1mo ago

BONK

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There was once a time when "Fighting Words" were a viable defense in cases like these, and that sign certainly qualifies as fighting words.
- It's ridiculous that it's not a viable defense now. They've empowered bullies from childhood onwards.
  
  Because the state has a monopoly on violence.
  You are not allowed to do violence yourself, you must petition the government to do violence for you. And the government will decide how and when it is appropriate to do violence on your behalf.
  So, for example, a white nationalist Nazi saying all women deserve to be raped is not a justifiable reason to do violence.
  But a brown person living peacefully where oil is IS reason to do violence. Ok?
  A group of people demanding that all LGBTQ+ people be sterilized or executed, no reason to do violence.
  Those people defending themselves, now we need to do violence. Got it?
  
  I was trying to not be angry
  
  This is why it's also perfectly legal to stand in front of a health insurance company headquarters with signs advocating for further CEO shootings.
  
  No see because that hurts money's feelings.
  So that's gonna get some violence.
  
  I'm not going to try that, since that woman was arrested for talking to a health fund employee in a way that reminded them of the shooting
  
  Society would be so much better if people exercised their grievances with vigilante violence, amirite?
  
  I assume you are right, but has anyone actually tried it?
  goes to check wikipedia
  In Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), even speech such as "Bury the removeds" and "Send the Jews back to Israel," was held to be protected speech under the First Amendment in a per curiam decision.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_words
  Oh. I guess I was right to assume that you were right in saying that it's not a viable defense to things like that. Ugh. Depressing. I was so hoping to be wrong in assuming you're right.
  
  I imagine the jury would have a large say in the outcome, but then again the average American isn't very smart :/
- thems be fightin' words

86 comments