"The life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience." -OWH I recommend people at least read the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Wendell_Holmes,_Jr.
"We cannot all be Descartes or Kant, but we all want happiness. And happiness, I am sure from having known many successful men, cannot be won simply by being counsel for great corporations and having an income of fifty thousand dollars. An intellect great enough to win the prize needs other food beside success. The remoter and more general aspects of the law are those which give it universal interest. It is through them that you not only become a great master in your calling, but connect your subject with the universe and catch an echo of the infinite, a glimpse of its unfathomable process, a hint of the universal law." Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr, "The Path of the Law", 10 Harvard Law Review 457, 478 (1897)
Germans chose to follow Hitler. You're missing that. Hitler didn't put a gun to their head (until much later). The term Hate Speech can be construed to mean anything. Who defines it? Ever watch Christopher Hitchens? He absolutely destroys this notion of censored speech in a free and open society. Bureaucrats determine whats hate and what's not. Class warfare/soak the rich could be considered hate speech. Calling someone a racisist could be considered hate speech. Many other Left-wing themes you guys base your ideology around could be considered hate speech (global depopulation, anti-Christian, pro-abortion). The Founders were much smarter then you or I, and protected all manner of speech because its the least desirable, most offensive speech that needs the most protection. Especially in times of war and political change, it's the minority opinion that becomes scorned and criminalized as 'traitorous' that needs to be heard the most. Like when Bush inferred Americans as traitors who wouldn't support the patriotic act, and spying and the wars. And Americans came out in support of the Constitution and freedom. The Right tried very hard to smear them as anti-American, and terrorist sympathizers. For defending freedom. Ironically it was the Left who came out for the Constitution. And now when their boy is in power, they don't give a shit about it. Neither does Obama. This is why you and your ilk never have the moral high ground - your blatant hypocrites who only give a shit about raw power. Principles are only invoked to make political hay, when you don't have the power. When you do, it all goes out the window.
Achilles28, if you cannot distinguish between criticism of the government and hate speech (which generally targets some minority), then there is little left to discuss. We are not even in the same room.
Yeah, because it's not like he incited enough of them into action with any heated hate speeches, right? Complete disconnect, right? Look, achilles28, I know why you want there to be unmitigated hate speech. I've read some of your posts here in P&R.
Myself...I'm addicted to freedom. I think I should be able to say what I damn well please. If you don't like it, then don't invite me to your Christmas party.