General Discussion

randome

(34,845 posts)

110. Hateful speech is even more difficult to restrict, I think.

Fri Jan 16, 2015, 11:38 AM

Jan 2015

Everyone has the right to be angry. I think it's easier to restrict speech that has an actual chance of inciting people to violence or to commit other illegal acts.

Europe has laws against Holocaust denial. (I don't think America does, does it?)

I'm not at all trying to 'defend' language designed to harm someone or some group. But I also think it's a long game we play, 'allowing' such hateful speech while at the same time, society starts to move away from it.

It's similar to how I treat my daughters. If I were to strictly forbid certain things, they would be likely to harden their stance against me and seek out the very behaviors I try to warn them against.

Is there a similar dynamic to allow hate speech until it withers away of its own accord? I don't know.
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DU relentlessly mocks those whose ideas we disagree with [View all] oberliner Jan 2015 OP

It's not nice to point out their hypocrisy to the hypocrites Lurks Often Jan 2015 #1

...^ that 840high Jan 2015 #127

lol I just posted damn near the same thing. PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #2

You've made some very good points in response to those threads oberliner Jan 2015 #64

Same to you. PeaceNikki Jan 2015 #82

It is never an easy line to draw between free speech and criticism. Never. randome Jan 2015 #3

Yes. NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #6

So a NAMBLA magazine in grocery store aisles is okay? randome Jan 2015 #14

IIRC, Pedophilia is a crime. riqster Jan 2015 #23

Sure it's a crime. But is talking about it a crime? No, it's not. randome Jan 2015 #29

Grocery stores are not required to stock particular magazines oberliner Jan 2015 #75

I agree nt WhiteTara Jan 2015 #88

Of course not. NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #87

NAMBLA bills itself as a political and civil rights organization. randome Jan 2015 #123

An organization dedicated to pedophilia... NaturalHigh Jan 2015 #124

From what I can find, there's very little of the organization left. randome Jan 2015 #126

You mean the North American Marlon Brando smirkymonkey Jan 2015 #167

Legally, I think it should be okay, but I wouldn't blame customers for being very upset. ZombieHorde Jan 2015 #151

Yes and yes melman Jan 2015 #7

It's not an easy line to draw. randome Jan 2015 #13

"Absolutely!" and "Damned Straight!!" eom MohRokTah Jan 2015 #8

Yes. distantearlywarning Jan 2015 #9

I didn't choose the right examples, that's for sure. randome Jan 2015 #22

..."a child being eaten..." Tanuki Jan 2015 #12

A cartoon showing a child being eaten muriel_volestrangler Jan 2015 #19

I suppose I was thinking of something more gory. randome Jan 2015 #21

that cartoon is pretty hardcore. modeled after goya (saturn eating his children) only uglier. ND-Dem Jan 2015 #169

Have you seen 'The Walking Dead'? Do you think that should be banned? Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #25

I'm not out to ban anything, just pointing out we already have restrictions on absolute speech. randome Jan 2015 #31

And here I am again wondering why you refuse to comment on the denigrating language religion Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #56

Hateful speech is even more difficult to restrict, I think. randome Jan 2015 #110

But it seems easy for you to propose limits to artistic or political expression that are 'offensive' Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #117

It's entirely possible that I don't see the issue clearly without walking in your shoes. randome Jan 2015 #118

Making fun of other ideologies oberliner Jan 2015 #59

We are free (or more free). But France is not. randome Jan 2015 #121

I don't know that we are oberliner Jan 2015 #135

That isn't necessarily an issue of free speech, though. randome Jan 2015 #141

Good point oberliner Jan 2015 #146

The same thing applies for why movies and TV rarely discuss abortion. randome Jan 2015 #156

Sad that these terrorists have so much power oberliner Jan 2015 #158

Yes The Green Manalishi Jan 2015 #63

Need to add one to your list. jeff47 Jan 2015 #114

Disagree vehemently randys1 Jan 2015 #129

To Me RobinA Jan 2015 #139

There is something to be said for peer pressure and societal disapproval. randome Jan 2015 #142

But...but...Olive Garden! TheManInTheMac Jan 2015 #4

And the pit bulls who breastfeed there. riqster Jan 2015 #27

I am a fan of their breadsticks oberliner Jan 2015 #60

I don't think the mockery is necessarily a good thing Enrique Jan 2015 #5

How is the Saudi Kingdom 'powerless'? Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #28

I have zero problem with mocking the theocrats Enrique Jan 2015 #148

The poking is of Islam... MellowDem Jan 2015 #144

K&R DeSwiss Jan 2015 #10

+1 Cosmic Kitten Jan 2015 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author Rex Jan 2015 #37

Perhaps part of that is the nature TBF Jan 2015 #11

Republicans Are Not "Open" To Anything StevePaulson Jan 2015 #43

Well it doesn't make a lick of sense to mock those you agree with! rock Jan 2015 #15

This is in response to certain posts I've read recently oberliner Jan 2015 #34

If you offend me by telling me a fairy story rock Jan 2015 #66

Agreed oberliner Jan 2015 #67

Well done! rock Jan 2015 #84

Tough The Green Manalishi Jan 2015 #74

What do you think of the publication of an obscene cartoon depicted Mohammed? oberliner Jan 2015 #76

People find it tough to make a logical argument treestar Jan 2015 #89

Yes, it does . . . hatrack Jan 2015 #16

Pedantic Nonsense ProfessorGAC Jan 2015 #17

Indeed! Political Correctness redux Cosmic Kitten Jan 2015 #26

Not sure how you mean that oberliner Jan 2015 #90

You're kidding, right? gregcrawford Jan 2015 #18

I was responding to some posts I've read recently oberliner Jan 2015 #36

For Conservatives StevePaulson Jan 2015 #47

Perfect! freebrew Jan 2015 #49

Should religious philosophies be open to the same mockery? oberliner Jan 2015 #92

The hypocrisy is astounding. joshcryer Jan 2015 #20

"other ideologies" StevePaulson Jan 2015 #30

"Republicans are a disease" oberliner Jan 2015 #42

I Would Be Absolutely Comfortable StevePaulson Jan 2015 #53

You have become that which you profess to hate. Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2015 #83

Nope StevePaulson Jan 2015 #101

You imagine yourself to be infallible. Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2015 #138

Wow, you need some wax for that cross? Rex Jan 2015 #32

Who was hurt by seeing the Charlie Hebdo cartoons? oberliner Jan 2015 #38

That's not what the title of your thread says. Rex Jan 2015 #40

Hopefully you were able to read beyond the title oberliner Jan 2015 #44

Sorry then I think we both agree and I didn't get your point at all. Rex Jan 2015 #48

I may not have done enough to make it clear oberliner Jan 2015 #55

I am too. I really don't understand how people can be for free speech Rex Jan 2015 #65

Well put oberliner Jan 2015 #68

"Religion" Is Mostly Evil StevePaulson Jan 2015 #58

I have a wide scope when it comes to ridicule. Religion is just one of them. Rex Jan 2015 #70

Those seeing everything as "good" or "evil" whathehell Jan 2015 #125

I Am Morally Superior StevePaulson Jan 2015 #80

I dont even know where to start with those comments in the OP randys1 Jan 2015 #133

I must be dense - does this mean we are not supposed to mock rurallib Jan 2015 #33

This came in response to posts I've read arguing that we shouldn't mock religions oberliner Jan 2015 #39

Well I am still confused which is what talk about religion usually does to me rurallib Jan 2015 #51

That is probably my fault for being vague oberliner Jan 2015 #57

Me too. Confused. SOS... tblue Jan 2015 #104

Many of the same posters wanting to protect religion did the same for Rick Warren and other Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #35

Great points oberliner Jan 2015 #93

It may come down to posting links to those who denigrated LGBT people for objecting to insults Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #119

The lack of self-awareness would be hilarious if it weren't so galling Prism Jan 2015 #41

This is one of the more insightful posts on this topic I have read distantearlywarning Jan 2015 #61

Yep Prism Jan 2015 #78

Agreed oberliner Jan 2015 #94

There are a couple of things in your analogy with which I'd take issue. whathehell Jan 2015 #45

Thanks for sharing that oberliner Jan 2015 #52

Reagan Was A Monster StevePaulson Jan 2015 #72

Every word you posted here is absolute fact. randys1 Jan 2015 #134

"Religion is a personal thing if someone keeps it personal" whathehell Jan 2015 #81

Agreed oberliner Jan 2015 #86

In terms of people who claim a faith but reject the doctrines in their own lives, that is not a good Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #54

They don't just reject it in "their own lives". They reject it for others as well. whathehell Jan 2015 #69

Gee, even Francis openly supports the 'March For Life' and the RCC is one of the leading anti gay Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #85

Does Orthodox Judaism, Evangelical Christianity or Islam support gay rights? whathehell Jan 2015 #96

I point out the hypocrisy in all of those faiths. Evangelicals in particular. Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #102

"I want rights equal to your own"...You mean mine as a female, LOL? whathehell Jan 2015 #113

Why on Earth would you accsue me of 'hating you' when all I am doing is speaking up for my own Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #116

OMG, okay, so you don't hate me, that's good, whathehell Jan 2015 #120

Wow. Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #131

Wow. whathehell Jan 2015 #140

OR, those who do not support everything about their church, synagogue or temple, could be working sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #161

Mockery should be saved for Republicans IMO treestar Jan 2015 #46

The opposite in not allowed you say? Prove it. Rex Jan 2015 #50

This is a problem, the trashing of a large section of the DNC, the Third Way runs as Democrats, work Thinkingabout Jan 2015 #62

And so will liberals that continuously get trashed by centrists. Rex Jan 2015 #77

Apparently you don't know, I am not libertarian, why are you doing this? Are you proud of the Thinkingabout Jan 2015 #99

Why did you purposely ignore my post and just type whatever you wanted to? Rex Jan 2015 #100

Do you know what you posted? Thinkingabout Jan 2015 #111

Why are you lying about the Third Way not being a libertarian think tank? Just out and out dishonest Rex Jan 2015 #160

I do know what I am talking about ergo why are you lying. I say you sound like a libertarian. Thinkingabout Jan 2015 #162

I've never seen the Third Way "merely discussed." treestar Jan 2015 #91

SO then you will quit with the firebagger stuff? Yeah didn't think so. Rex Jan 2015 #105

I don't use it at all myself treestar Jan 2015 #106

Nonsense, show me one post that was hidden for using firebagger etc.. Rex Jan 2015 #107

That's a very self serving attack on DU. I could if you'd like link to posts by you that take Bluenorthwest Jan 2015 #79

What about right-wing religious ideologies? oberliner Jan 2015 #95

Yes. I'm usually ready to laugh treestar Jan 2015 #109

As we draw closer to world environmental collapse randr Jan 2015 #71

yep and there is a correlation Duppers Jan 2015 #128

Our survival may depend on removing them from the gene pool randr Jan 2015 #132

This message was self-deleted by its author Duppers Jan 2015 #150

Demonizing the other guy is a built in response pscot Jan 2015 #73

When is it disagreement, and when is it propaganda? Shamash Jan 2015 #97

"Republicans and conservatives are routinely called names." Starry Messenger Jan 2015 #98

Being an underclass in Western society ought not to make your ideology immune to criticism oberliner Jan 2015 #137

"No one is saying no one has a right to make fun of anything they want" Starry Messenger Jan 2015 #149

"What's being asked is what is being served by making fun of cultures ...." oberliner Jan 2015 #152

Is that true of the culture of France? Starry Messenger Jan 2015 #166

To hell with their feelings! MynameisBlarney Jan 2015 #103

There's a big difference between respecting someone's beliefs and ... vlyons Jan 2015 #108

This type of response is what fuels Republicans in their delusions of superiority. gordianot Jan 2015 #112

I don't have the time to be relentless Demonaut Jan 2015 #115

So when "family values experts" like Mike Huckabee display breathtaking ignorance on the subject... Initech Jan 2015 #122

I don't think that's the point of the OP PersonNumber503602 Jan 2015 #153

big k & r Duppers Jan 2015 #130

This is true but, I don't think we are presenting our Best Selves when do this. We do it from a Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2015 #136

You've been listening to too much Moody Blues. randome Jan 2015 #143

lol ... guilty as charged. Tuesday Afternoon Jan 2015 #145

You make an excellent point... MellowDem Jan 2015 #147

Thanks oberliner Jan 2015 #157

agreed Skittles Jan 2015 #168

Criticizing and mockery are two different things and one of them sometimes can have sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #154

"But mocking ordinary people who are not public figures, simply doesn't achieve anything. " oberliner Jan 2015 #155

Did it change his mind? That would be the test of whether all the mockery worked. Unless we are sabrina 1 Jan 2015 #159

The question should be, "did it change OTHER people's minds?" progressoid Jan 2015 #165

This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc Jan 2015 #163

Some Democrats support torture and some Republicans don't oberliner Jan 2015 #164