Freedom of Speech

[UltraQuiet]

There has been a lot of talk lately about freedom of speech and the "criminalizing" of it. Specifically, I hear a lot people say that to burn someones album or to refuse to watch their TV show because they are "anti-war" (if you know anyone who is pro-war, they are sick, they need help, send me their name, maybe BaliBabyDoc will give them a rate) is stupid and "criminalizing" free speech. My question is: How else do you voice your displeasure with these people? Anyone who uses their access to a public forum to voice their personal views has to realize they are responsible for what they say and people are going to use whatever means is available to them to either support or criticize those actions.

If the President says or does things that you don't like then you vote him out of office. If some actor, radio host, musician says or does things you don't like what is your recourse? You don't watch or listen to the show, you call the sponsors to tell them you aren't buying their stuff, you get enough people together to convince a station to quit playing their music or airing their show, etc. I don't see how this is "criminalizing" free speech. There is a line of course i.e. blacklists, etc. but my contention is, and it was the point of this post, if you are going to use your access to a public forum to try and influence public opinion then you had better be ready for some public backlash. I have little sympathy for people who are crying over the blowback they receive when they open their mouths in public.

JMAO. Please discuss.

 

[dahunan]

sounds great so far, but can give us a couple line breaks (double spacing)

 

[ShotgunSteven]

I think Amused said it best in another thread.

Freedom of speech means freedom from legal consequence. It does not mean freedom from social consequence.

 

[Ryan]

The only people who claim that free speech is being "criminalized" are people who have little understanding of the Bill of Rights, they have no idea what they're talking about.

 

[FoBoT]

everybody is entitled to their opinion
freedom to discent is allowed in the USA
personal responsibility in our country has almost evaporated in today's society

so i think they deserve what they get, freedom of capitalism is just as valid as freedom of speech (ie as you describe, people that get negative economic repurcussions for their outspokeness)

 

[vi edit]

Dave,

You're looking a little blue around the gills. You need a little more red and white in your avatar.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Dave,

You're looking a little blue around the gills. You need a little more red and white in your avatar.

i think he is really bummed out

 

[dahunan]

Problem I have is .. Can Free Speech = Physical Blockades

 

[Ferocious]

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Theodore Roosevelt (1918)

 

[vi edit]

Throughout history, we've had legions of people who can "dish it, but can't take it".

 

[Kadarin]

Perhaps a better question to ask would be "what is freedom?" Is "freedom" the divine right for everyone do to and say whatever they wish, with no consequence? Or is freedom, from a personal standpoint, the willingness to accept responsibility for what you do and say, and society's recognition of such?

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Dave,

You're looking a little blue around the gills. You need a little more red and white in your avatar.

My sig amd the avatar changed the day the war started. I plan on leaving them until the war is over.


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"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Theodore Roosevelt (1918)
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I'm not saying their shouldn't be any criticism. I'm only saying that it is two way street and anyone who uses their access to a public forum, with a potential to influence many people shouldn't be surprised, or whine about, or say they are being discriminated against when there is some blowback.

 

[Sketcher]

I have little sympathy for people who are crying over the blowback they receive when they open their mouths in public.

Roger that. I agree with your whole post but will sum it up w/that line.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

The thing is, this boycotting isn't based on logic or thought. It's based on what the government tells you.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
The thing is, this boycotting isn't based on logic or thought. It's based on what the government tells you.

could you explain that?
are you saying the govt. told me to boycott something? i must have missed the meeting or email or whatever

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: FoBoT

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
The thing is, this boycotting isn't based on logic or thought. It's based on what the government tells you.

could you explain that?
are you saying the govt. told me to boycott something? i must have missed the meeting or email or whatever

I missed it too. Not that it matters, I was boycotting The Dixie Chicks long before it was stylish to do so, simply because their music sucks.

 

[vi edit]

Most boycott's I've seen or hear of have come from inane internet forwards from people who dont' have and 'effin clue.

 

[FoBoT]

i don't read spam , so if the gubberment sent me a spam to boycott something, it got deleted

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I should have said it's based on what the government wants you to do. Sorry I'm tired.

Like I said, flags and peace signs take the place of free thought for quite a few people.

 

[yellowperil]

By the same token though, I find it ironic that when someone disagrees with the Bush administration's actions, people make comments such as "if you don't like this country, move to Iraq." :disgust:

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
By the same token though, I find it ironic that when someone disagrees with the Bush administration's actions, people make comments such as "if you don't like this country, move to Iraq." :disgust:

You can't expect every American to understand democracy.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis

Originally posted by: yellowperil
By the same token though, I find it ironic that when someone disagrees with the Bush administration's actions, people make comments such as "if you don't like this country, move to Iraq." :disgust:

You can't expect every American to understand democracy.

They should be ignored.

Let me clarify a point. I'm not talking about people posting on a message board or even a peace protester who happens to get on the evening news. I am talking about people, who because of their fame, fortune or whatever, have access to a medium where they can express their viewpoint, knowing it is going to get wide-spread exposure and have a great potential for opinion making.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: yellowperil
By the same token though, I find it ironic that when someone disagrees with the Bush administration's actions, people make comments such as "if you don't like this country, move to Iraq." :disgust:

Most of the "if you don't like this country, move to Iraq" comments are directed toward tards who spout slander, slogans or arguments without really having a valid point other than to sling mud from the ignorant safety of one's particular politcal camp. Or, rant rant rant then make a comment about how Bush stole the election so isn't justified in anything he does.

Personally, (though this goes a little off topic from Dave's post) I think that anyone who still cries over Bush's Presidency/Recount/etc. should return every penny of their taxes that is above the norm which would have been received prior to his election. Put the money where the mouth is so to speak...