Democrats persistently call for the U.S. to adopt European-style policies, whether on socialistic healthcare, super green-friendly climate change, a lavish welfare state, or draconian gun control.
They draw the line at abortion, however. That’s because almost all of Europe is more conservative on that issue than even Florida, Mississippi, or Texas.
But a recent incident in Britain should be enough for Republicans, and even some moderates, to offer a hard no to importing bad ideas from across the Atlantic. In this case, it was an arrest – caused by a meme.
According to an Epoch Times report from Friday, police showed up at the home of a British army veteran in Basingstoke, England, to haul him away.
His crime, according to the Times, was posting on Facebook “an image of the transgender flag which was mocked up to look like a swastika.”
Someone complained about the post and the suspect refused to pay for and attend what he dubbed a “reeducation” class.
In explaining why they were arresting him on a count of “malicious communications,” according to a video of the incident, a police officer told the suspect, “Someone has been caused anxiety based on your social media post. And that is why you’re being arrested.”
Causing “anxiety” can now get you arrested in Britain.
But filming such a crackdown can also get you hauled away. Laurence Fox, a British actor and political activist who videoed the suspect’s encounter with police, was also arrested. His offense was obstructing an officer, according to the Evening Standard, a British paper.
Believe sincerely that Democrats would impose something similar here, if they thought they could get away with it.
The irony is that the cops proved the meme right.
Someone in or supportive of the LGBTQ movement complained and – voila! – the cops were at his door to take the insensitive offender into custody.
Yet Donna Jones, the regional police commissioner over the cops in question, was not thrilled with the optics of her department in action.
“I am concerned about both the proportionality and necessity of the police’s response to this incident,” she told the Evening Standard.
“When incidents on social media receive not one but two visits from police officers, but burglaries and non-domestic break-ins don’t always get a police response, something is wrong.”
“As police commissioner, I am committed to ensuring Hampshire Constabulary serves the public as the majority of people would expect,” she added. “It appears on this occasion this has not happened.”
In a statement, Hampshire Constabulary, the department in question, defended the cops.
But suffice to say, it doesn’t help their cause.
“It is important to say that our officers come to work every day to protect the public,” the department said. “They were acting in good faith after being deployed to investigate the report of an offensive image being shared online.”
Again, ponder that comment: It’s a crime to offend someone online in Britain.
The department added that the suspect was released and no further action will be taken. If so, what was the point of the arrest?
Fox was also released, but the investigation into his role was ongoing, the department added.
In the news: Pelosi Is Expected To Visit Taiwan For An Overnight Stay
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