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Name one country that has similar laws. I very literally know of no other country. Britain, Canada, the EU and Japan all have Hate Speech laws. Hate speech law

by mhurron 10y ago

Name one country that has similar laws. I very literally know of no other country. Britain, Canada, the EU and Japan all have Hate Speech laws. Hate speech laws are laws restricting speech for being nothing more than speech.

deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
serge2k 10y ago
The US accepts limitations on free speech as well.
- briandear 10y ago
  Only when that speech creates an imminent threat of harm. Not simply because of an idea being expressed.
- mahranch 10y ago
  I hate this statement because it usually means the person making it doesn't know very much about free speech laws. As another user points out, the limits placed on our free speech are all directly related to actions that can harm other people. Like yelling fire in a crowded theater. That can/will result in a stampede which will hurt or even kill other people. It isn't limiting what you're saying because it's some dislike political opinion, it's limiting what you can say so you don't kill people. There's a huge, huge difference.
  - serge2k 10y ago
    and there is a huge difference between not having free speech and having "reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society".
    - mahranch 10y ago
      Well, except for the fact that you're attempting to lump the U.S in with countries like Germany who have what you describe. The U.S has "more free" speech. In Germany, you can't deny the holocaust. That isn't preventing harm, it's trying to stop a political statement. I'm no holocaust denier but I feel that if someone wants to parade their ignorance, they should be allowed. It makes idiots easier to identify. Most other countries have similar limits on free speech. The U.S limits aren't of political origins, but actual physical safety. And I think that makes a world of difference.
      - serge2k 10y ago
        What harm does obscenity cause? What about laws like the Communism Control Act?
        mahranch 10y ago
        > obscenity The U.S doesn't enforce most of its obscenity clauses. With the exception of Child pornography, etc... And if you're asking what harm does that cause, well, it harms the kid getting sexually abused. Most of the obscenity laws are related to minors. Either in the the consumption of pornography or production. > Communism Control Act What about it? It's irrelevant here. In fact, anything that hasn't been challenged in the supreme court is irrelevant because the supreme court is the law of the land, not local, city or state governments. Per wikipedia: "the Supreme Court of the United States has not ruled on the act's constitutionality. Despite that, no administration has tried to enforce it. The provisions of the act "outlawing" the party have not been repealed. Nevertheless, the Communist Party of the USA continues to exist in the 21st century." It's quite obvious which way they'd rule if it were to be challenged, as even lower courts in NY ruled against it in the 70s. And I think that's the most important thing here; In germany, for example, you can't challenge their free speech law regarding the holocaust. It's set in stone. In the U.S, unless the supreme court has ruled on it, it is not set in stone. And the supreme court of the U.S has an incredibly good track record when it comes to defending our freedoms. Sure, it's laid a couple stinkers here and there, but 99% of the time, its ruling is favorable towards those who value freedom, liberty and independence. It's kept us from fascism and helped keep us from turning into a theocracy.

by mhurron 10y ago

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

serge2k 10y ago

The US accepts limitations on free speech as well.

briandear 10y ago
Only when that speech creates an imminent threat of harm. Not simply because of an idea being expressed.
mahranch 10y ago
I hate this statement because it usually means the person making it doesn't know very much about free speech laws. As another user points out, the limits placed on our free speech are all directly related to actions that can harm other people. Like yelling fire in a crowded theater. That can/will result in a stampede which will hurt or even kill other people. It isn't limiting what you're saying because it's some dislike political opinion, it's limiting what you can say so you don't kill people. There's a huge, huge difference.
- serge2k 10y ago
  and there is a huge difference between not having free speech and having "reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society".
  - mahranch 10y ago
    Well, except for the fact that you're attempting to lump the U.S in with countries like Germany who have what you describe. The U.S has "more free" speech. In Germany, you can't deny the holocaust. That isn't preventing harm, it's trying to stop a political statement. I'm no holocaust denier but I feel that if someone wants to parade their ignorance, they should be allowed. It makes idiots easier to identify. Most other countries have similar limits on free speech. The U.S limits aren't of political origins, but actual physical safety. And I think that makes a world of difference.
    - serge2k 10y ago
      What harm does obscenity cause? What about laws like the Communism Control Act?
      - mahranch 10y ago
        > obscenity The U.S doesn't enforce most of its obscenity clauses. With the exception of Child pornography, etc... And if you're asking what harm does that cause, well, it harms the kid getting sexually abused. Most of the obscenity laws are related to minors. Either in the the consumption of pornography or production. > Communism Control Act What about it? It's irrelevant here. In fact, anything that hasn't been challenged in the supreme court is irrelevant because the supreme court is the law of the land, not local, city or state governments. Per wikipedia: "the Supreme Court of the United States has not ruled on the act's constitutionality. Despite that, no administration has tried to enforce it. The provisions of the act "outlawing" the party have not been repealed. Nevertheless, the Communist Party of the USA continues to exist in the 21st century." It's quite obvious which way they'd rule if it were to be challenged, as even lower courts in NY ruled against it in the 70s. And I think that's the most important thing here; In germany, for example, you can't challenge their free speech law regarding the holocaust. It's set in stone. In the U.S, unless the supreme court has ruled on it, it is not set in stone. And the supreme court of the U.S has an incredibly good track record when it comes to defending our freedoms. Sure, it's laid a couple stinkers here and there, but 99% of the time, its ruling is favorable towards those who value freedom, liberty and independence. It's kept us from fascism and helped keep us from turning into a theocracy.