> The exception I argue for is based on historical
> experience and fact: the incredible horror of WWII
> fascism
i think you could get quite a lot of people to agree w/ you here, charles, but just as many or more might agree w/ the statement following statement. the exception i argue for is based on historical experience and fact: the incredible horror of communism.
i simply don't see how you can proscribe certain types of political speech, however abhorrent, without opening up the possibility (and reality) of more such limits.
from the hungarian penal code:
Article 269/B:
Law XLV, year 1993.
Modification of the law IV of the year 1978 in the Criminal Code
The 20th Century's extreme political ideals brought such dictatorships to power through forceful takeover and exclusive control to Europe and Hungary, which took no notice of human rights and led to the extermination of Hungary's citizens.
The parliament has decided to install the following law, where the interests of Hungary have been considered as opposed to these nations, organizations or movements whose usage of these symbols opens painful wounds.
1 section the Criminal Code's law IV of 1978 is the following section 269/B
Usage of Absolutist Symbols
269/B Section
1.Whomever
a) distributes
b) uses very openly
c) exhibits in public
the swastika, SS symbol, arrow cross, **hammer-and-sickle,** **five-armed red star** or representational symbols and does not commit any greater crime, will be charged and fined.
2.Those in fault of the (1) paragraph who use the symbols for recognizational, educational, scientific, artistic or historical, i.e. the modern era's events, are not punishable by law.
3.Those nations whose official symbols contain the aforementioned symbols are not subject to prosecution under the (1) and (2) paragraphs.
4.The event at which these symbols are displayed must be dispersed.
translated by Georges G. Kovari III, 21 Feb 99