'Hate speech' label another liberal ploy

The Dec. 18 article, "Hate speech tag irks Mount Prospect library patron," is a classic example of how some liberals use the term, "hate speech," to shut down opposing view points.

The term, "hate speech," is a derogatory label created by liberals, which they use to incite the pejorative emotions of the viewing public toward particular opposing opinions. In so doing, they attempt to create a social momentum of condemnation to silence the speaker of those opinions. It is social manipulation pure and simple.

If being tolerant and respectful means allowing others to express their opinions, then any attempt to deny another that right of freedom of speech is intolerant and disrespectful, and is therefore, hateful by its intent. So, in my opinion, since that is the intention behind the use of the term, "hate speech," - to deny others the right to speak - we would do well to eliminate the term from our lexicon. The use of the term is self-incriminating and hypocritical.

Furthermore, the term, "hate speech," is unnecessary. We all recognize irrational, angry rhetoric when we hear it and, consequently, those who utter such insupportable words typically heap the social condemnation of reasonable people upon their own heads. When I hear or see something labeled, "hate speech," I automatically seek to discover the intention behind the label and I suspect so do many others. No doubt, the social manipulators out there will label this letter, "hate speech," but intelligent readers can read between the lines.

Brian Van Dine

Carol Stream