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[Dirtyshubb]

God the outrage at this is ridiculous, I mean I'm appreciative of the fact that certain subjects are touchy but for him to be arrested over this is plain wrong.

At no point is he condoning what the nazi's did, in fact the entire premise is to get the dog doing something from "the worst people I could imagine, the nazi's".

It's not like teaching a child to swear for laughs since the dog cant repeat it to others, doesn't understand the context behind the words and it was said to him the same way you would say "want some food?/want to go walkies?" so to him it's just an exciting thing his owner says to him.

Some people really need to start taking context into account before complaining about stuff because as someone else I this thread said, you take away from actual racism and abuse when you focus on something that is clearly meant for humour
Also the humour isn't atthe expense of the victims of the holocaust but simply making fun of the idea that this sweet dog is doing things that are considered evil and wrong.

Is it a dark joke? For certain but again context is key.

 

[SliceSabre]

Nazis aren't cool or funny and I certainly don't condone what he did, but holy shit is that a dumb reason to arrest someone.

 

[Khoryos]

Okay, so if he was training his dog to be a KKK member saying "hang the blacks" would that also be funny to you?

If his dog was in the habit of burning crosses, maybe? It works because it's something the dog just does, that happens to resemble a notorious piece of fascist symbology.

Personally I feel the joke could have been better executed, but it's still clearly a joke.

 

[GarthVaderUK]

Link doesn't work.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-02-28/facebook-threat-case-unresolved/

 

[Vagabundo]

It's at times like this that I praise Odin for the First Amendment where I can be ridiculed and fired for nonsense, but not criminally prosecuted.

Link doesn't work.

Does this one?

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-02-28/facebook-threat-case-unresolved/

 

[TatteredHat]

Apparently making a mockery of hatred is the same as promoting said hatred.

 

[Ninja Dom]

Well the joke is done now so I doubt it will be as funny a second time around but maybe, yeah. It's hard to say without CONTEXT but the idea of a dog "learning" stupid stuff is funny because it's ridiculous.

I feel like I'm explaining a joke here which always makes it funnier (that was also a joke)

Oh I fully understand the joke and what you mean, with it being ridiculous for the dog to learn this.

I'm wondering if the joke would still hold the same weight/seem as funny to you if we changed the hate group and the target. Is it specifically Nazis/Jews or would any other combination have worked first time around?

 

[Khoryos]

Oh I fully understand the joke and what you mean, with it being ridiculous for the dog to learn this.

I'm wondering if the joke would still hold the same weight/seem as funny to you if we changed the hate group and the target. Is it specifically Nazis/Jews or would any other combination have worked first time around?

Can you think of another hate group with a gesture that's both A: Easily identifiable and B: capable of being performed by a dog of its own volition?

 

[tokkun]

Okay, so if he was training his dog to be a KKK member saying "hang the blacks" would that also be funny to you?

This is the plot of an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0551402/

 

[Hagi]

Oh I fully understand the joke and what you mean, with it being ridiculous for the dog to learn this.

I'm wondering if the joke would still hold the same weight/seem as funny to you if we changed the hate group and the target. Is it specifically Nazis/Jews or would any other combination have worked first time around?

Depends on how it's presented really. With the amount of times he said gas the jews I imagine it would just be a video of him saying hang the blacks to the dog over and over again then a cut to the dog in a white hood watching Mississippi burning.

 

[Keasar]

Okay, so if he was training his dog to be a KKK member saying "hang the blacks" would that also be funny to you?

It's a funny Key & Peele joke though.

Just don't adopt them, kids.

 

[Trojita]

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-02-28/facebook-threat-case-unresolved/

Does this one?

http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-02-28/facebook-threat-case-unresolved/

Yeah it does.

So this was an unspecified threat 2 months after Sandy Hook. I could see why the basic threat would warrant an investigation. The problem is how it was handled later on.

The question would be whether that is how the system is supposed to work. Many would say that an investigation would show that it was a joke in poor taste as a retort. The difference with the subject of the OP is whether this is how it is supposed to be in Britain. Even as a joke, the law says it is supposed to be prosecuted.

 

[DragonSworne]

So...there is no problem in a guy repeatedly asking "gas the jews?" for two minutes in a video. Everything is fine with this?

Being okay with the video and not being okay with the arrest are two different things.

Europe in general was some regressive laws concerning speech.

 

[Vagabundo]

Yeah it does.

So this was an unspecified threat 2 months after Sandy Hook. I could see why the basic threat would warrant an investigation. The problem is how it was handled later on.

The question would be whether that is how the system is supposed to work. Many would say that an investigation would show that it was a joke in poor taste as a retort. The difference with the subject of the OP is whether this is how it is supposed to be in Britain. Even as a joke, the law says it is supposed to be prosecuted.

I not defending the law in UK BTW. I think it is overly broad. I agree with Hate Crime laws in general, but you have to be very careful with the specifics or you get silly shite like this.

My point stands an obviously shitty joke can get you arrested in both countries, and even a cursory examination of the evidence in case above should determine that it was a joke in bad taste, but it seems they are continuing to to punish him for it.

 

[HariKari]

So...there is no problem in a guy repeatedly asking "gas the jews?" for two minutes in a video. Everything is fine with this?

I mean, no one likes it. But I like to think I live in a relatively free society. You want to say that, fine. It's the digital age and there's enough consequence for it. Arresting the guy? Waste of time and resources. Absurd.

Plus, you know, it's a fucking dog.

 

[OverBlood 3]

My main problem with the video is it's not even funny, brevity mate it works wonders.

 

[PontyfaxJr]

The little salutes were adorable.

 

[MassiveNights]

I'm from Scotland.

This is just the latest in a mindblowing series of events from Police Scotland.

The government passed a law that made singing or chanting anything that anyone might find offensive at a football game, or in a pub where football is on tv, an arrestable offence with pretty steep consequences, beyond laws that were in place for racist or sectarian offences (which should rightly be policed).

The whole situation is ridiculous.

 

[Hissing Sid]

The guy is a bit late to the table with this joke. Word has it that Von Manstein trained his dog to give the Nazi salute whilst in the company of select, 'trusted' fellow unbelievers. That wartime field-Marshall mirth eh? Rocking in the aisles.

Anyway, crap joke, crapper reaction, just crap all round I'd say!

 

[Curufinwe]

Some would say generalisation of "most of the population" would be classed as racism.

The UK is made up of many different races, so how is it racism to generalize about the country?

 

[Tenebrous]

Absolute bullshit. The guy shouldn't even be contacted over the video, never mind arrested.

 

[aeolist]

reminds me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9JcOZlMlLY

 

[Stinkles]

Are they coming for Monty Python members next or does that crime have a statute of limitations?

Don't mention the war.

I'm from Scotland.

This is just the latest in a mindblowing series of events from Police Scotland.

The government passed a law that made singing or chanting anything that anyone might find offensive at a football game, or in a pub where football is on tv, an arrestable offence with pretty steep consequences, beyond laws that were in place for racist or sectarian offences (which should rightly be policed).

The whole situation is ridiculous.

Are you still allowed to sing "oh ye canny shove yur granny oaf the bus?"

 

[aeolist]

Don't mention the war.

you started it!

 

[Tenebrous]

reminds me of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9JcOZlMlLY

That's incredible.

you started it!

Ve did not start it!

 

[Audioboxer]

More info on guy, who has a job (or had... lets see what happens next), and the police response.

A call centre worker who uploaded footage of his girlfriend’s dog doing a Nazi salute and jumping when it heard ‘gas the Jews’ has been arrested.

Markus Meechan, 28, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, spent the night behind bars after police arrived at his home and arrested him on suspicion of a hate crime.

The video, which received almost a million views, showed Meechan’s girlfriend’s pet pug Buddha responding to anti-semitic phrases and jumping up on hearing the words: ‘Gas the Jews.’

He was later released and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal in relation to an alleged breach of the electronic communications act of 2003.

Meechan also filmed the two-year-old dog watching speeches made by Hitler from the Leni Riefenstahl directed film ‘Olympia’ which documented the 1936 Berlin Olympics
.
On another occasion he filmed it lifting its paw on hearing the words: ‘Sieg Heil.’
The dog belongs to his girlfriend Suzanne Kelly, 28.

Police said the arrest should be a warning that videos which cause offence will not be tolerated.

Detective Inspector David Cockburn said: ‘This clip was shared online and has been viewed almost one million times.

‘I would ask anyone who has had the misfortune to have viewed it to think about the pain and hurt the narrative has caused a minority of people in our community.

‘The clip is deeply offensive and no reasonable person can possibly find the content acceptable in today’s society.’

He added: ‘This arrest should serve as a warning to anyone posting such material online, or in any other capacity, that such views will not be tolerated.

‘This clip has been shared and viewed online, which ultimately has caused offence and hurt to many people in our community.

‘There is no place for hate crime in Scotland and police take all reports of incidents seriously.’

He said: 'I am not a racist at all, anybody who knows me could tell you that.

'I'm freaked out because everyone's going to actually think that I hate Jews now and I don't at all. I'm kind of panicked about it.

'Honestly, I don't hate anyone, the whole purpose of this was just to annoy my girlfriend.

'I just want everyone to know that I don't wish any ill-will on any race or anything, it's just how shock comedy works.

edit: from a banned source, won't post again

Police tears are being shed. We coming for you if you offend.

 

[dity]

The way the pug acted was the cutest thing. I wonder what "gas the Jews" meant to him? Probably "walkies" lol.

 

[D4Danger]

Police said the arrest should be a warning that videos which cause offence will not be tolerated.

piss off

actually, I'm offended by ITV's daily output. Go arrest them.

 

[Stinkles]

‘The clip is deeply offensive and no reasonable person can possibly find the content acceptable in today’s society.’

I'm from Scotland originally and I forgot about the twee, ridiculous scolding tone of police statements, which amazingly they are allowed to make regardless of whether you're actually convicted or found guilty of the crime for which you're arrested. Basically they have assessed that you've committed a crime and you will now be publicly shamed. Regardless of say, an actual legal process.


THIS IS WHY DRUNK PEOPLE TRY TO STEAL YOUR HATS

 

[CornBurrito]

While I do not agree he should have been arrested, it is ironic that you cite context when it is clear that you have used none in writing this.

Spoiler

Doing the Nazi salute just because it's Tuesday is not that funny.

A nazi dog is a little funny. Because people wouldn't expect a cute little pug to be a nazi.

 

[BGBW]

GAF is full of unreasonable people.

 

[8bit]

I'm from Scotland originally and I forgot about the twee, ridiculous scolding tone of police statements, which amazingly they are allowed to make regardless of whether you're actually convicted or found guilty of the crime for which you're arrested. Basically they have assessed that you've committed a crime and you will now be publicly shamed. Regardless of say, an actual legal process.


THIS IS WHY DRUNK PEOPLE TRY TO STEAL YOUR HATS

 

[CornBurrito]

Okay, so if he was training his dog to be a KKK member saying "hang the blacks" would that also be funny to you?

Can I get your thoughts on the show South Park?

 

[The Albatross]

It's ridiculous that somebody should be arrested for this. A blatant disregard for democratic values.

That said, I think he would have much wider condemnation in this thread if he were a Southner teaching his dog to respond to racist epithets like say "Lynch the blacks" (or some hate word) versus "Gas the Jews." Gassing the Jews is still something that many people think is okay to laugh and joke about. I don't think people would want him arrested for it, but I'd imagine he'd be widely condemned as a disgusting human being, rather than someone "just making a joke."

 

[CornBurrito]

It's ridiculous that somebody should be arrested for this. A blatant disregard for democratic values.

That said, I think he would have much wider condemnation in this thread if he were a Southner teaching his dog to respond to racist epithets like say "Lynch the blacks" (or some hate word) versus "Gas the Jews." Gassing the Jews is still something that many people think is okay to laugh and joke about. I don't think people would want him arrested for it, but I'd imagine he'd be widely condemned as a disgusting human being, rather than someone "just making a joke."

Is antisemitism currently as big a problem in Scotland as racism towards blacks is in the South?

 

[DrGonzo615]

Some would say generalisation of "most of the population" would be classed as racism.

Congratulations

Uh, and those people would not understand what "racism" means....

 

[Audioboxer]

It's ridiculous that somebody should be arrested for this. A blatant disregard for democratic values.

That said, I think he would have much wider condemnation in this thread if he were a Southner teaching his dog to respond to racist epithets like say "Lynch blacks" (or some hate word) versus "Gas the Jews." Gassing the Jews is still something that many people think is okay to laugh and joke about.

The guy is being condemned by many, or mocked, but people are far more concerned about the Police response and will to spend tax payers money policing "harmless" offence.

It's distasteful and humour that offends many, but we do not need the police going to someones home to arrest for a video made privately in the confides of a home. At least when there clearly isn't any motive from this guy to cause genuine harm in public. Chanting sectarian songs at football matches brings people into the mix who do not wish to be around it, but are being forced. A YT video requires you to go and watch it.

The guy deserves any public ridicule he gets as his sentence for going public with such a video, not a pair of handcuffs and expense involved bringing him in, doing paperwork and referring his case to court.

 

[Palette Swap]

I'm from Scotland.

This is just the latest in a mindblowing series of events from Police Scotland.

The government passed a law that made singing or chanting anything that anyone might find offensive at a football game, or in a pub where football is on tv, an arrestable offence with pretty steep consequences, beyond laws that were in place for racist or sectarian offences (which should rightly be policed).

The whole situation is ridiculous.

That sounds really stupid and unnecessary in how broad it is.

I'm from Scotland originally and I forgot about the twee, ridiculous scolding tone of police statements, which amazingly they are allowed to make regardless of whether you're actually convicted or found guilty of the crime for which you're arrested. Basically they have assessed that you've committed a crime and you will now be publicly shamed. Regardless of say, an actual legal process.


THIS IS WHY DRUNK PEOPLE TRY TO STEAL YOUR HATS

This I really don't get. I mean, regardless of what a country thinks constitutes hate speech and how it should be punished, any penalty handed out should be the result of due process. AFAIK, this is how hate speech laws usually work : you're not asking Constable Bob or Detective McFace to render judgment and silence suspects by arresting them.

 

[Angry Grimace]

This.

Imagine if someone said "lynch the blacks?" over and over.

I don't think I would lobby to have them arrested, no.

 

[BGBW]

Is antisemitism currently as big a problem in Scotland as racism towards blacks is in the South?

Anti-Semitism has actually been a bit of an issue lately in the political world.

 

[gutter_trash]

society is so stupid, throwing people in jail for jokes

 

[pgtl_10]

Arrests like this helps fascism by giving the video attention.

 

[Jarrod38]

 

[Beerman462]

Exactly.

Training a dog to be a Nazi: Entertainment
Training a child to be a Nazi: Needs to be looked into
Training a cat to be a Nazi: Death penalty

Everything needs context.

Euro Trip must be outlawed there

 

[DrGonzo615]

Oh yes I know. That's what he said at the start of the video.

BUT what if what he said at the start of the video wasn't true? And he really wanted to promote a racist agenda? But couldn't simply do that so used the whole dog and girlfriend story as an excuse?

Maybe I am looking too much into it...but I still ask that will your feelings for the video change if it were to somehow turn out that this guy was a racist?

Seriously? Even if he was trying to push a racist agenda, how the hell would a dog giving the nazi salute be an effective tool for this?

 

[studyguy]

I don't know what to say. Saw the video a while ago thought it was dumb, but I laughed.
Reminded me of my cousin who got his jack russel to roll over whenever he farted.

 

[Beerman462]

I don't know what to say. Saw the video a while ago thought it was dumb, but I laughed.
Reminded me of my cousin who got his jack russel to roll over whenever he farted.

Now that's comedy.

 

[TimeEffect]

It wouldn't maybe have been so bad if he taught it respond to "Heil Hitler" instead of "Gas the Jews"

 

[Audioboxer]

I don't know what to say. Saw the video a while ago thought it was dumb, but I laughed.
Reminded me of my cousin who got his jack russel to roll over whenever he farted.

 

[studyguy]

Now that's comedy.

That Jack Russel was super intelligent, it could do a ton of tricks but his lasting legacy to most of the family was still.... HEY CHEWIE pffffft and it rolls.