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Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

citoyens.soquij.qc.ca

51–60 of 318 posts

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#51
post #8

If you look past the headline, this story is almost "basic sanity". The guy's neighbour didn't want the accused's kids playing in the street (in the suburbs) because they have a yard. To "prove" his point that it was dangerous he drove recklessly around the kids in the street. The accused flipped him off and (allegedly because he denies it) threatened him. Now frankly, I don't see why this would be hackernews-worthy,…

> To "prove" his point that it was dangerous he drove recklessly around the kids in the street. It probably is dangerous [0] because people don’t let their kids play in the street anymore so drivers aren’t used to having them there. Not like when I was a kid where we would get ball games going and pause to let the cars pass. People expected kids to be playing in the street so didn’t drive like complete lunatics. Can’…

> people don’t let their kids play in the street anymore so drivers aren’t used to having them there.

This must depend on where you are, because kids around here play in the street all the time, in residential areas.

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#52

Court decision http://citoyens.soquij.qc.ca/php/decision.php?ID=B4064956004...

That was a very entertaining read. Pulling no punches in the conclusion: > 'In the modern-day vernacular, people often refer to a criminal case “being thrown out”. Obviously, this is little more than a figurative expression. Cases aren’t actually thrown out, in the literal or physical sense. Nevertheless, in the specific circumstances of this case, the Court is inclined to actually take the file and throw it out the…

[deleted]

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#53
post #8

If you look past the headline, this story is almost "basic sanity". The guy's neighbour didn't want the accused's kids playing in the street (in the suburbs) because they have a yard. To "prove" his point that it was dangerous he drove recklessly around the kids in the street. The accused flipped him off and (allegedly because he denies it) threatened him. Now frankly, I don't see why this would be hackernews-worthy,…

[flagged]

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#54

I admit, it's long. But the ending was brilliant. "In the modern-day vernacular, people often refer to a criminal case “being thrown out”. Obviously, this is little more than a figurative expression. Cases aren’t actually thrown out, in the literal or physical sense. Nevertheless, in the specific circumstances of this case, the Court is inclined to actually take the file and throw it out the window, which is the only…

Wow that's colorful for court documents.

I don't see how it could have turned out any other way.

I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment. This reeks incompetence from the district attorney, trying to intimidate the man out of his rights like that.

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#55
post #53
post #8

If you look past the headline, this story is almost "basic sanity". The guy's neighbour didn't want the accused's kids playing in the street (in the suburbs) because they have a yard. To "prove" his point that it was dangerous he drove recklessly around the kids in the street. The accused flipped him off and (allegedly because he denies it) threatened him. Now frankly, I don't see why this would be hackernews-worthy,…

[flagged]

This particular case took place in Canada :)

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#56

I admit, it's long. But the ending was brilliant. "In the modern-day vernacular, people often refer to a criminal case “being thrown out”. Obviously, this is little more than a figurative expression. Cases aren’t actually thrown out, in the literal or physical sense. Nevertheless, in the specific circumstances of this case, the Court is inclined to actually take the file and throw it out the window, which is the only…

Wow that's colorful for court documents. I don't see how it could have turned out any other way. I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment. This reeks incompetence from the district attorney, trying to intimidate the man out of his rights like that.

> I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment

FYI, This is in Canada

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the one hand, knowing what we know now, I certainly agree it would be preferable if he wasn't arrested. On the other hand, the neighbour had made at least 4 reports to the police about harassment and death threats. I believe the neighbour's brother and parents had also spoken to the police in support of these claims. On the day of the arrest, the neighbour had _just_ made the most serious claim yet--about death th…

The kind of person it takes to make 4(!) official complaints and have the local police office in their contact list is exactly the same person to exaggerate dramatically, play the victim, and ultimately be the true source of anti-social behavior. I don’t believe there’s any veracity behind their claims, and the police department should have forwarded their calls to a therapist instead.

A friend[1] of mine (and his neighbours) have made a lot more than 4 official complaints about an absolutely deranged lunatic[2] on his street.

It took years of complaints and police calls, for the guy to get a court date (For harassing the neighbors and vandalizing their cars.)

Unless you actually go through many of the steps of investigating, you have no idea if the person making the complaints is the anti-social shithead, or if the person being complained about is. '4 official calls = complainer is full of shit' is a terrible heuristic.

[1] Who I trust and respect very much. I doubt that he's full of crap.

[2] Who, from all accounts, wouldn't benefit from a fine or prison sentence - he needs therapy.

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#58

I admit, it's long. But the ending was brilliant. "In the modern-day vernacular, people often refer to a criminal case “being thrown out”. Obviously, this is little more than a figurative expression. Cases aren’t actually thrown out, in the literal or physical sense. Nevertheless, in the specific circumstances of this case, the Court is inclined to actually take the file and throw it out the window, which is the only…

Wow that's colorful for court documents. I don't see how it could have turned out any other way. I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment. This reeks incompetence from the district attorney, trying to intimidate the man out of his rights like that.

The first amendment to the US constitution does not apply to Canada. Unless you believe US law is globally binding.

(That said, Canada does have their own freedom of speech, under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.)

Re: Giving the finger is a ‘God-given right’, Canadian judge rules

#59

I admit, it's long. But the ending was brilliant. "In the modern-day vernacular, people often refer to a criminal case “being thrown out”. Obviously, this is little more than a figurative expression. Cases aren’t actually thrown out, in the literal or physical sense. Nevertheless, in the specific circumstances of this case, the Court is inclined to actually take the file and throw it out the window, which is the only…

Wow that's colorful for court documents. I don't see how it could have turned out any other way. I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment. This reeks incompetence from the district attorney, trying to intimidate the man out of his rights like that.

> I'm just surprised he was actually arrested for something that's obviously covered by the first amendment

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