Are Coulter, Hannity, Savage, O'Really, etc guilty of hate crimes

[Toots]

These people have all had books published that called Liberals Traitors to America and suggested that Liberals be treated as Traitors by Americans. Is that a Hate Crime and if not why not?

[PDJane]

1. It is........

but it masquerades as free speech.

[Todd B]

2. No

Like it or not, it's freedom of speech. Political groups don't fall under any type of protected class of people.

They may be horrible people, but it's not hate speech (well, in the general description, at least).

[YOY]

3. No

When people start listening to the point where that commit crimes against the opposition (and the pundits continue to root them on) then it will become a hate crime. Until then, it is just free speach and talk is cheap.

[kevinbgoode]

4. Taking a page out of the GOP's playbook

we should claim they are guilty of treason for their blatant encouragement of violence against fellow Americans and their deliberately fabricated attacks. What provides aid and comfort to an enemy more than promoting division within?

[quinnox]

5. I would be the last to defend the likes of them

but free speech is a major trump card and rightfully so in my opinion. Like that old quote says I hate what you say but will defend your right to say it.

It might even be called slapstick or comedy or satire what Coulter and Savage says, some of it is so outrageous, most people don't take them seriously and those who do are probably retarded or morons.

Now, clear hate speech such as "Kill <some ethnic slur or religious group>" or "Such and such are sub-humans" well, that is different and should be treated differently.

[Toots]

9. So is burning a cross Free Speech as well?

I guess I am confused on the whole hate crime issue. If you are advocating violence through the use of hate I assumed (wrongfully it appears) that you would be guilty of a hate crime.

[YOY]

17. If one does it on one's own front yard I'm pretty sure it is

perfectly legal to burn a cross...but I hope the person catches fire lighting it.

[rucky]

6. It's free speech, I'm afraid.

If they said that people should lynch us, that's a different story. But they always just barely skirt the law. Weasels.

[stepnw1f]

7. Yes It Is...

but it is also protected.

[Jade Fox]

8. The real crime is....

that we do not have a real FCC that punishes people like those you mentioned for saying things that are untrue or misleading on the broadcast media.

There is not much you can do about what is written in books except sue for slander if it's directed at one person, and apparently that is hard to prove when the person is a public figure.

[lpbk2713]

10. Annthrax has publicly advocated violence

against Dems & Libs several times.

[BushOut06]

14. Anthrax is a very fine metal band - please don't do that

[niceypoo]

15. Coulter called for Clintons assassination

"In this recurring nightmare of a presidency, we have a national debate about whether he "did it," even though all sentient people know he did. Otherwise there would be debates only about whether to impeach or assassinate" -- Ann Coulter talking about Clinton investigations

[sam sarrha]

11. Mann Coulter is the poster Queen for the lunitic fringe..

[Goblinmonger]

12. Why do you hate America? n/t

[Burning Water]

13. It may be hate;

but it's not a crime. Hence, no hate crime. Free speech comes first, always.

[Blue-Jay]

16. No, they're just douchebags.