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Hate Speech Laws

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anphanax:
ISP Fined $5000 For Hate Content
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/11/2046228&from=rss

Curious what people's opinion of this is.

Mine:
People should be able to express themselves non-violently (I don't consider words to be violence) regardless of their opinions, religious choice, sex, sexual orientation, politics, software choices, job, or age.

For instance, take Fred Phelps. I'm pretty sure everyone here is in strong disagreement with this man over a variety of his beliefs, but shouldn't he have the right to express himself? Hate speech laws are dangerous territory, and, in my opinion, scream to be abused (because people are corruptable, for one). Keep in mind, there's nothing that says you can't express your opinion of Mr. Phelps and his opinions.

If you're not convinced:
Although this isn't the best example, take web forums. If the wrong people are mods, and they don't like your opinions, they can simply delete them and censor you. Let's say so-and-so made up a lie about Mac OS X or Linux, and you "correct" them for it. Then your post gets deleted, and you're banned for trolling (even if you were very civil, avoided profanity, etc).

I don't want ever want to be in a situation, where I live in some sort of totalitarian government disguised as one "for the people", and if I speak out against it, I end up in jail for "anti-patriotic hate speech", "anti-government hate speech", etc.

mobrien_12:
I find it very disturbing that an ISP can be fined for content hosted on it.  I also find it very disturbing that this ISP would host that content in question.

This isn't just a question of simple nonviolent free speech.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2006/03/11/1482485-sun.html


--- Quote ---
In the ruling, ex-Londoner James Scott Richardson was fined $1,000 for several Internet postings, including one calling for attacks on Jewish and Muslim agencies, temples and residences.

--- End quote ---


That's a whole different matter.  If you are actively calling for violent attacks, you are no longer in the realm of nonviolent speech.

piratePenguin:
I wonder what this means for Google.....

Probably nothing since they're not Canadian. But would they be in trouble if they were?

mobrien_12:

--- Quote from: piratePenguin ---I wonder what this means for Google.....

Probably nothing since they're not Canadian. But would they be in trouble if they were?
--- End quote ---


Why?  Does Google host material inciting violence against ethnic groups?

piratePenguin:

--- Quote from: mobrien_12 ---Why?  Does Google host material inciting violence against ethnic groups?
--- End quote ---
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:oBeCfu9b_0gJ:www.kkk.com/+kkk&hl=en&gl=it&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox

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