Hate is more difficult to deal with when it is clothed in righteousness and virtue — when it’s garbed in the mantle of free expression and free speech.

None of this is new. But in a world where fanatics can gather followers around the world, it has become dangerous.

We don’t even seem to have the right words for people who fan such flames because “terrorism” is something different. What can one call the next-door neighbours or the friends from church who emotionally and financially support hate, but still expect normal relations and don’t seem to understand what they are supporting?

Governments and courts are right to attempt to keep everyone safe and free to express themselves. When they try to do that, cue the lawyers, advocates and civil libertarians. Doing so is their job. Without them, power and authority could run rampant.

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But this used to be less harrowing, less dangerous on all sides of the spectrum.

Those of us of a certain age remember Skokie and the neo-Nazi group in 1977, who wanted to demonstrate in front of the village hall in full Nazi regalia. This........

© Calgary Herald