Slashdot Mirror
15 Years In Jail For Clicking 'Like'
patiwat writes "Thailand has warned Facebook users that they could face 3 to 15 years in jail if they press 'share' or 'like' on images or articles considered unflattering to the Thai monarchy. And it doesn't just apply to Thai subjects: a U.S. citizen was arrested and convicted while visiting Thailand for posting a link to an unauthorized biography of King Bhumibol on his blog. Convictions for virtual lese majeste have sky-rocketed in recent years as efforts to defend the widely revered royal family from criticism have ramped up."
Why do people continue to go to countries that suck?
I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
As an America, it angers me to see some from a country not their own get arrest for a bullshit law that serves no legitimate purpose. Wait...are we talking about defamation of monarchy or copyrights?
Are you sure you're an America?
I think free speech is a must for a democracy to work. How can you vote for what you want when it's illegal to say it?
Democracy is meaningless without absolute protection of individual rights. In a free society, liberty tops all other factors, otherwise you have "tyranny of the majority".
My girth assures me that I am, indeed, an America.
And how would you know that, if it is illegal to say otherwise?
That said, the king is an old man in poor health. His son is the worst kind of corrupt playboy who deserves to be criticised for many things.
All these prosecutions are meant to terrorize the population so there will be no dissent when the old king goes.
So, why the US - that have the 1st amendment, have only 2 major politic forces? Are you saying the majority of the americans agree with the bullshit from either side? Why do you see much more plurality on the governments of european countries? Free speech means nothing if you don't have free press (you don't), when you have censorship (you have, both on books and music), and when the politicians from either side defend corporate interests and not the citizens (you call it a legitimate profession - lobbyist - in EU is almost a criminal activity). So what's left? Either free speech is not required for a democracy, or the USA aren't a democracy. Pick your poison.
Precisely - he is, and knows he is, a figurehead, and he should not interfere in the democratic process. His only interventions have been calmly to ask the politicians to get their act together and stop behaving like spoiled children (free translation). It is one faction of politicians who build him up for their own purposes. He cannot interfere with the law without interfering with democracy. He can then pardon those convicted. It is one of the problems of a constitutional monarchy that things done in the monarch's name are actually totally, out of the control of the monarch. His function is roughly the same as the flag in the US - something to salute, and produce prominently on state occasions, but not as functional part of the legislations. These laws are roughly like the rules, which some consider laws, about respectful treatment of the Stars and Stripes.
Consciousness is an illusion caused by an excess of self consciousness.