[Boatanchors] a warning in good faith

[Morris Dillingham]

Thanks for the reminder that freedom isn't free.  We all have to be diligent
and willing to sacrifice sometimes.   I expect some sort of hate crime laws
(translation: thought laws) here in the good ol' USA pretty soon as we
continue to Balkanize and the libs figure a way for this un-homogeneous mass
to get along.  Recent incidents relative to the Quran and other Islamic
topics have shown that threats and violence can ensue and in order to avoid
this someone will think of another law to introduce.  I hope for the best
for you over there.  

         73 de KI4IUA 
         Morris   


-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of CLIVE COLLINS
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 6:19 AM
To: boatanchor network
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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