is anybody else concerned and annoyed by this?

Question

dont we have freedom of speech in america, does it seem like a bad thing to anyone else that the very documents that this country was founded on are becoming void. if mel doesn't have the right to say something about jewish people then we dont have freedom of speech. the very first thing in the constitution doesn't exist. i find that very concerning. the very second thing. freedom of press. is also now null. you cant write christmas on your own frontyard without a jewish person suing you for thousands of dollars. that is less then freedom people. mel gibson is a US citizen, he can say whatever he wants and write down whatever he wants, he should not have to appologize and he should not be penalized. the same goes for meand you. we are slowly losing our rights. does no one realize that america could become a fascist goevernment. forced to say what is appropriate, forced to write down what will never offend anyone. which wont be much. america isnt free now, and its only getting worse

"I was unaware that people file lawsuits against others because of writing Christmas on frontyards. I've never heard of that before." (mark D.)

yeah man. my neighbor had a sign on his yard that said merry christmas. a jewish family was driving around looking at decorations and when they saw his sign the father had a full blown arguement with him. my neighbor is still trying to finish paying the court order. my grandfather had a small be your own boss sort of business, i little restaurant. he was very proud of it. but he was heart broken when he went out of business because i jewish person sued him for writing merry christmas on the windows. he lost the court case, how is that freedom of press.

and please dont call me an antisemitic, i have no problem with jewish people. i have jewish friends. i am using this as one of many possible examples

Answer 1

Are you implying his freedom of speech is being denied? He has not been sent to jail. The government has not & will not ban any of his movies. People who are offended by his statements may choose to express their opinions by not going to see his movies. This possiblilty naturally limits his chances at doing business in hollywood again. But it is not a violation of his freedom of speech.

If I owned a cafe near a military base & choose to participate in an anti-military protest at the gates of the base, the word might get around & the soldiers & their family might choose never to eat at my cafe again. That is their choice & they would not be violating my freedom of speech in that choice, even if the result is my business going under. Freedom of speech is not a promise there will be no effects of what I choose to say.

And many people choose what movie to go see as much on the image of the performers as the performances themselves. If an artist's image changes, that will naturally change they're popularity.

Just because he doesn't HAVE TO apologize doesn't mean an apology isn't appropriate. He said so vile, bigoted things. I am very glad he gave such a humble apology!

And the lawsuits about "Merry Christmas" and nativity scenes are about whether they should be on PUBLIC property or not.

Answer 2

I dont know what youre smoking.

"if mel doesn't have the right to say something about jewish people then we dont have freedom of speech."

Nobody said he doesnt have the right to say what he said. Its just that his popularity is shot. Few people find bigotry attractive. He has the right to hate jews and I have the right to hate bigots. Any questions?


"you cant write christmas on your own frontyard without a jewish person suing you for thousands of dollars"

Bull hockey. I dont know what alternate reality you're living in.

Mel didnt have to apologize, but he realized that he exposed himself as a bigot, and nobody (but you, maybe?) loves a bigot.

Answer 3

What's wrong with you?! Was Mel Gibson arrested because of his comments? Was he imprisoned for them? NOOOO! He was arrested for driving drunk! His comments are being reported because he is a public figure. Neither the law or the country have done anything to him for what he said, so how is the constitution being violated there? If society refuses to accept him because of those comments, which I highly doubt, then it is the morals of the society, not the constitution that is involved.

Secondly, I hate to burst your anti-Semitic bubble, but it isn't the Jews who are stopping you from writing "Merry Christmas" on your front lawn or even at City Hall. It's the atheists who are offended at any hint of religion. Jews don't have a probable with it as their religion is also under attack from those who don't believe there is a God at all. Further, how does writing "Merry Christmas" on your lawn or at City Hall violate freedom of the press? Your rant is just a thin disguise for your bigotry.

Answer 4

Mel wasn't arrested because of what he said about Jews. There won't be any criminal charges against him because of what he said. He apologized for what he said because people are offended by his remarks. That's called being polite. If I say something to somebody else and they take offense at what I've said, I usually apologize.

I was unaware that people file lawsuits against others because of writing Christmas on frontyards. I've never heard of that before.

Of course America is still free. Our Bill of Rights is still in effect, and when people do have their rights violated they still can and do win their own lawsuits challenging it.

Answer 5

Gosh I knew the ACLU hates christmas trees, but haven't heard of the Jews suing over it. Mel Gibson has every right to say what he believes. I agree with you there. But for him to be in Hollywood at the time will definitely upset a few folks.

Answer 6

Mel Gibson apologized, and this is the flip side of freedom: responsibility. I'm so free that I'm not allowed to offend you.

Answer 7

Ha mel has the right to say whatever he pleases about jewish people... and so do you. You can put whatever you want on your personal property without being sued. (I have never heard of anyone suing someone for that).

That said, you say something retarded or anti-semetic we have the right to say our views on what you say or do.

Mel isnt being prosecuted for saying antisemtic remarks, he is being prosecuted for a DUI.

That said, I have the right (AND WILL) to boycott his movies because he is an anti-semetic biggot.

He doesnt have to appoligize, and can think what he wants. Just as I have the right not to support any of his movies.

Or just as anyone in hollywood has the right not to cast him, or use his production company

His career will be over, because people have the right to choose who they want to watch on screen... and I choose someone who is not anti-semetic ....

Answer 8

Freedom of speech and freedom of the press as long as it's pro Israeli and pro Zionist. Read the fine print. :)

Answer 9

People say all kinds of stupid things when they are hurting. Mel was drunk and suicidal that night. He needs our prayers more than he needs us to EITHER tear him down OR try to defend his right to express vulgar language.

Answer 10

Freedom of speech must not be curtailed so that everybody can voice out their opinions and views. It is one of the elements of democracy-freedom.