The bulk of the American Morning response revolved around the Holocaust Museum shooting and hate speech. Most believed the museum shooter received far too much coverage, while a minority felt that such exposure would prevent future hate groups from hiding on the Internet. Banishing “hate speech” was considered to be the solution for preventing further violence, while others voiced concern over “thought crime” legislation leading to a more “Orwellian” society.
- Dan: Like Blitzer yesterday, Roberts is asking what can be done about the haters and the violent extremists. Cohen gave you the answer....expose them, shine a light on them. These people are well known by groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their bile is all over the Internet. It's the job of the media to expose these homegrown terrorists to the general public. You may not stop all their vile acts, but it's the best, and most necessary start. Get on it! And maybe we can stop the next attack.
- Jared: If there is one certain truth in world politics, I believe that one thing to be that true, real democracy is expensive. From time to time there have been occasional tragedies in our history as a nation, and my heart goes out the family of the officer killed, but it will not help democracy to invoke "thought crime" legislation; that is the stuff of George Orwell.
- Steve: RE: Hate Crimes. When I see these many hate crimes against Blacks, Hispanics, Gays, Jews, etc. I can't help remember the line from "America The Beautiful" – "And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea". Unfortunately that's a bunch of hooey!
- Bernadette: Jim Acosta, Lit the fuse, not! The fuse has been at a low burn for years just awaiting the right opportunity to strike and explode!
- Darryl-pa: What about that hate group called librals and the way that the Palins are treated.
Will exposure for such hate crimes as the killing of Dr. Tiller and the shooting of the guard at the Holocaust Museum help to deter such hate crimes in the future, or will they incite others to follow in the hopes of gaining exposure for their personal causes? Is there an appropriate way for the U.S. to regulate “hate” speech without infringing on our First Amendment Rights to freely express our thoughts? How would you solve this dilemma?