How free is free speech?

[DM master]

Hey this is my first thread and I did a quick search and nothing similar was there.

I was recently reading this thread: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.16594

It is about a facebook group which is against war. Although the group is not bad many of the comments on the wall are bashing soldiers and the war etc.

One of the responces in the thread says : "As for those who want to remove that group, it's a little something called Freedom of Speech. It's in that Constitution that those soldiers swear to. While it may be an unpopular opinion, people are allowed to say it." - Jedoro

Which i agree with completly.

BUt in addition to this grouop there is another group which is trying to remove this group just cause they disagree with the oppinions stated.

So i put it to you guys who free is free speech?

For example i have heard the argument that our right to free speach is eclipsed by our right to not be exposed to "hate speech".

Just wanted to hear your views

Sorry about accidently posting this half finished (hit enter half way through by accident)

 

[Charli]

Its a free as how many opinionated control freaks are are in the room.

 

[Hybrid Sight]

Free speach is free until you say something someone doesn't like.

 

[Hazz_11]

its free as long as your opinions match or at least closely resemble the opinions of the people with the biggest guns but this is only my opinion

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

It's free until the liberal media finds out you hurt someone's feelings.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Free speech means that you have to tolerate the fact that idiots can say what they want. But it also means that you can tell them to shut the fuck up.

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

There is a rather ambiguous clause in England about free speech; you are entitled to your opinions and you are entitled to express your opinions provided that your comments, be it spoken or written, does not negatively effect the peace and harmony in the region...or something along those lines.

It's brilliant on paper but the problem is it's hard to open your mouth these days without something offending someone. I guess my point is that you should know your audience before you say anything.

 

[Dys]

..I'm from Australia, this entire concept of free speech seems fictional. I mean, we have a measure of perceived freedom, but given our leaders intend to block websites that promote things like euthanusia and certain religious beleifs, one must question how free we are. Videogames, films and literature have all been censored for a long time, pornography is illegal in many states and the mainstream media never seems to state any particular opinion on controversial issues, I can't help but think that we aren't exactly free to express ourselves as many would like or even as many seem to think we are.

It's hard to say whether or not I'm for it, as I generally hate having to listen to morons and even now, with our censorship, they seem to be talking too much. Would encouraging people to speak freely make it worse?

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

So i put it to you guys who free is free speach?

For example i have heard the argument that our right to free speach is eclipsed by our right to not be exposed to "hate speach".

Just wanted to hear your views

Sorry about accidently posting this half finished (hit enter half way through by accident)

I'd say free speech is limited to how well a person is able to spell the word "Speech".

It is awful that I laughed?. I guess not, I am entitled to say that after all.

 

[DM master]

[quote="madbird-valiant" post="18.166050.4393505
I'd say free speech is limited to how well a person is able to spell the word "Speech".[/quote]

Sorry about that, just changed them

 

[Cherry Cola]

Free speech means that you have to tolerate the fact that idiots can say what they want. But it also means that you can tell them to shut the fuck up.

Amen!

Shut up Benjamin.

Shut up Fabian!

Or, since your name is Fabian O'Neill, maybe I should call you... Fab-O?

 

[Kollega]

Free speech means that you have to tolerate the fact that idiots can say what they want. But it also means that you can tell them to shut the fuck up.

This sums up my view nicely.

 

[Avatar Roku]

It's free until it's used to infringe on the rights of others or it's used excessively deceptively. You're not allowed to shout "fire" in a movie theater or "rape" any time you're not being raped because then people are going to panic about an emergency that isn't real. You're not allowed to lie in court. You're not allowed to order another to commit a crime, or at least you get saddled with blame as well if they actually commit the crime. So it's free within reason.

That said, if it's just an opinion, even if it's one I find completely disgusting, I'll defend it to the hilt. Hell, I'm a Jew who defends the rights of Neo Nazis to talk their bullshit so long as it doesn't transform into action.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Free speech means that you have to tolerate the fact that idiots can say what they want. But it also means that you can tell them to shut the fuck up.

Amen!

Shut up Benjamin.

Shut up Fabian!

Or, since your name is Fabian O'Neill, maybe I should call you... Fab-O?

Well, maybe I should call you... BenjAr?

I fail to see how that is more insulting than Fab-O. I mean, you sound like a gay policeman. I sound like a Pirate named Ben.

BenjAaaar

 

[Disaster Button]

Is as free as it wants to be until it offends someone. Which is pretty rediculous but we all get offended at things that people say now and then. What matters is whether we're going to attack their beliefs or accept that they're different to us.

Of course there's exceptions to that exception too.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Free speech means that you have to tolerate the fact that idiots can say what they want. But it also means that you can tell them to shut the fuck up.

Amen!

Shut up Benjamin.

Shut up Fabian!

Or, since your name is Fabian O'Neill, maybe I should call you... Fab-O?

Well, maybe I should call you... BenjAr?

I fail to see how that is more insulting than Fab-O. I mean, you sound like a gay policeman. I sound like a Pirate named Ben.

BenjAaaar

Well, actually my nickname by my parents (AND NO ONE ELSE) is Fabi, so you're not far off.

That's just Fabulous

 

[FallenJellyDoughnut]

Erm, well, it's difficult to figure out whether free speech should be 'just say anything' or whether they should restrict it if things are said that are hurtful.

In Ireland, it's pretty free, but we've got this new blasphemy law that's getting a lot of well deserved flak.

Well, chances are that anything you say will offend some idiot in the world so naturally if they did that they would pretty much have to restrict talking.

 

[Tiny116]

Theres freedom of speech and then there is breaking the terms and conditions.
If these people are slagging off soldiers then the group should be banned it puts the group under the "discrimination" section. They have to remember lots of facebook users may well have lost friends and families in these wars, and should keep this in mind when they post.

In short voicing a negative opinion about war is freedom of speech, whilst insulting soldiers who sacrifice their lives and quality of life is closer to harassment and abuse.

 

[dante brevity]

Americans have found over the years that free speech is both awesome and no big deal. Yes, we have Nazis marching in Skokie, but you know what? They were universally derided. The good thing about free speech is that every asshole with an opinion can shout it from the rooftops, but with everyone shouting, you can't hear a thing.

Censoring speech is ineffective and gives a message power: "Look, the government doesn't want us to know this! It must be true!"

We don't give Nazis, the KKK, Holocaust deniers, blasphemers (really, Irish?), 9/11 conspiracy believers, UFO enthusiasts, this Facebook group or Amway any mystique to work with. If we told these nutbags they couldn't speak, people would be intrigued. When we let them speak, most people say, STFU.

 

[TimeLord]

Free speech is not free, no matter how much people say it is you can still get locked up for saying something wrong