Twitter is in revolt after Paul Chambers yesterday lost his appeal against a conviction for sending a menacing electronic communication.
Chambers sent the following tweet publicly over the social networking website:
“Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!”
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This flippant and foolish comment has so far cost Chambers his job, a £1,000 fine and given him a criminal record, which he had hoped his appeal would remove. Judge Jacqueline Davies, however, upheld the judgement, calling Chambers an “unimpressive witness” and declaring that he “could not be unaware of the possible consequences.”
She also claimed that: “Any ordinary person reading this would see it in that way and be alarmed.”
If Judge Davies is to be believed, then, ordinary people would do well to steer clear of Twitter for the next few days, as thousands of Twitter users have copied Chambers’ offending tweet, with the hashtag #IAmSpartacus.
Twitter is currently very alarming, with new tweets appearing every minute threatening to blow up South Yorkshire’s main airport.
In Spartacus, those who cried out in solidarity with the slave leader faced crucifixion too. Thankfully, these brave tweeters face no such threat. Chambers was charged with sending a “menacing” message. The menace is apparently lost when thousands of people copy it, however, and thus no law has been broken. Robin Hood Airport is safe for now.