Freedom of speech and newbie names

Yoda

There's a Newbie called "Deathtobertie" and I suggested in a "report this thread to a moderator" that this name is really inappropriate. I also mentioned it to the Newbie, who has just written and thanked me and said "I'll call myself whatever I wish, thank you very much for your comment."

I don't like Bertie and wouldn't ever vote for him, but this nickname is offensive, and is probably illegal, and actionable, in a public forum. Would the moderators care to comment on this?

TwoShedsJackson

I somehow doubt it's illegal. Anyway isn't 'Yoda' a character copyrighted by George Lucas? Could be opening yourself up to a nasty lawsuit with your trademark infringement there.

Shinji

Death to Yoda!

(And also; here, have a nice big bag of SHUT UP.)

The_Bullman

Deathtobertie does sound like a dodgy name for a user. but i have a feeling that this person will not be around for long. Maybe a quick fixation with changing from newbie onwards but that should be it i guess.

Mr.Applepie

Originally posted by Shinji
(And also; here, have a nice big bag of SHUT UP.)

You seem to be handing out these "bags of SHUT UP" on a regular basis now shinji which seems strange. Ever think it could be you that needs a bag?

amp

You assume "Bertie" to be something which it may not be. I'm not a lawyer (or a dentist) but I'd say it'd only be actionable if the nick was deathtobertieaherncurrentleaderoffiannafail. And even if that length of name was allowed it could most likely be argued that it's a parody.

Lastly, we look to real-life(tm) for some clues. Again I'm fairly sure it would be possible to change my name to Deathtobertie by deed poll if I so wished.

Keep riding towards those windm^H^H^H^H^H^H giants, there,Don Yoda.

gandalf

If he wants to call him/herself that then fair play.

As long as the username is not a profanity then it should be OK.

Gandalf.

bombidol

I reckon the names alright, we arent a facist regime here a bit of free thinking is alright, as opposed to "Everyone must like me"

lol:D at the bag of shut up thing!
"Why dont i get you a spoon so you can eat my Ass!"

bomb

SheroN

a little rhyme out of gandalf.......poetry in motion...

Yoda

It seems to me that the incitement-to-hatred regs probably would not recognize the amusement factor of names like "death-to-Bertie" any more than they would recognize the suitability of names like "death-to-fags" or "death-to-Jews". "Fair play" to him, Gandalf? It seems to me that a death threat, however much "in jest" is far more profane than the use of a four-letter word. RTÉ broadcasts films using those words all the time. Boards writers aren't allowed to use them, which is fair enough, I take it to be a decorum-control (easily subverted by using accented vowels). But this case isn't funny, and I am surprised to see support for it amongst any of the mods.

Boston

what about death to eircom

The Sweeper

I have a better idea, what about death to Bos....

noeeeeee... must..... reseeeeeeeeest.......

GoneShootin

deathtobertie isnt too bad name, as bertie in itself is vague.

but i would have a prob with deathtobertieahern, or something more specific like that.

just because we associate bertie to bertie ahern doesnt mean that everyone would

azezil

Originally posted by Gone Shootin
deathtobertie isnt too bad name, as bertie in itself is vague.

but i would have a prob with deathtobertieahern, or something more specific like that.

just because we associate bertie to bertie ahern doesnt mean that everyone would

what he said

sceptre

The name is borderline acceptable imho.

If the name was "deathtojews" it would obviously be totally unacceptable as an obvious example of hate speech.

"deathtobertie" could be almost any Bertie granted; however judging by where the guy is posting it's more than likely the Bertie we all know and, er, have an opinion on.

Judging by his posts he seems more interested in electoral death than anything else.

Inspector Gadget

Originally posted by Gone Shootin
deathtobertie isnt too bad name, as bertie in itself is vague.

but i would have a prob with deathtobertieahern, or something more specific like that.

just because we associate bertie to bertie ahern doesnt mean that everyone would

I second this. If it were more specific, then perhaps it should be taken more seriously, but "bertie" on its own is extremely vague. After all, he may just have a thing about liquorice allsorts...

Gadget
P.S.> In case I've just confused some people,

Trebor Bassett had a character device they used selling Liquorice Allsorts called "Bertie Bassett". I'm only trying to show that there's no way of knowing who or what the "bertie" in question actually is...