Seriously though, I do want expose the fact that Mr Soini is full of hot air. He is yet to actually do anything about the far-right element in his party, despite claiming that he is against the ideology that they promote!

I agree his claims about not tolerating racism sound hollow. I just can’t support law initiatives I really do not want to become laws. Clear inciting of hatred must be illegal and punished, but sentences should not be out of the line what the law states for other crimes. Erring to the side of freedom of speech is preferable, as words can be fought with words, but labelling people criminals for their opinions, however stupid they may be, is a way to tyranny.

Whilst there is a danger of there becoming a Finnish version of Breivik, we also run the risk of breeding the Timothy McVeigh type also.

There are some xenophobes out there who may feel like they are being “robbed” of their rights as citizens if the state stops one of their ilk from standing for office. Sadly this could even be enough to push one of these sick individuals over the edge!

One cannot seriously think that Mr Soini would support such an initiative–this was supposed to be taken as ironic. I guess I missed the mark!?! Sorry.

Seriously though, I do want expose the fact that Mr Soini is full of hot air. He is yet to actually do anything about the far-right element in his party, despite claiming that he is against the ideology that they promote!

I believe that there is little public support among Finland’s electorate for the Eerola, Halla-aho, Hirvisaari and Immonen-types of the PS party. Backing for the most racist element of this party (i.e., the fascist element) is limited to a small group of sick and dangerous persons.*

These persons are the real threat to Finland NOT a few newcomers who seek to create a better life for themselves and their families!

* Today our new president took office. I would like to inform President Niinistö that his claim during the election campaigns was quite wrong. The far-right do pose a threat to Finland. If a sick individual like Anders Behring Breivik can commit an attack in Norway, what is stopping a similar individual from carrying one out here?

It’s all a question of perspective and who is the victim. That is why I consider it quite funny when a white Finn claims there is no racism in Finland.

I would like to see our elected representatives pass a law forbidding anybody convicted of a hate crime (including hate speech) from holding public office.

All systems that can be abused, will be, and that sounds like an open invitation to abuse. Hate crimes are very much an interpretation issue, so some people would try their best to use the law as a weapon against their enemies. I prefer having a system that allows some toilet wall writings to one that creates an atmosphere of fear to express opinions.

I know that people voted for the PS in last April’s elections, but I wonder how many people knew about their backgrounds?

The massive support for Timo Soini enables people like this to get in on his ticket. This is a flaw in our electoral system.

I would like to see our elected representatives pass a law forbidding anybody convicted of a hate crime (including hate speech) from holding public office. Perhaps we should start lobbying for such legal changes?

If Mr Sioini is really against racism, perhaps he could actually show that he is by publicly backing such an initiative?

Soini has said on numerous occasions that he is against hate speech because it turns against the culprit in the end. Soini forgot to mention that it will turn against him and the PS.