“Describing an action or an event as the "consequence" of speech presupposes that there is some causal connection between them. A central issue in any debate about the limits of free speech is the nature and the imminence of the causal connection between speech and its alleged consequences…. In actual social situations it is impossible to isolate factors and determine their contribution to effects. Such control is extremely complicated even in a scientific laboratory.”

"Take away the right to say F***, and you take away the right to say F*** the government." ~ Lenny Bruce

It was natural for the "left" to blame conservative radio for creating a "climate of hate" that caused the killings in Arizona. For real hate, just check out some of the left wing blogs.

Though its clear you can't yell fire in a crowded theater, the last line of the quote comes close to explaining why juries must be able to determine fact and law, and legislators and executors can not lawfully participate in social engineering. I agree with J Carlton and jim above. I would add to jim's - left wing media.

Is anyone accountable for their own actions any more? Blame, blame, blame. Take some g-d responsibility. The attempt to legislate blame to someone/something other than the individual who acts is an attempt to control everything and everyone. We are all treated like perpetual wards of the state, who can declare economic and moral bankruptcy as long as they bow to the authority of a bankrupt and immoral government. The war on drugs, the war on guns, the war on health care, the war on hate speech, the war on everything -- is war America's answer to everything? Enough already.

I agree with Carlton's comment, though somewhat coarse, as well as Jim's reference to the left wing blogs. Some of the most hate filled comments are found at the most extreme left columns, web sites and blogs and oddly enough we find that many of the perpetrators of hate crimes populate those same venues. -- I also agree Mike and Archer. We are in constant 'wars', however some of them are the wrong ones. We need to be in wars against slander (journalist misconduct), government funded abortion, bullying, congressional misconduct that is given a pass, a government that is destroying our God-given and Constitutional rights, illegal immigration, protecting the institution of marriage, religious persecution, homeschooling restrictions, and the whole host of other issues that are destroying the fabric of our country.