Let's play the "Hypothetical" game.

[Craig3410]

Let's say, hypothetically, a Rush Limbaugh or an Ann Coulter comes out and mentions in passing that a certain high-profile liberal (say, Russ Feingold, Al Franken, John Kerry, et al.) should be shot/ have poison put in their creme bruleé/etc.

Now, if somebody ACTUALLY goes and does said thing, can said Rush or Ann be charged with anything, or is it a case of IOKIYAR*?

*It's OK if you're a Republican, if you didn't know. :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I'm not sure

but I bet Law & Order will do a "ripped from the headlines" episode on it, if they haven't already.

[Savannah Progressive]

2. While I am no lawyer

If the words in question are used as part of a "joke" then probably no, there is nothing I am aware of.

If said in all seriousness, then it could be considered incite to riot, or some other conspiracy charge.

However, I wouldn't count on any real prosecution, after all Rush wiggled out of that drug investigation and doctor shopping investigation pretty quickly didn't he?

[Rocknrule]

3. It wouldn't fly

It's the same as movie/videogame makers and rappers being sued for allegedly inspiring acts of violence, although in this case, there would actually be evidence that there is a link and the hatespewers, unlike Marilyn Manson and Nintendo, actually have malicious intent in their speech.