Free speech

[CXRAndy]

If you think JK Rowling has come out of the Trans debate smelling of roses then I think you're being wilfully naive. Unlike Graham Linehan however she has a billion quid in the bank to ameliorate some of the backlash she's suffered because of her views on the subject.

She's probably even more famous, her latest book went to the top of charts in sales, so can't be too affected by it.

 

[Shortfall]

The meaning was pretty clear. And who would assume that a famous and successful TV producer/writer wasn't wealthy enough to defend himself in court?

I don't know what his bank balance was like but we can probably assume it was reasonably healthy BEFORE he lost his ability to earn a living in the industry he was previously so successful in and BEFORE he had to fight multiple court cases and BEFORE all this contributed to his divorce. If anybody is interested there's a Linehan interview about it all currently available on the Heretics podcast.

 

[Ian H]

I don't know what his bank balance was like but we can probably assume it was reasonably healthy BEFORE he lost his ability to earn a living in the industry he was previously so successful in and BEFORE he had to fight multiple court cases and BEFORE all this contributed to his divorce. If anybody is interested there's a Linehan interview about it all currently available on the Heretics podcast.

Don't tell me: none of it was his fault.

 

[AuroraSaab]

Showbiz people often aren't as wealthy as you might expect. I think Charlie Higson said his pay check for The Fast Show from BBC iplayer was £400 a quarter. Linehan has had a recent best selling book which will have refilled the coffers a bit.

 

[Shortfall]

Don't tell me: none of it was his fault.

Why don't you listen to the Heretics podcast and hear his version of events? There's also a long form interview on the Joe Rogan Podcast. From what I can make out he's paid a very heavy price for stating biological facts and defending women's rights, or at least that's what he says. I'm happy to hear the other side of the argument if there is one but surely the point here is that whilst he had the freedom to say these things, in practice it has led to his absolute ruination and years of legal wrangling ending recently with his arrest by armed police officers, which is not exactly the sort of thing you expect in a free country.

 

[Shortfall]

Showbiz people often aren't as wealthy as you might expect. I think Charlie Higson said his pay check for The Fast Show from BBC iplayer was £400 a quarter. Linehan has had a recent best selling book which will have refilled the coffers a bit.

This. ^^^^^^^


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/c...raham-linehan-comedy-trans-finances-marriage/

Paywalled but easy to avoid by tweaking javascript

 

[matticus]

This. ^^^^^^^


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/c...raham-linehan-comedy-trans-finances-marriage/

Paywalled but easy to avoid by tweaking javascript

OMG - he wrote Count Arthur Strong. I might have to comment on this in the "Changing your mind" thread!

 

[Ian H]

Why don't you listen to the Heretics podcast and hear his version of events? There's also a long form interview on the Joe Rogan Podcast. From what I can make out he's paid a very heavy price for stating biological facts and defending women's rights, or at least that's what he says. I'm happy to hear the other side of the argument if there is one but surely the point here is that whilst he had the freedom to say these things, in practice it has led to his absolute ruination and years of legal wrangling ending recently with his arrest by armed police officers, which is not exactly the sort of thing you expect in a free country.

He was arrested by police at the airport. The police there are always armed, they did not deploy any weapons (but I suppose it makes a good story). His 'ruination' was for harassment and doxing. If he'd stuck merely to speaking 'robustly', as did Rowling, he'd have been fine.

 

[Rusty Nails]

He was arrested by police at the airport. The police there are always armed, they did not deploy any weapons (but I suppose it makes a good story). His 'ruination' was for harassment and doxing. If he'd stuck merely to speaking 'robustly', as did Rowling, he'd have been fine.

If you were arrested at an airport for shoplifting you’d probably be arrested by armed police

 

[Rusty Nails]

which is not exactly the sort of thing you expect in a free country.

What exactly is a free country?

We have laws and legal restrictions so all freedom is within limits.

 

[AuroraSaab]

They would have his address. The alleged offences didn't really merit 5 cops meeting the plane.

 

[Shortfall]

What exactly is a free country?

We have laws and legal restrictions so all freedom is within limits.

I don't know if there's an internationally agreed definition of what is a free country but I think Aurora's post above covers this particular situation.

 

[CXRAndy]

They would have his address. The alleged offences didn't really merit 5 cops meeting the plane.

Publicity stunt.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Publicity stunt.

He must have a good PR team. Look at the publicity he got.

 

[AuroraSaab]

I'm not sure the Met Police allow comedy writers the indulgence of choreographing their own arrest. More like activist influence. Result was the Streisand effect though and more highlighting of the ridiculousness of some police forces in dealing with such matters.