4 ms·

> And if I call a sexual pose that includes extreme bending over and complete submission "The Merkel" will I be prosecuted under German law too? That is a risk

> And if I call a sexual pose that includes extreme bending over and complete submission "The Merkel" will I be prosecuted under German law too? That is a risk I am willing to take. Nah. Certain types of political satire in Germany are pretty much a contact sport. You'll see much cruder and more direct imagery on carnival floats, for example [1, 2, 3]. Warning: several images may be NSFW and/or cannot be unseen. [1] http://www.dw.com/en/the-political-side-of-carnival/a-16589663 http://www.dw.com/en/the-political-side-of-carnival/a-165896... [2] http://www.ibtimes.com/rose-monday-german-carnival-mocks-politicians-satirical-parade-floats-photos-709650 http://www.ibtimes.com/rose-monday-german-carnival-mocks-pol... [3] http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-epa04107803-a-political-theme-float-with-an-oversize-figure-depicting-67304248.html http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-epa04107803-a-political-the...

spriggan3 11y ago
> Nah. Certain types of political satire in Germany are pretty much a contact sport. It doesn't mean you can't get sued by the German state for these. Actually i'm pretty sure you can. You couldn't in US (be sued by the federal state for that). That's the difference between actual freedom of speech (USA) and some vague tolerance that could change anytime (Europe). As a french, I can go to prison if I insult the president publicly, a state prosecutor can sue me for that, that's not freedom of speech. Now is it likely ? no, but the risk is enough so that most people don't even attempt to do that, that's the vague tolerance I'm talking about.
- rbehrends 11y ago
  If the state really wants to screw you over, there are plenty of ways to do that regardless. "Disorderly conduct" has been used as an ad hoc speech suppression mechanism even in the US plenty of times; it may not hold up in court, but by that time you've got an arrest record, a mug shot, and have spent a night in jail. And often enough, it results in convictions [1]. Don't get me wrong, the German laws against insults are all kinds of silly, but abusive government officials all over the world have long since figured out that asking forgiveness rather than permission gives them a lot of leeway regardless of how permissive the laws are. [1] http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/her-cop-cussing-ruled-fighting-words-not-free-speech http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/her-cop-cussing-ruled-fi...

spriggan3 11y ago

> Nah. Certain types of political satire in Germany are pretty much a contact sport. It doesn't mean you can't get sued by the German state for these. Actually i'm pretty sure you can. You couldn't in US (be sued by the federal state for that). That's the difference between actual freedom of speech (USA) and some vague tolerance that could change anytime (Europe). As a french, I can go to prison if I insult the president publicly, a state prosecutor can sue me for that, that's not freedom of speech. Now is it likely ? no, but the risk is enough so that most people don't even attempt to do that, that's the vague tolerance I'm talking about.

rbehrends 11y ago
If the state really wants to screw you over, there are plenty of ways to do that regardless. "Disorderly conduct" has been used as an ad hoc speech suppression mechanism even in the US plenty of times; it may not hold up in court, but by that time you've got an arrest record, a mug shot, and have spent a night in jail. And often enough, it results in convictions [1]. Don't get me wrong, the German laws against insults are all kinds of silly, but abusive government officials all over the world have long since figured out that asking forgiveness rather than permission gives them a lot of leeway regardless of how permissive the laws are. [1] http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/her-cop-cussing-ruled-fighting-words-not-free-speech http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/her-cop-cussing-ruled-fi...