I'm looking for a definition of "hate speech" re LTE

[Tansy_Gold]

A letter was recently published in my local newspaper which appeared to me to advocate violence against people who don't believe in Christmas, don't celebrate Christmas, and/or write LTEs supporting separation of church and state. Leading up to the holidays, there had been a number of letters printed regarding Christmas-specific decorations put up at taxpayer expense, more or less along the lines of the general discussion here on DU.

However, this more recent letter included this line --

"Those who attempt to discredit all that has been a part of our lives for over 200 years are nothing more then /sic/ the discontented who along with their ideological views should spend Christmas at the bottom of a septic tank."

My question -- does anyone think this might constitute "hate speech?"


Tansy Gold, wondering

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Well it's definitely hateful and NOT a very Christian sentiment

That's for sure.

[forgethell]

5. I agree, but

I don't think it qualifys as "hate speech" any more than some of the metaphorical speaking that we do on DU does. Sounds like someone blowing off a little steam.

[lectrobyte]

2. Sounds like hate speech to me.

[ArkDem]

3. Yes. Hate speech is anything we disagree with.

[asjr]

4. These days anything that comes out of the mouths

of the administration and most Republicans should be termed Hate Speech. Never has this country been so divided since the Civil War.