If you dislike the president is it ok to say "If I ever meet that man, I'll punch him in the face!" Is it ok to say that, because we have freedom of speech? or do you think you could get arrested for saying that? It's an empty threat and the person who said it did not mean it. What do you think? Freedom of speech?? Or arrested and jailed?
2007-01-12 16:47:25 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Yes, in the United States you can say anything you want. Your comment, if you were serious, could be seen as a threat, in which case it does not fall under freedom of speech.
It is our duty to remember that all of our rights as citizens of the United States are precious. We are free to use them, but not to abuse them. When your rights infringe on someone else's rights its time to pull back and find another solution. If one group loses a freedom, we all lose it.
2007-01-12 16:58:51 · answer #1 · answered by Mandee Too 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While there is freedom of speech, the Supreme Court has handed down rulings that place limits on this freedom. You cannot use speech to insight a riot. You can't use it to attempt to get people to commit criminal acts. You cannot disrupt the classroom atmosphere in schools. There are many limits to this freedom, it is not absolute.
You may use profanity at anytime, anywhere. Once you direct it towards someone, then you have broken the law.
It is against the law the verbally or physically threaten the life and well being of the president, congress persons, and other agents of the government. Empty threats, or not, it is illegal.
Slander, as talked about in one of the earlier answers has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It is the act of knowingly expressing false information about a person or entity with the purpose of smearing the name of that person or entity.
Politicians come close to this during election time. But, they are very careful to ensure that what they report if technically correct information, even if taken out of context.
There is freedom of speech in this country. What there isn't is the fact that someone will be listening to what you have to say.
2007-01-12 16:58:46 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freedom of speech- means we're all allowed to run off at the mouth as long as we don't DO what we say. Now there's a fine line between an opinion and a threat. And people get arrested for both- all the time. But ultimately, in this touchy world we live in today, anyone who exercises his freedom of speech- should be care full who he's aiming it at & keep his opinions to himself.
2007-01-12 17:05:27 · answer #3 · answered by Joseph, II 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you said you'd shoot the president if you ever saw him then you could get arrested for that.
But in some other countries you can't say "to hell with the government" without getting put in jail. Here you can talk all about the government as long as it isn't slanderous or a threat.
They thought that 9/11 was an empty threat too. You think they're going to take that chance again?
2007-01-12 17:04:35 · answer #4 · answered by Greg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you know that a person who threatens bodily harm to anyone doesn't mean it? No, free speech does not extend, and was never intended to include, threats to a person and/or bodily harm. How many who actually made good on their threat was thought to "have not meant it" when they did it? You have no idea whether or not ANY threat of bodily injury is an "empty threat" unless you made it. The person being threatened by you with injury doesn't know you don't mean what you say. Should s/he take the chance? No and to use the excuse of "free speech" is nothing more than a cop out.
2007-01-12 16:55:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you cannot threaten the President. But you can say "If I ever meet him, I will tell him he is a asshole"Threats to the President are just that. None are considered empty. Other than threats, you can say anything you want to anyone. Even hate speech is protected. I may not agree with what you say, but it is my duty as an American citizen to defend your right to say it.
2007-01-12 17:25:49 · answer #6 · answered by louise t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think freedom of speech is acceptable. I think violence is not ok. Sometimes people say things they dont mean when they are upset, but if u say something to upset someone and they push, hit or do anyting violent , they are wrong. Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never harm u. Everyone should remember that the next time someone says something that really ticks u off You can just walk away. Or shut it off. You will be proud of yourself for not losing it.
2007-01-12 17:06:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Idiots that say if they ever met the President , they would punch him in the face, are idiots. There is no chance of them ever meeting him to start with, plus, it just shows their brain cells are dead. Freedom of Speech, only in America. To bad some idiots abuse it. Their day will come, believe it.
2007-01-12 16:55:59 · answer #8 · answered by m c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I still think there is freedom of speech...I just think that as adults we are expected to "speak" maturely and responsibly....That is why there are things such as slander,libel, and defamation of character....Just because we have freedom of speech doesn't mean that people should be allowed to run others down without consequence....Speaking without thinking is like firing a gun without aiming....
2007-01-12 17:14:04 · answer #9 · answered by Christy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
" I support freedom of speech as long you keep it to yourself "
quote from "Shut up and Sing"
People are all for it until they hear something they don't want to.
Oh yeah, by the way, the Patriot Act kind of wiped your Freedom of Speech right (along with all the other rights you were supposed to have)
2007-01-12 16:56:36 · answer #10 · answered by oveningskor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋