Stefanie wrote:
I think "the atmosphere of mutual respect" would benefit from the truly open communication afforded by the right to free speech, rather than be hindered by it.

Well put. Threatening people with fines and imprisonment for expressing the wrong point of view is not a particularly good way of showing respect for their right to make up their own minds about what they think.

RE: Hate speech or free speech? What much of West bans is protected in U.S. - International Herald Tribune