In the midst of endless federal bailouts, skyrocketing unemployment rates, and the threat of economic collapse, the American people are becoming more and more appreciative of their right to exercise free speech. Concerned citizens everywhere are recognizing that when elected officials begin to threaten our prosperity and civil liberties, voicing opinions of dissent becomes more than a right, it becomes duty. Today, as our government expands its reach and gains more control over the masses, the rights bestowed upon us by the First Amendment have never been more important. And, having said that, I regretfully report that those very rights are now under attack. New hate crimes legislation is currently making its way through Congress which, if signed into law, would allow the federal government to prosecute people involved in "hate speech" transmitted over television, radio, and the internet. The important thing to remember here is that the term "hate speech" is broadly defined and would remain open to interpretation. To be clear, the House version of this bill clearly states:
“Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce [radio, TV, internet] any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. (HR 1966, SEC 3, Sec. 881a)”
"In other words", as Paul Joseph Watson of PrisonPlanet.com explains, "if a talk show host engages in 'hostile' speech against a person or persons of the above mentioned federally protected group that talk show host will face federal prosecution and the prospect of a two year prison term." In his article, Watson also warns us of the Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act which "would similarly criminalize free speech on the Internet if it can be deemed in any way to have been 'harmful' to an individual".
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