Piggybacking off a discussion from earlier, these laws were passed by the legislative branch. It would take an activist judge to shut them down.

Dick Just kidding. They could be shut down by the same legislative branch changing their mind and rescinding.

They could but this is why we give power to the courts too and why we shouldn't expect the courts to defer to the legislative branch.

So the legislature should pass "laws" that judges choose to support on a case by case basis? That's called anarchy or dictatorship. Bad law is still law.

Yes. Judges should judge laws on a case by case basis. That's how it works.

The courts are designed as a checks and balance.

“There should be consequences. People have to learn there are consequences, especially in the era of Trump,” Gutierrez said. “I really do believe there are people who say to themselves, ‘If Trump can do it, I can do it. Why can’t I go out there and say the things the president says?’”

They are very clearly after free speech.

They are very clearly after free speech.

I think you can see with this Forest Preserve how dangerous these laws can be.

What happened?

Yes, but the purpose of a court is not to impose its personal opinion regarding the law. If the legislature passes a law making what happened there a "hate crime" (they haven't but I can certainly see a future where they have), it's not up to a judge to use his/her position on the bench to nullify the law based upon his/her personal feelings.

What really should have happened was the big dude that was with the woman should have told the Forest Preserve cops that if you don't make this guy get out of here I'm going to punch his face in.

Obviously the drunk has the right to say what he said. If he doesn't then all the people that yell at conservative speakers on campus don't either.

Rick is trying to take on a strawman. It doesn't require judicial activism to dismiss this case.

It's not a strawman. The judicial branch exists to help check the power of the judicial branch. When a bad law like this is on the books then they have limited power to invalidate it.

There is no question. But some will continue to say it's just a vocal minority... that is, until they are not even allowed to speak at all.

Some drunk yelled at a woman wearing a Puerto Rico shirt and she filmed it. The next thing you know the goof is up on assault charges with a hate crime kicker.

What really should have happened was the big dude that was with the woman should have told the Forest Preserve cops that if you don't make this guy get out of here I'm going to punch his face in.

Do you believe a judge should be able to strike down a law because they personally disagree with it?

No faith in America to hold its ground and retain it's core principles. Sad!

Agree with OP.

Hate leash.

What should happen to the old man? Fine him?

Not even that.

Just post the video and publicly scorn the fool.

What should happen to the old man? Fine him?

Not even that.

Just post the video and publicly scorn the fool.