SpookyFan]

Despite this admission that the law is a waste of time, Mr. Ahern is opposed to a constitutional amendment according to the Irish Times, which reads, "Mr Ahern, who opposes a constitutional amendment, said he could proceed with his plans; abandon the legislation, or else hold a referendum." Furthermore, "Describing the Church of Scientology as a dangerous, crack-pot cult, Mr OKeeffe [TD] said he could be prosecuted in future if he described it as such outside of Dáil privilege.

[rozeboosje]

Exactly. It's insane.

[ravenslaves]

It seems the fight for freedom is universal, and on going.

Don't stop. Ever.

[rozeboosje]

I will stop. When I drop dead. No earlier.

[tattooskin72]

1rishShaman has some videos up about this I believe. He also called the Atheist Experience to discuss it. I was actually unaware of the situation being like this in Ireland until I started watching 1rishShaman and theatheistknight as well.

[rozeboosje]

In all fairness, even if this law IS enacted, I cannot imagine anybody ever being successfully prosecuted on the back of it. But it's just so mind-numbingly stOOpid

[tattooskin72]

Yeah, it's kind of like our wonderful sodomy laws that are still on the books in many places in the US. I mean are they going into everyone's bedrooms to see who is having anal and oral sex? :)

They are all just stupid laws, that shouldn't exist or even be thought of :)

[Dadalama]

mention how it sounds like something us ignorant and barbaric Americans would do and you're set. (j/k)

what may I presume is a TD?

[rozeboosje]

The irish equivalent of an MP - "member of parliament". TD stands for Teachta Dála, from WikiPedia: Dála is for Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Oireachtas (Parliament) of Ireland

[Dadalama]

many thanks

[Tritium8]

silly ppl making silly law(l)s, just like .....

i'm with u

[rozeboosje]

Cheers

[Orygyn]

Is this the thing you mentioned in "Ireland is going to jail"?

[rozeboosje]

Yes

[DarkTheAtheist]

Right on my friend, fuck religion, there I said it, sue me bitches :D

[rozeboosje]

That'll be €25,000 then. Thank you.