Ben Coates
@bencoates1.bsky.social
Author - 'THE INVENTION OF AMSTERDAM' out now! (https://amzn.to/2QJx3bh). Writer, aid worker, speechwriter, recovering Tory. Columnist @ADnl; articles NYT, Telegraph, New Statesman, Groene Amsterdammer etc. Buy my new book, it’s good!
I think my views are clear. You don’t have to share them, of course. But if you find it lame then it’s probably not worth spending more time on. Have a nice day!
November 20, 2025 at 9:32 AM
I think my views are clear. You don’t have to share them, of course. But if you find it lame then it’s probably not worth spending more time on. Have a nice day!
Yes. Criticize them, condemn them, deselect them, don’t vote for them. But arrest them? For making a fake picture of Frans in handcuffs? Really?
November 19, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Yes. Criticize them, condemn them, deselect them, don’t vote for them. But arrest them? For making a fake picture of Frans in handcuffs? Really?
No. Saying meme-makers should not be prosecuted is not normalizing genuine hate crimes. It’s just keeping a sense of proportion.
November 19, 2025 at 9:35 PM
No. Saying meme-makers should not be prosecuted is not normalizing genuine hate crimes. It’s just keeping a sense of proportion.
I do not underestimate the impact of death threats. I’m just not sure making a meme should be prosecutable
November 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I do not underestimate the impact of death threats. I’m just not sure making a meme should be prosecutable
The question is not “is this ok to do?”
It’s “should the police be involved, and people potentially go to jail for it?”
I’d say no to the first question, and no to the second
It’s “should the police be involved, and people potentially go to jail for it?”
I’d say no to the first question, and no to the second
November 19, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The question is not “is this ok to do?”
It’s “should the police be involved, and people potentially go to jail for it?”
I’d say no to the first question, and no to the second
It’s “should the police be involved, and people potentially go to jail for it?”
I’d say no to the first question, and no to the second
as I understand it the GL complaint relates specifically to the content about Timmermans.
But even if that weren’t the case: the question is, should non-violent political memes be prosecutable? I think not.
But even if that weren’t the case: the question is, should non-violent political memes be prosecutable? I think not.
November 19, 2025 at 7:07 PM
as I understand it the GL complaint relates specifically to the content about Timmermans.
But even if that weren’t the case: the question is, should non-violent political memes be prosecutable? I think not.
But even if that weren’t the case: the question is, should non-violent political memes be prosecutable? I think not.
And what if a GroenLinks campaigner says something about Wilders which Wilders thinks demonizes him, and could make his opponents angry? You can see the problem here?
November 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
And what if a GroenLinks campaigner says something about Wilders which Wilders thinks demonizes him, and could make his opponents angry? You can see the problem here?
I think I’d own up. But I doubt it’s relevant. The question is: should sharing non-violent political memes be prosecutable?
I think no.
Some others think yes.
That’s fine - but I don’t think my position is particularly offensive or absurd
I think no.
Some others think yes.
That’s fine - but I don’t think my position is particularly offensive or absurd
November 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I think I’d own up. But I doubt it’s relevant. The question is: should sharing non-violent political memes be prosecutable?
I think no.
Some others think yes.
That’s fine - but I don’t think my position is particularly offensive or absurd
I think no.
Some others think yes.
That’s fine - but I don’t think my position is particularly offensive or absurd
If everyone is now liable for the unpleasant comments which other people place under your posts, then we are all in big trouble
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
If everyone is now liable for the unpleasant comments which other people place under your posts, then we are all in big trouble
Oke. Ik vind jouw mening dom
a man in a suit and tie says we are basically twins
ALT: a man in a suit and tie says we are basically twins
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Oke. Ik vind jouw mening dom
I don’t think I see the distinction.
Creating AI images of a politician in handcuffs is dumb and could undermine democracy. A bad idea, especially if you’re a politician yourself. But also not necessarily a serious crime or threat, whenever the politician. Exaggerating the damage helps no one.
Creating AI images of a politician in handcuffs is dumb and could undermine democracy. A bad idea, especially if you’re a politician yourself. But also not necessarily a serious crime or threat, whenever the politician. Exaggerating the damage helps no one.
November 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I don’t think I see the distinction.
Creating AI images of a politician in handcuffs is dumb and could undermine democracy. A bad idea, especially if you’re a politician yourself. But also not necessarily a serious crime or threat, whenever the politician. Exaggerating the damage helps no one.
Creating AI images of a politician in handcuffs is dumb and could undermine democracy. A bad idea, especially if you’re a politician yourself. But also not necessarily a serious crime or threat, whenever the politician. Exaggerating the damage helps no one.
ja ja, iedereen met een andere mening is dom 👍
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
ja ja, iedereen met een andere mening is dom 👍
I can’t help but think that if I posted an AI image of Wilders or Trump in handcuffs, GroenLinks members would not be calling for my prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I can’t help but think that if I posted an AI image of Wilders or Trump in handcuffs, GroenLinks members would not be calling for my prosecution
Yes, they deserve to be called out for it, and hopefully lose their seats. But call the police? Come on.
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Yes, they deserve to be called out for it, and hopefully lose their seats. But call the police? Come on.
I thought someone would say this, actually, but I do not have a better word
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I thought someone would say this, actually, but I do not have a better word
They made AI pictures of him in handcuffs. It’s a bad thing to do and they deserved to be called out for it. But a major scandal? A threat to his life? Nah.
November 19, 2025 at 5:43 PM
They made AI pictures of him in handcuffs. It’s a bad thing to do and they deserved to be called out for it. But a major scandal? A threat to his life? Nah.