On Escape Pod (the world’s best science fiction podcast) I found the following highly improbable tale: the UK Terrorism act of 2006 has made it possibly illegal to write speculative or historical fiction.
Section 1 of this Act targets the “glorification of terrorism”, meaning it can be illegal to show any kind of terrorist acts in a good light, past present or future, even in a work of fiction, if it can be judged to be “inciting” people.
So we can all go and throw out our bookshelves right away because if there is one thing authors love, it is glorification of terrorism.
For example: Nelson Mandela and the ANC; Guy Fawkes; Jesus Christ; resistance fighters during World War 2 – all these people were terrorists and (sorry for the PDF link…) glorifying them in the UK is now illegal.
And there’s no point saying that “That won’t happen – that’s not what the law is really for.” Because, as we all know, governments will ALWAYS use every law at their disposal, in the most literal way, whenever the hell it suits them. Just as they will similarly evade every law that applies to them if they don’t like it.
Governments are fucking bastards and politicians are mostly cowards in suits (or dresses, whichever you prefer). And new laws are almost never put in place to “project” us, only to protect them FROM us.
In Larry Niven’s book “Ringworld” he describes a cowardly alien race called the Puppeteers whose leader is openly referred to as “The Hindmost.” This is an honest description of the position taken by most modern “leaders”, who “lead” from way back behind the front lines, where it’s safe and warm, probably at a desk.
I suggest we apply this term to all of our “leaders” from now on. And I also suggest that you people charge to this site where you can purchase the SF anthology called “Glorifying Terrorism” and support the ongoing struggle to make us all work out for ourselves which of the following is an act of terrorism: “accidentally” bombing a market place in Afghanistan, or writing a story about a political uprising on Mars.
/ Paddy
Paddy K 
“Governments are fucking bastards and politicians are mostly cowards in suits (or dresses, whichever you prefer). And new laws are almost never put in place to “project” us, only to protect them FROM us.”
Oh no! Well, I’ll miss you when you’re being tortured in some anti-terrorist jailcell, Paddy. Speaking without a soupçon of sarcasm, I for one **LOVE** governments immensely and would never seek to blow up a parliament building with TNT, nor would I encourage others to, since TNT isn’t really effective enough anyways. In fact I would really really really really dislike it slightly if anyone blew up my local city hall. I would shed a big tear and feel sad for the rest of the hour.
Everyone should love government (if they know what’s good for them). It is a fact that governments are like our father (or perhaps mother or big brother) who love us and guide us to do things that we may at first feel are sick and immoral. We can feel the love of our governments through their oppressive taxation systems and lack of truly universal healthcare for anyone other than the rich. I hope you get rehabilitated soon, Paddy, and God bless governments.
Wow, I hadn’t heard anything of such a law. Do you have any news articles for those who are interested? I’m not from the UK obviously but this is troubling to read.
Glen: When they get me to name names, you’ll be the first one! Heh heh…
Ean: Just click the second link in the article! Honestly, don’t you people ever pay attention..?
I am not fond of thinking of governmental figures as leaders, and I don’t think they should think of themselves that way. They should act as representatives for the policies that the majority supports (in a perfect world).
Failing that, we can fall back on the online direct democracy you wrote about a few months ago :)
Paddy: “When they get me to name names, you’ll be the first one! Heh heh…”
Giggle, giggle. Don’t worry about me, Paddy. I’ve been stockpiling ammo for that special occasion… They’ll never take me alive! Teehee! :)
[…] here is a very scary piece of info about the leader of the free world (or, as I like to call him, the Hindmost). Apparently the provisions are in place in the US for a declaration of Martial Law. To quote the […]