Freedom of speech? fact or fallacy??

Question

I read daily people bashing presidential candidates....I believe every person has the right to state how they feel I may not agree with them but I'm not going to take it personally...Our constitution gives us all that right....some get a lil carried away but I overlook it.....

Yesterday in responding to a question from someone bashing Bush and praiseing the democrats stateing they would win the election ..

I made a simple statement " lol a democrat winning ...thats funny!!!!

in the process the asker reported me for abuse....I didn't attack them I made a silly statement she took serious....So where does her freedom..... take away my right to state how I felt??

I have had some pretty rough answers to some of my questions...but I have never nor would I try to stop someone from passing on their opinion....

So do we truly have freedom of speech?? or is our freedom limited to what someone else feels, like you should say things only if you agree??

Thanks! I have learned a lot on YA! there are some very intelligent people here young and old.... and they do one thing....they make ya think....

Answer 1

I, too, have received numerous violations for making similar posts. In fact, like yours, one of mine was, 'now, that is funny!'

Like one of the other posters, I also was singled out for violations by someone who sent me 4-5/day for a few days, going way back in my answers file to do so for those same sorts of responses.

I don't see or, hear of it happening to libs who post here often, but I do often hear of it happening to the cons and as someone else already said, it is best just to contest the violations when you get them. I actually had some of my points replaced recently because the violations were unjust, but it took 2-3 weeks to hear back on it.

It's sad that those who run through here calling Bush an idiot, our troops terrorists and us, ignorant, stupid, a fool, are most often the ones that report our saying, 'That's funny,' but it's true.

I often wonder if I should run through reporting them all just to get even but, as you say, this isn't a hate feast or, a 'get even' with this person or, that. We are all entitled to our viewpoints here and to start clicking the Report Abuse button so abusively would be to mimic that behavior which is so unfair.

All we can do is let it slide and maintain our higher roads.

Answer 2

Freedom of speech in the constitution is not what you say in some place like YA. The constitution was set up to limit the powers of government and has nothing to do with private contracts. The government cannot limit your speech even if you talk agianst the government - thats what the constitution meant.

There is a TOS by YA. Both YA managerment and the people using YA have a contract with each other based on the TOS. So someone "reported" you. Therefore YA must do what it said it would do when that happens.

So now I have to ask. Since you exercised your freedom of speech...did the person who reported exercise theirs also? If so, what is the problem? Whats good for you should be good for them shouldnt it?

While I dont think what you did deserves what happened, I still have to say it was the complainers perogitive to do so and she exercised it.

To thine own self be true and the rest will always work itself out in the end.

Answer 3

Do not leave YA we love to see how normal people view things. I get reported all the time too for just speaking my mind and I am not rude either. Never give up your speech and never let the immoral slimes get the last word. Freedom of speech should be held in high regard you should be able to speak until the cows come home! And Liberals cant take the truth and like to drown us out. It is for all and not the select few and we need to let everyone know this. God Bless you and our children whom are our future and should feel safe whenever they speak! The world needs a bath and you and I need to give it one! Free speech to all and not just minorities and loudmouths!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Freedom of speech is good but the way I see it , the Liberal way is freedom of speech but only my way.
to say things against Pres. ok within reason but some stuff is just plain crazy talk.
Look at what happened to Imus said a joke lost his job but the likes of Sharpton and Rev Jackson they say stuff pretty edgy and get away with it.
frredom of sppech ok depends on which side your on if your a Lib it`s ok but conservative no ok.
You have the ACLU going after scouts but protecting the likes of NAMBLA .
goes to show you have they think it`s ok to molest kids but not ok to teach strong values through the scouts.

Answer 5

Yes snickers..this forum makes one think..but i agree that there is some abuse going on...as with your experience about a democrat winning ..why would that be an abuse?

well i guess we do have freedom but sometimes even the truth does not make you free...

methinks

Answer 6

Since 2003, the conservative right has been doing a pretty good job of censoring all kinds of speech, from the media to the music industry to Hollywood. I, like Why Not, would defend to my death your right to state your opinions/beliefs. The question is; Would your party do the same for MY right to free speech? Btw; I have seen some pretty dumb answers to your question but I'm not mentioning any names! The answer to your question is; FACT! Guaranteed us by the US constitution and if the US government must abide by it, it should apply to ALL private industry as well, including; Radio and television, newspapers, magazines, internet providers, and any other public outlet where people talk to one another!

Answer 7

i feel we have freedom of speech. others may not agree with what people say so they want to censer us. i get reported alot to, it comes with y/a. y/a is one sided.

Answer 8

Appeal the issue. I've done it. Same thing. I came a bit too close to the truth I guess, but I've always been civil.

Answer 9

In the opinion of many you may speak freely as long as you agree with them. But if you don't agree with what they say you are violating their 'free speech'. They don't fully grasp what 'free speech' is and do not understand that with 'free speech' there comes responsibility. They tend to use poor logic in their conclusions as well.

Answer 10

Get used to it there are some ridiculous people here.

I have had people go to things I said weeks and weeks before and report it just to be jerks.