See here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17515992
OK, he's guilty and did something very stupid. A conviction doesn't seem unreasonable in this case, but to me a jail term sounds completely over the top and sets a slightly worrying precedent - as well as being inconsistent with a number of disturbingly light sentences handed out in recent years for more alarming offences. eg
That was just from a random search. In what way is jailing an idiot who made racist tweets a better idea than failing to jail a woman who threatens her own mother with a knife, or a bloke with thousands of child porn images?
Apparently he is guilty of inciting racial hatred. Who is he inciting? He's an random plonker on the internet, ranting and raving away at no one in particular.
I don't think that this guy should have got off. He should be punished somehow. But surely something like a very lengthy community service would be better in this case?
I simply can't resolve in my mind...all the times we hear of light sentences for those ASBO cases, who get off jail time and again. I mean, you can escape jail for headbutting at a racist rally (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-15581264) but tweeting gets you time!
There needs to be some consistency with sentencing. We have to feel like the law is fair and balanced, and not simply subject to the ebbs and tides of current media sensations.
I am particularly pained by what the judge said in the tweet case:
"It was not the football world who was praying for [Muamba].... everybody was praying for his life."
This is the problem. The whole "Pray for Muamba" phenomenen has taken over the country, and clearly has influenced this magistrate. That's not good enough.
I am annoyed by the claims that everybody is praying for Muamba. I wasn't. I don't personally know anyone that was. Am I a cold hearted bastard? I don't think so. As far as I can remember, I have never prayed. I saw what happened to Muamba. It was painful viewing. I felt sorry for him and hoped (and still hope) that he recovers.
Apparently that's not enough. I have to pray as well? The tide is heading in that direction. Let's all just act like North Koreans and engage in public praying for Muamba lest anyone dare insinuate that we may, actually, not be praying for Muamba and hence not acceptable members of the media defined society.
As the Great Sage Kyle Walker claims, also on the Twit':
Thanks for that Kyle. But I'm pretty sure that whether I'm religious is a pretty major determining factor in whether I'm going to pray for Muamba. In fact, I might dare to add that it is probably the prime factor! Fancy that!
I have seen a few unpleasant things in the world. Things that have turned my stomach or have some pretty strong physical and mental affects. Despite that, I've never gone away and decided to pray for that person or people. I'm sure I'm not the only one. And what I saw of Muamba does not make me go away and pray.
Is it enough for me to say that I want Muamba to get better, simply because I don't want anyone to die at the age of 23 from a heart attack.
But for the near future at least, Praying for Muamba is the only socially acceptable action and it looks like it's even influencing our justice system.
OK, he's guilty and did something very stupid. A conviction doesn't seem unreasonable in this case, but to me a jail term sounds completely over the top and sets a slightly worrying precedent - as well as being inconsistent with a number of disturbingly light sentences handed out in recent years for more alarming offences. eg
That was just from a random search. In what way is jailing an idiot who made racist tweets a better idea than failing to jail a woman who threatens her own mother with a knife, or a bloke with thousands of child porn images?
Apparently he is guilty of inciting racial hatred. Who is he inciting? He's an random plonker on the internet, ranting and raving away at no one in particular.
I don't think that this guy should have got off. He should be punished somehow. But surely something like a very lengthy community service would be better in this case?
I simply can't resolve in my mind...all the times we hear of light sentences for those ASBO cases, who get off jail time and again. I mean, you can escape jail for headbutting at a racist rally (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-15581264) but tweeting gets you time!
There needs to be some consistency with sentencing. We have to feel like the law is fair and balanced, and not simply subject to the ebbs and tides of current media sensations.
I am particularly pained by what the judge said in the tweet case:
"It was not the football world who was praying for [Muamba].... everybody was praying for his life."
This is the problem. The whole "Pray for Muamba" phenomenen has taken over the country, and clearly has influenced this magistrate. That's not good enough.
I am annoyed by the claims that everybody is praying for Muamba. I wasn't. I don't personally know anyone that was. Am I a cold hearted bastard? I don't think so. As far as I can remember, I have never prayed. I saw what happened to Muamba. It was painful viewing. I felt sorry for him and hoped (and still hope) that he recovers.
Apparently that's not enough. I have to pray as well? The tide is heading in that direction. Let's all just act like North Koreans and engage in public praying for Muamba lest anyone dare insinuate that we may, actually, not be praying for Muamba and hence not acceptable members of the media defined society.
As the Great Sage Kyle Walker claims, also on the Twit':
Thanks for that Kyle. But I'm pretty sure that whether I'm religious is a pretty major determining factor in whether I'm going to pray for Muamba. In fact, I might dare to add that it is probably the prime factor! Fancy that!
I have seen a few unpleasant things in the world. Things that have turned my stomach or have some pretty strong physical and mental affects. Despite that, I've never gone away and decided to pray for that person or people. I'm sure I'm not the only one. And what I saw of Muamba does not make me go away and pray.
Is it enough for me to say that I want Muamba to get better, simply because I don't want anyone to die at the age of 23 from a heart attack.
But for the near future at least, Praying for Muamba is the only socially acceptable action and it looks like it's even influencing our justice system.