(I didn't mention deportation btw, try to answer this question without resorting to lynch mob politics)
2007-03-19 23:12:31 · 18 answers · asked by loathsomedog 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I do not support the BNP ! They are nazi's. This is a question about free speech. Would you give hitler free speech?
2007-03-19 23:20:10 · update #1
Yes, but in an ideal society he wouldn't exist.
2007-03-19 23:19:42 · answer #1 · answered by Barry Von Leotard III 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
An Ideal Society is ideal from whose perspective?
Abu Hamsa was allowed to voice his opinions, and has the right to do so within the law. He was not jailed for voicing his opinion, but for inciting others to commit murder.
If I said to a crowd, "you should go out today and kill all [insert group concerned]" - is that free speech or merely incitment to kill?
All rights have to be balanced with obligations - there are no absolute rights in civil soicety, merely competing rights and obligations.
Who is it once said, "the right to free speech does not extend to the right to should 'fire!' in a crowded theatre"?
2007-03-20 08:00:13 · answer #2 · answered by JZD 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
One of the major tenants of a free society has to be freedom of speech. No matter how strongly you disagree with someone, or how obnoxious and socially unacceptable their views are. Their freedom to express those views should always be defended in a free society.
That of course, doesn't mean that inciting violence, fear or hatred in others should be condoned. Freedom of speech can certainly be misused. So in my perfect society, he would have been allowed to say whatever he liked, but would have to accept the consequences for expressing opinions that did or could lead to criminal acts. Sound familiar? Well, maybe sometimes things work out for the best even in an imperfect society.
On another note, isn't it ironic that extremists who spread the politics of fear and hate (Abu Hamsa being one example) nearly always defend their views by citing their right to "freedom of speech", but very seldom respect that same right for those who oppose or criticise them.
2007-03-20 08:47:05 · answer #3 · answered by Spacephantom 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, there is a limit to free speech and Abu Hamsa goes way beyond the limit by preaching killing and hatred. If he is so upset with the way we live here in the UK then he should go to whatever country allows him to spout his fanatical views. He damages our relations with moderate Muslims. From every aspect his actions are an abomination.
2007-03-20 07:38:08 · answer #4 · answered by Rainman 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
True, there is free speech. But the likes of him and his chums who killed 52 people should never of been let in the country in the first place.
2007-03-20 15:16:08 · answer #5 · answered by jj26 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not so much what you say, it's how you say it.
There is such a thing as the politics of hate.
Both the BNP and Radical Islamic Mullahs should be jailed for preaching prejudice and intolerance.
I don't care what either one believes as long as they respect they same thing for me.
Of course, if they turn their words into actions, then they must be held up as declaring war on the state. And suffer the consequences.
2007-03-20 06:31:53 · answer #6 · answered by Simon D 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Off course, but then you would expect the population to have the right to say if you don't like our ways , laws and beliefs, to leave our country and live amongst like minded people else were in the world.
2007-03-20 06:25:23 · answer #7 · answered by Jim G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He should be able to voice his opinions freely, from the safety of his own country.
If his kind feel so strongly about Western society why do they chose to live here? Is it because they'd be executed in their homeland?
2007-03-20 06:22:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I would as we apparently have the "freedom of speech" but I'd also prosecute him if it could be proved in a court of law that he was inciting people to commit terrorist or violent crimes the same as anyone else should be regardless of race or religion
2007-03-20 06:45:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Certainly- within the confines of his lunatic asylum. Why not? I'm sure anyone who'd support him would be there too.
Besides- it's complete cobblers the BNP are Nazis- that's just a leftist slander.
If they truly were Nazis or based on racial incitment- would they be allowed to be a legal political party under Blair?
2007-03-20 06:20:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋