“People can only be punished in accordance with the law”. If that is a principle not many are enforcing it, e..g all those people who lose their jobs because things they are *accused* of doing, or that they say, in the West. Do they have any legal recourse?
Nice article, though it was 4 years ago and things seem to have gotten a lot worse. Is there any progress on the legal front in AU, UK or US? Maybe the implosion of twitter will solve this partially?
Another excellent read Katy. Also, a proposal that has been floated is a 90 day gap between the day of incident happening and social media mobbing. It is during this period that people may lose jobs for "wrongspeak"- not sure how this would work in terms of judicial processes (for example, will the defendant be charged - if yes, then when?) but it is a fair suggestion to let the media outrage die and then take a cool headed approach to events.
Agree very strongly @Justin. Cool heads must prevail. Sometimes someone will lose their job (like the cop who was supposed to be looking after Ethics and was abusing people anonymously). But it must be done in a cool fashion and not in outrage.
“People can only be punished in accordance with the law”. If that is a principle not many are enforcing it, e..g all those people who lose their jobs because things they are *accused* of doing, or that they say, in the West. Do they have any legal recourse?
Excellent point, and why I have stood against people being summarily dismissed in the context of social media mobs. Currently there is no legal recourse, because the law has not caught up to the social media age, but I think there can and should be, for precisely the reasons you outline. I have publicly argued for it here: https://archive.md/0d5mP/again?url=https://quillette.com/2018/07/28/inducing-peoples-employers-to-fire-them-should-be-a-civil-wrong/
Nice article, though it was 4 years ago and things seem to have gotten a lot worse. Is there any progress on the legal front in AU, UK or US? Maybe the implosion of twitter will solve this partially?
I hope so. Twitter is custom made for this kind of mobbing. I don’t see any progress yet, but in the right case… maybe.
Another excellent read Katy. Also, a proposal that has been floated is a 90 day gap between the day of incident happening and social media mobbing. It is during this period that people may lose jobs for "wrongspeak"- not sure how this would work in terms of judicial processes (for example, will the defendant be charged - if yes, then when?) but it is a fair suggestion to let the media outrage die and then take a cool headed approach to events.
Agree very strongly @Justin. Cool heads must prevail. Sometimes someone will lose their job (like the cop who was supposed to be looking after Ethics and was abusing people anonymously). But it must be done in a cool fashion and not in outrage.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemöller
This.
And then we get into the abuse of Red notices through Interpol. I trust DFAT is doing something.
It is.
⚖️🇺🇸 “The Judges Who Stood Tall”
In a land where the laws form the spine of the land,
Where the Constitution’s words still proudly stand,
There’s a group you don’t see on the news every night—
But they guard every freedom, each liberty right.
They’re the Article III judges, appointed for life,
Who steady the nation when times turn to strife.
From District Court benches to Circuits above,
They interpret the law with a duty they love.
In the District Courts buzzing from coast into coast,
Where trials unfold and where justice means most,
These judges see facts with a calm, steady eye—
No spin, no big speeches, no political cry.
They hear every case, both the quiet and loud,
They’re shields for the vulnerable, strong, and unbowed.
Through storms of confusion, they stand in the breach,
Making rulings that echo what founders would teach.
Then up on the Circuits—thirteen in the sky—
Sit the guardians who question the “how” and the “why.”
In panels of three they review and they weigh
What District Courts ruled on the trial day.
They study the statutes, the rights, and the facts,
Ensuring the law keeps its promise intact.
And when leaders abuse or attempt to mislead,
The Circuit steps in with scholarly speed.
Through Trump’s heavy schemes that bent truth out of frame,
These judges said “No” to unlawful gain.
They blocked violations, they halted the wrong,
They proved our republic is vibrant and strong.
They strengthened our rights with decisions so wise,
Protecting free press, sacred votes, and our ties.
They stood firm as guardians when chaos would rise—
Truth steady and shining
in their constitutional eyes.
So here’s to the judges who honored the laws,
Who stood for the people, not power or applause.
Their courage and clarity lit up the night,
Protecting our freedoms
and keeping us right.
🦅 #ThankYouJudges | #ProtectTheConstitution | #GrandmasForDemocracy | #RuleOfLaw 💙❤️