Should Racism be a chargeable offense?

[Llamalandia]

I disagree. A crime is a crime. Don't waste time trying to figure out why they did it, and punish them.

Not necessarily true. If I murder someone for sleeping with my wife, that might only happen once. If I kill someone for being white, that's effectively a statement of intent to commit murder in the future. It might even be considered terrorism. Hate crimes are both crimes and threats to commit future crimes.

Ok i see your point largely though terrorism is a bit of stretch. That said, there are plenty of reformed adn former racists who have changed at some point in their lives. I don't think we can punish people for crimes they might commit, we should only punish people for what they actually do, or are so immediately about to do that we justify calling it "intent to X".

[Libertarian California]

Make one's views and thoughts a chargeable offense? Com on, we're better than this!

And...

South Park did a good job of parodying the "logic" behind hate crimes.


"If you're going to commit a criminal act, you damn well better hope your victim is the same race as you".

[Big Jim P]

Not necessarily true. If I murder someone for sleeping with my wife, that might only happen once. If I kill someone for being white, that's effectively a statement of intent to commit murder in the future. It might even be considered terrorism. Hate crimes are both crimes and threats to commit future crimes.

I never thought of it that way. But I think all murderers should get life-sentences. (Even though I don't like the concept of public funded health, housing, and food for criminals)

Depending on the circumstances, murderers should be executed.

[Dragonic Outland]

In my opinion all murderers with the intention to murder should be executed under the law, not some vigilantes. Come on, why should taxpayers be paying to feed those murderers.

[Saiwania]

Yes its should because its mainly the white people that insult the black people saying shit with their outrageous mouth

I'm a racist who doesn't insult Blacks or any non-Whites, the extent of my racism is just believing in race and having the desire to self segregate myself to my own skin color. Anyways, what would making racism against the law accomplish for people like me?

[Libertarian California]

Yes its should because its mainly the white people that insult the black people saying shit with their outrageous mouth

Aren't you a nice bundle of love?

[Big Jim P]

In my opinion all murderers with the intention to murder should be executed under the law, not some vigilantes. Come on, why should taxpayers be paying to feed those murderers.

Agreed with the addition that the intended victims have every right to kill them in self defense.

[Ainin]

Depends.

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

[Radiatia]

Absolutely. Obviously some countries would never be able to pass such legislation due to constitutional restrictions, but in others it could, should and probably is.

Racism is something that must be taught, it doesn't naturally occur. If you prevent people from teaching and disseminating such views then you can be at least a few steps closer to eradicating it.

And yes I'm aware it would be difficult to enforce, although I did recently read an excellent instruction manual called "1984" which had a good idea on how to keep tabs on unruly citizens....

[Radiatia]

Depends.

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

What if it's a crowded street?

[Libertarian California]

Depends.

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

I with my little eye spy a double standard. Are you implying Jews deserve protection but blacks do not?

Both should be legal anyways.

[Sociobiology]

Depends.

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

I with my little eye spy a double standard. Are you implying Jews deserve protection but blacks do not?

Both should be legal anyways.

I think she is saying whether or not it is done to incite violence is important, although if this is the case it is a pretty poor way of stating it.

[Ainin]

Depends.

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

I with my little eye spy a double standard. Are you implying Jews deserve protection but blacks do not?

Both should be legal anyways.

What? I'm saying advocating violence against a group should be banned, but just insulting them shouldn't...

The two groups were just random examples.

[Saiwania]

Racism is something that must be taught, it doesn't naturally occur. If you prevent people from teaching and disseminating such views then you can be at least a few steps closer to eradicating it.

That is where you're wrong. Perhaps I'm just an outlier, but nobody in my family taught me about racism. I observed that my skin color was different than some other people's and I proceeded to proactively teach myself about race and came to accept it, when I noticed that Whites are going to become the minority in the US.

[CHUCK N0RRIS]

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

Unfortunately, that - excluding other reasons - is a thing we have as a result of having free speech, expression, and opinions. We legalize and endorse free speech/expression/opinions, so we must also withstand the consequences (in this case, racism) freedom brings. If we ban racism and racist speech, we also ban free speech/expression/opinions and suppress people's right to speak out what comes up from their mind.

[Ainin]

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

Unfortunately, that - excluding other reasons - is a thing we have as a result of having free speech, expression, and opinions. We legalize and endorse free speech/expression/opinions, so we must also withstand the consequences (in this case, racism) freedom brings. If we ban racism and racist speech, we also ban free speech/expression/opinions and suppress people's right to speak out what comes up from their mind.

Yeah, I'm starting to think my example was a bad one.

My point is that racist speech should only be banned if it's a direct incitement to violence.

[CHUCK N0RRIS]

That is where you're wrong. Perhaps I'm just an outlier, but nobody in my family taught me about racism. I observed that my skin color was different than some other people's and I proceeded to proactively teach myself about race and came to accept it, when I noticed that Whites are going to become the minority in the US.

Actually, my family did not taught me about racism too, and I learn to accept and advocate all people of all races and backgrounds. After all, they are still humans and not anything that should be badly treated.

[CHUCK N0RRIS]

My point is that racist speech should only be banned if it's a direct incitement to violence.

Violence should be properly dealt with, I agree with that point, but racist speech that may pertain to potential violence should not be banned no matter how dangerous or offensive it is.

[Dragonic Outland]

Actually, my family did not taught me about racism too, and I learn to accept and advocate all people of all races and backgrounds. After all, they are still humans and not anything that should be badly treated.

I presume you embrace those that came from criminal backgrounds and have a criminal history then?

[Saiwania]

Actually, my family did not taught me about racism too, and I learn to accept and advocate all people of all races and backgrounds. After all, they are still humans and not anything that should be badly treated.

I'd agree to that, but it doesn't change the fact that in the US, it is trending towards there being fewer and fewer Whites. That appears to be happening in other currently majority White countries as well, which has me worried. If I wasn't so paranoid about White skin disappearing for good after I'm gone, I could abandon my racism.

[Shaggai]

Yelling "fuck dem niggas" in the street shouldn't be a crime, but yelling "all Jews should be killed" in front a crowd should.

Unfortunately, that - excluding other reasons - is a thing we have as a result of having free speech, expression, and opinions. We legalize and endorse free speech/expression/opinions, so we must also withstand the consequences (in this case, racism) freedom brings. If we ban racism and racist speech, we also ban free speech/expression/opinions and suppress people's right to speak out what comes up from their mind.

Which is why we have no laws against death threats or incitement to violence.

In my opinion all murderers with the intention to murder should be executed under the law, not some vigilantes. Come on, why should taxpayers be paying to feed those murderers.

Because it's cheaper, for one thing.

Not necessarily true. If I murder someone for sleeping with my wife, that might only happen once. If I kill someone for being white, that's effectively a statement of intent to commit murder in the future. It might even be considered terrorism. Hate crimes are both crimes and threats to commit future crimes.

Ok i see your point largely though terrorism is a bit of stretch. That said, there are plenty of reformed adn former racists who have changed at some point in their lives. I don't think we can punish people for crimes they might commit, we should only punish people for what they actually do, or are so immediately about to do that we justify calling it "intent to X".

If I threaten to kill you, that's illegal for a reason. I haven't done it, but I have expressed my intent to do so.

Not necessarily true. If I murder someone for sleeping with my wife, that might only happen once. If I kill someone for being white, that's effectively a statement of intent to commit murder in the future. It might even be considered terrorism. Hate crimes are both crimes and threats to commit future crimes.

I never thought of it that way. But I think all murderers should get life-sentences. (Even though I don't like the concept of public funded health, housing, and food for criminals)

Rehabilitation is always best, but in our current legal system LwP is cheaper than the death penalty. In a perfect world, LwP would not exist, but if necessary it should be used if the other option would be the death penalty.

[Dragonic Outland]

Because it's cheaper, for one thing.

Hanging is far cheaper actually.

[CHUCK N0RRIS]

I presume you embrace those that came from criminal backgrounds and have a criminal history then?

People who committed crimes should be, in my opinion, exempt from hatred and scrutiny if a) he/she apologizes solemnly for his/her actions, b) he/she conducted good behavior throughout their lives/time, and c) did good deeds to contribute to victims/victim's or victims' families/society.

Anyways, what I meant is that there are many people who are targets of racism because of how they look and what they do. While I am endorsing the right for people to express their views - even if they may be questionable - I dislike those that express hatred and/or violence against a particular person or group for their traits.

[Solaray]

Nein. To the max. Free speech and the liking.

[Shaggai]

Because it's cheaper, for one thing.

Hanging is far cheaper actually.

The main cost of the death penalty comes from the system of appeals and special rules for trials, not the execution itself. And don't suggest we shorten the system of appeals or remove the special rules.