freedom of speech...too much of a good thing...?

Question

It takes one ignorant statement...and u get all the greaseballs crawling outta the dark....

I believe in freedom of speech, but I still think there should be a line drawn somewhere....

Okay, before I get a negative remark flung at me, I'm not an American citizen, I've never even been there (I've seen really rude bigoted responses here...it's kinda scary...i've never come across anything like that anywhere else...honestly i never thought i'd see such things coming from a country as progressed as the US). I'm saying this from a global viewpoint....
Anyways, I do know lotsa u are really cool and tolerant and stuff, and that's awesome, kudos to u guys.

Alright, guess I'm ready for my thumbs down now.

ok...the third answer with the fatt butt avatar...i'm not talking about any specific country...I'm extremely happy in my country, thank u very much!

its the posts i read here, yea, like KKK stuff and all...i'm talkin abt that and stuff related to racism

its the posts i read here, yea, like KKK stuff and all...i'm talkin abt that and stuff related to racism

yup i totally agree...focus should be placed on educating the ppl...that would help to bridge any gaps between different groups/communities

alright ok...listen...when i mean LIMIT free speech, i mean...using it for something POSITIVE...not say...for the intention of hurting others...like for example...the offensive Denmark caricartures of the Islamic prophet...that's one example of negative free speech...it's just pointless and does more harm than good.

Answer 1

I didn't really see the question. I saw a sort of open ended sentence with a question mark at the end, but there was no resolution to the sentence, so ... I'll try to infer a question from that, I guess.

"Freedom" by the definition of the term means "boundless". And that, in itself, is basically defined by the possessor. Meaning, I define freedom of speech differently than you do. You may define it in a stricter manner, whereas I may define it in a more lenient sort of way.

Do I think there's too much freedom in our freedom of speech amendment? No, I don't. I think we all reserve the right to speak our minds.

Do I think that sometimes people take things too far for personal reasons, and these personal reasons, these expressions of free speech, sometimes interfere with another's version of what free speech is?

Absolutely.

I, for one, do not agree with public displays of vulgarities. Especially when there are children around to hear such filth. This, to me, is offensive. But, unfortunately, under the 1st amendment, I am forced to have to listen to it because the potty-mouth's first amendment rights supercede my position on the matter.

Is it fair? I don't really think so, because they have more rights than I do.

However, when my government is doing me wrong, should I have the right to say something about it? Absolutely.

You take the good with the bad and you learn to live with tolerance. You can't have it all. None of us can. It's what makes this country great, and a difficult place to live in, all at the same time.

Answer 2

I won't give you a thumbs down, I respect what you're saying. I was born and raised here and throughout my lifetime ( I'm 35 ) have witnessed the 'shifting of the guards.' I answered this about 15 minutes ago too when someone asked, how far does it go. Human interaction and morals are major keys to this and Freedom of Speech is, in my opinion a bit of an oxymoron. If our politicians "recycle" the words of the Constitution- where does that lead the average American? I do thank you for the courage to ask this, thanks for reading.
And for the record, I am not the type of personal to negate, I always- ALWAYS try to look at both sides of a story and put myself in another persons' shoes. The Europeans have it right and financially speaking, is the blueprint we base the markets and econony on. I watch the news as it comes from Europe every morning and most the time, you don't hear it here! We are suppressed in that way of knowledge and it is scary. ( I apolgize also for my long answer- being blunt, as usual. )

Answer 3

I'm not going to give you a thumbs down because you were honest by saying that you aren't from America and you weren't nasty about your opinion... Plus, I would like to address my response not only to you, but to my fellow Americans, as well.

If you were from America you would know that PC (Political Correctness) has censored our freedom of speech greatly. I really can't imagine what someone or everyone could have said or done that offended you seeing as the majority of people speak while walking on egg shells.

We have fought long and hard throughout history to maintain the rights of what OUR people want as law in our government. It is for our people and not the world. However, if people here continue to embrace the "PC Rules of Living," you would never know that such a freedom of speech even exists.

PS: You want to see some brash people who have no qualms what so ever about telling it like it is, visit Bulgaria, Germany, or the majority of Europe. And, by saying "no qualms," I am being PC...

Answer 4

I really want to give you that thumbs down. But I won't because I'm all nice and sensitive. Quit sucking up and begging forgiveness for your question! And no.... there is no such thing as too much free speech. Why? Because who are you to say? Of course you think your ideas are right, but so does EVERYONE. You ever met anyone who thinks their ideas are wrong? Ever think you will? How many zillions of people are alive right now....and none of them think their ideas are wrong! You're one of a zillion and not everyone is right...so you might be wrong, see?? Look at those people you think are stupid and ignorant as a learning experience. If there was a such thing as limited free speech, you wouldn't know what some people really think and in a way, you'd be left in the dark and ignorant yourself?

With that said.... Let's go kill some babies! (kidding)

Answer 5

After 911 we all went into this frenzy that every building, airport. stadium, and bridge was going to be blown-into the heavens. We were fed fear and more fear from the cheney/bush people just to keep up their ideologue. In a way, it was a present when the twin towers were attached. They knew we would be putty in their hands. Look what they have done to our freedoms. Osama bin Laden has to be rolling on the ground laughing what we have done to ourselves. He might have blown up more buildings but could not have ever put the restrictions of our freedoms on us like we done to ourselves. We Americans are brave and proud people. To abuse our freedoms like our government has, with spending billion of dollars on a lot of programs that was just throwing money away. I have watched our law enforcement become less interested in the people, but rather it is them verses us. We need to stand up and take back our freedom before it it to late.

Answer 6

Censorship is too much of a bad thing.
Freedom (of anything not just speech) can be a little scary, like walking a tight rope w/o a safety net. Bad things can happen, but that is the risk one takes with freedom.

I'd rather have the risk of something bad happening because we live too free than live under someone's thumb.

Answer 7

Good question actually. There are limits to free speach. You cannot incite a riot for one. For example, You cannot go to a crowded movie theatre and start yelling fire. People would panic and get hurt.

Answer 8

There is a line drawn on Freedom of Expression, when what one says is harmful to others. We have laws that prohibit slander, racism, sexism, and discrimination in general.

Answer 9

What is forgotten some times is that Freedom of Speech does not preclude your responsibility for what you said. you do hold responsibility for what you say and the ramifications. I read here and I wounder if we are aware of how we sound and look.

Answer 10

wow...people are super mean. i think we have WAAAY too much freedom of speech and expression. if it's positive and beneficial or not harming anyone, all the more power. but some of the stuff we get away with....it makes you wonder what kids are gonna b like 20yrs from now.