Scotland's new (starts April 1st) hate law:
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2024/03/scotlands-hate-speech-act-and-abuse-of-process/
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100 years ago...
Bretschneider lapsed into silence and looked disappointedly round the empty pub.
‘Hallo, there used to be a picture of His Imperial Majesty hanging here once,’ he started up again after a while. ‘Just where the mirror hangs now.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ Palivec replied. ‘It did hang there, but the flies used to shit on it, so I put it away in the attic. You know, somebody might be so free as to pass a remark about it and then there could be unpleasantness. I don’t want that, do I?’
[…]
Bretschneider showed Palivec his eaglet, stared at him for a moment and then asked:
‘Are you married?’
‘I am.’
‘And can Madam carry on the business for you during your absence?’
‘She can.’
‘Then it’s all right, Mr Palivec,’ said Bretschneider gaily. ‘Call your wife here, give the business over to her, and in the evening we’ll come for you.’
‘Take it easy,’ Švejk consoled him. ‘I’m only going there for high treason.’
‘But what am I going for?’ moaned Palivec. ‘After all, I’ve been so careful.’
Bretschneider smiled and said triumphantly:
‘Because you said the flies shitted on His Imperial Majesty. They’ll certainly knock His Imperial Majesty out of your head there.’
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Jaroslav Hašek: The Good Soldier Švejk (1921)
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