Dear Mercury Editors:

You deplore hate crimes but they would not take place but for the absurdity that groups fomenting such hate against fellow countrymen are "protected" by the free speech clause of the First Amendment. 

This began in the 1970s when the courts, goaded by ACLU, ruled that uniformed Nazis could hate-march against Jews of Skokie, Illinois.  "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words never hurt anyone," is ACLU's perverted interpretation of the free speech clause.

Fact is, our Constitution does not deal in any way with relationships of one citizen or group with another, whether hostile or benign.  No Constitutional law scholar can show any intent in this regard.  Invoking the free speech clause in considering inter-citizen conduct is in total error.

The conduct of some groups whose rhetoric subtly ask, "Is there no one who will rid us of  gays, Jews, abortion doctors?" etc. is unfortunately  labeled "expressive conduct" by ACLU and thus "protected."  It is in this milieu that hate crimes really begin.

The free speech clause guarantees the absolute right of the citizenry to assemble peaceably and  debate and deliberate issues of governance before voting on them.  It guarantees no militancy whatsoever towards one adversaries. 

There is nowhere a "right" to deny  to others the rights one claims for oneself. 

Respectfully,
Louis Worth Jones
 

Subj: Hate
Date: 09/01/99
To: [email protected]

Dear Chronicle Editors -

People should realize that hate literature and hate marches (like Skokie in the 1970s) come to us under the supposed banner of First Amendment free speech.  Any counter movement to regulate this will run into stiff opposition by ACLU contending this is "expressive conduct" having political content.

American freedom includes a right to hate, but not to form organized campaigns of hate and hostility toward one's fellow countrymen and women.  This is where the real hate crimes begin.  This is how the Holocaust began.. 

The Bill of Rights does not deal with inter-citizen conduct.  No one can show original intent in this regard.  Invoking the First Amendment in these cases is totally in error.

The right to participate in democratic process does not include a right to militate against one's fellow human being.

Respectfully, 
Louis Worth Jones
 
 

1999