The US should probably consider banning hate speech like the rest of the free world.

[AngryFrenchCanadian]

Mind you, I think there is a process in Canada, where you can attempt to prove in front of a court that what could be considered hateful speech shouldn't be (and as such shouldn't be censored). I'm not 100% sure about this, as I am not a lawyer, but I'm fairly certain that's one way it works here.

I don't know if it's the best analogy, here, but you could say that just like pornography isn't protected under the first amendment of the US, hateful speech isn't considered to be part of free speech under Canadian laws.

I'm not sure it's THAT hard to distinguish between speech that encourages violence and discrimination and actual free speech that should be used by people to express their opinions (hatred against other human beings isn't a valid opinion, in my humble opinion).

Just my two cents.

 

[Commissar Sae]

I like the oxymoron in your title.

But it's true. The US is the only first world country (and I don't think there are even any second world countries where it's legal) where hate speech is legal.

Umm...
Look up oxymoron...

I didn't say that it wasn't an oxymoron.

Then your quoting me is pointless. Because I clearly dont care how many other countries have laws against hate speech, its still wrong.

My point in saying it was, the rest of the free world is still free despite not permitting people to be racist/sexist/homophobic/etc douches. Not being able to call people " are all going to hell and blah blah blah" isn't going to lower your quality of life, and will raise quality of life for others, even if it's only by a minuscule amount.

Not free according to my definition. Not being able to speak for myself and my ideals is exactly what I don't consider free.

There is no proof that it would raise the quality of life whatsoever. There is no evidence of that.

My average quality of life is raised knowing that I don't have to deal with the WBC or neo-nazis holding rallies in the street outside my house. Also the fact that I can press charges against people for inciting racial hatred and genocide is a nice perk.

Remember guys, hate speech isn't just disagreeing or unwanted speech, its speech that actively promotes hatred for a certain group and advocates harm done to them. Hypothetically saying you think Homosexuality is wrong isn't hate speech, saying all gays should be executed or thrown in prison is.

Also no one is actually totally free. The whole point of society is that there are certain agreed upon boundaries that we do not cross, and that crossing this boundaries is against our agreed upon laws.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Sticks and stones will break my bones. The Westboro Baptist Church are allowed to be as verbally horrible as they like because smart people will recognize it as the blind, harmless ignorance that it is. They aren't allowed to actually hurt anyone, so what's the problem?

Besides, who actually gets to define "hate speech"? That's a bit of a slippery slope, isn't it? No, best to keep total free speech, and just accept that not all of what you get is going to be worth listening to.

 

[Reggie Rock]

I hate how most people seem to want complete and total freedom of speech. If i went into the middle of a pre-school, starting yelling "****" at the top of my lungs and was made to stop, was my freedom of speech being infringed?

Freedom of speech is the freedom to SAY whatever you want. But it is not the freedom to say if whereever you want, to whoever you please and however you please. I can say bad things about people/groups, but i can't say bad things about people/groups with the clear intent of causing emotional distress to that person/group.

 

[senordesol]

I hate how most people seem to want complete and total freedom of speech. If i went into the middle of a pre-school, starting yelling "****" at the top of my lungs and was made to stop, was my freedom of speech being infringed?

Freedom of speech is the freedom to SAY whatever you want. But it is not the freedom to say if whereever you want, to whoever you please and however you please. I can say bad things about people/groups, but i can't say bad things about people/groups with the clear intent of causing emotional distress to that person/group.

You wouldn't be arrested for yelling '****'. And there be the key.

The question of freedom of speech here is whether the tools of the WBC be arrested for what they have to say. I've yet to hear any reason why they should other than 'they hurt my feelings'.

Now we can regulate (and have_ just how far away they have to be from the funeral proceedings in order to exercise their right to free speech, but so long as they aren't inciting panic, violence, or a crime; they can and should be allowed to preach their message until their voices are hoarse.

 

[Filiecs]

I am quite amazed at all the people here believing that they have a right to not be offended and have the accepting of THEIR view enforced by law. The fact of the matter is, in order for it to be counted as a crime the hate speech needs to be harsh enough and prolonged enough that the emotional response of the target actually causes harmful chemical changes in the body. (It can and does happen with prolonged harassment)
If simple hate speech (like the anti-gay pro-murder protests) was against the law I could say that pretty much anything you say is hate speech towards me and take you to court. I'd probably fail the case but nonetheless you would have to go to court.

Also, "common sense" should never be used to punish another individual as it (just like "being offended") is subjective. Personally, I think that "common sense" should be used to lessen punishments, not hand them out.
If you are going to give people a subjective right then you have to take into consideration the amount of times that it will be used to punish an innocent.

 

[tthor]

I think that something in the world should be in place to help people at least have the option to avoid hearing speech that offends them when other people are doing their best to shove speech that offends them in their face all the time.

its called earplugs.