Is a Conservative Radio Hosts “Joke” about Hillary, Hate Speech, Free Speech or Inciting Violence?

Posted by Ruth O’Brien

When a conservative radio host “jokes” about shooting Democratic wanna-be contender Hillary Clinton, is this hate speech, inciting violence, and crossing a line if someone does it or gets caught trying?  Or is this free speech?

The best point of reference can be found in Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.’s upholding the socialist Eugene Debs’s conviction in 1919, Debs v. United States, 249 U.S. 211.