Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
I rarely disagree with you, but then you must not have a problem with the white supremacist rallies in Calgary, or Clan gatherings?
If the courts are going to acquit him then the hate speech laws in Canada no longer exist. Just because Ahenakew isn't part of a actual hate group doesn't give him rights to free speech above these groups does it?
Hey don't get me wrong, I'm all about free speech, but either we have hate laws or we don't. They can't just apply to the more unpalatable groups.
|
No, I have a problem with those meatballs. But, they have a right to express their stupidity to the world and I have a right to call them meatballs. Hate laws are there to stop people from actively calling(inciting) for the death of others. See Rwanda for a good example of how incitement works.
Ahenakew didn't do this. He expressed his opinion, offensive as it is. You and I or anyone do not have the right NOT to be offended.
Basically, I go by the idea that it is far more dangerous to prevent people from expressing hateful ideas than having those ideas out in the open and belittled in the public domain. Hitler didn't come about because people didn't try to stop his ideas. They actually kept on sticking him in jail and banning his words.