I'm a worrier, if the London 2012 Olympics staged it as an event I would get gold. I worry about the world and the direction it going, I worry about freedom and liberty but high on my concern lists stands freedom of expression; to live my life how I want. I don't mind people passing judgement or opinion, that's to be expected in a free society but I do mind those that wish to prevent my lifestyle and in particular when they try to use legislation.
Last week saw a court room battle in London, the material discussed in court was so sexually explicit that only the bravest Radio station dared to broadcast it's details.
The story was fed virtually live from the courtroom to Twitter; something that has only just been permitted in the UK. Some people believed this trial to be a landmark defence of sexual freedom. I won't give you a blow by blow account but I will supply a link at the end to the trial itself.
In my opinion Britain has a problem at the moment, it has too many laws and too few examples. We are constantly writing up new laws when old ones already exist. We are debating and making too many laws because of alleged 3rd party harm. Currently our government is debating a minimum price on alcohol to stem drinking related problems, however the massive, huge, overwhelming majority of people manage to drink without smashing a shop window or ending up in hospital. people with drink problems do need help though not everyone else should have to suffer. This is just one of many examples where the "if and maybe" are being brought onto the statute books.
This latest trial revolved around what some would describe as the extremes of homosexual activities. All of which were 100% consensual. I'm not gay but this could have as easily been a trial about CP/BDSM activities, I believe watersports was mentioned. If my our activities became illegal in the UK we could end up as vilified as a rapist. It is often argued that extreme pornography leads to worse things; and so here we go again, wanting to ban something because of the harm it may do. 1000's of people die from falling downstairs, shall we ban multi level buildings. of course not. I can't stand the computer game Grand Theft Auto,I wish it had never been created; I swear blind it causes a minority to behave in such an abhorrent manner; but do I want it banned? Absolutely not and why? because the massive majority play it without going out to commit street crime.
The vast majority of my readers are from the USA and I know you guys sometimes struggle with British/European liberalism, though I guess if you read these kind of blogs maybe not. I served my country for many years and for me liberalism is essential if you want a non bigoted society.
I had already written a rant about this trial prior to the verdict and saved it to drafts because I was convinced a guilty verdict was on its way, it was about 2000 words, never have I been so pleased to have deleted something. The verdict was not guilty. 12 men good and true saw through the haze to understand we are free to act as we please. It has revived my faith in British justice.
However challenges will come again as those who do not understand will cling to all sorts of 3rd party harm angles to get their way. What I say to them is; if it's 100% consensual then it must be !00% legal. Remember, I don't want to ban cross-stitch !
Find trial info here
http://obscenitylawyer.blogspot.com/
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