2006-12-23 15:09:13 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes and no.
Yes, you are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution from these actions, in general, on the part of governmental units at all levels:
1. If you haven't yet begun to speak, government may not step in and prevent you from beginning;
2. If you have begun to speak but haven't finished, government may not step in and prevent you from finishing; and
3. If you have finished speaking, government may not punish you for what you said.
However, and this is a big however:
No, the First Amendment does not protect you from the obloquy, short of defamation, of your fellow-citizens, or from being shunned by the members of your religious congregation, or made the butt of jokes by Jay Leno and David Letterman and the like, including Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, and so forth.
Put another way, the First Amendment constrains the actions only of government and does not constrain the actions of private citizens who are, of course, also entitled to criticize you in the exercise their own rights of free speech under its protection.
2006-12-23 15:25:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your freedom of speech is limited only in certain circumstances - the classic 'shouting FIRE in a crowded theater' - in other words, where your actions may cause actual harm to others.
Merely offending someone does not affect your right to say what you want - unless it is so offensive that it might provoke a violent disturbance.
If you are lying about someone in public, then you might be sued for what you say, but no-one can prevent you from saying it.
The exception is that you do not have free speech near the President of the US. He has ordered that all speech he dislikes be kept at least a mile away from him in what he has termed "Free Speech Zones". The Supreme Court has ruled that this action is illegal, but he does it anyway.
2006-12-23 17:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are protected by the freedom of speech, but why should you rely on laws to tell what is good or bad? You can rise above it and not be small minded and set your own standards.
2006-12-23 15:11:50 · answer #3 · answered by Michael C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Conservative Activist judges took that one away a while ago in many cases, though if it's a parody matter (cartoons, things like that) and a public figure, the Supreme court case Flint v. Falwell protects you. However, if your views are generally unpopular and unpopular to the governement, you can be arrested for among other things, disruption of the peace to even being arrested under Treason laws. It's happened before...
Though you might have a good chance of winning if you appeal to the higher courts.
2006-12-23 15:16:05 · answer #4 · answered by The Big Box 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are protected, "but" if you threaten someone, or use the "f" word, in some states you can get arrest for disorderly conduct. It will vary. In TX if your in a public place (example a mall) and your with your buddies, and you use the "f" word in the pressence of children and the parents get offended, that is a Class C misdemenor and you can either get a $200.00 fine or even get arrested.
2006-12-23 15:26:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
We are free to speak, sometimes only in fenced off zones. The right provides protection, in that we may cite this right, should we be required to appear in court, in defense of our speech.
2006-12-23 15:45:29 · answer #6 · answered by S. B. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
with freedom of speech, you don't have to worry whether you are offending anyone or not with your opinion, as long as you make sure that those hearing you know that it is just that, "your opinion" otherwise, you could be fighting a slander suit. it only became a problem to offend people with your opinion when we became so politically correct.
2006-12-23 15:16:36 · answer #7 · answered by whatelks67 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your freedom of speech doesn't mean that anyone has to listen. Or that anyone has to agree with you. Nor does it prohibit anyone from expressing their displeasure with what ever you have said. Nor does it prohibit anyone from offending you.
2006-12-23 15:16:55 · answer #8 · answered by lordkelvin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, that is why we have freedom of speech, you may offend everyone but no one will tell you what to believe in and beat you if you don't.
2006-12-23 15:28:14 · answer #9 · answered by amazon 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
So long as what you say doesn't threaten or physically harm anyone - you are protected by the First Amendment.
2006-12-23 15:11:19 · answer #10 · answered by JZ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋