Freedom of Speech

[Rex]

What does Freedom of Speech mean to you, and where should you have that right?

[cardero]

In my opinion Freedom Of Speech means that you can say anything to anyone, anywhere without any repercussions or consequences. In another of my opinions we should have this right or freedom where we need it the most- at our jobs.

[Scuba Pete]

Most people who fixate on Freedom of Speech have forgotten the Freedom of Thought.

[cardero]

NetDoc writes: Most people who fixate on Freedom of Speech have forgotten the Freedom of Thought.

Ah yes, The Freedom Of Thought, now there is a freedom that I exercise daily.

[retrorich]

Originally Posted by Rex_Admin

What does Freedom of Speech mean to you, and where should you have that right?

Freedom of speech is like any other freedom or right. You are entitled to it as long as the way you use it does not violate someone else's freedom or right.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by NetDoc

Most people who fixate on Freedom of Speech have forgotten the Freedom of Thought.

That one's harder to take . I can think whatever I want, and unless I open my mouth, I can't be punished for it.

OTOH, there are some thoughts that can't occur to me unless I have access to the requisite information, and those thoughts are dependent on Freedom of Speech.

[michel]

Rex,

Quote[What does Freedom of Speech mean to you, and where should you have that right?]

I seem to find myself replying to a lot of threads with a poor view of mankind; I was happy to join this forum, to be, hopefully with like-minded people. So far, I haven't been disappointed; I have 'taken' to quite a few members with whom I could empathise etc.......

Freedom of speech to me means that anyone can say whatever they like, whenevr they feel like it.
Where should you have that right?- I would immediately say 'where I know that whatever I say will offend no one' in answer.

The trouble with a theoretical ideal, such as 'freedom of speech', is that such Ideas come about as a result of oppression and the forbidding of freedom of speech.
As with all matters in life, once people campaign hard to overturn a social injustice, the momentum created by their efforts often carry the good original idea past a point which is acceptable, and once that happens, people take advantage and abuse the gift.

I don't know if it is the same for you, where you live, but a characteristic of this is obvious with the idal of 'anti-racist' principles.

Of course I fully endorse the Idea that we should not be prejudiced by coulour, sex-orientation, whatever else......., but have you noticed, that , for example, here in the UK, I am forbidden to use cetain words that might offend a black person, the same principle is noot applied to the black person in relation to me.................?

[No*s]

Originally Posted by Rex_Admin

What does Freedom of Speech mean to you, and where should you have that right?

The ability to share information and opinions unimpeded by the government on any subject I choose. The only limitations I can think of are blatantly attempting to incite violence or things like yelling "fire!" in a theater. Everything else, from speaking, to writing, to copying, to whatever, is fair game and should be unhindered.

[Pah]

Originally Posted by Rex_Admin

What does Freedom of Speech mean to you, and where should you have that right?

Freedom of speech is but the expression of the innate right to hold free thought.

It is designated a freedom because, in some cases, it can be contolled by the state. It is not protected speech when the expression would be of imminent danger to others or to the speaker (I am talkng about incitement and "fighting words").

An illustration - a crowd in the park hears the words "Let's get those Catholics" (protected speech). A crowd on the way to a Catholic church, while carrying clubs and torches, hears "Let's get those Catholics" (again. protected speech). The crowd standing before the church doors while carring torches and clubs hears "Let's get those Catholics" and at this point the speech is not longer proteced by the First Amendment. The imminence of the danger is the discriminating factor. The police power of the state may be used at this point. While it may be used "on the march" it would not be a constitutional exercise of power to prohibit the speech but of some other nature. While in the park, the police power must be used to protect the speakers. When the speaker is threatened, the police may remove the speaker if the words can be consider "fighting words" to a hostile crowd.

I have tried to confine the illustration to points dealing with expression - there may well be other "crimes" occurring that warrant the use of police power throughout the scenario.

"Fire" yelled in a movie theater is not protected speech unless, in fact, there is a fire. That utterance is of such magnitude in the circumstances that immediate danger from a false panic is of more concern then the accommodation of free speech.

Burning the American flag is free speech for it is the expression of a political statement. Burning a draft card is not considered political free speech because the card is the property of the state.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by carrdero

In my opinion Freedom Of Speech means that you can say anything to anyone, anywhere without any repercussions or consequences. In another of my opinions we should have this right or freedom where we need it the most- at our jobs.

What comes to mind here is Libel and Slander. We don't have complete freedom to say anything to anyone. Especially, if we say something that causes someone to lose their job or ruins their reputation, we can be sued.