[Boatanchors] a warning in good faith

[CLIVE COLLINS]

Good morning Gentlemen,
I make no apology for the transmission of the following information,it has very little to do with "boatanchors" yet in many ways it affects us all in certain ways.
 
I have in front of me a copy of a well respected newspaper published in London this morning which highlights the situation that we could all possibly be faced with presently.
The article details the story of an Amateur residing in Ottershaw, Surrey UK. who, during a QSO with another amateur in Australia and others, was alleged by a listener to have made racist remarks about the recent London Bombings.
As a result of this listeners actions, the Surrey Amateur was arrested (although he insists that he said nothing racist) and was kept in a police cell for two hours and the police "CONFISCATED £5000 WORTH OF HIS EQUIPMENT" !
This has particularly strong implications for all of us who are licensed and who might have the occasional "nasty" neigbour who thinks that because we enjoy a hobby that is interesting and educational and that essentially he doesn't understand, considers we are fair game for any one with an axe to grind either genuinely or believed.  'Nuts' are not always found in secure hospitals remember.
 
The police stated that they were taking him into custody "while they investigated the claims" and presumably if the claims had taken a month to investigate he would still be under arrest.
Make no mistake, I am not putting myself up as a paragon of virtue in this matter, I have my own views on the subject as a being British English and proud of it (that should be enough to get me put away for life !) but I don't publish them on twenty metres.
I feel that the situation is clearly almost out of control and that we as a body generally are losing our very hard fought for right to free speech.
 
When this sort of incident can and does happen, how long before we are all closed down?
 
A comment from the terrified Surrey police states that "We follow up on any complaint made which could give rise to a race-hate crime being committed. We will not tolerate any form of hate or discrimination.  The allegations were of an offensive nature towards ***********  " (deleted on purpose to avoid me being arrested but you can guess who they were)
"The Broadcast (note the terminology !) could have been heard by anybody listening to the correct frequency"  Since when were we licensed to "Broadcast"?
 
So there we have the current situation in the UK as far as amateur radio is concerned.
No mention is made of the fact that all e mails are subject to scanning for words and phrases by the UK and US authorities, at our end in Yorkshire at a location called Menwith Hill and at Fort Geoge Meade in the United States 24 hours a day (and 'good morning to the duty watch' at both establishments)
I for one am concerned that '1984' has already arrived, so if it can happen here with the 'thought police' taking an unhealthy interest in amateur radio then who knows which country will be next  for the microscope.
Should I be arrested for this traffic, it has been a pleasure to communicate with you all.
 
Kindest regards and all good wishes,
 
Clive GW3WEQ           (potential prisoner number 4044824)
 
Address correct as in 'QRZ.com' if it will save time for the police in finding me, just don't be too rough with the equipment if you confiscate it.  !