Should hate speech be protected under first ammendment??

[peggysue2]

15. Slippery Slope

We either have freedom of speech and freedom of assembly or we don't. As soon as we prohibit the expression of one group, regardless of how distasteful, we narrow the expression of all. That's the 'slippery slope' we wrestle with in a free society.

I think the better response is refusing to engage, refusing to give the nutwads the attention they crave. There was a KKK march several years ago, can't remember the city/town. But the citizenry banded together, stayed in their homes, drew their curtains and refused to acknowledge the offensive display. They denied the racists legitimacy and attention. For the KKK it was a bust. They marched with their costumes and signs and clenched fists but they marched in empty, silent streets.

Confrontation only fuels this fire and ultimately gives the haters exactly what they want. That's not to say we should ignore the groundswell of racist behavior or attitudes; it's real and a serious threat. Refusing to give the public haters a platform or spotlight (which is exactly what's going on today) is one way to ostracize and condemn the movement for what it is: grossly unAmerican.