You know it's actually very à propos I bring this up here. Because the fictional Star Trek universe has spread American culture all around the world, hasn't it? So I have to ask, what are other nations' opinion of freedom of expression in the USA?
Hate speech is incredibly stupid. But it's protected here. I didn't even hear about Holocaust denial laws until recently. And it's incredibly stupid and incredibly wrong too. But we allow it.
The Nazi salute can get you three years in prison in Germany. And again, only the dumbest of the dumb would do it. But we just ignore them. And that's sometimes more effective believe it or not. You imprison people, people might feel sorry for them. You ignore them, and they generally go away. I'm serious.
And even possessing a swastika. Is that illegal in Germany? It's never been here. Ill-conceived idea, again. But not illegal.
So what's other people's opinion of our unusually expansive view of freedom of expression? I'm very curious.
I can’t stand the people who use “hate speech is legal, so I can be a total jerk“ line. Just because something is legally okay doesn’t mean it’s morally okay. Also, ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away. Not to mention, if others see that someone said or did something horrific with zero consequence, chances are that would encourage others to come out of the shadows and follow in that individuals footsteps. This is how hate groups form: “It’s not illegal“, “I have a right to my opinion.”,“ You can’t do anything about it.“ And the list goes on. Someone needs to put out the flame before it turns into a raging fire.
Being dumb is not an excuse for bad or evil behavior. If you watch enough law and order, you will see that ignorance is no defense in the law.
I live in a country where, despite being a member of NATO and the EU, the country's leader has the same personality as Trump, and he is already 12 destroying our society.