How legal is it to talk badly about Government in writing?

[manlymatt83]

Pretty consistently, my friend and I have text message-based debates about every aspect of Government: how well the US is doing on XYZ, whether or not the fed should exist, what caused the big crisis of 2008 (federal regulation vs. big business), etc.

I understand some things are illegal, like certain language about POTUS, etc. But what's the limits of expressing opinion on the federal government and their ability to run the country? Is everything protected by freedom of speech?

 

[Howard]

Strictly speaking, as long as you don't do something stupid like incite a riot, you'll be OK. But you'll probably be put on a list somewhere.

 

[manlymatt83]

Strictly speaking, as long as you don't do something stupid like incite a riot, you'll be OK. But you'll probably be put on a list somewhere.

Cool

 

[woolfe9999]

Political speech is the most protected form of speech in these United States.

 

[shortylickens]

According the Constitution, you can say anything you want.

According to the Patriot Act, you better get prior approval for everything unless you want some waterboarding.

 

[QuantumPion]

Political speech is the most protected form of speech in these United States.* **

*Unless you are making political speech on behalf of a corporation.

**Except 30 days before an election.

FTFY.

 

[Doppel]

According the Constitution, you can say anything you want.

According to the Patriot Act, you better get prior approval for everything unless you want some waterboarding.

hehe more or less this.

Don't say that you wish harm on POTUS. You can definitely say he's no good and the country would be better without him in his position (I'm not saying that, just offering that one could). Nobody will care about that because this isn't China.

I think the lines are gray between acceptable and not. It's acceptable to say that everybody in Congress is useless, but wishing harm on them I don't know, I'd avoid that

 

[guyver01]

Everyone who posts in P&N is on a Government watch list.

:sneaky:

 

[Texashiker]

I understand some things are illegal, like certain language about POTUS, etc. But what's the limits of expressing opinion on the federal government and their ability to run the country? Is everything protected by freedom of speech?

Do not post anything that promotes violence.

 

[Anarchist420]

hehe more or less this.

Don't say that you wish harm on POTUS. You can definitely say he's no good and the country would be better without him in his position (I'm not saying that, just offering that one could). Nobody will care about that because this isn't China.

I think the lines are gray between acceptable and not. It's acceptable to say that everybody in Congress is useless, but wishing harm on them I don't know, I'd avoid that

It's ridiculous that you may not say you wish harm on public servants.

They're very violent and malicious people themselves.

 

[Siddhartha]

Did Mr Paul say that listening to anti-government speech should be punished by going to jail and or being deported?

 

[Macamus Prime]

You are a demon worshipping baby eating communist socialist who is out to destroy the world and must be stopped, if you:
- form any opinion against the government's actions to protect business and corporations
- form any opinion against the government's actions to protect the Christian religion
- form any opinion that supports the government's actions to protect non-Christina religions
- form any opinion that supports fair and equal treatment of workers
- voted for Obama

 

[piasabird]

There are plenty of things that can get you in trouble. For instance a while back during the mad cow outbreak, someone, (I think it was Oprah) said something about not eating meat and some trade group representing meat sellers sued the media personality for trying to cause damage to their industry. So one has to be careful what they say. Most likely a private citizen would not be sued. However, if you made a statement about how you dont like a company and your selling off all your stock, then maybe that could be construed as your attempt to control the stock market. So lets just say you should use some caution.

Be careful while getting on a plane if you mention drugs or explosives, expect to be charged, searched or both!

 

[smitbret]

Legally, as in jail time and prosecution, you can say anything you'd like about the governemnt unless it contains threats of harm through violence or criminal act.

Civilly, you can be sued by private parties under libel and slander laws.

 

[Sp12]

Technically, you can say pretty much anything non-violent.

Practically, I wouldn't be having that sort of discussion electronically.

 

[piasabird]

Most politicians would have already gone to jail if you could not say anything detrimental about the government. How could we have elections if you could not criticize the government and those already in office? This is the foundation of freedom.

 

[bfdd]

I'll talk shit on anything I feel like talking shit on, if I'm wrong correct me and I'll apologize. I love this freedom of speech shit.

 

[woolfe9999]

"Wishing harm" on an elected official is not a problem. It remains protected speech. Saying that you intend to do them harm, or encouraging others to do them harm, might be a problem. So one could say "I wish so and so would just die," but saying "I intend to shoot so and so" might be a problem. I think that's clear enough.