Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sat 15th Dec 2012 19:11 UTC
"Peers and scientists including Professor Stephen Hawking are once again pushing for an official pardon for codebreaker Alan Turing. Turing's death from cyanide poisoning in 1954 was ruled a suicide, coming after his conviction for gross indecency at a time when homosexuality was illegal." The fact that he still hasn't been pardoned is an utter disgrace.
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Member since:2007-02-18
"You see it as "half measure". I see it as "the beginning".
But then why is the petition not "Pardon Turing and everyone else" (like, I dunno, Oscar Wilde?)? Like it or not, this gives the impression that Turing is the only one who deserves a pardon. "
Because it's "the beginning".
Read my previous comment about "all or nothing" rhetoric. It may give you a certain impression, but it doesn't give me that impression at all.
Turing saved more lives than Wilde, so as a public relations thing, the anti-gay movement cannot really oppose pardoning a war hero.
Once Turing gets in the door, then the increased spotlight on the irrational hatred of gays will make it easier to get those other pardoned.
All or nothing approaches tend towards the latter. Let's be more pragmatic about this.
Member since:2011-01-28
I think both sides of this debate are right. 
The state should step up and officially admit its wrongdoings, but celebrities will inevitably get more attention even to the point of detracting from others deserving equal attention. That's reality; most individuals can never be recognised.
Some will be ok allowing a celebrity to represent the others, while others will feel slighted by that.
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Member since:
2005-08-18
But then why is the petition not "Pardon Turing and everyone else" (like, I dunno, Oscar Wilde?)? Like it or not, this gives the impression that Turing is the only one who deserves a pardon.