Freedom of speech?

Question

Arent we suppose to have freedom of speech? If so y don I always get in trouble in school for what I say!! I mean we should be able to voice our opinion yet the teachers make us keep our mouth shut!! Is that how they want America's future to be? Quite and not tellin people what they think? I dont know about the rest of America but that wouldn't be a very good America!! America is built on opinions!! Then there I am a little afraid to say what I feel about George W. Bush after what happened to The Dixie Chick!!! When they say we have a freedom of speech did they mean DONT SAY WHAT YOU WANT!!! I want to voice my opinions without getting in trouble!!!

Dont say that since I am a minor I dont have a rite as long as I have both feet in America it should apply to me!!!!! I have to live here so the freedom comes along with it!!!!

Answer 1

U ARE SO RIGHT

Answer 2

America's first Amendment right states, "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."

What that means is that you have the freedom to speak your mind, voice your opinion and speak freely. Irregardless of your location, the first ammendment right still applies. However, there are restrictions that do abridge your freedom. For example, you can't shout, "FIRE!" in a crowded movie theatre, because it causes panic and disturbance. It is true that you have the "freedom" to shout "FIRE!", but there are circumstances where your right is subsided for the saftey of others.

You are allowed to voice your opinion about the President. You can call Mr. Bush any form of vulgar or profane insult, but if you make a statement such as, "I'm going to kill President Bush", then again, your right is pushed aside, and the saftey of others is the top priority.

School's have rules and regulations, and one of those is orderly and respectful conduct towards teachers and staff. If you say in a classroom, "F**k President Bush!" you're now disrespecting the classroom rules which prohibit vulgar and obscene language. If you were to say, "Screw Bush.", then you are in no way threatening, disrespecting, or harming any individual.

There is a twist on that.. if the teacher asks you why you said it, you aren't obligated to tell her why(5th amendment right), but you are obligated to be respectful, and calm while talking to, or approaching her. If you say, "I don't give a sh*t!" and display a disrespectful attitute, you are now opening yourself to punishment.

Be smart when using your rights!

(*Note: The fifth amendment right is your right to remain silent during interrogation!*)

Answer 3

The Founding Fathers were educated, moral, and wise men who were tired of the oppression they faced from the English crown. They studied the problem; planned solutions; petitioned the King repeatedly; then fought and won a revolution. They amended the Constitution to protect the freedom of citizens to assemble and speak so that their progeny would not have to suffer tyranny in silence as they had done. That is a far cry from an uneducated moron who cannot behave in class.

Answer 4

Sigh. Hasn't anyone ever read the Constitution?

We don't have freedom of speech; we have the protection from Congres passing laws restricting speech. This means just what it says: the Congress of the federal government can not pass a law restricing speech. It does not say anything about your school making a rule to restrict your speech.

Answer 5

The freedom of speech is the freedom from government restriction on what you express. However it does not automatically include ever manner in which you can express yourself, nor does it allow you unlimited speech in every situation.

"wmcritter" is correct that the 1st Amendment protects against federal restrictions on speech. However, the 14th Amendment also extends that protection to state and local governments as well, including government-sponsored agencies like public schools.

The key is that the near-absolute protection is only relative to content and viewpoint. There is less protection where the government is only regulating the time, place and/or manner of expression. The standard in for time-place-manner restrictions is called Intermediate Scrutiny, and requires that the govt be attempting to achieve an important goal, and use means that are closely related to accomplishing that goal, while leaving amble alternative opportunities for expression.

For example, a school can reasonable determine that during class-time it is not appropriate for students to speak out in a manner which disrupts the class. That's designed to achieve the important goal of not disrupting class, and is closely tailored to meet that goal. A student may free to express themself at recess or after school, so there are ample alternatives available.

However, for a time-place-manner restriction to be valid, it must also be neutral with regard to both content and viewpoint. So, a school or govt rule can't allow people to speak out on one topic, but not on another topic. That would be content-based discrimination. Exceptions may apply where the forum is particularly suited and open to one topic. For example, a class on political activism might allow students to speak out freely about political matters, but restrict other types of non-political speech. However, to be content neutral, the rules would have to treat speech about all unrelated topics equally. So, speeches on proper gardening would be just as restricted as speeches about your favorite musical bands. Both are outside the scope of the designated forum.

The other restriction that applies is that rules cannot discriminate based on viewpoint. Thus, a rule that allows only political speech cannot open the floor to pro-democracy speech while prohibiting support for other forms of government. That would be viewpoint discrimination, and is also not allowed.

The bottom line is that reasonable restrictions can be imposed, based upon the situation and the forum/context. But those restrictions cannot be based upon the actual content or viewpoint of your message, except in the rarest of situations.

Answer 6

You have the right to freedom of speech. You do not have the right to disrupt class or the lives of other people with that speech. If you sat down and shut up, you might actually have learned that.

Answer 7

Freedom of speech does not mean you can go and insult,ridicule or shout fire in a crowded building,the same laws that protect others also protect you,if freedom of speech would be misused,then the person that seats across from you would tell you he or she hates your guts because you stink like a pig,even though it wouldn't be true

Answer 8

You're supposed to have it, but our political situation is such that the same thing is happening on a national level that's happening in your class. Liberals have been sent to "free speech zones" up to two miles from speeches in order to prevent their views from being heard. So we're all in the same boat.
But keep this in mind: soon, you'll be in college. When you are, your professors will LOVE for you to voice your opinions in class. That's what college is all about.

Answer 9

Of course there is a freedom of speech. However, we do not have to agree with what you say, which is what is happening with the Dixie Hicks. Fans heard what they said, and they don't agree so their not going to their concerts. You have a right to say what you want, but you do NOT have a right to be heard and we are NOT instantly going to like what you say.

Answer 10

freedom of speech only applies to liberals. a conservative point of view is rarely heard on mainstream news unless its Fox. most teachers and professors are libs so if you have an opposing viewpoint they will always try to keep you quiet.

Answer 11

You think your school is bad, they set our prom up to be where only a guy and a girl could go together. You couldn't go alone or go with a friend of the same sex. And if you protested about it they weren't going to have the prom at all.