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OutNow

(877 posts)

16. What is "hate speech"?

Reply to Nye Bevan (Original post)

Thu Jan 2, 2014, 08:40 PM

Jan 2014

Obviously we can't outlaw hate speech because the definition of hate speech is almost totally left to the prosecuting party, i.e. whoever is the in charge of the government at the time.

We have far too many examples: from Eugene B. Debs, to H. Rap Brown, to William Kunstler who were tried (and in many cases convicted) solely for what they said. It was called treasonous speech, or inflammatory speech or contemptible speech. Using any legal modification of the 1rst Amendment to its advantage, a government would label all of these examples "hate speech". And they would imprison them. Don't think so? Just ask Lynn Stewart.

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40 replies

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Highlight:

Would you like to see the First Amendment modified so that "hate speech" could be banned? [View all] Nye Bevan Jan 2014 OP

there is no FUCK NO option. WTF? Warren Stupidity Jan 2014 #1

Leave the amendment alone! hrmjustin Jan 2014 #2

Being a civil libertarian means defending the right of speech you personally find offensive. Chan790 Jan 2014 #3

No way. NaturalHigh Jan 2014 #4

No Kaleva Jan 2014 #5

Who would define "hate speech? YarnAddict Jan 2014 #6

You prett much nailed it. Dissent would be branded hate. Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2014 #14

what yarn said. SCUBANOW Jan 2014 #38

NO! Hands off greytdemocrat Jan 2014 #7

What is "hate speech" to some may not be "hate speech" to others......... wandy Jan 2014 #8

Only if... FreeJoe Jan 2014 #9

Hell no LittleBlue Jan 2014 #10

Absolutely TheCowsCameHome Jan 2014 #11

No... but I am a small part of the FlushRush Campaign... Jasana Jan 2014 #12

Do you think Rush should be arrested and imprisoned or fined for his speech? Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #15

No. No arresting. No fining... Jasana Jan 2014 #22

My daughter is studying the politics course exboyfil Jan 2014 #13

What is "hate speech"? OutNow Jan 2014 #16

No. H2O Man Jan 2014 #17

no Liberal_in_LA Jan 2014 #18

IMO it's possible under current judicial interpretation of the first amendment struggle4progress Jan 2014 #19

Why stop there? Let's ban "hate thought", too. WillowTree Jan 2014 #20

Would you like to see the First Amendment modified so that public criticism of hate speech Zorra Jan 2014 #21

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jan 2014 #25

WTF? Then John Boehner and Mitch McConnell would be serving life without parole. Atman Jan 2014 #23

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jan 2014 #24

Free speech is offense as well as defense. Thanks. Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #30

I hate the term "hate speech", it is orwellian quinnox Jan 2014 #26

Not really. Turbineguy Jan 2014 #27

Straight-forward. Thank you. nt Eleanors38 Jan 2014 #28

Too slippery a slope. dballance Jan 2014 #29

No, elleng Jan 2014 #31

no 840high Jan 2014 #32

I think you got an unequivocal answer. n/t customerserviceguy Jan 2014 #33

Another Fuck No. n/t Skip Intro Jan 2014 #34

All speech I hate should be banned! n/t hughee99 Jan 2014 #35

Only the double plus ungood speech should be banned Dr. Strange Jan 2014 #36

Absolutely not MrScorpio Jan 2014 #37

I honestly can't believe that someone voted yes. NaturalHigh Jan 2014 #39

kick Nye Bevan Jan 2014 #40