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But what's the alternative? Should we just let people incite violence to their heart's content, and then be surprised when people actually carry out the violenc
by cure 6y ago
But what's the alternative? Should we just let people incite violence to their heart's content, and then be surprised when people actually carry out the violence because they have been brainwashed? How is that better?
- ceilingcorner 6y agoI don’t know, you could maybe follow the laws of every country on Earth and hold people accountable for the violence they actually carry out?
- cure 6y agoThat is (hopefully) happening this time. It's worth pointing out that a lot of other countries on Earth have laws that prohibit hate speech. Quite a few countries have libel laws, too. The US does not have either of those at the federal level, making it much more difficult to use the law to stop people from inciting violence and spreading blatant lies.
- pdabbadabba 6y ago> The US does not have [libel laws] at the federal level It's true--I think--that there is no federal libel statute (though perhaps someone can correct me on this), but that assertion is misleading without a little more context. Whether it is a state or federal law doesn't really mean much in the American legal system. In the U.S., most such laws are state, not federal laws. That doesn't make them less important or enforceable. Every state that I know of recognizes libel as a tort (i.e., you can sue someone for it), and you can do so in federal court if the required ents for federal jurisdiction are met. (In this case, probably that the plaintiff and defendant are from different states.) And, in any case, what's wrong with state courts? A judgement in a state court is just as good as one in federal court.
- cure 6y agoThanks, I didn't intend to mislead. Ianal :) It's my understanding that most US state-level libel laws don't have a lot of teeth, and that they are quite a patchwork, which is why I didn't mention them.
- jtbayly 6y agoThe fact that they are a patchwork is a feature. It's why we have the 10th amendment.
- pc86 6y ago> Should we just let people incite violence to their heart's content Well that in itself is a crime, so prosecute it.
- root_axis 6y agoSo getting banned from a website because of TOS violations is a step too far, but prosecution by the government is the reasonable alternative? Social media addiction has really distorted society's perspective on what's important.
- pc86 6y agoYou seem to be replying to something I didn't say. Where did I indicate getting banned from a website was too far?
- root_axis 6y agoYou didn't say it was too far, I interpreted your reply that way because of the context of the conversation - you replied to someone discussing the banning of users that incite violence. So am I wrong to suggest you think it's too far or are you merely telling me "I didn't reveal my position on the issue".
- pc86 6y agoOf course it's not too far.