General Discussion

Atman

(31,464 posts)

35. How many of these same people are FOR "hate crime" legislation?

Reply to Warren Stupidity (Original post)

Thu Jan 8, 2015, 10:12 AM

Jan 2015

Personally, I'm not one of them. A crime is a crime. You kill someone, it is a crime. You harass someone, it is a crime. There shouldn't be special categories of crime. On our three-hour car ride to visit family on Christmas, this subject came up. My son and I were pretty much in agreement that killing is killing. Killing, say, a cop, shouldn't be any more "special" than killing a teacher. Everyone's life is valuable, and when you carve out little niches for who is more worthy of protection, you degrade all of us. I was surprised to learn, after more than 30 years of marriage, that my wife didn't agree. People who kill cops deserve extra punishment.

Being a cartoonist who has received death threats for portraying George Bush in a bad light (yes, they were forwarded on to the proper authorities), I couldn't disagree more. I was shocked to learn my wife felt this way. You choose your job. You know the consequences. She used to work on a medical floor in nursing and got blood spilled on her, and all sorts of nastiness...she didn't get "hazard pay." She wasn't special.

I would not accept ANY legislation against free speech. Even for Fox "News." The best way to combat vile speech is to counter it with truth.

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Hate Speech should be forbidden. [View all] Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 OP

That's a great cartoon BeyondGeography Jan 2015 #1

There should be laws against inciting violence but not against offensive speech. Obviously, pampango Jan 2015 #2

"inciting violence" laws have been used to suppress legitimate political expression Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #4

"So if you think those laws are a good idea, please vote "yes"." No thank you. pampango Jan 2015 #8

There should not be a need for a law at all madokie Jan 2015 #3

So true - and that applies to the individual as well. NightOwwl Jan 2015 #16

Yup madokie Jan 2015 #22

I was really suprised at your response in another thread. NightOwwl Jan 2015 #38

NB that France has laws against "incitement to hatred". Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #5

Indeed they do. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #6

So do you want to use the French definition or is it also one you find makes no sense? Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #21

It was ruled "not hate speech but legitimate satire" by a court, in case you missed that part (n/t) Spider Jerusalem Jan 2015 #25

I think their law is horrible. But if you would like to use it as a model Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #48

That would be OK, but you would have to change the OP to cite the full French law. Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #49

Obviously.... sendero Jan 2015 #7

One man's hate speech is another man's bread and butter (Faux, Limbaugh, Beck, etc.). Vinca Jan 2015 #9

no because hate will defined by those in power dembotoz Jan 2015 #10

I can't answer the poll LWolf Jan 2015 #11

According to Google Translate el_bryanto Jan 2015 #13

Okay. LWolf Jan 2015 #14

OP used one of the mildest one, there are plenty more really gross ones...plenty.... Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #31

You just make up your own definition and vote on it...it is a free association poll...?? Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #20

He clarified that if you oppose speech designed to incite violence you should vote yes el_bryanto Jan 2015 #58

People who demand such things are inciting hatred and they should be sanctioned. Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2015 #12

Good op and worthy of discussion. NCTraveler Jan 2015 #15

Using ones words to establish a state of mind Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #32

I understand under current law that is the way it is. NCTraveler Jan 2015 #39

Ironic that this is being discussed at Democratic Underground. onehandle Jan 2015 #17

How do they control our free speech? What opinions are not allowed to be expressed at DU? el_bryanto Jan 2015 #19

I suspect he's complaining that his threads about guns are constantly getting locked GGJohn Jan 2015 #57

Link? Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #65

It's pinned right at the top of the GD forum. GGJohn Jan 2015 #68

What does freedom of speech have to do with du? NCTraveler Jan 2015 #40

Censorship and hidden posts because of rudeness at DU.....never have I heard of such a thing. Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #79

No shit. And some people think that has something to do with freedom of speech. NCTraveler Jan 2015 #80

Hate speech apparently is the most precious form of free speech for some folks. Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #81

True. NCTraveler Jan 2015 #82

The difference is, private websites like DU can set and enforce community standards. Nye Bevan Jan 2015 #45

What well organized faction of right-wing trolls are controlling our 'free speech'? GGJohn Jan 2015 #51

You can not find a definition of "hate speech" that makes any sense, so what are you polling? Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #18

I'm polling the sentiment expressed here that Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #33

With respect, without a definition of a poorly understood phrase, it is a push poll. Fred Sanders Jan 2015 #36

I can't believe this is even an issue Ron Obvious Jan 2015 #23

Actually, I think as it stands now, you DO 'have the right to say' Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #30

That's a boundary case... Ron Obvious Jan 2015 #52

Isn't that how it should be? Can't I say what I want to say? prayin4rain Jan 2015 #69

You think that's bad... Capt. Obvious Jan 2015 #24

I don't recall if it was comedy central or cartoon network, but Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #28

I think it's cartoon network Capt. Obvious Jan 2015 #29

There are laws against hate speech, aren't there? In specific circumstances? Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #26

"Hate speech" laws in the USA branford Jan 2015 #54

Thank you for the clarification. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jan 2015 #55

Similar issue to pornography and depictions (real or acted) of extreme violence. goldent Jan 2015 #27

Who is going to define what hate speech is? The government. No thank you dissentient Jan 2015 #34

How many of these same people are FOR "hate crime" legislation? Atman Jan 2015 #35

I have no problem with penalties for criminal acts that Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #37

Be specific. Atman Jan 2015 #41

Sure the laws have to be written correctly. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #42

What is a "hated class of person?" Atman Jan 2015 #46

Do you know the difference between trespassing and burglary jberryhill Jan 2015 #47

So why does the uniform you're wearing have a bearing on your death? Atman Jan 2015 #50

I'm not wearing a uniform jberryhill Jan 2015 #59

Thank you. Atman Jan 2015 #63

"I do understand where you're coming from" jberryhill Jan 2015 #71

At DU? Or generally jberryhill Jan 2015 #43

generally. Sorry thought that was clear. Warren Stupidity Jan 2015 #44

Oh, okay jberryhill Jan 2015 #61

what? NO! Amishman Jan 2015 #53

Most of the world does not believe in our notion of free speech. Quite the conundrum, isn't it? randome Jan 2015 #56

Who's going to define what is considered hate? mb999 Jan 2015 #60

I voted against laws for hate speech because like the author of this poll see the definition is too jwirr Jan 2015 #62

I don't need protection from words, any words, I need protection from people. bemildred Jan 2015 #64

It should be regulated. Orsino Jan 2015 #66

Well then - good to know we all agree on the same definition brooklynite Jan 2015 #77

Fuck No. Warren DeMontague Jan 2015 #67

The advocacy I see for 'hate speech laws' on DU seems intended to create anti blasphemy laws Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #70

Are you saying that racism, misogyny, and homophobia should be permitted? YoungDemCA Jan 2015 #72

Of course it should be permitted, while at the same time condemned. GGJohn Jan 2015 #74

Yes absolutely Man from Pickens Jan 2015 #76

It must be permitted LittleBlue Jan 2015 #78

No. While it is disgusting we must remember we have freedom of speech. hrmjustin Jan 2015 #73

Voted 'No' Rob H. Jan 2015 #75

Who needs butter? I've got plenty! Initech Jan 2015 #83