Quote Originally Posted by El Kabong View Post
Perhaps you don't fully grasp the idea of free speech. The deal is you can say what you want so long as it's not like yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. Being able to hit/punch/kick/strike a person is not "free speech". People are entitled to their rights until they violate someone else's and striking someone no matter how much of a dirtbag they are when it comes to free speech is against the law and rightfully so as people can get offended at the slightest of things. You've got to look big picture when talking about rights...if we allow someone to harm the person wearing the shirt in question we start down a slippery slope and where does it end? How can you validate who's properly offended enough to be allowed to react violently?
@El Kabong, I did not equate hitting or punching somebody with free speech... and if you would kindly go back and reread my post, you will clearly see that I did not. I am perfectly aware of what "free speech" entails. I'm merely saying that how ironic and how upsetting that, in our society, I can wear a hateful T-shirt saying how glad I am that a policewoman (or man) was blown away, and be protected by freedom of expression laws. But if a grieving relative of that victim were to punch me for doing that, he can be incarcerated for assault. That's all.


Quote Originally Posted by Greenbeanz View Post
Hate Speech is often a precursor to violence as the troubles in Ireland and Race riots in London have taught us, and so laws have long been in place to protect the individual from having their rights violated by hateful incitement that causes harm both physical and mental. You can not elevate the supposed right of one person to express hatred and incite violence against an individual or group whilst ignoring the targeted group or individuals right to exist and carry out their duties/day to day activities in a way that they do not feel threatened, intimidated or discriminated against. Hate Speech laws have also ensured that Racial, Homophobic and Disability based persecution has often been nipped in the bud before violence has occurred.


Incitement to violence is unlawful in the UK and the guys T-shirt could quite clearly be seen as advocating that in a court of law. Do we really want a society in which anything goes and an individuals freedom extends to promoting (after all that is what a t-shirt and a website advocating killing cops is worn for) the extinction of others?
@Greenbeanz, I like the Hate Speech laws as you've described them. Some purists may see it as undermining what is commonly known as freedom of expression... but I also think that laws need to include the leeway, provisions, loopholes... whatever anyone wants to call them... to exclude violence-inciting expression. As a matter of fact, as with other things, maybe this is one of those areas where the U.S. could consider, compare... and maybe enact some similar laws.