Abbott Wants To Repeal Racial Discrimination Act

[MoufOfKhaos]

And for the people saying repealing racial discrimination laws is good for freedom of speech they couldn't be more wrong. At no point is freedom of speech more important than the freedom to live.

I'm sorry, but I don't get how repealing the freedom to be an asshole and a bigot means that other people will all of a sudden face a reduced life or even an endangered one(because hidden or not, a bigot is a bigot, and I will have to assume that the total freedom of speech does not mean that all hate crimes will become fair game in the process). I mean - picking on Canada for a second - they may have been successful in banning the Phelps clan from entering their domain, but your country still has white supremacists and outlaw bikers(the bigger ones falling under the umbrella of supremacy) living within your borders. Say what you will about having hate speech laws, but it hasn't exactly made the land Utopian.

 

[MakeDigitalLove]

Hate speech should be squashed.

 

[gsdx]

^Tom Metzger. Last name might be misspelled...

That's him (and spelt correctly). He's bald now, but he had hair when he went to court.

 

[Kabluey]

The newly elected party uses closely affiliated conservative radio hosts, journalists and publications to do their dirty work. This includes ranting against other races, foreigners, welfare recipients, students, intelligentsia, people with liberal views, gays. Anyone really. Often hypocritical.
Many of these are owned by or work for Rupert Murdoch, the Aussie who also owns Fox.

They provide the smear campaigns so the party itself doesn't have to.

This is purely driven by self-interest. The right wing and left wing parties sought to capture racist voters following the surprise rise of an anti-immigration party a decade or so ago. The right wing being more successful to date - including constant stirring over boat people.
You can effectively defame, define and abuse anyone based on their race if this is repealed, while laws that protect corporations and the wealthy from criticism remain firmly in place.

 

[luckynumbah7]

...and limiting free speech opens a Pandora's Box down the road...when people decide what you can or cannot read...or see...or listen to....

Nope, disagree that it limits free speech. They can still say whatever they want, and they can still talk to their friends about how horrible all those people of -------- group are - they just can't say it as an insult to a person without repercussions.

 

[luckynumbah7]

More information, please.

It is ["only"] speech, or is it racial discrimination of all types such as employment, public accommodations, etc.?

I put "only" in brackets and quotes, because a lot of people will say something like, "Oh, it's only WORDS, and they won't hurt you." Will somebody be allowed to publish an editorial in the NSW interior mining towns telling people to "please go out and kill as many aborigines as you can, and take out those Chinks, niggers and faggots while you're at it, to purify our town" - and not be held accountable if people start being killed? Even in the United States, where free speech is virtually ABSOLUTE, people are held to account and can be sued out of existence for this type of thing - even in "red" states.

It used to be that in some parts of the "Deep South," when there were lynchings (almost always African-Americans, described by earlier terms in those earlier times), or people in favor of integration were killed, there were often NO judicial investigation of any kind. Not only did the killer redeem his* Get Out of Jail Free card, but often there were high-fives (did high fives exist fifty years ago?), the killer was congratulated for a job well done, and often carried on people's shoulders directly to the ballot and elected as Sheriff, mayor, etc. as a result. [his* = Yes, the people causing the worst mayhem were almost always men.]

Is this where Australia is heading now? The downfall of a great nation, if that's the case.

Eh, as for men causing the worst mayhem re; racial, dunno if I'd agree. When someone is backing you, I consider them just as bad, so all those women and closeted and/or unaware trans pplz weren't off the hook, either. And yes, high fives were here fifty years ago. Gimmie some skin, Jackson =)

 

[6packattacks]

Honestly, I agree with him 100%. Here in America we have legislation for hate crimes. It's basically someone gets a harsher punishment if they think the intent to harm them was done just because of the color of their skin or sexual preference. It's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. Like gays and blacks are more important people, so we need to make sure their attackers get a harsher punishment I see the intent but the bigger intent is looking at people in groups and I'm totally against that. Every crime is a hate crime, it's called a crime for a reason. You usually don't like the person you use force against.

 

[Kabluey]

This is not Sweden...nor is it Canada. This is the US and once again...we are closer to the oppressive Middle Eastern countries in a lot of ways than the more progressive ones.

Ummmm - both Sweden and Canada have anti-hate speech laws.
On that basis it would appear that anti-hate speech laws promote progressiveness better than unfettered hate speech.

 

[luckynumbah7]

Honestly, I agree with him 100%. Here in America we have legislation for hate crimes. It's basically someone gets a harsher punishment if they think the intent to harm them was done just because of the color of their skin or sexual preference. It's the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. Like gays and blacks are more important people, so we need to make sure their attackers get a harsher punishment I see the intent but the bigger intent is looking at people in groups and I'm totally against that. Every crime is a hate crime, it's called a crime for a reason. You usually don't like the person you use force against.

Every crime is a hate crime? Where the hell have you been living? Most crimes are of the "I don't give a fuck who you are, where's your wallet" type of crime. You'll note that that is a different type of crime than the "I'm gonna kill you! Get back here faggot/nigger/tranny!" type of crime.

For instance, one of 'em wants your money. The other wants you.

 

[eastofeden]

Nope, disagree that it limits free speech. They can still say whatever they want, and they can still talk to their friends about how horrible all those people of -------- group are - they just can't say it as an insult to a person without repercussions.

Sorry...don't want to live in a police state. I think it is extremely foolish to set a precedent because when the tide turns...and it will...it could be YOU that they are silencing....for criticizing religion or God..or even worse. I am never going to sign off on that. I used to donate to the ACLU for that very reason.

 

[gsdx]

Like gays and blacks are more important people, so we need to make sure their attackers get a harsher punishment

Ah, but it is a two-way street. We have hate speech laws in Canada which protect me from verbal abuse, but I am just as liable if I speak against anyone else in a hateful way. It isn't just blacks and gays who are protected. Every single Canadian is protected from any hateful verbal abuse from anyone, no matter who or what they are.

 

[c0nfused]

Sorry...don't want to live in a police state. I think it is extremely foolish to set a precedent because when the tide turns...and it will...it could be YOU that they are silencing....for criticizing religion or God..or even worse. I am never going to sign off on that. I used to donate to the ACLU for that very reason.

I notice it's usually the white american people saying they want their free speech. Here in england, we have laws against hate speech.

 

[Alnitak]

Sorry...don't want to live in a police state. I think it is extremely foolish to set a precedent because when the tide turns...and it will...it could be YOU that they are silencing....

Indeed hate speech against religious would likewise be illegal, as well it should be.

for criticizing religion or God..or even worse. I am never going to sign off on that. I used to donate to the ACLU for that very reason.

We are discussing hate speech, not criticism, two very different animals.

 

[eastofeden]

Indeed hate speech against religious would likewise be illegal, as well it should be.



We are discussing hate speech, not criticism, two very different animals.

Actually...the guy I was responding to said THIS "they just can't say it as an insult to a person without repercussions."...insulting a person includes "insulting" their religion or their God ...just ask the people who insult Allah....it is a slippery slope and a Pandora's Box and nothing will convince me that silencing someone's opinion of anything is going to be beneficial.

I have to bow out now though...I am not going to change anyone's mind and you and/or anyone else are not going to change my mind. It is a firm principle for me and I am not going to sway at all.

 

[Alnitak]

nothing will convince me that silencing someone's opinion of anything is going to be beneficial.

Wir sagen nicht nur ich glaube, sondern ich kampfe!

Stirring words. Had they not been spoken, Poland would be half Jewish.

 

[Kabluey]

insulting a person includes "insulting" their religion or their God

Hate speech laws don't prevent insults or debates around race or religion. Hate speech tends to be used by those who want to short circuit any dialogue about such things.
The test for hate speech in western democracies is very high and not reflective of the pandora's box you speak of.

Notably, Canada and Sweden both rank higher than the US in terms of press freedom.

 

[gsdx]

nothing will convince me that silencing someone's opinion of anything is going to be beneficial.

You don't seem to understand that nobody is being silenced or censored, even here in Canada. We are simply being made responsible for their words. Nobody is immune, not even our Prime Minister. We can still say whatever we want about anyone we want, but if it is proved to be hate speech, we must suffer the consequences. It's no different than running red lights or sticking a knife in someone's gut. We can do that, but we had better be prepared to pay the price.

 

[luckynumbah7]

Actually...the guy I was responding to said THIS "they just can't say it as an insult to a person without repercussions."...insulting a person includes "insulting" their religion or their God ...just ask the people who insult Allah....it is a slippery slope and a Pandora's Box and nothing will convince me that silencing someone's opinion of anything is going to be beneficial.

I have to bow out now though...I am not going to change anyone's mind and you and/or anyone else are not going to change my mind. It is a firm principle for me and I am not going to sway at all.

Psssst, I have a moniker. It isn't as if this has been a long thread and y'can't hunt it down for the life of you. Hurmph. Threads can get confusing when people say 'that guy' instead of ----------. By insults I mean hate speech, not criticism. You were the one that brought in the word criticism - I thought I've been quite clear, at least on that account. There's a difference between hate speech and criticism, like there's a difference in crimes. Speaking of crimes, there's an example a hop, skip and jump of that very thing earlier in this thread. Here's another example, "I think you're a fool for believing the world was created in seven days when the timespan is obviously much longer, and seven days was merely the way god explained it to the people." That would be a criticism - one I hear quite often between religious family members, as a matter of fact. Hate speech would be "Goddamned religious nutjobs, get the fuck outta my store, your kind ain't welcome here." While the line can occasionally get blurry, it's usually pretty damned stark. Hate speech is often backed by whatever actions the person thinks they can get away with.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

maybe get first base learn wot freedom is
* just signs a here *
ooh

anyway alway is a wonda planets collect a awsum lands figa wens nose on own face
* dat ifs a ya owns ya own face *
oooh a point dat

thankyou

* dat fill bit a space *
a bit

 

[luckynumbah7]

maybe get first base learn wot freedom is
* just signs a here *
ooh

anyway alway is a wonda planets collect a awsum lands figa wens nose on own face
* dat ifs a ya owns ya own face *
oooh a point dat

thankyou

* dat fill bit a space *
a bit

....You know, you could probably make a good bit of money if you collected your replies and made a book of poetry. Could be the next big thing.