I find it even more disturbing that the first reaction of so many people is to condemn the speech they disagree with rather than the acts of violence against innocent people.
RS/BBM
Some people are condemning both.
RS/BBM
Some people are condemning both.
Um, since when is white nationalist not a derogatory term? OT but still....
RS/BBM
Some people are condemning both.
Pamela Geller gave an AMAZING interview with FOX news. Unfortunately it is not up on their site and I cannot link to the sites that are hosting it (non-msm) but suffice to say Pam Geller is the new "Iron Lady".
But the thing is, she shouldn't be condemned at all. I didn't even know who she was until last night. But I don't care what she says about any religion. I won't condemn anyone for having a different view of mine if it isn't physically harming others. All she is using is words. She is in NO way responsible for the attacks against the event.
She is about as responsible for this happening as a rape victim is for wearing something sexy. It portrays the same idea that what someone is saying or doing gives others the right to victimize them. (And I'm not saying you are doing this, I am just seeing it EVERYWHERE in social media)
But the thing is, she shouldn't be condemned at all. I didn't even know who she was until last night. But I don't care what she says about any religion. I won't condemn anyone for having a different view of mine if it isn't physically harming others. All she is using is words. She is in NO way responsible for the attacks against the event.
She is about as responsible for this happening as a rape victim is for wearing something sexy. It portrays the same idea that what someone is saying or doing gives others the right to victimize them. (And I'm not saying you are doing this, I am just seeing it EVERYWHERE in social media)
I'm fairly certain that almost everyone in America, Australia etc. believes that free speech includes the right to speak incendiary and provocative words without the consequence of violence. However, Gellers, Wilders and others put themselves in a group that a lot of people don't want to identify with. Like it or not, people aren't going to rush to their side. But that doesn't mean their detractors are anti free speech or anti freedom.
I think these ad hominem attacks calling her group racist white nationalists and a hate group are degrading to civil discourse. And victim bashing.
I wouldn't mind seeing people who disagree with her stance talk about what specifically they disagree with and why. That would be operating on a higher plane of consciousness.
Nevertheless, I support the free speech rights of those who simply prefer to call her names. I would not support anyone shooting them, beheading them, or burning them alive just because they spew hateful and vitriolic speech.
The American Freedom Defense Initiative has been designated a Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center[SUP].[/SUP][SUP]
[/SUP] ....The British government designated Geller's organizations hate groups and barred Geller's entry into the UK in 2013 (wiki)
Many are not.
The first reaction of many has been to criticize and condemn Geller's organization. That tells me a lot about their thought processes and the plane of consciousness they occupy.
A fair number of folks identify as White Nationalists so obviously they don't think it is a derogatory term.
Historically the people being labeled by the term define whether it is derogatory or acceptable.
I didn't even know who she was until last night.
Freedom all around - to state what one thinks on a subject and the freedom to think and judge as you wish about those statements.
Pamela Geller is a hate mongerer.
LOL YEP. I wonder when Fox News will air the cartoons for our viewing pleasure. They report, we decide. JMO Will they proudly and bravely assert their 1st Amendment right? JMO
I'm sorry but it doesn't matter if she is a hate mongerer. STOP faulting the victim. It's not what we do on WS.