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In reply to the discussion: Hate Speech should be forbidden. [View all]NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)That is understood by all. I am saying, if legislation was written properly, I could support making the motivation itself criminal during the commission of a violent crime. If a couple of guys are standing outside of what is know to be a gay bar, then assault an individual in the parking lot while making bigoted comments, I feel there should be an additional charge somehow related to hate speech that was the motivator behind the crime.
You simply stated the way current law works. Basic. "The criminal action is the crime not the expression of the motivation."
There are already laws on the books that actually take motivation into account. Terrorism for example. There are specific federal laws for terrorism. They aren't simply charged with multiple murders, they are also charged by the motivational forces behind there actions. Seems easy when it is directed at everyone, not so simple when it is directed at smaller groups.
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