Getting behind a wheel can result in abhorrent acts. I think someone is scooting strawmen down a slippery slope here

Who me?
No, I think that's a good example as any.
The point is just that because something can lead to an abhorrent illegal act that in and of itself isn't justification for outlawing it, be it getting angry, having nasty thoughts about white people, or driving.

Good point. Emotions can't be legislated, I agree.

Again, good point ...


Like I said, the argument could be taken to either extreme. I understand your point ... Not quite sure how to counter it since I myself don't advocate removal of freedom of speech/opinion etc.

I guess for me, the right to support the right to be racist menss pretty much the same as ending up implicitly (but maybe unknowingly) encouraging it.

Not really. We do what we can to educate people and discourage racism but the final choice is up to the individual. If they choose to remain ignorant racists, we can't stop them.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Here too, I can see your point ... That's just how I feel. Logically, I am probably wrong on this.

Or perhaps I just need to think more and come up with a counter argument ...

I agree. Point well argued ...

No no .. (but you knew that )

Both logically and practically. You have the exact same right to be anti-racist (or anything else) as anyone has to be racist. Sure, you can say you're encouraging each other that way (although I'll bet racism encourages anti-racism more than the opposite) but it has nothing to do with encouragement through protection of rights.

You'd prefer to add to the problems of the world by supporting government thought control?

And government thought control leads to even More harm. A racially motivated house buring or lynching is a terrible thing. The holocost, Soviet purges, and comparable acts are almost beyond measure.

This seems to be the root of our differences - Thinking in the moment rather than considering the big picture. We have an oil shortage, and a huge military... perhaps we should just take over Saudi Arabia? The people in Iraq are giving us a lot of trouble... perhaps we should just wipe them all out? Big corporations are often unfair to common people... perhaps we should tax them out of existence? Racism causes a lot of injustices... perhaps we should allow the government to regulate what children can and cannot be taught? These are all great short-term solutions, but with longer-term consequences that are worse than the original problem(s).

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian