Though dating back nearly 25 years, this "Law & Order" episode starring Sam Waterston is as topical as ever. "Hate" deals with the important but tricky subject of Free Speech, and especially the whole notion of incitement. With Trump and the owner of "X" (previously known as Twitter) in the news every day, it's a hot topic that nowadays is argued more on the level of one's preconceptions rather than rationally where honest debate is possible.
Waterston in court couldn't be beat as a spokesman for the legal aspects of the issue, and it's a credit to the 'Law & Order" writers room that I couldn't figure which way the jury would decide in the case of the "teacher of hate". Certainly, the ground-level criminal who carries out a hateful deed of violence will be judged guilty, but what about the man behind the scenes who tries to justify such actions, and then cops out with the First Amendment as cover?
Definitely food for thought, a durable segment withstanding the test of time handily.
Waterston in court couldn't be beat as a spokesman for the legal aspects of the issue, and it's a credit to the 'Law & Order" writers room that I couldn't figure which way the jury would decide in the case of the "teacher of hate". Certainly, the ground-level criminal who carries out a hateful deed of violence will be judged guilty, but what about the man behind the scenes who tries to justify such actions, and then cops out with the First Amendment as cover?
Definitely food for thought, a durable segment withstanding the test of time handily.