Do we hav the right not to be upset?

[jake-the-peg]

Should it be an arrestable offense to post an image on facebook that upsets people?

[chrisgel]

Khandro - I have been a victim many times. If someone says they don't like me I get upset. If someone says they don't agree with me I could be offended. The point is that it's not physical harm and it doesn't last. Does a photograph hurt me? Does it have any meaningful effect on my life? No of course it doesn't.

[bluebird34]

And I would, and have said, the same thing today.

[Khandro]

chrisgel/tomking; Perhaps you are in the envious position of not having had enough tragic life experiences that could be used maliciously against you, Images can be just as bad as words. Somethings can't always simply be 'shrugged off'.

[chrisgel]

Khandro - I am assuming from what he has said that Tomking is of a similar age range to me. (I apologise if not). I am in my 60's and have experienced plenty of tragedy and pain thank you. It is probably because of this that I take the stance that I do. If I were to get wound up every time someone upset or offended me I probably would have worried myself into the grave long ago. Perhaps the original question is a bit confusing as it's in 2 parts which don't necessarily produce the same answer.. You can't have a right not to be upset. Life upsets us on a daily basis. It could be an arrestable offence to post images that upset or offend if those images broke a law (Pornography for example). Obviously that would depend on both content and intention.

[Khandro]

chrisgel; Yes I agree that you do not have RIGHT not be be upset, which is the question, but the thread broadened out. Some people may find it easier to cast aside malicious activities than others, and as I said previously, images can be very powerful; sending a Jewish person who had lost their family in the holocaust a picture of a swastika, for example, would not be an easy thing to simply 'shrug off', unfortunately such things happen.

[chrisgel]

Khandro - Absolutely agree with you on that point. However, there are laws in place to deal with such blatant provocation. What I am opposed to is the stealthy creep and mis-application of the law that stifles free speech. For example in the case of the poppy burning photograph. If, for example, that was done as an anti-war protest then I would be fine with that personally. If it was a deliberate attempt to insult our war dead then I wouldn't. As I stated it depends on the context. Peace and thanks for you comments.