Why do people who claim to support the 1st amendment also support cencorship?

Question

Censorship is violation of the first amendment!

By the government.

Answer 1

Well, without any specific examples from you, I can only guess something like this:

There are hypocrites involved in every political issue you can think of. 1st Amendment issues are no different.

Answer 2

Who are these people?

I'll take a crack at it and say right-wing TV watchdog groups like the Parents Television Council, they love sending mailbags full of protest letters to the FCC every time someone says "crap" or something, on TV at 9PM! I sincerely believe that these people need a life, and if this is what constitutes their life, spending all day watching TV and looking for nipples, then I feel sorry for them.

Hell, one could go even further and say that FCC, by it's very nature, is a violation of the 1st Amendment. What do they do? Monitor and regulate what can and cannot be said on TV, which is censorship! We don't need an FCC, we have 100s of channels to choose from with an incredibly wide variety of content for the very diverse types of audiences that exist. If someone doesn't like what they see on a particular channel, they can change it.

Yea I said it, change the channel. I know that this a new and far-out idea for some of you, but it is possible to use that remote control to change the channel to find something you like. You don't need to write a letter about it because your kids might see something you don't like, you can just not watch it. Here's another thought, try being parents and actually talk to your kids about this kind of stuff and try to monitor what they watch on TV.

Ok, my lecture is over lol.

Answer 3

The left has worked to silence its critics for years. Senator Harkin has tried to remove Rush from Armed Forces Radio for a very long time. In 2004, Senate democrats threatened the broadcast license of a television network which aired a documentary about the military service of John Kerry. And you're right. No one is quicker than a left wing democrat (excuse the redundancy) to run to a microphone and declare their support for freedom of speech.
But always remember...we are only supposed to listen to what a leftist says. We aren't allowed to point out what they do. That is considered an attack! And that is more telling about what these people are than anything else. They scream that they have been attacked whenever someone tells the truth about their actions or their beliefs. Very interesting and very scary.

Answer 4

Tipper Gore is a good example.

Her husband was and is all about the first amendment and his right to spew nonsense science but his wife is in favor of censoring the arts.

She prompted the rock band Warrant to write "Ode to Tipper Gore" and Frank Zappa to appear before congress.

Answer 5

Who is it you speak of?

If it is here on Yahoo, well, they are a private company, and since the postings on their network become a reflection on how they operate, they have every right to censor what you say. Besides - being a private company, they don't have to give you any rights. And it is your right to go to another site and spin your tales.

But tell us who you are speaking of. Because I for one don't condone censorship in any fashion, and will defend any speech - even speech I don't necessarily agree with.

Answer 6

We have a freedom of speech, but like many of our rights, it is not an absolute (You can't yell "fire" in a crowded theatre, you can't practice human sacrifice and claim freedom of religion, etc).

You fail to mention who is being censored and what circumstances the alleged censorship occurred under, so its difficult to comment any further.

Answer 7

Depends on what your beef is all about ...
As a Parent, I don't wish for my kids or myself to have to hear certain things on TV. I do think there is a need for censorship on language.
You can get your point across without using unnecessary profanity.

Answer 8

If you've actually read the first amendment, it has to do with limiting Congress' power to restrict speech, not censorship in general.

Answer 9

Yes, censorship is a violation of the First Amendment.

So who are you talking about?

Answer 10

Liberals support only the 1st amendment if it is their people speaking...ex: the attack of the liberal left on Talk Radio lately...if it isnt one of their people,they support censorship...the libs have been out in force to silence Talk Radio...man,its getting nasty out there...