Is it 'inalienable'? Should a person, who proclaims his opinion (often a misguided and very bigoted one) to the world and then will not listen to other people's views, have a right of recourse to the sanctuary of 'Freedom of Speech'?
2006-10-25 03:49:01 · 12 answers · asked by Owlwings 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I have frequently seen people seeking to defend themselves or others with the 'magic' mantra "Freedom of Speech". I think that there are limits to the principle and that people do not have the right to say whatever the hell they want!
The best answer will NOT necessarily be the one who agrees with me in the most lucid, reasoned or long-winded fashion!
2006-10-25 03:54:47 · update #1
so I went on Wiki for this.
Evelyn Beatrice Hall: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Voltaire himself: "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so too"
I like most of the answers you got for this except for the "legal Americans" one which is just plain barking. If an "illegal American" (or an "illegal" anything else) can't say whatever is on their mind then freedom of speech becomes not a right or a privilege, but a commodity with a price ticket. Pthhthtfththt to that.
But ultimately you have very little choice: it has to be a right. Forget YA; there are neo-nazis recruiting in Europe - but freedom of speech still has to be a right. The counter measures are: laws concerning hate-crime and libel, and education.
In the long term, the latter is our best hope. We didn't stop burning heretics because of anti inquisition laws, we stopped because of the Enlightenment (which did what it said on the tin).
2006-10-27 19:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it is Both! You have a right to say what you want but it is a privilege that can be lost should you use it as a hate forum.
People should be allowed to say what they want! It is the ones who say things that are hate filled and harm insinuated that take the right and remove the privilege.
Take this Yahoo board for example! We have those who, like yourself, ask very nice questions that deserve an answer. But there are those that use this board for their own 'Hate' filled agenda and become angry when the rest of us won't put up with it.
I can only smile sadly and hope that these people find help. Because, as I sad, Freedom of Speech, is a privileged right that can be taken away! I love giving my opinion and would be hurt should this right be taken away. But, should I ever, say anything derogatory, I would expect the privilege would disappear.
2006-10-25 04:05:36 · answer #2 · answered by wonderingmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion, freedom of speech is freely given to all with a tongue. The only way to stifle the freedom of speech is to guild it with the fear of reprisal from those who do not agree with your opinion. It all depends on the conviction of the speaker. If you believe something with all that you are, you'll say it and it will not matter if you live in a "free" society. Truth be told, it doesn't matter where you live. You can speak freely anywhere. The question is, will you accept the price of speaking out in a biased world? Will you take all they dish out to "subversive" opinions? Will you hold truth high enough to pay the price? If not, then your tongue has become enslaved by your own fear.
Freedom of speech is what God gave you - not a constitutional privilege.
2006-10-25 04:04:12 · answer #3 · answered by davezathome 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, as long as it is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But if it is a lie or something he just made up he should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
We as humans should have the right to say anything that is true.
But to scream fire in a theatre when there is no fire. He should be hung.
2006-10-25 03:53:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In America, freedom of speech is a right. Thankfully, we also have the right to ignore.
2006-10-25 03:53:28 · answer #5 · answered by Gidget 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its a right given to all legal americans per the Bill of Rights/1st amendment. but it shoudl also be considered a privilege bc we are one of the few countries on the earth that has this written into our laws and enforced.
2006-10-25 03:55:01 · answer #6 · answered by jenivive 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
interior us of a, it really is a correct. alongside with different rights suggested contained in the U.S. structure. not one of the Rights were granted by technique of the authorities as rights, privileges, or acts of tolerance. the most important component is this correct is granted by technique of the "author." This became a good flow: earlier to the founding of us of a, all rights were granted by technique of the Sovereign authorities, and a correct given by technique of a guy might want to be taken away by technique of the guy. it really is on the heart of the idea of "American Exceptionalism."
2016-12-05 05:23:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a right. People can say whatever they want but no one is obligated to listen.
2006-10-25 03:54:44 · answer #8 · answered by Niecy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have the right to free speech, but no right to be heard or even paid attention to.
2006-10-25 03:51:42 · answer #9 · answered by daddio 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Right--quar by Bill of Rights..
not slander or libel....can't do that...
2006-10-25 03:52:39 · answer #10 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋