Strange Famous

Offensive? Yes, certainly. But should it really be criminal to make the airplane gesture in relation to Man United? I cannot think that it can be or should be.

I dont know how well even the fans of football on this site will know lower league teams, but my teams (Norwich City) nearest rivals are Ipswich Town. A few years ago the goalkeeper of City, Bryan Gunn, had a daughter who died of cancer. At the next game an Ipswich fan was chanting mocking songs about the death of the guys daughter.

This certainly offends me. I certainly would have no problem punching the guy in the face. But again I cant see how it is criminal. Simple speech, that does not incite violence or hatrid of a minority surely cannot be illegal in its own right (ie without threat, or extortion, etc etc)

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

KirStang

For all its ills, America suddenly does not look like too bad of a place to live .

Strange Famous

the guys only going to get a slap on the wrist, but it can still affect his employment or general life and a principle is at stake.

The next time someone chants the "the famous man united went to Rome to see the pope" song are they going to get nicked?

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Jinn

I can't imagine living a place where I could be arrested, even "a slap on the wrist" for "suspicion of causing distress" - I mean really...

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

Strange Famous

I agree its a joke. No one denies that the airplane gestures are intended to be and are offensive, but purely being offensive shouldnt be illegal in its own right.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas