Fred Bauder wrote:
The words, "Charge!" have worked
historically. "Fire!" works well too. The
codes necessary to activate and fire a nuclear missile would better be
described as data. To address the matter at hand, hate speech is the social
equivalent of the crime "inciting to riot". If people believe such things as
the fabrications in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (in general
circulation in some Arab countries) they can be expected to take action.
Close, but no cigar.
"Charge" doesn't kill people, pointy objects held by charging people --
who have free will and are therefore responsibile agents -- kill people.
"Fire" doesn't kill people, boots of panicky people -- who have free
will and are therefore responsibile agents -- kill people.
"The Protocols of Zion" don't kill people, imbeciles who were looking
for a target anyway -- who have free will and are therefore responsibile
agents -- kill people.
I have yet to encounter a sound or a spot of ink on a page that could
cause a human heart to stop beating. Every counter-example that has
ever been presented to me has involved the intermediation of a
responsible agent. In short, words don't kill people, people kill
people. And in my arrogant opinion, blaming a word for a person's
action is cowardly.
--
Sean Barrett | Space isn't remote at all. It's only a
sean(a)epoptic.com | couple hours' drive away if your car
| could go straight upwards. --Fred Hoyle