Comments on: Canadian politician says gays should be executed

Comments on: Canadian politician says gays should be executed http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/ PinkNews.co.uk Gay News (UK and world) from Pink News - all the gay news for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community in the UK and beyond- thegaynews from Pink News Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:10:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Pavlin http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35920 Pavlin Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:57:43 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35920 I am amazed that people like this 'human' Popesku are still alive - I thought they'd died years ago especially in such 'Western' parts of the world. Well, I'm obviously wrong. His name sounds Romanian and taking into consideration the high homophobic level in Bulgaria (where I am from), maybe that's way he seems that miserable - we are neighbours. :D And how come that in Canada it is possible to be a criminal and to run for a public post? He's been sentenced!! And, yeah - why do they need to investigate the obvious? WTF?! Cheers! I am amazed that people like this 'human' Popesku are still alive – I thought they'd died years ago especially in such 'Western' parts of the world. Well, I'm obviously wrong. His name sounds Romanian and taking into consideration the high homophobic level in Bulgaria (where I am from), maybe that's way he seems that miserable – we are neighbours.

And how come that in Canada it is possible to be a criminal and to run for a public post? He's been sentenced!!
And, yeah – why do they need to investigate the obvious? WTF?!

Cheers!

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]]> By: Jimmy http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35871 Jimmy Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:30:25 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35871 Freedom of speech (say what you want) vs. Freedom to live (don't incite murder)? Both are admirable sentiments - but as Mr Popescu shows, they are sometimes incompatible and then we have to choose between them. Don't you love liberal dilemmas? Fortunately this one is fairly easy to get round. In cases like this freedom to live beats freedom of speech. Because if Mr Popescu had his way, I would be executed. What is worse? Being dead, or not being able to give an opinion? It's not really debatable. Freedom of speech (say what you want) vs. Freedom to live (don't incite murder)?

Both are admirable sentiments – but as Mr Popescu shows, they are sometimes incompatible and then we have to choose between them. Don't you love liberal dilemmas?

Fortunately this one is fairly easy to get round. In cases like this freedom to live beats freedom of speech. Because if Mr Popescu had his way, I would be executed. What is worse? Being dead, or not being able to give an opinion? It's not really debatable.

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]]> By: Vo Dong Cung http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35782 Vo Dong Cung Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:14:00 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35782 I'm asking myself did Popescu hate Gay or Pope hate gay; did he say those words or Pope put those words on his lips. I'm asking myself did Popescu hate Gay or Pope hate gay; did he say those words or Pope put those words on his lips.

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]]> By: Craig http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35773 Craig Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:47:19 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35773 Some good news... The Sudbury Star reports today that all four of the major party candidates in Sudbury released a joint statement condemning Popescu's remarks and indicating that they will not participate in any further debates in which Popescu is invited to attend. Some good news…

The Sudbury Star reports today that all four of the major party candidates in Sudbury released a joint statement condemning Popescu's remarks and indicating that they will not participate in any further debates in which Popescu is invited to attend.

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]]> By: becky http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35766 becky Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:53:06 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35766 this guy is suggesting that percentage of the population should be put to death because of their sexuality- it might be his 'honest answer' but it's a very strong view and I'm shocked that the American government allows anyone to preach such a hateful view to children? wow. that's education GONE MAD! this guy is suggesting that percentage of the population should be put to death because of their sexuality- it might be his 'honest answer' but it's a very strong view and I'm shocked that the American government allows anyone to preach such a hateful view to children? wow. that's education GONE MAD!

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]]> By: robfox66 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35765 robfox66 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:49:15 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35765 Why was my previous comment about giving destructive, paranoid views a platform in schools deleted? What is Pink News' policy on censoring comments? Is it somehow immoral to point out the potentialy lethal consequences of hateful, murderous opinions? It might never 'appen?... It already HAS, and IS happening in fascist & religio-fascist staes like Iran, Saudi... Why was my previous comment about giving destructive, paranoid views a platform in schools deleted? What is Pink News' policy on censoring comments?

Is it somehow immoral to point out the potentialy lethal consequences of hateful, murderous opinions?

It might never 'appen?…

It already HAS, and IS happening in fascist & religio-fascist staes like Iran, Saudi…

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]]> By: becky http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35764 becky Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:47:43 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35764 'Canadian police are holding an investigation into whether an independent federal candidate committed a hate crime by telling school students that gays and lesbians should be killed' and they need to have an investigation?? i am speechless, horrified and speechless... 'Canadian police are holding an investigation into whether an independent federal candidate committed a hate crime by telling school students that gays and lesbians should be killed'

and they need to have an investigation??
i am speechless, horrified and speechless…

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]]> By: Mihai Bucur http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35762 Mihai Bucur Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:58:51 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35762 wrong worn worng - I agree that people should be allowed to air their views, and for this reason I don't think hate speech laws should be interpreted in a very rigid fashion. It is OK to criticise homosexuality, in the same way as it is OK to critise religion, but it is NOT OK to advocate the death of another group based on their identity. What do you think would have happened if he had said "I think Muslims should be executed" or "I think Christians should be executed" or "I think British people should be executed"? We're not talking here about an objection like "I don't agree with same-sex marriage" or even "I don't agree with the gay lifestyle" but "I believe homosexuals should be executed". That shouldn't be OK, under any standard of free speech. wrong worn worng – I agree that people should be allowed to air their views, and for this reason I don't think hate speech laws should be interpreted in a very rigid fashion. It is OK to criticise homosexuality, in the same way as it is OK to critise religion, but it is NOT OK to advocate the death of another group based on their identity.

What do you think would have happened if he had said "I think Muslims should be executed" or "I think Christians should be executed" or "I think British people should be executed"?

We're not talking here about an objection like "I don't agree with same-sex marriage" or even "I don't agree with the gay lifestyle" but "I believe homosexuals should be executed". That shouldn't be OK, under any standard of free speech.

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]]> By: flapjack http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35758 flapjack Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:29:55 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35758 wrong worn worng - Fair enough, I would prefer he answered the question honestly, but as someone wiser then myself said once, when you pick up one end of the stick you also pick up the other...actions and words carry consequences and it's not enough to simply give bigoted nutjobs a pat on the back for honesty. They have to expect whatever honest response comes from their own candid pubic pronouncements. Otherwise how will they ever evolve into rational human beings capable of reasoned debate. It's more then fair, free speech cuts both ways. wrong worn worng – Fair enough, I would prefer he answered the question honestly, but as someone wiser then myself said once, when you pick up one end of the stick you also pick up the other…actions and words carry consequences and it's not enough to simply give bigoted nutjobs a pat on the back for honesty. They have to expect whatever honest response comes from their own candid pubic pronouncements. Otherwise how will they ever evolve into rational human beings capable of reasoned debate. It's more then fair, free speech cuts both ways.

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]]> By: wrong worn worng http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35754 wrong worn worng Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:38:38 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35754 im sorry but the person in question was asked what he thought and he gave his views! you cant expect people to not give there views for feir of us going at them. he was asked he answerd would you prefer that he did not answer them or lied? you cant just hear the good things or what you want to hear. yes i agree it was a bad thing to say IN MY EYES but not every one has the same views as me. its not fair that the guy is getting this much hate for answering honistly im sorry but the person in question was asked what he thought and he gave his views! you cant expect people to not give there views for feir of us going at them. he was asked he answerd would you prefer that he did not answer them or lied? you cant just hear the good things or what you want to hear. yes i agree it was a bad thing to say IN MY EYES but not every one has the same views as me. its not fair that the guy is getting this much hate for answering honistly

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]]> By: wrong worn worng http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35752 wrong worn worng Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:35:21 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35752 i do think that some people should read this again, he was asked and he said. would you prefer the world full of lies? im sorry yes what he said in most peoples eyes was wrong but then again he was asked what he thought and he told them! i do think some people will only be happy with answers they want to hear! i do think that some people should read this again, he was asked and he said. would you prefer the world full of lies? im sorry yes what he said in most peoples eyes was wrong but then again he was asked what he thought and he told them! i do think some people will only be happy with answers they want to hear!

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]]> By: B.S.M. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35748 B.S.M. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:47:25 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35748 If he is mental patient, why was he allowed to lecture students? If he is mental patient, why was he allowed to lecture students?

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]]> By: Mihai Bucur http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35747 Mihai Bucur Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:38:08 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35747 rjb - What he said was clearly hate speech, and he should be prosecuted for that. Saying that gays (or Muslims, or blacks, or whatever other minority) should be executed is a very overt and easy to determine form of hate speech. If this doesn't qualify under the law, then I'm not sure what does... rjb – What he said was clearly hate speech, and he should be prosecuted for that. Saying that gays (or Muslims, or blacks, or whatever other minority) should be executed is a very overt and easy to determine form of hate speech. If this doesn't qualify under the law, then I'm not sure what does…

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]]> By: Justin http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35744 Justin Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:26:17 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35744 The guy is right, it IS in the bible. I don't know what everyone's so suprised about - this is what society ends up with when it lets such a barbaric ancient desert text be socially acceptable. It was the same with the whole Iris Robinson thing in N.Ireland. When are authorities going to investigate the bible for incitement to hated, violence and murder? The guy is right, it IS in the bible. I don't know what everyone's so suprised about – this is what society ends up with when it lets such a barbaric ancient desert text be socially acceptable. It was the same with the whole Iris Robinson thing in N.Ireland.

When are authorities going to investigate the bible for incitement to hated, violence and murder?

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]]> By: Tel http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35741 Tel Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:26:43 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35741 "In 2003, he was found guilty of assault on his elderly mother, sentenced to three years’ probation, and requested to undergo psychological assessment." I agree with W... but form this line, it looks like he's already undergoing treatment. And an assault on his own elderly mother??? This guy is a class-A nut job and should be locked up. "In 2003, he was found guilty of assault on his elderly mother, sentenced to three years’ probation, and requested to undergo psychological assessment."

I agree with W… but form this line, it looks like he's already undergoing treatment.

And an assault on his own elderly mother??? This guy is a class-A nut job and should be locked up.

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]]> By: W http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35739 W Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:22:08 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35739 Me thinks Mr. Popescu should be checked by a qualified medical person. Its not rational, or normal, to want to kill a segment, and he clearly has a learning difficulty... especially as its fairly apparent he hasn't even taken the time to read the bible properly. Me thinks Mr. Popescu should be checked by a qualified medical person. Its not rational, or normal, to want to kill a segment, and he clearly has a learning difficulty… especially as its fairly apparent he hasn't even taken the time to read the bible properly.

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]]> By: rjb http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35738 rjb Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:19:54 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35738 It's a pretty dismal thing to say, but to suggest that a 'hate crime' was committed is simply counter-productive. Rather than censoring the zealots, the best thing to do is simply to give them enough rope to hang themselves. It's a pretty dismal thing to say, but to suggest that a 'hate crime' was committed is simply counter-productive. Rather than censoring the zealots, the best thing to do is simply to give them enough rope to hang themselves.

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]]> By: flapjack http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35737 flapjack Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:41:22 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35737 People who believe in the death penalty should be executed ;) People who believe in the death penalty should be executed

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]]> By: Tristan http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35736 Tristan Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:58:51 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35736 The more I hear about the Bible, the more I'm convinced it must be laid out like a gaming book - yknow, where you can choose the fate of your hero by turning to different pages? It seems to make as much sense.. The more I hear about the Bible, the more I'm convinced it must be laid out like a gaming book – yknow, where you can choose the fate of your hero by turning to different pages? It seems to make as much sense..

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]]> By: Craig http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9171.html/comment-page-1/#comment-35732 Craig Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:24:16 +0000 http://www.pinknews.co.uk/?p=9171#comment-35732 Adrian T, he wasn't given any kind of special platform -- it was an all-candidates discussion for youth connected to the current federal election, so all of the local candidates were present. For what it's worth, Popescu is a perennial fringe candidate in the Sudbury area who's never done better than last place in any election he's ever contested. And while Sudbury isn't exactly a gay mecca, it's not a particularly conservative city, either -- so this kind of thing won't fly with the voters there. Adrian T, he wasn't given any kind of special platform — it was an all-candidates discussion for youth connected to the current federal election, so all of the local candidates were present.

For what it's worth, Popescu is a perennial fringe candidate in the Sudbury area who's never done better than last place in any election he's ever contested. And while Sudbury isn't exactly a gay mecca, it's not a particularly conservative city, either — so this kind of thing won't fly with the voters there.

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