There is global criticism of the new anti-free speech law in Scotland, including a dare from author J.K. Rowling to arrest her for her criticism of transgender policies. The law is so bad that even the British Prime Minister, in a country previously denounced for attacks on free speech, has demurred from supporting the Scottish law. Now Humza Yousaf, first minister of Scotland, has doubled down in supporting the draconian law while misrepresenting its language.Yousaf bizarrely claimed that critics have ignored that the legal threshold of “the new offences is very, very high indeed. Your behaviour has to be threatening or abusive and intended to stir up hatred.” It is almost comical in its absurdity. No, a standard based on “stirring up hatred” is not very very high. Moreover, the showing can be based on a showing that stirring up hatred was “likely” rather than “intended.”
In signature form, Yousaf reportedly then lashed out at critics like Rowling and Joe Rogan as “right-wing actors” who have “[no] sympathy for the fact we are bringing in legislation that is clamping down on hatred.” He insisted that this is merely an extension of the fight against “disinformation.”
The critics include virtually the entirety of the free speech community. Rowling’s objections to transgender policies are rooted in her feminist principles and the concern over the erasure of the gains of women generally.
By declaring opposing views as hateful, many on the left like Yousaf seek to shutdown any debate through a chilling effect on speech. Many do not want to face the cancel campaign or abuse directed against Rowling, who has the means and the following to weather this storm.
The Scottish law is a disgrace to the nation, which once distinguished itself in the Scottish Enlightenment as a haven for free thought.
The rewrite of Braveheart is going to be a real disappointment when Wallace asks what Scots will do without their freedom and Yousef steps forward to accuse him of “disinformation” and delivers him over to the English:
I’m just a well-hung women with an adams apple.
Not only may a man decide he is a woman, but the entire world must enthusiastically agree, or he may commit suicide, or have people imprisoned. Is there any other opinion in the Western world with similar requirements?
I’m trying to imagine a world where I can declare that I identify as 24 years old again, and have people arrested who disagree.
This is the Emperor’s New Clothes.
A simple scenario on how to address the matter:
Shopper: “Do you sell the crush gaskets that go with this oil filter?”
Clerk: “Don’t use ‘you’. Wix is my pronoun.”
Shopper turns and leaves
It’s not worth the headache.
And this is the whole crux of the matter. Use of pronouns, titles, respect, and commenting on things like age, appearance, clothing, etc was always just a matter of being polite (or not). The Trans mafia are seeking to legislate politeness towards them and them alone, with the threat of fines or imprisonment. If I declare myself to be 24 years old, Chinese, or the Holy Roman Emperor, people may feel free to ridicule me. They certainly don’t have to indulge my delusions. But if I declare that I’m a woman, suddenly they have to fall over themselves to acknowledge my belief? 1984 arrives 40 years later than supposed.
In a world where someone disagreeing with the party line is considered a form of “violence”, there is a very low bar, indeed, for “stirring up hatred.”
Female athletes who voiced concern and discomfort about biological males sharing their locker and showers were condemned as transphobic and hateful. Pointing out the truthful data on biological male prisoners sexually assaulting female prisoners in women’s prisons is condemned as transphobic. Truthfully pointing out that illegal immigration via our open borders has imported the fentanyl crisis, and dangerous gang members, is condemned as xenophobic.
This law is a means to gag or punish dissenters. Politicians who lie about the threshold to trigger the law know it has a low bar, otherwise they wouldn’t resort to dishonesty.
In my opinion, the only reason why JK Rowling has not been arrested, is because of her wealth and prominence. She has the clout to fight back. It will be the middle class and poor women who say exactly the same thing, voicing opinions about their own gender, who will be arrested and sent to prison. We women apparently must not upset the men who claim they’re women, lest we suffer imprisonment, job loss, and poverty.
Jonathan: Being of Scottish descent I am always interested in everything Scotland. But really? J.K. Rowling is the most high profile transphobe in the UK. But you bizarrely claim her views are “rooted in her feminist principles”. Feminists of every stripe have criticized her for her false claim about “the reality and immutability of biological sex”. Rowling doesn’t know the first thing about sex or gender. That puts her way out of the mainstream of medical science and why her views are condemned by feminists everywhere.
On Tuesday, Police Scotland said it had received a lot of complaints about Rowling’s public transphobe statements. But in a statement it said: “The comments [by Rowling] are not assessed to be criminal and no further action will be taken”. Full stop! Your column is much ado about nothing. Rowling is free to speak and write all her nonsense.
Scotland is in the news for another reason. Remember that in 2006 DJT purchased land near Aberdeen–saying he planned an 18-hole golf course, a 5-Star hotel, villas and other improvements that would support the local economy. DJT promised to spend $1 billion to develop his property. DJT put in the golf course but no much else.
In an article in The Hill (3/29/24) Neil Hobday, the former project director for DJT’s golf course, says Scotland was “hoodwinked” by DJT. While he did build his golf course, Hobday says in the process DJT “destroyed the vast majority” of the protected sand dunes in the area. Hobday also indicates that DJT’s Aberdeen golf resort is valued at only 33.2 million pounds and has lost money since it opened–and with little positive impact on the local economy. He says: “He was willing to fight the environmental battle and create this impression that this was a $billion pound project and Scotland absolutely needed it. But I think he never really had the money or intention of finishing it.” DJT’s Aberdeen golf course is also featured in Judge Engoron’s judgment finding the property was overvalued.
The locals haven’t seen much from DJT’s golf club. One local pub owner recalls that on one visit by Don Jr., he ordered a round for everyone in the pub but then stiffed them on the bill. Like father–like son. The Scots learned a valuable lesson about doing business with DJT.
I also have some personal experience with DJT. I own a property on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in California. I have a friend who owns a home overlooking the Trump National Golf Club that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes prides itself on its strict environmental laws–trying to maintain the picturesque nature of the peninsula and protecting sensitive coves and beaches.
DJT came to the city in the early 2000s promising to build a first-rate golf resort. At first he was welcomed with open arms. That didn’t last long. DJT’s first run-in with the City when he wanted to name a street after himself. Then came other fights on how DJT could develop his property. DJT finally declared: “The town does everything possible to stymie everything I do”. In 2008 DJT sued the City for $100 million–a City with a budget at the time of about $20 million. DJT claimed the City was preventing him from developing the “Trump image”. (see LA Times article, 12/20/2008)
DJT’s lawsuit began the falling out with the city and its residents. One resident told the City: “Please continue not to give in to this bully. I think he just feels rules aren’t made for him. He expects them to say he can do it because he’s Donald Trump”. A RPV City Councilman echoed this view: “The law does not require the City or any regulators to allow him to have whatever he may wake up on morning and want”.
So the residents of Aberdeen and Palos Verdes have shared experiences with DJT. Fast forward to day. Has anything changed in the way DJT operates? Nope. He still thinks he is above the law!
Your post sounds very much like you are stiring up hatred against JK Rowling and other Feminists and people who believe in Biology and ithe immutabilty of Sex.
I am personaly offended and trauma tized by your hate and willful stiring up of hate and bad feeling.
Just sayn’
Anonymous: So you are “personaly (sic) offended and traumatized” by my “willful stirring up hate and bad feeling”? You must be kidding. April Fools Day was Monday! And it’s fat to make that claim from some one stirs up hate and bad feeling ever day on this blog!
Their, their…
With all do respect, Mr McIntyre, JK Rowling knows a hell of a lot more about being a woman than you do having been born a man.
ROTFLMAO
Hah!
I have no idea where you get your information about the mainstream of medical science, but you are completely wrong. Sex and gender are determined biologically and only biologically. Yours or someone else’s delusion that they are not the sex that their DNA says they are is completely false, and is not supported by a single solitary peer reviewed scientific investigation. Not one
Rather tempting to commit the ‘no true Scotsman’ fallacy, but, I’m pretty sure no true Scotsman would support that draconian bill (unlike their first minister).
Humza Yousaf, the fascist behind Scotland’s censorship laws, graduated from the University of Glasgow, ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. While a student there, he was President of the “Glasgow University Muslim Students Association.”
His fascist professors and his fascist religion taught him well.
It is said that Germany was brought down by its own “poets and philosophers.” Here we see yet another example of the West being brought down by its own academics and politicians.
Oops. Forgot to sign in.
OT – an article in Politico, published on its website yesterday afternoon, discussed tactics being used by the DNC to undermine RFK’s campaign. These tactics include the use of trolls to plant fake stories on the Internet and picketing his campaign events. The title is something like “Democratic Party Tactics against RFK Rattle His Campaign”. I’m sure there will be a protest from the MSM against this undemocratic conduct.
edwardmahl,
Sounds like election interference to me.
Sounds like the DNC to me. Typical.