Reply #59: Good points

[NuclearDem]

The incitement of violence is definitely an issue. But the law says that people who incite violence or urge others to act violently aren't protected by the First. The Wanted posters in NC are a perfect example; those aren't protected. People calling for abortion doctors to be killed aren't protected; they can call abortion doctors murderers all they want, because it's their First Amendment rights, but when they encourage people to kill, they overstep their rights. It depends on how people will interpret their speech; the nuts who watched Fox and tried to attack people connected to George Soros and killed George Tiller took Fox's irresponsible speech to mean that violence has to be taken. It should be on the people making the speech to be responsible about what they say; ultimately, they can be held responsible for what people who listen to them do. Same goes with the anti-war movement...people who bomb recruiting centers take the anti-war movement's words to mean that we're at war with the military. The anti-war guys don't condone bombings at all, but it does require people to be cautious about what they say.

As for the Stolen Valor Act, I'm torn about that. I do believe it's someone's right to express themselves, and I think it's despicable to claim medals that you didn't earn, but I don't think it's up to the government to prosecute someone who has done that. It should be up to us to shame those sorts of people...but it is ultimately freedom of speech. The court was right in overturning it. Same goes for the WBC lawsuit...I hate WBC with all my heart, but they have a right to demonstrate, as distasteful and hurtful as it is. People also have a right to counterdemonstrate; which is what the PGR and other organizations have taken up. Again, let them be assholes; and let people see their asshatery. Their kind will die off not because of legal intervention, but because people will finally be sick of them and they won't have an audience to spread their filth to anymore.

Like I said, you have lots of valid points. I might disagree, but you present them well. Kudos.