Do you find it ironic when people complain about not having free speech....?

Question

and then say that only some should have it? Meaning those that only agree with their views.

And this isn't an attack on a specific party, but people who do this in general. I see it from both cons and libs.

Actually, tell me, my question was inspired by someone who complained about people complaining about a speech by a politician they didn't like. And the fact that what this politician said was alright (since this asker agreed) but that the responders of the speech shouldn't have said anything against the speech, since they didn't agree.

Does that make sense?

Answer 1

I agree

This is at its worst here in the Politics and the Religion and Spirituality sections.

I tell people that this polarized attitude is partly to blame for the breaking up of America. United you stand, divided you fall. If you are thinking about trivialities, you miss the big stuff being pulled behind the curtain of "entertainment" or "diverted press".

Freedom of speech is what this country is all about but that freedom is disappearing in an increasingly intolerant and draconian society. Free speech is actually gone. Yes we can laugh at our politicians and say a lot of things. But someone is always listening now. And if they don't like what they hear, you can be detained indefinitely without a trial. Think about that when you begin to miss your Bill of Rights. What is politically enforced "Political correctness" if not the loss of a freedom of speech?

Why? These people, politicians, illuminati, et all, are breaking up the human race into smaller and smaller polarized groups. This has been going on for thousands of years. At this point they are inciting hatred between Christians and Muslims in an effort to drive them to mutual destruction, saving them from the effort of having to do so. What they did in the Muslim world amongst Muslims, they now do by pitting Muslim against Christian.

By allowing so many to enter England, Blair is helping create this situation. He will not stop; it is his plan to tear Britain apart from within. I am not surprised to see that he employs the same techniques as Bush does with Americans. Then, as in America, when the people are tired from all the tricks listed above, these folk hope to just step in and take over.

Sadly everyone is BUYING the media pedaled hatred.

Wake up and smell the coffee. If we do not get together against this common enemy we will all lose the freedoms we hold so dearly.

AND YES I AM A MUSLIM, BUT I AM FIRST AND FOREMOST A HUMANITARIAN. I WORRY FOR ALL OF US, REGARDLESS OF RELIGION OR RACE.

Answer 2

I think that you, like many, are interpreting freedom of speech to mean that, no matter what you say, you will not have to hear anyone complain about it or disagree with it.

That is not the case. You are free to say whatever you want, and so am I. And that means that if I choose to express my opinion that, for instance, this question is really stupid, then I am allowed to do so. I have not infringed on your freedom of speech. I have not prevented you from asking a stupid question; I have merely commented on the stupidity of the question. It hasn't prevented you from exercising ANY freedoms.

This is what Ann Coulter doesn't understand about freedom of speech. She complained that people were trying to "silence" her when she accused the 9/11 widows of enjoying their husbands' deaths. No one silenced her; that's ridiculous. Otherwise, how do we all know she said that? But she has a problem with someone telling her it was an awful thing to say. Well... it was. She's still allowed to say it, but we're allowed to react, too. None of is Constitutionally guaranteed the last word.

Answer 3

spectacular and who's: Alec Stanley Baldwin Ani DiFranco Barbra Streisand Cher Chrissie Hynde Danny Glover Dave Matthews David Clennon Dixie Chicks Dustin Hoffman Ed Asner Ed Harris Edward Norton Eric Roberts George Carlin George Clooney Gore Vidal Harry Belafonte Jane Fonda Janeane Garofalo Jennifer Aniston Jessica Lange John Cusack excitement Behar Julia Roberts Larry Hagman Madonna Martin Scorsese Martin Sheen Michael Moore Mike Farrell Oliver Stone Pearl Jam Richard Gere Robert Altman Robin Williams Sandra Bernhard Sandy Duncan Sean Penn Spike Lee Susan Sarandon Tim Robbins Viggo Mortensen Whoopi Goldberg Woody Harrelson All unelectable "Hollywood Liberals". a minimum of ours have/had a carry close of public opinion.

Answer 4

Yes and no. The fact of the matter is that there are limitations on free speech. Some are justifies, others not so much.

The designation of "free speech" zones for peaceful protest are one. Yes you can speak your mind but in a place where you won't be seen or heard. Likewise it is becoming more difficult to be openly critical of government.

Freedom of speech was designed to allow the people the freedom to voice opinion or concern without fear of persecution. What many do not understand it is does not extend to the private forum and it does not include hate speech.

I agree that speech that incites hate or violence or is intended to commission, or glorify a criminal act should to be restricted.

Answer 5

I think it makes sense when the basic argument isnt addressed. Whats the point of debating a topic that isnt up for debate. She had her view and wanted people, with the same view, to talk to her about it.....not someone with an opposing view that wasnt relevant at all to the query. Is that what you are getting at?

Freedom of speech is all well and good but if its useless information, why bother.....

Answer 6

Its more than ironic. My FAV is the calls of censorship, when people exercise their rights to either not buy or to boycott an individual or grouup they do not like.

Why can't the Dixie CHicks understand that I fully support their right to say (sing) what they want, but they should fully support my right to turn them off, throw out their CDs, and tell my radio station that I don't want to hear them again. Those actions and communications are my expression of my views and are just as protected by the 1st Amendment as their actions and communications.

Answer 7

What I love is the fact that most of the people that complain about their free speech rights being restricted here don't actually understand what your right to free speech means. It doesn't mean you have the right to profanely spew your uninformed opinions anywhere you feel like it. It just means that the Government cannot make laws to restrict your free speech. It doesn't carry over into private entities like Yahoo or your workplace.

Answer 8

Our right to freedom of speech is applied to every American.
Lots of people don't agree with my politics or opinions. That's fine. They have a right to disagree with me. But name calling and finger pointing is a very childish manner to use our freedom of speech.

Answer 9

Yeah I find it ironic and so true. I also see that even if you give a fantastic answer, it's the one that completely follows the askers viewpoint that gets picked as the best answer. (No matter con or lib)

Answer 10

I have a problem when people treat the right to freedom of speech like some cheap whore to be used and exploited.