[Boatanchors] Interesting event in the UK

[sbjohnston at aol.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: CLIVE COLLINS <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>
To: boatanchor network <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sun, 28 Aug 2005 11:19:20 +0100 (BST)
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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