"Hitler's autobiography Mein Kampf (My Struggle) remains banned in Germany. Even though public education in Germany is far better than in the US, with history being one of the most thoroughly-taught subjects, and the Nazi regime being thoroughly exposed as the evil that it was, a small minority will still flock to neo-fascist ideals. They will use everything they can as propaganda material. They will find followers - probably not many, but enough. People are being killed by those 'few' followers. Hate is being spread. A lot of harm has been done to Europe through politics of hate, wars have been started, millions and millions have been killed."
Hmmm...banning Mein Kampf hasn't stopped them?!? Maybe the Germans should ban more things...how many books do you think they will have to ban to eliminate fascist thought? Maybe if they legislate a few hurtful words out of the German language?
"Maybe you want to think about that next time you make fun of France banning Yahoo! nazi auctions. A lot of the stuff auctioned off could conceivably be worn by people burning down houses simply because they didn't like the skin colour of the people living in them."
I'm sorry, I fail to see the impact of the clothes worn by criminals while commiting a crime. By that same logic the US can solve it's inner-city gang problem simply by banning the sale of the types of clothes favored by urban gang members...perhaps if we forced them to wear suits and ties they'd all become businessmen instead of gangsters?
Actions are what should be punishable by law, not opinions, no matter what they may be. You claim that by making "hate speech" a criminal offense that more severe criminal acts will be prevented. When dealing with someone who will disregard the law (along with human decency - isn't that an oxymoron?) to commit violent acts, I doubt very much that making it a crime for such a person to voice their opinion will prevent them from doing so. If your argument is that while imprisoned for violating "hate speech" laws they will be unable to commit violent crimes, I can only assume that "hate speech" will be punishable by a life sentence or execution, as they will likely pick up where they left off upon release unless they are part of the small minority of prisoners that are actually rehabilitated by prison. Actually prison may be the wrong place to send the people - I'm sure there is plenty of real estate in the former Soviet Union (perhaps somewhere in Siberia...) that has already been recognized as a prime location for a reeducation camp - I'm sure it could be leased rather cheaply these days.
Slashdot Mirror
The sun will come up tomorrow morning...
"Hitler's autobiography Mein Kampf (My Struggle) remains banned in Germany. Even though public education in Germany is far better than in the US, with history being one of the most thoroughly-taught subjects, and the Nazi regime being thoroughly exposed as the evil that it was, a small minority will still flock to neo-fascist ideals. They will use everything they can as propaganda material. They will find followers - probably not many, but enough. People are being killed by those 'few' followers. Hate is being spread. A lot of harm has been done to Europe through politics of hate, wars have been started, millions and millions have been killed."
Hmmm...banning Mein Kampf hasn't stopped them?!? Maybe the Germans should ban more things...how many books do you think they will have to ban to eliminate fascist thought? Maybe if they legislate a few hurtful words out of the German language?
"Maybe you want to think about that next time you make fun of France banning Yahoo! nazi auctions. A lot of the stuff auctioned off could conceivably be worn by people burning down houses simply because they didn't like the skin colour of the people living in them."
I'm sorry, I fail to see the impact of the clothes worn by criminals while commiting a crime. By that same logic the US can solve it's inner-city gang problem simply by banning the sale of the types of clothes favored by urban gang members...perhaps if we forced them to wear suits and ties they'd all become businessmen instead of gangsters?
Actions are what should be punishable by law, not opinions, no matter what they may be. You claim that by making "hate speech" a criminal offense that more severe criminal acts will be prevented. When dealing with someone who will disregard the law (along with human decency - isn't that an oxymoron?) to commit violent acts, I doubt very much that making it a crime for such a person to voice their opinion will prevent them from doing so. If your argument is that while imprisoned for violating "hate speech" laws they will be unable to commit violent crimes, I can only assume that "hate speech" will be punishable by a life sentence or execution, as they will likely pick up where they left off upon release unless they are part of the small minority of prisoners that are actually rehabilitated by prison. Actually prison may be the wrong place to send the people - I'm sure there is plenty of real estate in the former Soviet Union (perhaps somewhere in Siberia...) that has already been recognized as a prime location for a reeducation camp - I'm sure it could be leased rather cheaply these days.