Does anyone else think that by censoring things that few people find offensive we're giving away our freedom of speach?
The state of Maine has recently banned the sale of a beer called Santa's Butt Lager because they say the Santa illustration is attractive to children. Whatever happened to just telling our kids beer is for grownups? Municipalities all over the country used to put up spectacular holiday displays that were enjoyed by all, until a few people complained that they were offended. In our local town a Menorah (not sure if I spelled that right) was added in the 70's. This year we have no display at all, the towns reasoning is that a municipality can not continue to sponsor a display that is considered offensive to anyone. People ask things like what is wrong with our children today, I'm beginnging to think that we have created monsters who cannot accept any idea that is different from what they think . By making a few people happy we've ruined our country.
2006-12-02 04:10:32 · 13 answers · asked by skylark455st2 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Censorship has not ruined the country, you're exaggerating there. Censorship doesn't take away freedom either, you can still say whatever you want, but not everyone wants or needs to hear what you have to say. Curse words are censored on T.V. and curse words should be censored because not everyone wants to hear them.
2006-12-02 04:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by glow 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Skylark, you are absolutely right.
Our freedom of speech is conditional, in that, it must meet the criteria of the censor bureaus. I know that we need censorship but at this day and age, we cannot do much because it will offend someone.
The camel with the leather jacket was attractive to children as well but it certainly didn't stop them from finding a way to get cigarettes. The same will go for beer. At some point, parents have a responsibility to instill the right morals and values in a kid's life, for goodness sakes!
I agree that many of the kids today are little monsters that won't accept any idea that is different from their own. Ugh!
2006-12-02 04:50:44 · answer #2 · answered by terryoulboub 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You go girl! But, there is a difference between commercial speech and religious speech. Commercial speech can absolutely be regulated for the "welfare" of the people because its intent isnt to communicate a personal expression but to generate income. In the California Supreme Court Case, COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S TELEVISION, INC. v. GENERAL FOODS CORPORATION parents sued cereal companies claiming the cereal companies were using imagery in their commercials appealing to kids to peddle the unhealthiest of their cereals. A study sponsored at the time, proved there are images children are just attracted to. Santa would definitely be one of them. It probably is better to keep Santa off of beer in such a case. Not so much cause children will buy beer, but what about that beer left out around a toddler? I don't know. Is it so bad to ask beer makers don't put Santa on Beer.
On the other hand, when government is associated with religious speech - such as when a city sponsors a holiday display with the nativity scene - they get sued for appearing to be "entangling" themselves with the specific religion and promoting it over others. There is a legal test called the "Lemon Test" you should yahoo! to find out more. Anyhoo, when government sponsors holiday displays that are inclusive of other religious symbols associated with the time of the holiday they can beat the Lemon Test and a lawsuit. So really the law encourages inclusion and acceptance of other ideas and (as you point out) its people who find a way to ruin it. I hope that was somewhat helpful.
2006-12-02 04:34:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
With freedom of speech, etc. comes responsibility and accountability. If you are freely expressing yourself at the expense of others, are you ready to accept responsibility for your actions and be accountable as well?
Being selfish in your freedom is a lonely place to be.
Our kids are already exposed to so much crap that renaming or re-labeling a beer (not a life necessity) is such a small price to pay.
I agree with you about the Christmas displays. The people who are offended are the ACLU, the humanists, and the Muslims. Christians are the only ones taking these issues to court and winning. Christians believe that the children are not monsters, but the future. We must be careful what we make them swallow.
Merry Christmas and keep looking UP!!!
2006-12-02 04:27:56 · answer #4 · answered by D.A. S 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
god is you you hear your self speaking you've were given many personality's in you want each and every of us does and performance ,.. once you reliable adequate you agree for all those personality's,.. why else would you pay interest to them? its no longer scary ( properly it really is at the starting up )they pick you to be scary to controll you... yet they cant.. . you note? the element is to be authentic be authentic be you! you're unique I dont comprehend how previous you're you sound youthful.you purely starting up so dont be so problematical for youreselve theres plenty time... i'm somewhat older so i'm hoping in all you re confusion you hear me i'm no longer declaring you'll need faith me its as a lot as you free will be comfortable you receives there i'm sensible you sound very sensible all of us somewhat older human beings bloody hell that sounds previous ha ha ..went trough that dont pay interest to the mooning human beings the depressed peop[le the attacked human beings they are scary for life they are the feared once ,they are nevertheless searching and hopeless and naive and by no ability able to do anyhting evan even as they are an human being ...yet do not situation you'll see you on the right course,.. bless you you get youre solutions quickly adequate and dont be afraid theres no longer this type of element there truly isnt.. its a make believe.. purely use youre brains and also you've various of them,..save on with youre hart X
2016-11-30 01:25:07 · answer #5 · answered by barby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the recent Michael Richards scandal. Free speech has it's limits. Everyone is so diverse with their own opinions and ideas that there needs to be some line drawn in the sand that separates the acceptable from the unacceptable.
2006-12-02 04:50:24 · answer #6 · answered by Kiss My Shaz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do, why would anyone consider a Menorah to be offensive? If they have such a problem with it, then they could put up a display that symbolizes the holiday that they celebrate.
2006-12-02 04:32:24 · answer #7 · answered by iwannarevolt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I like you already. I used to buy record albums that were censored off the radio. Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street from 1978. And how is it that now we have concealed handguns, but nobody notices. And everyone just pretends that America isn't one of the most violent places on earth. You have my heart.
2006-12-02 04:21:36 · answer #8 · answered by relaxed 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The simple answer would be to stop being offensive... then you would have no problem to consider.
2006-12-02 10:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with you. It is high time that we who are in the majority fight back. How about suing those who want to "take away our rights?" This works for them, why not for us? I think that we are at fault for "rolling over and taking it, not fighting like our ancestors did".
2006-12-02 04:15:40 · answer #10 · answered by hillbilly 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋