Tough Call
Freedom of speech is protected by law in liberal democratic countries. It's seen as a signal freedom, among others, not available to populations ruled by oppressive tyrants, by theocratic ruling bodies, by dictators and by 'democratic' autocracies for whom freedom of speech becomes anathema since it would result in criticism of the governing bodies forbidding such rights. Freedom of speech is the hallmark of a free and democratic society.In the United States the First amendment guarantees freedom of speech, and for that reason, the authorities are understandably averse to laying criminal charges associated with hate speech. People should be free to say what they will, without fear of prosecution. That same freedom prevails in Canada, which also has laws under its Criminal Code to prosecute hate speech that can be proven to be harmful or incendiary and deliberately provocative to produce a seriously injurious outcome.
The "commander" of the American National Socialist Workers Party - (strange, is it not, that fascist-based movements always label themselves "national" and "socialist", using nomenclature in the most mendacious manner to pose as of the people, for the people, with additional labels such as "workers party"; reminiscent of Adolf Hitler's national socialist fascist party) based in Virginia, charged with making racist death threats against people - has been indicted for inciting violence.
The indictment states that Bill White of the American National Socialist Workers Party operated an Internet site that posted racist and incendiary-languaged incitements to violence against people against whom he featured a special animus. A Canadian lawyer and human-rights activist, Richard Warman, successful in lodging complaints under the Canadian Human Rights Act to close over a dozen Internet hate sites in Canada, was targeted by Mr. White for murder.
By posting on his site a report that appeared in the news with respect to the fire-bombing in Calgary of the home of a political candidate, advising his readers "Good. Now someone do it to Richard Warman". Thoughtfully including Mr. Warman's address to facilitate such an encounter. An additional posting claimed that Mr. Warman "should be drug out into the street and shot, after appropriate trial by a revolutionary tribunal of Canada's white activists."
The brotherhood of racist hate-mongers knows no borders in this Internet-active world. Encouraging one another to the depths of their racist-depraved hatred appears grist for their murderous mill. In fact, it's been several years since this white supremacist began counselling for murder against Mr. Warman. Mr. White acted with a spirit of impunity, that he would never be held to account for his hate-filled screed against non-whites and human-rights activists.
This man felt complacent because the First Amendment in the U.S. was thought by him to be a guarantee against prosecution, or being held to account in any way for his hate-filled excesses where he felt able to express himself fully, threatening and encouraging acts of supreme violence. He came to the attention of the FBI and the Secret Service by publishing an on-line magazine whose cover featured Barack Obama, a gun sighted toward him, with the caption "Kill this nigger?".
The prosecuting attorney, Julia Dudley, informed reporters that the case against Mr. White did not qualify as one relating to free speech. "This case is about innocent people being threatened, intimidated and extorted by a man that, in most cases, they don't know and have never met." If the case comes to a successful conclusion in a conviction, Mr. White will face up to 55 years in prison along with a fine of up to $1.75 million.
Violently denigrate and urge the murder of people whose appearance, race, ethics, religion, customs, traditions and values you despise, and face societal-imposed judicial consequences.
Labels: Canada-US Relations, Heroes and Villains, Social-Cultural Deviations
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, December 14, 2008
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