Who here supports the right to free speech?

Question

If you don't like the comments made by others, are you quick to report it and get it removed?
If you find a disagreeable question or answer do you provide counter arguments?
If it's radically wrong, do you let their stupidity define their argument themselves?

It amazes me that one would attempt to squelch the free speech of others, particularly in a forum such as this!
A place where people can come together and ask and recieve answers of all political persuasions.

And frankly, I've earned my right to free speech as well as having been born to it.

I've offered all the 'ground' truth from a veterans perspective, free of politics.

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DfkctJU7dK5B7LcNROoyVQ--?cq=1

Is there one bold enough to tell me that they believe my voice should not be heard?

Thanks Ken. I've found that discourse is better than hiding under a skirt myself.

SmartKat, I can't say I disagree with you on that one. The guy has obviously expressed a desire to squelch the free speech of others. And yes, he language was uncalled for.

Well said MilMom.

I would endorse the use of the 'report button' for those committing extreme obscene and hurtful material.

I will give my own two examples:
One was a sexual pervert
The other was extremely hurtful and obscene to an anti-war Canadian who had just lost a soldier family member in Afghanistan.
(I hope it was removed before she saw it.)

And Two Crows, I've found that exposing the idiocy of racists in the forum is much more effective, which is not to say that a racist comment isn't deserving. But I have slammed many a racist in here and it feels pretty d*** good.

My point however is that political disagreement should be debated rather than attempting to have it squelched.

I agree 100% Rogue. I've debated many on here about a myriad of subjects, mostly related to the war. Many were quite nasty and others were interested in civil discourse.

Capt: I would argue that it is better to expose the ignorance and outright stupidity of the racist/sexist than attempt to cover up its existence.

Hateful rhetoric falls into various categories. For example, my earlier example of being hurtful, obscene and nasty to a woman, though she had lashed out, that had experienced a loss, IMO needed immediate removal of the content to prevent further pain to her.

On the hand, I have chosen to challenge many here who have spouted hate against our soldiers and veterans, which in effect is hate against me. I prefer to expose their ignorance and stupidity and have protected their right of free speech but reminded them that they also have the right to remain silent, though allowing them their rants.

TD: When compared to other parts of the world, you might be surprised at just how free speech is here. But one must realize there comes responsibility with it and that the opposition has the same right to free speech. The Dixie Chicks for example were apalled when the nation used their free speech and finances to show displeasure with their right to free speech. And Don Imus likewise, but fortunately, it was the public and not the government that exercised the power.

Censure? I would point out that this is primarily done by the press. They censure the positive stories from Iraq and Afghanistan for their financial and political agenda.

It does amaze me that so many on here attempt to censure their opponents.

Coragryph: I've seen our disagreements in many conversations. I'd like to thank you for keeping it on a polite level, even if you sometimes leave out your disagreeing points when answering my questions. You have still gotten at least one best answer from me!

TD: One of the reasons I set up my blog is to report those things that are not being told in the media and to correct those things being misconstrued.

Unfortunately, I believe they are abusing their right to a free press as well as their right to free speech, though I would not espouse preventing them either right.

I find it troubling that they claim that it is in the 'spirit of objectivity and fairness' (of which they are neither) that they endanger our troops through acting as an intelligence agency (hopefully only inadvertantly but real nonetheless) to the enemy as well as undermine our mission. I find it apalling that they claim to support the plight of the poor and oppressed when their second primary motive is financial gain and they ignore the protection we attempt many of the oppressed in the places where we also have national interest.

Answer 1

I only used the report button once, someone posted someones phone number and asked them to call them repeatedly because she wanted him back. I think posting someone's phone number is juvenile.

If I really disagree with someone, I let them know it, but I don't report them ever. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I have found that even though I get into the counter argument thing all I get is a thumbs down. It just shows me that the person posting the question and it's answerers aren't open to new opinions.
Alot of questions on Yahoo seem to be posting their belief system and god help you if you disagree with them. Maybe they just like the argument.
It reminds me of our Congress, No one is willing to listen to anyone else., Everyone has the right answer but yet the problems aren't solved.
Maybe it's time to open our minds a wee bit and let ourselves understand that others may have good ideas also.

Answer 2

> I know Atheists support free speech < Even when it comes to the debate over evolution? If it wasn't for Christian principles atheists wouldn't have the freedom they have today. Christian influence is obvious in the history of this country. You have to wonder if that would be the case if it was opposite that. Russia is a good example. Madalyn Murray O'Hair is another shining example.

Answer 3

I report severe violations of yahoo guidelines.

I don't care if someone says something I disagree with. I don't care if they say something stupid. I don't care if they're a troll who likes to hear themselves type.

But when a post or poster reaches a level where they are disruptive to the forum, or when the post is so obscene that it is a blatant violation of the Yahoo Guidelines, I report that.

In other cases, if I consider someone so hopeless that having a rational discussion is simply impossible, I just ignore them.

Answer 4

Posting of HS info and area of where they lived...with all the nut cases online...and I assume they were kids ....I didn't report them but I did let them know there are nuts out here and telling your personal info on here.....is not good.....If I come across any questions I feel make no sense I just don't answer them.......People are entitled to their opinions ...we are all different....what I don't get at this site is the same questions being posted over and over again.....to me that doesn't make sense at all....free speech?...does that really exist in this country?....alot of things are censured.....and hidden from public view .....just my opinion....

You are right about Censorship and the media with the war......alot of it is either not told.....or hidden from public view.....thanks for bringing that up!

Answer 5

Look at Democrats trying to squelch talk radio with the "Fairness Doctrine"

Or McCain/Feingold bill for campaign "reform."

To the idiot claiming Bush is imprisoning every dissenter in America, I wonder why you aren't in Gitmo if that was true. Abraham Lincoln exiled political enemies to Europe. Where are Pelosi or Reid or Hussien Obama?

Answer 6

Free speech needs to be fought for and protected but but there is no place for hateful, racist or sexuallly demeaning under that protection. The people who spout those remarks are a danger to the free speech movement.

Answer 7

Free speech is an illusion in this country.
Those "seven words" are STILL banned from the air. Even on cable they bleep things, I mean we PAY for this, and it's still bleeped!!
These days, if you speak out loud enough against bush, you get a one way ticket to git mo.

I DO report when it's simply a racist comment with no bearing on the topic. Some people are just idiots.

If the question itself is stupid i generally just pass on it. which is A LOT of questions lately.

Answer 8

Reporting is a form of free speech, as long as the person you are reporting has honestly violated rules.

But it seems there is a movement going to report solely because someone disagrees.

In my opinion, that is not a violation of free speech, but it should be a violation of the rules.

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Check out the first answer to this question. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsmReWkMqKOJJ5lbawseff4jzKIX?qid=20070715203302AAqCY6Z
He claims to be in favor of free speech but he reports people for no reason other than revenge.
I reported him, not only because of his language (which I would have overlooked) but because rampid abuse of the reporting privilege can bring down YahooAnswers.
And I included that explaination in my report.

But I actually seldom ever report!

Answer 9

I support the right to freedom of speech.

If I do not like comments made by others I let them know about it, exercising MY freedom of speech.

Yes, I try to back up my beliefs.

Yes, their stupidity usually shows through in the end.

Answer 10

Just wait until a Lib becomes Prez. We will become a socialist commy country with no free speach.