Shhhh, Just In Case
Free speech is guaranteed under the 1978 Constitution in Spain. However, completely free speech can sometimes be a thorn to those in power. Hence, the conservative Partido Popular passed a law a few years ago to limit certain extremes. The libel laws were also reinforced. What was once easily said and brushed off in public now has to limit itself to the private sphere, which does not include social media.
A rapper from Mallorca has recently been condemned to three and a half years in prison for singing and uploading a song to the internet where he criticizes the monarchy. In the song, which is of a mediocre quality and never would have been given publicity outside his circle if it weren't for the courtroom, he does mention he can't wait for when he can enter Marivent (the royal family's summer palace in Mallorca) with a Kalashnikov. He does not, however, at any moment actually threaten the former king (the one mentioned in the song) nor any of the royal family in so many words. Yet he has been found guilty of terrorism and insults to the Crown. It would have been interesting if Bruce Springsteen had been Spanish and composed in Spanish. His song, "Jack of All Trades" would also have sent him to prison here. He does mention, after all, "If I had me a gun, I'd find the bastards and shoot 'em on sight," in reference to the high-rolling bankers that brought about the profound economic crisis. But, since he sings in English, few here can decipher his lyrics. Certainly none in the judiciary.
One must also be careful what they write on Twitter and Facebook. A college student has been accused of defaming a victim of terrorism. It happens that the victim died in 1973 and was the historical figure, Luis Carrero Blanco. He was an admiral, Franco's right-hand man, and chosen successor. ETA planted a car bomb and the car with its occupants was blown to roof height one Sunday morning. The explosives used by ETA happened to come from an American military base. The college student merely made the joke, "Kissinger sold Carrero Blanco a piece of the moon, and ETA paid for his trip there." Similar jokes appeared in a joke book from the 1980's. Yet, the student is now facing two and a half years prison, three years parole, and eight years of inability to work in a public capacity. She is studying history and aspires to become a teacher in public schools. This would effectively derail her plans. Even Carrero Blanco's granddaughter considers it excessive, and has long ago assumed her grandfather's role as a historic personage not everyone agrees with.
And then we hear about sentences that sound like a joke. For stealing millions of euros through "black" credit cards that were like a blank check on the funds of Bankia, a bank that needed the injection of millions of euros by the government to keep it afloat, the most prison time any of the condemned ex-directors and board members will see is six years. The sister of the King, Cristina, accused along with her husband and others of defrauding millions from public coffers, was found innocent, and she will only have to pay a fine of just over two hundred thousand euros. Her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín, condemned to six years of prison and a fine of five hundred thousand euros, can continue to live in Geneva with his family while he waits for the appeal. Almost everybody believes he will never see the inside of a jail cell.
Equality of justice? Free speech? That is soooo 1970's. How old-fashioned can you get?
A rapper from Mallorca has recently been condemned to three and a half years in prison for singing and uploading a song to the internet where he criticizes the monarchy. In the song, which is of a mediocre quality and never would have been given publicity outside his circle if it weren't for the courtroom, he does mention he can't wait for when he can enter Marivent (the royal family's summer palace in Mallorca) with a Kalashnikov. He does not, however, at any moment actually threaten the former king (the one mentioned in the song) nor any of the royal family in so many words. Yet he has been found guilty of terrorism and insults to the Crown. It would have been interesting if Bruce Springsteen had been Spanish and composed in Spanish. His song, "Jack of All Trades" would also have sent him to prison here. He does mention, after all, "If I had me a gun, I'd find the bastards and shoot 'em on sight," in reference to the high-rolling bankers that brought about the profound economic crisis. But, since he sings in English, few here can decipher his lyrics. Certainly none in the judiciary.
One must also be careful what they write on Twitter and Facebook. A college student has been accused of defaming a victim of terrorism. It happens that the victim died in 1973 and was the historical figure, Luis Carrero Blanco. He was an admiral, Franco's right-hand man, and chosen successor. ETA planted a car bomb and the car with its occupants was blown to roof height one Sunday morning. The explosives used by ETA happened to come from an American military base. The college student merely made the joke, "Kissinger sold Carrero Blanco a piece of the moon, and ETA paid for his trip there." Similar jokes appeared in a joke book from the 1980's. Yet, the student is now facing two and a half years prison, three years parole, and eight years of inability to work in a public capacity. She is studying history and aspires to become a teacher in public schools. This would effectively derail her plans. Even Carrero Blanco's granddaughter considers it excessive, and has long ago assumed her grandfather's role as a historic personage not everyone agrees with.
And then we hear about sentences that sound like a joke. For stealing millions of euros through "black" credit cards that were like a blank check on the funds of Bankia, a bank that needed the injection of millions of euros by the government to keep it afloat, the most prison time any of the condemned ex-directors and board members will see is six years. The sister of the King, Cristina, accused along with her husband and others of defrauding millions from public coffers, was found innocent, and she will only have to pay a fine of just over two hundred thousand euros. Her husband, Iñaki Urdangarín, condemned to six years of prison and a fine of five hundred thousand euros, can continue to live in Geneva with his family while he waits for the appeal. Almost everybody believes he will never see the inside of a jail cell.
Equality of justice? Free speech? That is soooo 1970's. How old-fashioned can you get?
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