A reader (in today’s General Debate) has drawn my attention to a NZPA article in today’s Dominion wherein Ken Ring appears to make a serious allegation against National government Minister Nick Smith and John Key advisor Peter Gluckman. According to the article, Ring has stated-
“I’ve been virtually told by [ACC minister] Dr Nick Smith and Sir Peter Gluckman [the prime minister’s scientific advisor] that I’m not qualified to put statements out about earthquakes. They will have me legally if I do that. “Until they reverse that, I’m completely bound to silence. I don’t want to go to jail. They said it was like calling out fire in a crowded theatre and that’s against the law — it’s called the riot act, and inciting riot.”
If this is true, this is a gross invasion by a Government Minister upon the rights of a citizen to speak out. Neither Nick Smith nor his advisor Gluckman have any power to make such threats against NZ citizens, and there should be an inquiry into what appears to be a serious breach of authority and Ken Ring’s civil rights. If Ring’s claims are true, Smith and Gluckman should resign for what appears to be an attempt to abuse government power to bully Ken Ring into silence.
TrueblueNZ 
11 responses to “Silenced Ken Ring Claims Nick Smith Threatened Him with Legal Action”
How silly is Ken….. that sort of lack of understanding of the legal system will get you bluffed every time, matey.
Relax Ken, say what you want on the matter.
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Riiiight, so only those “qualified” according to Nick Smith (and therefore the government) can submit an opinion?
No doubt if I, as a Christian, were to quote [Matthew 24:7] “there shall … earthquakes, in divers places” I can expect much the same threats from Nick Smith or another agent of the government.
These totalitarian thugs make me sick!
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Crusader Rabbit will publish anything Ken Ring has to say, and damn the slimy bastard Nick Smith. I’m trying to find a contact email addy to get in touch with Ken to let him know.
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[…] TrueblueNZ: ‘A reader (in today’s General Debate) has drawn my attention to a NZPA article in […]
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Doesn’t the Bill of Rights cover these situations. We really need a constitution.
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KG – Let us know when you have contact, there may be other ways to help this guy. Completely apart from the value of his predictions, he must have the absolute and unmitigated right to say whatever he wants to say. Note that the famous “shouting fire in a theatre” analogy, which no doubt will be trotted out, is NOT a legitimate restriction on free speech because it might cause panic, but should be restricted because it interferes with property rights and contractual rights.
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“Note that the famous “shouting fire in a theatre” analogy, which no doubt will be trotted out, is NOT a legitimate restriction on free speech because it might cause panic, but should be restricted because it interferes with property rights and contractual rights.”
Quite correct, but its a false analogy anyway. Its attempting to compare a fake panic alert with the right to criticise government. Just bullshit, and as soon as I hear anyone using that analogy, I know they’re either simpletons or frauds. (and that’s why its such a frequent argumentative tool of the left)
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Oh the irony! A person who is supposedly unqualified to talk about earthquakes, and is making comment, is being threatened by two persons, who similarly are unqualified in climate science, and who are themselves are putting out statements about climate change.
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Damn good point Mawm. Two ignorami spieling propaganda far worse than anything Ken Ring might come up with.
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Read the article with disbelief .I am sure Ken is genuinely concerned as this type of behaviour is alien to him.
He is only doing what he thinks is in the interest of learning and understanding what makes the world tick.
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Using the same logic we should jail the global warming alarms. They are doing real harm.
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