Why is Freedom of Speech a problem in USA?

Question

I was watching the Dixie Chicks on Oprah yesterday and heard their story of being threatened with death and being lambasted by fellow Americans for having the audacity to express their personal opinion.
It would seem that Freedom of Speech is ok as long as you keep it to yourself.
This is reminiscent of Stalin's Russia.
In Oz and in Europe it is quite appropriate to criticise the country's leader.
"John Howard, you are a bloody idiot". There, that feels a lot better.
We knock our pollies all the time.
All this rhetoric about freedom and democracy. What was that quote by Voltaire? Something about although disagreeing with a person's opinion he would fight for them to have the right to say it.

"Patriotism" is a double edged sword it seems.

Answer 1

Freedom of speech is not a problem in the USA. It's alive and well. Of course, we have our whackos too. That is, some people believe so strongly in their opinions, that they leave no room in their minds for the opinions of others. These types, tend to express their opinions as fact rather than opinion. The next step is threatening others who have differnig opinions. Happens everywhere; or so I thought. I didn't think that was unique to the USA.

People in the USA also blast their politicians. Happens almost every day. You may not see the bulk of it in the news where you live (UK ?) but if you lived in the USA, you'd see and hear more than you might think was possible.

Just reading the questions and answers in this forum's Religion and Politics categories is enough to wear me out. Too bad all the energy devoted to this can't be used to power our vehicles. Would help my budget some.

Answer 2

Yes it is a shame more people didn't oppose the war verbally maybe some of those young men wouldn't be coming home in body bags instead of being ashamed of the Dixie Chicks you should be proud of them as Americans.What was the saying Evil flourishes while Good men stay silent.In fifty years time we will remember the Dixie Chicks as ambassadors of peace because this war will go down in history as the beginning of WW3 for invading another country and it doesn't matter how you try a justify it that is what Bush did its funny freedom of speech is ok as long as you agree with the government.

Answer 3

You have freedom of speech in America, but you can't control people reactions to what you say. Let's look at who listens to the Dixie Chicks. Southern, Bush loving rednecks. Did you know that the American Red Cross sent a donation of 1 million dollars back to the Dixie Chicks over all that crap. I think that is the biggest crock of crap right there. A non profit returning a donation because they didn't like what the detonators views were. So, I'm sure there are people that suffered from Hurricane Katrina that just love to hear that. But Dude, if you don't like my country and you wanna dog on it, then stay the hell out of it.

Answer 4

Well, let's see. How many times today this same question was posted...and then one about some male country singer to make it a womens rights issue because the freedom of speech whine didn't work.

Look. The majority of the fans of those women are conservative people who support our troops and the President. The demographics are what they are. The women in question used terrible judgement in flapping their mouths the way they did. Their fans basically told them to shut it. Their music sales, concert tickets tanked because the majority of the people who listened to them were pissed off at them and refused to buy their music.

Blaming the current administration is as stupid as that fool director of that crap movie Hostel blaming the President because he, the director made a steaming pile of garbage.

The chicks are now resorting to whining on Doprah and paying for a permalink on MSN to shill their music.



Freedom of speech applies to ALL, not just those who hate the current administration. These women are idiots.

Ahh, I get it, they're out pimping their 3 year long tirade..okay, makes sense now.

Answer 5

Freedom of Speech refers to the government restricting speech, not the public. The government has not put them in prison for speaking out, therefore there is no "problem" with freedom of speech in the USA.

The Dixie Chicks are free to express their opinions, and others are free to express their opinion about that opinion (except the death threats; those are illegal).

And this is in no way reminiscent of Stalin's Russia. You simply have no idea what you are talking about if you try to make that type of correlation.

Answer 6

The fact that they were threatened is unfortunate. However, the disagreement / ridicule the Dixie Chicks endured is also another example of people expressing their rights to freedom of speech. If someone makes an idiotic statement they are free to do so....and I am free to call that person an idiot.

Answer 7

Everyone has the right to freedom of speech here in the USA ! The problem is that people also think they have the right NOT to be insulted, witch is just ridiculous ! If you say something stupid, You can expect that people are going to react. If that upsets you then keep your month shut !

Answer 8

the problem is with freedom of speech is when people express their rights at the wrong time, yes dixie chicks had that right but they shouldnt of done it at a concert, people did not pay to hear them speak what they think, they paid to hear them sing, those that have influence, i.e. movie, sports, music celebrities have to watch what they say because of the influence they have on their fans, now freedom of speech is okay as long as you do not try to force your beliefs onto others

Answer 9

Telling human beings they are going to bypass to hell is unquestionably seen rude in the U. S., even though it is not a criminal offense, as long as there is not any hazard of violence. we've a criminal custom of letting human beings state their evaluations, no rely how rude they are; the theory is that democracy can no longer artwork if human beings are not allowed to declare what they suspect. you're impressive that there are undesirable, hateful protesters in the U. S. in specific circumstances, yet I help their impressive to declare hateful issues, even however i do no longer consider them and do unlike them. I as quickly as watched a team of huge gay men save an indignant crowd faraway from Evangelical protesters who had confirmed up with "gays will burn in hell" signs and indications at a gay delight parade. a minimum of a few human beings take loose speech very heavily here.

Answer 10

Worse, 170,000 Iraqis have died, 3200 US servicemen have been killed to promote Democracy and free speech, whilst Americans at home are deprived of those ideals. Do you see the hypocrisy banner flying high here? Great Question btw.