There's a lot of right-wing hate speech out there...

[Ardent15]

Should we allow them to continue to expose themselves as the bigoted, hateful piece of shit cowards they are, using logic and reason so that people "on the fence" will recognize the difference? Or, should we call for prosecutions of hate speech, like the kind Ann Coulter and Glenn Beck regularly serve up?

[ck4829]

1. The first one

A. Unless they're calling to kill someone, then you can't really prosecute them.

B. Prosecuting them would martyr them according to the fringe right

C. We can debunk them with groups such as Media Matters for America and People for the American Way, and have been doing so for quite some time

[ZombieHorde]

3. I agree. (+1) nt

[closeupready]

2. Oh, let's not take a stand. I'm tired. I need to sit down and rest a while.

:sarcasm:

[makeanoise]

4. Well....

"If we don't believe in freedom of speech for those we most despise, then we don't believe in it at all"
-----Noam Chomsky


I would have to agree...

[Posteritatis]

5. The last year's certainly brought out some of the authoritarian types on DU, hasn't it? (nt)

[makeanoise]

6. not sure but....

I understand how some people feel, I can't stand racists or just general stupidity...i would love for those hypocrites on the right to shut the hell up, but at the same time, it's nice to have examples to show others how NOT TO BE ;)

[Posteritatis]

8. Oh, I'd love for them to shut up too

I'd just draw the line at taking it to the point of wanting the power of the state to enforce my views or proscribe those of my political opponents. Their shutting up would be great, but my compelling them to would not be.

[jbnow]

7. I am guilty. Free speech protects abortion protesters and

those hateful protests at funerals and I think there should be a way to stop them or just move them much further away. I think think the right of people grieving to not have to deal with that crap is greater than the tight of phelps gang to be there yelling ugly things. I think people going to a site where abortions are given should not have to have people screaming in their face
On threads regarding these most defended the protests even thpugh they disagreed with them. I don't.

As far as hate media...well I am guilty there of accusation rush makes...about us wanting to have the Fairness Doctrine again. I do. The media has some responsibility and I don't think having to present controversial issues in an 'honest, equitable and balanced' way is anything but fair. It was around since 1949 for a reason until Reagan's FCC guy decided it violated free speech. republican presidents vetoed the many attempts by Congress to get it into law...well it is well past time.
Conservative crazy stations can still be conservative and crazy, it isn't about free rime.
fox news says they are 'fair and balanced', seems they are saying they would support it...if only the fair and balanced thing wasn't a big lie.
Does it violate the constitution to tell them they can't intentionally lie?
Then again...I am guilty.

Hate/smear media has changed things, studies have shown that. This ever growing problem of craziness being believed has no other real solution. We saw it really picking up steam during Clinton era and how it has grown today (sadly due in part to the bill passed during Clinton years)
It should never have been done away with.