The right to be offensive

Perhaps one of the beliefs that I hold most deeply and strongly is a total commitment to absolute and unadulterated free speech. I believe that all speech short of directly advocating violence should be protected with no exceptions. The German ban on Mein Kampf is ridiculous (all Germans should be required to read it!). The various European bans on so called hate speech are too restrictive.

My conviction about this has long led me to support the cases of those whose philosophies I find reprehensible and I am afraid I must now applaud the acquittal of the BNP leaders Nick Griffin and Mark Collet on charges of incitement to racial hatred. Nearly every word that comes out of the mouths of these men I find abhorrent but I believe that they have the right to say it and that we as a society have an obligation to defend and protect that right.

The government unfortunately seems to disagree and would appear to be considering introducing stricter laws that would have seen a conviction in this case. Gordon Brown told the BBC

:"Mainstream opinion in this country will be offended by some of the statements that they have heard made. If there is something that needs to be done to look at the law then I think we will have to do that."

My response is - "so what? Being offensive should not be against the law." It is unfortunate that this means I must supports these evil cretins but I must.