[Boatanchors] a warning in good faith

[Ed Swynar]

Clive,

At one time, we Hams here in Canada had to swear an oath of secrecy as the
final step in our being granted a licence---we vowed never to divulge, to
anyone, the subject of anything we may have heard while tuning the spectrum,
on penalty of who-knows-what...

That nosey-parker who alerted the authorities is the one who should be in
the slammer---lord knows he probably would be if he'd picked-up and
subsequently "...re-transmitted" a similar such "...broadcast" on one of the
cell phone frequencies pertaining to some real, or imagined, matter of
national interest...

But, as they say, the law is an ass...

What's the address of the crowbar motel you'll be residing in...? If I
express ship it, the bread & water I'll forward there should arrive
reasonably fresh...Hi Hi

~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ



.
----- Original Message -----
From: "CLIVE COLLINS" <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>
To: "boatanchor network" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 5:19 AM
Subject: [Boatanchors] a warning in good faith


> 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.
!
>
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