ERIC ALTERMAN, I should mention, has apologized for his remarks about Rush Limbaugh (scroll down). He also asks me if I “believe in the concept of ‘hate speech.'”

I’m tempted to answer, like the man asked about adult baptism, “Believe in it, hell — I’ve seen it done!”

I don’t believe that “hate speech” deserves special legal punishment, though, if that’s the question. I regard “hate speech” as a descriptive term, not a special offense. Wishing for someone’s career to be ended by disability is fairly hateful, and “offensive remarks” that are “based on a disability” would be punishable hate speech in most of those places that forbid it. Though they probably would make an exception where the target is a right-wing talk show host. . . .

But anyone can make a thoughtless remark in an interview, and Alterman’s prompt apology does him credit.

UPDATE: Not everyone agrees.