People don't like it when someone burns the flag or does not honor our national anthem, but hate speech does more damage than either. If we cannot pass a law, maybe the social media sites like Twitter, Face Book, and the others can at least slow hate speech.
Ever hear the phrase, "There ought be a law!"?
"There Oughta Be a Law"
"Introduction
Each fall, Senator Simitian kicks off his annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest and invites constituents (and other Californians) to submit ideas for a new law, or to take an existing law off the books. At least one contest winner is selected, and his or her idea is introduced the following spring as a legislative proposal. Since 2001, 18 “Oughta” entries have been signed into law."
http://www.senatorsimitian.com/oughta/
FAKE NEWS IS A CRIME! People who create and those who pass on FAKE NEWS are criminals. THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW AGAINST FAKE NEWS! Fake news can destroy America and our democracy faster than flag burning Mr. Twump!
"There Oughta Be a Law!"
http://www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.com/legislative/legislation/there-oughta-be-a-law
"Here Is Why It’s Time To Get Tough On Hate Speech In America"
Tanya Cohen, 2015
"The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights establishes that all people have the right to freedom of expression before stating:
- Any propaganda for war shall be prohibited by law.
- Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law."
If we keep the law simple and allow appropriate discretion to good judges, we can implement a law that allows free speech, and abhors hate speech.
America opted our of the International Criminal Court because George Bush "unsigned" after Clinton agreed to the treaty to honor the Court and abide by its rulings. This means we fear what Americans might be charged with crimes committed during our unilateral attack on Iraq, at a minimum.
Regrettably the ACLU and others defend hate speech as a illogical part of "Free Speech." It falls under "lawyer speak" to be precise. Lawyers are taught to argue either side of any argument, and a victim of that practice is true Free Speech since hate speech kills Free Speech every time.
"No, there’s no “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment"
By Eugene VolokhThe Volokh Conspiracy
May 7, 2015
"Hateful ideas (whatever exactly that might mean) are just as protected under the First Amendment as other ideas. One is as free to condemn Islam — or Muslims, or Jews, or blacks, or whites, or illegal aliens, or native-born citizens — as one is to condemn capitalism or Socialism or Democrats or Republicans.To be sure, there are some kinds of speech that are unprotected by the First Amendment. But those narrow exceptions have nothing to do with “hate speech” in any conventionally used sense of the term."
We are just too clever for our own good, and this will bring down our democracy some day unless we get lucky in some way that hate speech does not rule over good people. Maybe the millennials?
"40% of Millennials OK with limiting speech offensive to minorities"
By Jacob Poushter - 204 comments
"Nineteen arguments for hate speech bans – and against them"
Free speech scholar Eric Heinze identifies the main arguments for laws restricting hate speech and says none are valid for mature Western democracies
http://freespeechdebate.com/en/discuss/nineteen-arguments-for-hate-speech-bans-and-against-them/
"Debating the “Mighty Constitutional Opposites”
Debating Hate Speech
"The Founding Fathers Tried to Warn Us About the Threat From a Two-Party System"
Posted on July 7, 2011 by Washingtons Blog
At least one social media site is trying.
"Here’s Why Twitter Banning ‘Alt-Right’ Accounts Is a Risky Strategy"
http://fortune.com/2016/11/16/twitter-ban-alt-right/
Be aware! Beware!
