Is Freedom Of Speech Overused

[Darth Revan of the Sith]

Freedom of Speech the first ammendment gives the person the right to Free speech. However is it possible to overuse and abuse this right?
What do you guys think should there be limits to the way the ammendment is portrayed or not.

[GenzoTheHarpist]

Don't yell "fire" in a crowded theater.

[~ P O L A R I S ~]

The whole idea of "freedom of speech" is nonsense. The only people who were ever without literal freedom of speech were those who actually physically couldn't speak. Be it due to busted vocal chords or whatever else.

Obviously, we're talking about figurative freedom of speech, but it's a fallacy too. Consequences are still suffered for saying that which is "controversial" or whatever anyone happens to feel like disliking on any given day in the US as well as in every other country which claims to have "legitimized free speech" . Granted, those consequences might not be as severe as in other places and/or times, but they're consequences nonetheless.

[Dark]

I don't understand why anyone should think freedom of speech should be limited. Excuse my jaded opinion as I've been living all my life in America with this freedom, but the government should have no authority to restrict an opinion or thought or idea of someone. You can go out in a large crowd and curse and bash Obama for some bullshit reason, but I don't understand why that should not be a protected right. As long as you aren't physically inflicting harm on someone, there is no reason why the government should be able to restrict one's sayings or thoughts.

[Icy]

[quote name='Dark' timestamp='1290800782' post='4811482']
As long as you aren't physically inflicting harm on someone, there is no reason why the government should be able to restrict one's sayings or thoughts.
[/quote]

It's only limited when said words will knowingly lead to people panicking and causing physical harm. The rest is just rules and regulations for certain areas (such as your home/inside a workplace/on a forum).

[Dark]

Freedom of speech [b]can and will[/b] be restricted in schools and online and whatnot.

However, there is one flaw in your argument; you say that, universally, your speech is restricted when it, "lead to people... causing harm."

That doesn't make sense. Why should [i]your[/i] speech be restricted just because someone else wants to cause harm? I could get a mental person in front of me and start talking about how I eat bunnies and how bunnies suck my left ball, and they could go beserk and kill everyone and everything in sight. Does that mean I should not be allowed to talk about bunnies and my balls, despite the fact that those statements were blatant lies?

Or let's put it this way: there are many neo-Nazis still around in the world, and while the Swastika is a taboo sign in society, it is still illegal to publically post a picture of a Swastika, et cetera. Can you explain why? It's not even in a school setting: you are [b]not allowed[/b] to publically show a Swastika.

[Icy]

The keyword in what I'm saying is [i][b]knowingly[/b][/i]. If you show knowledge and/or intent that your would cause harm unto another (specifically a mass of people) you are held liable for your words and actions; otherwise no penalty is brought upon you and strictly to a crowd. As much as the one's who you caused a panic for (within certain clear restrictions such as if the person is mentally unstable etc).

So if your words cause harm directly, then you are held liable. Indirectly is another thing however.

[Dark]

You don't know how stupid you just sounded.

Icy, you are a complete moron, and you should just go have sex with a dog now and get your idiocy off of this website. Seriously, stop being a complete dick and leave, you impudent loser.
---

I didn't know that would [i]knowingly[/i] hurt you; I expected it to bounce off and we could continue being friends. D:

[Icy]

I get your context, but it didn't hurt given the situation... At my best interest I ask that when you find more time, to get on MSN and we can discuss this due to my inability to convey it properly in this form.

[Tentacruel]

I agree with Dark, freedom of speech should never be haltered under any curcumstances. However, certain words and phrases might be censored in certain environments, without any negative side effects. Racial slurs, for instance, shouldn't be allowed when talking to a public audience.

[GenzoTheHarpist]

[quote name='ADHD-Guitar' timestamp='1290995677' post='4817654']
I agree with Dark, freedom of speech should never be haltered under any curcumstances. However, certain words and phrases might be censored in certain environments, without any negative side effects. Racial slurs, for instance, shouldn't be allowed when talking to a public audience.
[/quote]
So you do think that it can be controlled. "under any circumstances"? You contradict yourself here.

[Amethyst Phoenix]

Everyone's opinion on this evar:


I think freedom of speech is good and we need it as part of our progressive society.


....oh, except for these few things I don't like.

[Tentacruel]

[quote name='GenzoTheHarpist' timestamp='1291010496' post='4817977']
So you do think that it can be controlled. "under any circumstances"? You contradict yourself here.
[/quote]

I agree, I worded that wrong. I mean, you should never not be able to speak your opinion, but words like racial slurs should be prohibited in [i]certain situations.[/i]

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Petrosian' timestamp='1290571548' post='4806548']
The whole idea of "freedom of speech" is nonsense. The only people who were ever without literal freedom of speech were those who actually physically couldn't speak. Be it due to busted vocal chords or whatever else.

Obviously, we're talking about figurative freedom of speech, but it's a fallacy too. Consequences are still suffered for saying that which is "controversial" or whatever anyone happens to feel like disliking on any given day in the US as well as in every other country which claims to have "legitimized free speech" . Granted, those consequences might not be as severe as in other places and/or times, but they're consequences nonetheless.
[/quote]
The exacting wording of the First Amendment is as follows:
[quote]Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.[/quote]
Freedom of speech means that you are free to speak, not that you are free from consequences. There's a difference between the Sedition Law (making it illegal to criticize government policy, passed under President John Adams) and people running you out of town for suggesting that maybe gay people aren't possessed by the Devil.

On the other hand, people do overuse the First Amendment because they think that it says that their right to speech cannot be infringed upon at all by anyone. That's not true - only the government is barred from infringing upon free speech. Really, a strict reading of the Constitution (and I should beforehand say the Constitution ceased being read strictly shortly after it was established) only ensures that the federal government will not restrict freedom of speech, while states may choose to do so.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

The right to free speech is what allows people like Abu Hamza to stand on a podium in the centre of London and spout vile hatred about the Western world. And be given police protection to do so.

And this is a good thing that must not be censored why?

Unfortunately you give people an inch, most will take a mile. People abuse their rights and can't be trusted.

[GenzoTheHarpist]

[quote name='Matt Bahamut' timestamp='1291205122' post='4822152']
The right to free speech is what allows people like Abu Hamza to stand on a podium in the centre of London and spout vile hatred about the Western world. And be given police protection to do so.

And this is a good thing that must not be censored why?

Unfortunately you give people an inch, most will take a mile. People abuse their rights and can't be trusted.
[/quote]
And yet, freedom of speech is one of the merits of said "western world". If it were taken away, then he would have grounds for everything he says.

[Mehmani]

What people never understand is that Freedom of Speech is always supposed to be within reason. Don't shout "fire" in a crowded theatre, don't bash religion in a church, etc.

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Matt Bahamut' timestamp='1291205122' post='4822152']
The right to free speech is what allows people like Abu Hamza to stand on a podium in the centre of London and spout vile hatred about the Western world. And be given police protection to do so.

And this is a good thing that must not be censored why?

Unfortunately you give people an inch, most will take a mile. People abuse their rights and can't be trusted.
[/quote]
You're inability to comprehend the ridiculousness of your own statement is astounding.

[CinnamonStar]

[quote name='GenzoTheHarpist' timestamp='1290561920' post='4806225']
Don't yell "fire" in a crowded theater.
[/quote]

I'll try that.

jk I like to say that freedom of thought is unlimited but freedom of speech is a different matter. No government has the right to shut down your thoughts and that's why I'm also against disallowing the NPD and related groups which are very borderline-Nazi parties because if this is what people are convinced about, then there's no reason to shut them down. They can also make protests for all I care but by voicing their opinions, they should also expect that others will protest against them.=/

[quote name='ADHD-Guitar' timestamp='1290995677' post='4817654']
I agree with Dark, freedom of speech should never be haltered under any curcumstances. However, certain words and phrases might be censored in certain environments, without any negative side effects. Racial slurs, for instance, shouldn't be allowed when talking to a public audience.
[/quote]

[quote name='ADHD-Guitar' timestamp='1291134930' post='4820468']
I agree, I worded that wrong. I mean, you should never not be able to speak your opinion, but words like racial slurs should be prohibited in [i]certain situations.[/i]
[/quote]

Doesn't that make freedom of speech still haltered, even if it's only in certain situations?D:

[DianKetoTheCardMaker]

There are situations where people do have the right to speak their mind but forget the idea of respect, and it's sort of nice to have respect where respect is due.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='Dr. Cakey' timestamp='1291333214' post='4824610']
You're inability to comprehend the ridiculousness of your own statement is astounding.
[/quote]

Care to debate properly, by telling me why I'm wrong rather than just mindlessly insult me...

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='Matt Bahamut' timestamp='1291412164' post='4826605']
Care to debate properly, by telling me why I'm wrong rather than just mindlessly insult me...
[/quote]
Alright, how about this. [i]Define[/i] what constitutes unacceptable.

[Zeppeli Gyro Supreme]

There are ways it is being abused, such as groups that use the right to insult and intrude upon the lives of other people, and there are ways that it is being kept from us. There are still plenty of things you are not allowed to say in America without getting in trouble with the law, or otherwise stopped from doing so. Such as using anti-presidential words within the vicinity of motorcade, or even wearing a shirt that says "I don't like ______".

[Dr. Cakey]

[quote name='slayer_supreme' timestamp='1291427556' post='4827220']
There are ways it is being abused, such as groups that use the right to insult and intrude upon the lives of other people, and there are ways that it is being kept from us. There are still plenty of things you are not allowed to say in America without getting in trouble with the law, or otherwise stopped from doing so. Such as using anti-presidential words within the vicinity of motorcade, or even wearing a shirt that says "I don't like ______".
[/quote]
You're making me worried that you're confusing "free to say anything" and "anything you say or do can't be used as evidence that you might intend harm on someone nearby".

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

[quote name='Dr. Cakey' timestamp='1291426710' post='4827202']
Alright, how about this. [i]Define[/i] what constitutes unacceptable.
[/quote]

Oxford Dictionary definiton of 'unacceptable' ... is s*** and just says 'not acceptable'.

Anyway, spouting abuse and hatred in public against pretty much everyone who is within in earshot is pretty unacceptable don't you think, and I don't think it should be allowed.