A conversation piece?

[jeremyp]

The point then becomes, do we allow people to voice racist opinions freely, or do we censor/censure them.

It's not the racist bit that concerns me - wellit concerns me that there are racists - but the bit where he offers money for somebody to murder an innocent woman. I don't think that should be allowed, in fact it isn't.

[jeremyp]

Is it a threat to kill though? Again as with the twitter joke, I am not sure it is. Just because you say 'Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?' doesn't mean you mean it.

No it wasn't a threat to kill, it was a request to kill, accompanied by financial reward. 

The troublesome priest quote is telling, because, of course, that particular "not meant seriously" remark led to the death of Thomas Becket. What if somebody had taken the Viscount at his word and committed murder?

[Owlswing]

No it wasn't a threat to kill, it was a request to kill, accompanied by financial reward. 

The troublesome priest quote is telling, because, of course, that particular "not meant seriously" remark led to the death of Thomas Becket. What if somebody had taken the Viscount at his word and committed murder?

My point exactly!