http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060223/wl_nm/crime_religion_germany_dc_2
While I DO NOT support what he did (it was juvenile), I do support his right to do it. Just as I, as a christian, support the right of 'artists' to create the 'Pisschrist,' I support the freedom of speech.
I am a Conservative, but I believe once you start taking these rights away, the world will go to pot. More and more will be taken, and soon you won't even be able to express some opinions in a civilized manner.
Thank God this didn't happen in America. If something like this did though, please tell me. I wonder if he would have gotten the same sentence if the situation were reversed.
This wouldn’t happen in the US because of the rights protected under the constitution. It would have to be proven that by making the toilet paper the business man intended malice.
If there is a law that disallows religious insults the business man should have known and not performed the activity in Germany. Germany, due to its….. history…… is fairly strict when it comes to any operant racism or such things.
This shows a lack of wisdom on both sides. Now that the issue is public it will inspire others to do the same.
I don't support his actions, but I support freedom of expression. People really need to think before they start doing stupid things like this. Hmm, let's see, Islam... full of people willing to kill others for their religion... well, let's insult them!
Anyways, German law is German law.
Are we reverting to the middle ages?
^ I hope so. Then I will get to flog people.
| Soulfire wrote: |
| Hmm, let's see, Islam... full of people willing to kill others for their religion... well, let's insult them! |
I heard that Soulfire....
In this day and age that guys actions certainly were quite stupid....what does he have a death wish or something? The worst part is if the terrorists were to take offense with that fools actions, which I'm sure they did, and they decided to do something to him they wouldn't care if they took out innocent bystanders just to get to him. If he wants to act the fool and go insulting people, maybe he should think of a group of people who aren't as...ummm...."High-strung" as those terrorists are....both he and the people around him will live longer. | {name here} wrote: |
| Are we reverting to the middle ages? |
Unfortunately not... | horseatingweeds wrote: |
| This wouldn’t happen in the US because of the rights protected under the constitution. |
You are theoretically correct (that’s in the U.S. Constitution) but, unfortunately, you are realistically incorrect. Laws in the U.S. are created at the whims of Politicians and Voters. They are put on the books before they are checked and balanced by the Courts. Therefore, if unconstitutional, it takes awhile to get them off the books, and, because of the trouble (for example, money for defense, often not available to the poorer amongst us), many unconstitutional laws are never challenged.
If you research, you will find that there are already Hate Crime Laws on the law books in many states.
Please do not misunderstand me: Violent aggression should be prosecuted and punished.
But, giving priority prosecution and punishment to so-called hate crimes -- based the law’s definition of hate -- over the same violent aggressions that don't fit that definition is against Freedom of Speech. It is happening right now in the U.S.
Can anyone counter this logically?Man Convicted for Anti Religious Hate Speech
I read the heading and many a frihoster's names' came to my mind!
