Neo-Nazi Rock, Eminem + Free Speech Debate

Or he might consider giving a rallying speech about artists throughout history having objectional viewpoints, and pointing out that a rehearsing nazi band hardly presents any real danger to anyone.

Or he should add a clause to the rental policy that explicitly forbids musicians with whatever political opinions to rent rehearsal space.

Or he might declare that this is a non-issue and tell people to grow up.

Or he could applaud it on the grounds that far too many nazi bands can't handle their instruments properly, and therefore, rehearsing is a very good idea.

If it's the latter, then it is actually incitement to racial hatred and therefore shouldn't be allowed. Whatever your opinion on Eminem, his lyrics do have the defensive saving grace of ambiguity.

Gareth talks about the "slippery slope" of banning them, which is something a lot of left-liberals say, and they do have a strong case. Unfortunately, a lot of them tend to gloss over the equally slippery slope of allowing them to play. So assuming you don't support the free circulation of child pornography and racist propaganda, then everyone believes in censorship to some degree. There may be a slippery slope, but what's the best way to make sure you stay at the top rather than sliding down one side or another?

We are the elite, death to the parasites
We will save civilisation from corruption and slavery
We are the elite, death to the parasites
Supporters of multiculturalism will end up against the wall

I am so sick of the hypocrites
that spend cheap summer holidays enjoying the Turkish coast
And then return and tell everyone without being asked
that the Turkish bastards don't do anything but steal
And those white women, crying on the television
Multi-cultural marriage, and one or three bastard children
Then kidnapped and taken away to a land in Africa
Those bitches are so stupid, it's punishment for their treason

The main man in this band was prominent in a small Dutch neo-nazi party subsequently banned by the government.

Any "free speech" arguments here can surely be countered with the accusation that these are the very people who seek to take away the aforementioned freedoms that liberals holds so dear.

having said that, i know its a thorny issue, which is why i said the fudge thing, banning things tends to send it underground, i don know

I don't think free speech arguments should ever be countered. Lord knows, I find these people repulsive, and I know they would like to banish a lot of the freedoms that liberals enjoy, but one of those freedoms is being able to express yourself through music. If you deprive one person of this right, there's no telling where it will end. It's unfortunate, all the same, and part of me does want to see these guys getting flogged in the streets! This side of me must be reined in, though, in the interests of fairness.

But, like, if a tree falls in the woods, you know?

And just because they profess to be nazis - only means that they have the spine to tell people what they believe. If they were only thinking Nazi thoughts, they couldn't possibly be banned. Unless they are conspiring to bring harm, they have every right to assemble on govt/public property.

Oh deary me - where do I start with this one: they are very clearly by definition NOT anarchists - in fact in may ways they're the complete antithesis of anarchists!

Personally I think they should be actively encouraged to rehearse there.

And once they've booked their rehearsal session, I think the details should be passed to every many militant anti-racist / anti-fascist activist / organisation in a 50 mile radius.

I'd happily encourage Eminem to rehearse there then tell all the local Gay and Women's Rights groups when he was going to be there in exactly the same way.