[Boatanchors] a warning in good faith

Sun Aug 28 17:21:45 EDT 2005

Mr. Collins, 	

This is getting to be an all too frequent feature of your posts. With all due
respect, sir, it really needs to cease.	

While there are indeed legitimate concerns for Amateur Radio operators in
different countries, some of which affect all of us and others which affect only
those in a particular region, such as the UK, the truth is most often lost in
the dialogue known as 'making a mountain out of a mole hill'.   	

Somebody extracts a single thought from an entire  press statement, for
instance, and then colors it with their own opinions to distort it into meaning
something it did not originally. Then the 'domino effect' kicks in and one fact
after another is reshaped. Before long the original thought is nowhere to be
found in the current dialogue. Just human nature.		

This list shall not be the place where political debates of any type are the
discussion subject. Even if the particular statement appears to affect, or in
fact does affect, the Amateur Radio operators of a particular area, such as the
UK, or if it affects all Hams everywhere, the information being announced is
generally faulty from the outset and it simply degrades from there. If there was
truth, it is soon lost among the various and sundry excursions into
extrapolation and conjecture.	

For whatever the reason, the majority of these proclamations originate in the
UK. Now I am not picking on the UK, nor am I singling it out, just stating the
obvious. Maybe it happens because those in the UK discuss these issues more
frequently and more seriously than residents of other countries, who knows. 	

Whatever the reason, this list is not the place for these discussions to be
taking place.  It is not an issue of "off topic" or whatever. It is simply that
these political debates belong elsewhere, such as on the lists that are set up
specifically for these kinds of often emotional, and frequently hot tempered,
exchanges of less than subjective viewpoints.  		

Several of Mr. Collins previous allegations were investigated by people in the
fields concerned, both military and international communications, and his
assertions were shown to be not actually based on fact, but on his personal
beliefs. Which is his right. He can believe whatever he wants to. However,
starting these philosophical debates here with unnamed sources, mysterious
people in cloak/dagger operations and so forth is  just inviting trouble. So
gentlemen, let us not go down that path of preventable disaster and direct our
focus to issues that do not involve the political climate and those who create
and manipulate it wherever in this world.		

This is not a censorship issue, as if it were, Mr. Collin's post would not have
appeared to begin with. Unless Alan Waller, K3TKJ invokes moderated messages,
and he won't unless circumstances leave him no other viable alternative!,
nothing is censored, ever.	

I agree that some issues do need discussion. But let us conduct those
provocative discourses on the appropriate forums where they belong.	

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.	

Duane Fischer, W8DBF	

 ---------
From: CLIVE COLLINS <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>
To: boatanchor network <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: [Boatanchors] a warning in good faith
Date: Sunday, August 28, 2005 6:19 AM

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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