Yes, I'm speaking about our present system of law/culture which has a foundation in our (historically) recent experiences.

We have seen how language filled with hate can lead to actions filled with hate. Though the road from thoughts and language to action is not a road with one inevitable outcome, in our judicial system the person who has instigated someone else to commit a crime will be punished as well (though perhaps not with a lesser sentence).

Sorry, but to take that sentence by Voltaire verbatim under all circumstances is silly in my eyes, for we all agree that for instance in that 'fire' situation free speech can be restricted by the law. So we only disagree about from where on restrictions should be put on free speech and not whether at all.

In that concrete instance (Birmingham), I see not the slightest reason for any restriction of free speech.

Wolfgang