Is Freedom of Speech going out the Door?

Question

It seems of late that Freedom of speech is going out the door. That we can say anything we want as long as we don't offend someone. You can speak your mind just don't let anybody here you. This seems to be a very slipery slope, any thoughts on this current trend?

I'm Speeking of in general terms, not on Yahoo answers!

Here is an Example of what i'm talking about!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7128935

Answer 1

Respect for freedom is speech is certainly fading.

Freedom of speech in a legal sense is a constitutional concept, dealing with govt censorship.

But on a more basic level, it demands that we respect the right of someone else to speak the truth, and we don't try to shut them up just because we don't like what they are saying. A concept called "the heckler's veto" in law.

And yes, we are rapidly losing respect for the value of diverse opinions, and a willingness to listen to other people. I've been blocked from answering questions from a dozen or so posters, because I pointed out the them that the examples they were using did not support their arguments.

Even that level of disagreement is too much for them to handle, so they closed their ears to anyone why isn't mindlessly repeating back to them what they already believe.

And political correctness is just another example of the problem -- people not wanting to hear honest opinions (good or bad) because it might 'offend' someone.

Answer 2

Seems to me you are speaking freely. I have not seen any government activity that indicates that freedom of speech is being curtailed.
--- Y!A discussion removed ----

Your source states: "Day to Day, February 2, 2007 · A New York City councilman is introducing a resolution calling for New Yorkers to stop using the so-called "N word.""

First, a resolution is not a law, it's a statement. Second, it does not say it passed, it says he proposed it.

I believe we have more free speech than before. How well do you think a discussion of the merits of communism would go today? Pretty well I think. How about during McCarthy 's time?

I knew at some point somebody would bring Christians in to this. Nobody has banned Christians from anywhere. The establishment part of the first amendment prohibits any government from establishing in any way one religion over another. I see all the accusations of government banning Christians but never one shred of evidence.

Answer 3

I believe that our freedom of speech has increased lately. For the most part, the supreme court has done a pretty good job of siding with citizen's rights when it comes to free speech.

What kind of speech are you talking about anyway? Where have you been (or someone you know of) had their freedom of speech squashed?


Yes, it is possible to find people wanting to ban all sorts of things. However, if this law is passed and later tested by the courts, it would be thrown out. Also, consider the laws that have been thrown out dealing with freedom of speech, such as flag burning. We have much more use of freedom of speech today than what we had 50 years ago.

Answer 4

exciting. i will have an interest to make certain how the SC handles this one. it particularly is definitely usual that a city ordinance requiring licensing of door-to-door salesmen does no longer violate the appropriate of loose speech. yet what approximately non secular or political speech that in many circumstances gets extra risk-free practices than advertisement speech. interior the 1st modification, there are surely 2 provisions related to faith. One is the "enterprise clause," that the federal government (prolonged to states and native governments via the Fourteenth modification) won't be able to set up a faith. the different, the "suppression clause," delivers that the government won't be able to suppress the practice of religion. collectively, those have in many circumstances been interpreted to guard the rights of atheists the two with faith communities of all stripes.

Answer 5

of course it is. just refence the proposed banning of christians from public places were homosexuals are having parades and speeches etc....christians, little old ladies even are being arrested for standing and using their right to protest. the bible will soon be hate speech as it is in canaduh.

if that statute is passed in NY what will all the rappers do? i guess they'll have to resort to "telling what's going on in the hood" using some more or less colorful lingo.

Answer 6

You can say whatever you want. If you offend someone, they can say so. No change in freedom of speech whatsoever. People are just using their freedom of speech to tell you that you're a jerk for saying it.

Answer 7

With the advent of Hate "Thought" Crimes and the reemergence of the Fairness Doctrine, I think it reasonble to assume the free speech and free thought are under assault.

Answer 8

freedom of speech is only for lunatics that speak out against this country not for those who speak for it. We are supposed to sit back & allow terrorists etc to shout all their abuse, if we reply with our `freedom of speech` we`re racist. Its not that we`re patriotic & are watching everyone taking liberties its racist. The country gone mad full of politically correct tossers.

Answer 9

Have you ever been in a Republican debate and try to speak your mind about the Neo-Cons? Did they stop inviting you to the debates?

Answer 10

It is indeed, and I am sure those with intelligence will agree. But will you actually do anything about it, or just talk about the problems like others?