I ♥ The First Amendment

[wuapinmon]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1241994/Businessman-arrested-wife-son--anti-gipsy--email-didn-t-write.html

I'm no fan of racism, but people should be allowed to say whatever they want about someone else...even if it's hate-filled.

[SoCalCoug]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...n-t-write.html

I'm no fan of racism, but people should be allowed to say whatever they want about someone else...even if it's hate-filled.

Summary, please. I got distracted for the ad purporting to tell what's REALLY going on in Britain's bedrooms.

[BigPiney]

These people have obviously never met any gipsies if they are thinking this is a bad thing.

I like how he was arrested becasuse something he may have said rhymed with something that could be offensive.

[wuapinmon]

My brother just posited an interesting question: If people say that burning the American flag is a matter of protected free speech/expression, then what would the societal reaction to someone burning a rainbow flag be? Would it be called a hate crime? Would we call it free speech?

I'm guessing that the media would call it a hate crime. Interesting.

[Jeff Lebowski]

My brother just posited an interesting question: If people say that burning the American flag is a matter of protected free speech/expression, then what would the societal reaction to someone burning a rainbow flag be? Would it be called a hate crime? Would we call it free speech?

I'm guessing that the media would call it a hate crime. Interesting.

Burning rainbow flags is a crime?

[Indy Coug]

Burning rainbow flags is a crime?

Unicorns Unite!

[Donuthole]

My brother just posited an interesting question: If people say that burning the American flag is a matter of protected free speech/expression, then what would the societal reaction to someone burning a rainbow flag be? Would it be called a hate crime? Would we call it free speech?

I'm guessing that the media would call it a hate crime. Interesting.

I think it would be called a public display of homophobia. I don't think even the most liberal media would call it a hate "crime" unless a homosexual were wrapped in the flag while it burned.

[wuapinmon]

Burning rainbow flags is a crime?

No, but that wouldn't stop someone in the media from branding it that.

I think it would be called a public display of homophobia. I don't think even the most liberal media would call it a hate "crime" unless a homosexual were wrapped in the flag while it burned.

I just wonder how certain states might respond. Here in South Carolina, it wouldn't even register on the state government's radar unless it got picked up nationally. But, in places like California, I could see someone move to make it a crime due to hate crime laws. It probably wouldn't pass, or pass judicial review, but it's interesting to me to think about the ramifications of someone doing it in the right/wrong place depending on where you sit in the political spectrum.

[byu71]

My brother just posited an interesting question: If people say that burning the American flag is a matter of protected free speech/expression, then what would the societal reaction to someone burning a rainbow flag be? Would it be called a hate crime? Would we call it free speech?

I'm guessing that the media would call it a hate crime. Interesting.

Someone who would burn a rainbow flag would have a form of "hate" in them. Yes, I am profiling here. They may have the right to do it, but I would choose to not associate with them.

[Jeff Lebowski]

No, but that wouldn't stop someone in the media from branding it that.

But wasn't your question about the First Amendment/free speech?

[Eddie]

Someone who would burn a rainbow flag would have a form of "hate" in them. Yes, I am profiling here. They may have the right to do it, but I would choose to not associate with them.

But I do find the question interesting.

I would say that anyone burning a flag has some level of hate in them. When I've seen protestors around the world burning the US flag, I haven't seen a whole lot of love on their faces.

[wuapinmon]

But wasn't your question about the First Amendment/free speech?

I'm confused about why you're confused.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm confused about why you're confused.

You said:

My brother just posited an interesting question: If people say that burning the American flag is a matter of protected free speech/expression, then what would the societal reaction to someone burning a rainbow flag be? Would it be called a hate crime? Would we call it free speech?

I'm guessing that the media would call it a hate crime. Interesting.

I can't imagine anyone calling it a hate crime as it isn't a crime in any way. Also a little surprised that would be beating the media conspiracy drum.

Evidence of hate? A hateful expression? Sure. But a crime? Pshaw... I think very few journalists would be dumb enough to make that mistake.

[Eddie]

You said:



I can't imagine anyone calling it a hate crime as it isn't a crime in any way. Also a little surprised that would be beating the media conspiracy drum.

Evidence of hate? A hateful expression? Sure. But a crime? Pshaw... I think very few journalists would be dumb enough to make that mistake.

A "journalist"? You are probably right.

But I would be surprised if at least one commentator/talk show host didn't make that connection.

[wuapinmon]

You said:



I can't imagine anyone calling it a hate crime as it isn't a crime in any way. Also a little surprised that would be beating the media conspiracy drum.

Evidence of hate? A hateful expression? Sure. But a crime? Pshaw... I think very few journalists would be dumb enough to make that mistake.

I don't think there's a conspiracy; I think there's rating and tendencies. My gut tells me that there would be no shortage of voices clamoring to criminalize that under the auspices of hate crime law. The larger point is that I think there would be a different reaction in the media to the act vs the reaction, even indifference from most outlets, to someone burning the American flag.

I probably wouldn't hang out with anyone who burn things in anger.