Finnish neo-fascist at martial arts show in Poland

[wetware]

A few thoughts:
3. Slippery slope type statements like the quote above have been getting fascist assholes off the hook too many times.

Of course banning that which is offensive is just as slippery a slope. Hello, thought control.

[Permalost]

Of course banning that which is offensive is just as slippery a slope. Hello, thought control.

What I’m suggesting isn’t that they should be banning what’s offensive, because I think that’s not the government’s job. I’m suggesting that people should be free to say what they want, but they can expect people to speak out against them if they’re, say, a neo nazi in Poland.

[wetware]

Oh, yeah. People are going to talk smack about a neo-nazi in Poland. No question about that. But even (read as 'especially' if you'd like) the government banning expression of ideas in the name of the public good is scary territory in my mind. Obviously if the neo-nazis are going around beating people, that should be illegal. But their ability to speak their mind, however reprehensible their twisted opinion is, should be protected.

[hpr]

Agreed. As long as they are not actively encouraging people to violence and so forth they should be free to speak their mind. Banning and marginalizing will only give them more legitimacy.

[gregaquaman]

Don't you guys have racial vilification laws in your country?

we do.

It is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if:
(a) the act is reasonably likely in all the circumstances to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group of people, and
(b) the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or some or all of the people in the group. [4]

[wetware]

Don't you guys have racial vilification laws in your country?

Nope. The U.S.'s First Amendment generally forbids making laws against any kind of speech, even if it may incite violence. The only exceptions are when violence is imminent and broadcast media.

Edit: Unless the speech somehow violates some other kind of law. Harassment, slander, etc.

[Hertzyscowicz]

Agreed. As long as they are not actively encouraging people to violence and so forth they should be free to speak their mind. Banning and marginalizing will only give them more legitimacy.

+1
There was some dead caucasian male that once said it's better to stay silent and let everyone think you're an idiot than open your mouth and let everyone know you are. I figure it works in reverse, too.

[Hedgehogey]

Agreed. As long as they are not actively encouraging people to violence and so forth they should be free to speak their mind. Banning and marginalizing will only give them more legitimacy.

That's their entire ideology. Fascism is an ideology of power. It's at the core of it.

[hpr]

That's their entire ideology. Fascism is an ideology of power. It's at the core of it.

Well, then they're screwed without creating specific laws to ban them. I'm pretty sure every western nation has laws against hate speech and inciting violence.

[Hiro Protagonist]

In a nutshell, since this is going all along the last few threads about skinheads in MMA, this is European issue people from the US probably don't understand, the same way we here frown at, and I mean this without the least of vitriol, US gun law, or whatever.

1. Nazis did a whole lot of **** to people all over Europe. We, the people, still resent that big time.
2. Nazis in MMA are a problem, and the only means to fight that issue is censoring their right to express themselves during MMA events, and/or banning them. That's not because Europe (FRANCE!) has become a proto-fascist system on its own, but because experience has shown that no other measures work with them. The same way people are sent to prison when they commit a crime; if talking alone sufficed, this would be a crocheting message board, and there'd be no wars.