Why should free speech be an excuse to be verbally abusive and racist?

"However, when did this country decide that hate crime language is O.K. to spew at a PAYING audience? Why shouldn't the group of people offended sue his *ss off?"

Uhh... when the First Amendment was ratified way back in 1776... It isn't "illegal", so the lawsuit would have no merit and be tossed on Constitutional grounds... By the way, I find your "hate crime language" comment highly offensive- expect to hear from my attorney!

If it's a paying audience, and they knew what was coming, I can't see how we could legislate against it. If a person paid and didn't know, he could leave, but obviously he would be upset at paying - the monetary loss would be the extent of the damage. As long as we don't force people to listen, I'm not sure that we can do anything about it. If we could, could we arrest people for being racist in their own home? In Canada, if you harrass anyone in public, that's a crime, because everyone should be free to conduct his life without the fear of things like that - this imposes upon the victim's freedom.

I'm assuming you're talking about the Michael Richards incident. Before you condemn him as a racist or of committing a hate crime, think about this:

Carlos Mencia...

George Lopez...

Paul Rodriguez...

Paul Mooney...

Redd Foxx...

Richard Pryor...

Eddie Murphy...

Chris Rock...

Cedric The Entertainer...

Bernie Mac...

They have all used the same word that Michael Richards used. No-one is jumping up to sue them. Why not??

How can people accept that word from one group of people and not another? It can't be done. You can't say one group of people can use a word but another group can't...especially when the two groups represent different ethnicities. That line of thinking is VERY racist.

Did you even watch the tape.

Did you not hear the heckler in the audience calling Richards Racial slurs before he went off?

Two wrongs do not make a right.

Keep in mind that racism and hate crime speech is offensive both ways lady.

if they don't like it they can leave,you cant restrict free speech!!!!!if you do that opens the door to start restricting every other little thing that offends people!!!!freedom of speech should know no limitations,that would not be freedom.and the word that was used is not a word that is directed at one race,look up the word and read the definition.

any one who is offended is offended because they want to be offended. It started way before my time and appears it's not going to stop. The people who walked out on that commedian did the right thing. Let your feet do the walking.

Why should that group sue anyone? that group also calls themself that word....and do you see themselves sueing each other?

Free speech is by nature, offensive speech. Hence, laws exist to protect free speech. What gives you the right to punish people for what they say or think? Marxism, perhaps?

This could set the precedent for free speech. In the very least, I think those involved should be comped for having their night ruined, but that's it. We cannot start regulating free speech, no matter what racist buffoons have to say about it

it shouldnt be an excuse. People lose sight of the differece between expressing their own oppinions, and harassing other people. I say you have the right to think whatever you want about anybody you want, but if its racist or some type of harassment, just keep your mouth shut. free speech doesnt give you the right to verbally abuse anyone, in fact its illegal

If you are talking about the guy who played Kramer, then you need to view the video of that event. Someone heckled him, calling him the "c" word. "Cracker" to me, is racist and it's not ok for anyone to call a white man a "cracker". I think that needs to be addressed as well.