The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux)

[scaeagles]

Or, better yet (well, not better, but a better scenario) - how about a sign that said "Eat pork 4 Muhammed" or "If your Islamic, hug a Jew" or "God hates homosexuality"? If those signs were hung by someone in the same spot as the sign in question, should they be taken down because they are considered to be offensive or "hate speech"?

I believe that most everyone has a point at which they believe free speech ends. There are exceptions, of course, but I would figure a huge majority of the citizenry has a beaking point where something crosses their imaginary line and should not be allowed to be displayed in public.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Or, better yet (well, not better, but a better scenario) - how about a sign that said "Eat pork 4 Muhammed" or "If your Islamic, hug a Jew" or "God hates homosexuality?

I think the problem here is that we're so scared of letting natural consequences take hold. If you want to hold up the sign, fine by me, but I just might help beat your ass up. Instead, our society wants to stop people from dealing directly with each other on things like this, and wants the government to either do their own version of beating up the sign holder, or punish anyone who beats them up because saying things that piss people off is protected.

IMHO, people just don't understand that freedom is a two way street. You should be free to say stupid things, I should be free to react. When any authority gets involved, it destroys natural human interaction.

[Alex]

Well, if you beat someone up because of something a sign says then I hope you enjoy the time in jail.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Alex

Well, if you beat someone up because of something a sign says then I hope you enjoy the time in jail.

That's what I'm trying to say - if something like that went to court and you said "look, the guy was saying that God hates me because I'm gay, so I kicked his ass", the court should, in my obviously out of favor opinion, rule that "hey, that guy was being an asshole and had it coming to him."

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

That's what I'm trying to say - if something like that went to court and you said "look, the guy was saying that God hates me because I'm gay, so I kicked his ass", the court should, in my obviously out of favor opinion, rule that "hey, that guy was being an asshole and had it coming to him."

You seriously think that inflicting bodily injury on someone else shouldn't be punished?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

That's what I'm trying to say - if something like that went to court and you said "look, the guy was saying that God hates me because I'm gay, so I kicked his ass", the court should, in my obviously out of favor opinion, rule that "hey, that guy was being an asshole and had it coming to him."

Interesting view. Who gets to decide which expressed points of view are worth an ass kicking?

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

When any authority gets involved, it destroys natural human interaction.

I gather you'd take most sex offenses off the books.