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Regarding free speech.

Obviously the right to free speech is good thing and it is also good that the American constitution protects it in law.

But with rights, come responsibilities.

Now, is it acceptable that this man and his ilk should be able to misuse his right to free speech to incite hatred against blacks, Jews or any other group?

Would it be okay for some pointy headed KKK member to refer in public to Condoleezza Rice as a ------ ? (you know, the N word)

I think you lot are only getting stroppy because this racist was insulting moslems on this particular occasion.

Please note, it's not just the moslems that he hates.

WHat part of the specific statement in question displays hatred. He was stating the FACT that Islam is a "Wicked Faith". I too happen to have that belief. I guess that makes me a racist KKK member as well?

Have you completely lost your mind?

Thanks for the clarification. However, whenever I hear Islam referred to as the religion of peace, I'm from Missouri. If that allusion evades you, think of Eliza in MY FAIR LADY declaring in song that she's "so sick of words -show me!"

It is right that he is able to express his opinion, right or wrong. Every individual who hears him is responsible for his or her reaction to his opinion. If they develop hatred, it is their responsibility, not his. We are all given a choice to react as we see fit.

Should he be prevented from making true statements that might also incite hatred? If Islam is a 'wicked faith', (and I believe that it is), then it is entirely right to say it.

Would it be okay for some pointy headed KKK member to refer in public to Condoleezza Rice as a ------ ? (you know, the N word)

I do not believe that it is O.K. for anyone, even a "pointy headed KKK member, or an NAACP member for that matter, to refer to Condoleezza Rice, or anyone else, as a n-----. I will, however, defend their right to say it. It is helpful, after all, to know just who holds those opinions.

I am getting stroppy because it is not right for anyone to be jailed for expressing an honest opinion. It is not the government's place to decide what is acceptable to say and what is not.

Might I also point out that, according to your standards, you could be arrested for inciting hatred against the KKK members that you refered to as "pointy headed". After all, is it fair to protect one group against hatred, but not another just because you disagree with them?

I would also like to point out that, here in America, we believe that our rights are given to us by God, and the proper role of government is to protect our freedom to exercise those rights. Government may have the power, but it does not have the authority to deny us that freedom. As long as we still have the freedom to exercise our right to keep and bear arms, we can defend our right to free speech.