What does free speech mean to you?
No and yes.
Strictly speaking, the US Constitution was written to protect citizens who value their liberty from a tyrannical government. So private institutions and individuals can implement as many consequences as they like for any manner of behavior.
Unfortunately, some jurisdictions have interpreted the Constitution as social standards too. So how big of a jerk you can be varies from place to place. Mind you, it’s all pretty hypocritical though. Look at the current governor of Texas. One month he pushes an order to guarantee free speech on college and university campuses in Texas. The next month he sends the Gestapo to stomp out pro-Palestine protesters at UT. Ell oh ell! In order to justify his own hypocrisy, they’ve decided to frame all pro-Palestine viewpoints as “antisemitic”. So, no more free speech for you! Ell oh ell!
Most Helpful Opinions
Free speech means you can say anything - as long as you're prepared to deal with the consequences. Which can be anything from your family disowning you, to a large group disemboweling you with a broom handle.
And a variety in between.
The only vice worse than free speech is compelled speech - making "preferred pronouns" a legal requirement, for example. Just because you're a deluded fuckwit doesn't mean I have to affirm those delusions. If the emperor is butt naked I'm not afraid to tell him.
Sure, but freedom of speech doesn't come without consequences for the words you use, especially if being racist or sexist.
Freedom of speech just protects you from the government coming down on you, but in social cases, you're still liable to suffer in some way.
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Free speech doesn't mean you're allowed to commit crimes with speech, just like the right to bear arms doesn't mean you're allowed to commit crimes with guns.
You can say what you want in private, but if you publicly lie to damage an individual or groups reputation, or if you incite others to harrass or commit violence against them, or threaten violence or harrass them yourself... it doesn't matter if you do this with words or with actions. It is still against the law.
Also, there are some places where you can't carry a gun (such as a private business where the owner says you can't, or in an MRI room). Likewise there are some places you have to exclude certain words, phrases, and sentiments from your speech (such as a private business where the owner says you can't, or someone's home). This is not violating your freedom.
if i can only say what "others decide to let me" then it isn't free speech!
that is a major problem with woke rules n facebook censor etc.
if you can't write the n word you live in a tyrrany totalitarianism.
Its not free speech unless you allow disagreeable speech.
Whatever "exceptions" you would define are invariably be applied liberally as passable, in the case of subjective exceptions such as "racism" or "Sexism" there are no real limits.
This fact should be oblivious given they are consistently broadly they are applied.It depends on where you live. Here in the UK there are hate crime laws covering ablest, racist, homophobic and transphobic abuse, some have stirring up hatred laws but there is also Public Order Act covering hate speech in public and Communications Act covering hate speech online.
No such law bans sexist speech
Free speech and hate speech are different things.
Free speech means, I can say anything providing it doesn't fall into the realm of hate speech!Are you stupid and insane?
Get the flunk outta here before i take action with admins and moderators!Free Speech is an absolute if someone tries to hedge it in with qualifiers then it is no longer Free Speech, but oddly enough the ones try to add the qualifiers are always those who constantly go one about democracy,
It doesn't protect from getting told to shut up. If one would say something like that.
It's the most repugnant, vulgar offensive speech that's MOST in need of protection. Absolutely entities you to be a disgusting person.
Yes, it is your opinion and you are entitled to it.
Yes. Words are words. That's all they are. Let stupid people voice their stupidity, that's the best way to shut them up.
Yes, the government cannot lock them up for it.
Yes and no. Free speech is free speech. Hate speech is hate speech. But there's a dividing line. And sometimes that line is contested.
Yes, free speech is for the speech you don't like; not the speech you do.
I'm an absolutist when it comes to free speech.
Yeap
of course it does.
Sadly.
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