Taking a Flier on Free Speech - Hate-crime laws threaten the First Amendment.

City Journal ^ | June 4, 2007 | John Leo

[Duffboy]

I hope some Conservative law group takes her case.
It is definitely a ‘free speech’ issue...

[the invisib1e hand]

Citi (formerly Citigroup) is greeting its employees with a full color placard reminding them that June is Pride Month (gay, bisexual, transgender, [insert your favorite abberation]).

The largest bank in the world didn't get that way by "excluding" anyone. Unless your credit score is below 500...

[Prokopton]

It is definitely a ‘free speech’ issue...

It's more than a free speech issue, it's an anti-fascist issue.

[rwgal]

Why is it OK for the left wing/gay loving/anti Americans to say and do things that are weird and crazy...but let a right wing or conservative do it and it is now a hate crime?

Meadow Muffin

[MeSpikeLibs]

Free Speech only applies if you have a leftist point of view.

[weegee]

Because Political Correctness is about criminalizing conservative thought.

[LiteKeeper]

You must have been speaking of Venezuela or an Eastern Bloc country. Certainly not the USA! /s

[SkyDancer]

Burn our flag and it’s free speech .... burn some other countries flag and it’s a hate crime .....

[wearearepublic]

It's more than a free speech issue, it's an anti-fascist issue.

Would you define fascist?

[gidget7]

It’s only wrong if it is a person of conscience doing it, and what is on their flier is truth. The law will have no part of THAT!

[gidget7]

My heart breaks for this poor girl She has the courage, that a lot of us adults lack, to voice the truth. She is trying hard to do the RIGHT thing, and she is put though this nightmare for all her work. God Bless her and keep her strong!

[Zack Nguyen]

Students say that one of the males pictured on the flier is identifiable—a friend with whom the girl has been feuding. Police have not revealed the text of the fliers, but students said that they featured the ugly words GOD HATES FAGS. The singling out of a specific student may account for the harsh treatment.

I might have told her to hand it out off campus, because such a message with an identifiable male (a fellow student?)could be disruptive. But hauling her off to jail?! Of course not - this is a civil matter. She could get sued, but not jailed.

[Prokopton]

Would you define fascist?

There are many definitions but this one is appropriate in the context of the state controlling what you say and what you think. Some of Hillary's recent comments also seem to at least skirt the definition.

The glorification of the state and the total subordination of the individual to it. The state is defined as an organic whole into which individuals must be absorbed for their own and the state's benefit. This "total state" is absolute in its methods and unlimited by law in its control and direction of its citizens.

[tuesday afternoon]

There’s a Pride Month? A whole, blessed month?

[the invisib1e hand]

there is according the Citi diversity promoters, or whatever they call that department. And remember, this is NYC. Every month is pride month.

[the invisib1e hand]

There’s a Pride Month? A whole, blessed month?

And I might take exception to the adjective.

Now, they can promote this stuff, but am I allowed to protest it?

[Richard from IL]

ping

[tuesday afternoon]

And I might take exception to the adjective.

What's wrong with the adjective? :/

Now, they can promote this stuff, but am I allowed to protest it?

That is the question, is it not? I've read of some cases where people were fired from longstanding jobs for protesting inclusion in Gay Pride celebrations.

[the invisib1e hand]

What's wrong with the adjective? :/

Well, you said "a whole blessed month," which it undoubtedly is, but it seems it's also a cursed month.