Curious George
Veteran Member
I thought we were discussing free speech, even extreme examples.I'm referring to civil free speech not incivil free speech. Free speech to have any value requires from all involved a modicum of civility.
Of course ypu bear responsibility, but your bearing of responsibility does not negate the speakers responsibility either. Responsibility is not a zero-sum game wherein once a party is found to have responsibility the others are exonerated. We look to mens rea and actus reus when looking at most crimes. Several people can be responsible and thereby held accountable for one outcome.Not sure atm that the fire example is legitimate. Someone yelling fire is not going to cause me to run over or climb over other individuals or do anything extraordinary to put someone else's life at risk. I guess the assumption is that everyone panics and no longer has any control over their actions.
If I trample someone to death because of what someone else yells does it me I bear no responsibility for killing someone? I would hope not. Otherwise I'm free to blame anyone else's speech for my actions. Someone claims Obama allowed thousands to die in Chicago. Ok, so I go shoot Obama out of a sense of justice. Not my fault?