The words hater, racist, homophobe, Islamophobe are all used
with gay abandon by the left-leaners on this forum.
I consider that calling someone by these epithets in the first person is far more offensive
than using nasty words to describe the third person or the "other".
I propose that first person offenders be prosecuted, criminalised and jailed.
With all the haters in jail the world will be a much better place.

"With all the haters in jail the world will be a much better place."

Proxy, this statement seems to contradict the purpose of your subject if you really value freedom of speech for all, not only those with whom you agree. I don't understand why you think calling someone an Islamophobe is punishable but using the 'N' word is not.

I happen to agree with you on this one in regards to punishment. The beauty is that this sort of prejudice is clearly evident in the emails and shows the writer for exactly who he is and the sort of person he represents.

That is in itself the punishment. We represent and condemn ourselves with our words and actions. That is something no court can ever hope to equal

Proxy,
I think you need to read your own contributions.
You are prone to peremptory Labeling base on the slimmest of evidence and even less analysis one might suggest prejudice.

The man in question certainly showed repeated racist tendencies, however I did say there are other probable causes for his behaviour that made his "act like a racist".

So far you have splashed around pejorative terms 'puritans', "self styled moral arbiters", apologists, left leaning (pejorative inference? without that connotation one wonders why did you use it. Surely,"some contributors" would have made the same point.

Labels and purple prose are a means by which to separate people who don't agree with you out. By your labeling you are intending to degrade them and thereby their opinion.

On one hand you scream freedom of speech but on the other you try to belittle individuals or groups thereof in order to what? Rob them of integrity of what they say and therefore their freedom of speech.
Apart from which the term 'left leaning has been corrupted by inaccurate association with socialism and communism.
E.g. I am neither communist nor socialist. I am more a humanist than a lefty.
Untill you can define your terms clearly my suggestion is that you avoid such pointless and inaccurate labels.

NB (he was *acting* in a racist/xenophobic fashion but on the evidence that label was unsubstantiated on the available evidence. I said the man was *possibly* a racist but offered other(IMO)more plausible options.

Contrary to common myth brevity (short cuts)in speech are not necessarily appropriate, they are often based on prejudice not sound reasoning or fact.

Foxy,
Saying that Lindy Chamberlain was jailed for being apparently showed abnormal reactions or that she was found guilty because of that is a looooooooong bow at best.

The media and the great unwashed certainly did make that conclusion but I would suggest the botched evidence and media driven interest probably contributed more, don't you think

For once I find myself agreeing with you Pericles.

Are the words offensive? Yes.

Would I use such language? Nope.

Am I disgusted with people who use words like that? Absolutely?

But do the circumstances merit any sort of criminal sanction?

Gimme a break.

I am more alarmed by the fact that this even got to court than I am by some sad sod using these words.

[Deleted for profanity].

[Deleted or obsenity].