Do you REALLY believe in free speach? I doubt it.?

Question

I heard someone on TV recently say that the true test of whether you believe in free speech is if you can listen to someone say something that absolutely makes your blood boil, and ignore the issue long enough to defend that person's right to say it.

I suspect many on here do not believe this.

How many of you actually fall into this catagory?

JEDI -

Then you do not truely believe in FREE speach...if you are going to modify yes with "As long as it's not insulting/profane". That was my point - and apparently you missed it.

You can't be worried about being offended and believe in free speach.

Answer 1

People don't' seem to understand that Freedoms don't automatically mean that they will only be used for good. They also open the door to bad people who want to say bad things but that's just part of the deal with Freedoms like Freedom of speech. You either let good & bad things be said and hope the people listen to more of the good & ignore the bad or you shut down freedom of speech (like China or the former USSR) so nobody can say anything at all. I personally like having the freedom of speech even if it means I have to sometimes read so really bad stuff. I think it's worth it.

Answer 2

I can ignore the IGNORANT, if it SEEMS to be ignorant speech in MY point of view or OPINION. I think that free speech has certainly gone a little to far though. I think that calling for the deaths of others should be questioned by someone in authority, to at least find out, if the person was angry, serious, or joking.
I had a teenager ignorant enough to call me into the street to fight asking me if I wanted some of that ? *LOL* I said, no little girl , go home. She couldnt believe I called her a little girl and made as much if not more of a big deal of it, that I had called her a little girl ! Perhaps , saying something vulgar would have pleased her more ? LOL
That is IGNORANCE. I defend her right to stand in the street and act like an ignoramous, yes. Some things are harder to defend.
Here are some links for all...BE AWARE, no need for fear. FBI put out warnings for schools this past week. GO to their page to find them.

Answer 3

I believe in free speech. However, free speech doesn't mean you can say whatever you want and not have the burden of responsibility for your actions. It is against the law to lie and slander another person. That person can seek out a law suit against the libelous remarks and collect damages for what was said.
Also, if you are going to speak your thoughts in front of others, they are just as entitled to speak theirs back, like at demonstrations etc. So if something a person says makes them angry enough, they will respond with their own free speech.

Answer 4

Insulting and profane doesn't bother me.

Inciting to violence or screaming "Fire" in a crowded
theater - that I have a problem with.

Certainly the concept that blacks are free would have
been considered insulting and profane to the
ruling class of the South of the 1700 and 1800s.

That's how society moves forward.

Screaming "Fire" in a crowded theater causes
people to trample on each other and die and
that, if anything, impedes free speech.

When Patrick Henry was saying "Give me liberty
or Give me death", was he inciting the crowd to
violence? Would that be considered protected
speech now-a-days?

Answer 5

I absolutely fall into this category. For instance, I feel that it is absolutly ok for someone to say that we should end the war and bring our troops home, even though I vehemently disagree.

Too bad Yahoo! Answers does not feel the same way. I was penalized 10 points for saying "libs like you". Where is the right to free speech in that situation?"

Answer 6

I believe in free speech and I use that right regularly. It's interesting that some people's concept of free speech is spouting off and interrupting anyone they disagree with. I prefer to be a grown up by listening to both sides and then trying to express my own. There's a lot of name calling and finger pointing when others disagree with me. People who disagree with me certainly have that right but in my opinion, it generally shows a lack of eloquence and education.

Answer 7

I actually do. If you read my posts, I defend anyone's right to say what they believe. I'll point out where I think they're wrong, but that's part of the free speech process.

The whole point of the free speech process is to discuss and present ideas and concepts and beliefs. Telling someone they're wrong doesn't violate free speech. Silencing them does.

Answer 8

I respect other people's rights to say and believe what they want.
That doesn't mean I have to agree with their opinion, but they certainly have the right to express is just as I have the right to either walk away or change the TV channel if I am offended.

Answer 9

If I see someone post something here that I think is idiotic, I don't have to pretend to agree with it in order to support their right to make fools of themselves. Let me be clear that I'm not talking about people who simply have a point of view different than mine. I'm talking about the people here who post things like "libs are terrorists" or "cons are Nazi's. I can support their right to say what they want while criticizing them for belittling and trivializing that freedom.

Answer 10

I fall into this category. Along with Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh and a bunch of Conservatives.

But around here, I make Yahoo apply the rules evenly. It's their rules, and I have seen too many Conservatives get wacked by whiny Liberals.