If so, what boundaries do you set for this? How do you define it? I wrestle with this one, because:

a. I don't like to hear speech that is obvious (racial slurs)
b. On the other hand, everyone is entitled to their opinion
and
c. The government could go overboard. (They could probably arrest every American on this forum for stating the opinions that we have.)

Woops, I forgot to attach the poll. Is there a way to fix that?

Not at all.

Hate speech should be allowed definitely. No reason not to have it allowed.

Just because I don't agree with it, doesn't mean I should try to criminalize the act of saying it.

I agree. The best thing to do is not give people an audience who practice it. Most of the time is is to get attention anyways.

Freedom of speech means exactly that. Even if we don't want to hear it, we have to allow it. I don't think there is anyone that would criticize the freedom of speech in a public forum...

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Maybe not, but I'm kinda expecting it eventually.

Nope. People should have the freedom to spout off whatever they want.

However, other people should have the freedom to pound the living dogsqueeze out of them, for spouting off that hate garbage, too.

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Member action dictates Moderator REaction.

Especially because defining hate speech is a pretty subjective activity, and could easily get out of hand.

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Man up.

No. Hate punching, shootings, maybe... but if you can't take the words, fight back. Duh.

Part of me agrees, but if usually makes those doing the speaking feel justified. They rather fight than be ignored.

What comes out of your mouth should not be legislated unless it has a direct and immediate causal effect upon the rights of another. For example, blather about free speech all day long but you still can't shout bomb on an airplane because someone will get hurt [i.e. their right to 'travel safely' will be violated].

That being said, the entire concept of hate speech is another emotional and well-intentioned idea that simply won't work in the real world in a large country as diverse as America. Why? Because it quickly devolves into rule by majority and government oppression.

I'm a Christian but I would die defending the rights of my fellow Americans to call me bigoted and close minded. After all, if I know that they have the right to say that about me, I can rest a *little* easier in the knowledge I can probably still say what I feel like also.

I think it's time for some Niemoller.

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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
- Ronald Reagan