Reply #6: I'm for complete freedom of speech. [View All]

First, I'd rather know who the people are who are bigots. Let them say what they think so they can be identified.

Second, people don't always mean what they say, especially when it's out of anger and/or frustration. This doesn't excuse their saying it, especially if it hurts others significantly, but for that reason alone I don't believe it should be a crime. If they repeatedly say things of this nature, then we know who they are.

Third, punishment is not preventative, it always occurs after the fact. Our resources are better spent fighting the causes of bigotry and hatred.

Fourth, prison is about as racist and angry a place as it gets. Sending someone there for hate speech is like sending a homicidal maniac to a war. It actually trains them to be better bigots.