What's the point of free speech?

Question

If nobody reads?
If nobody discusses?
If nobody protests?
Do we really have freedom if nobody uses it?

Answer 1

It's used all the time. It's discussed all the time. People DO hold protests. Just ask Cindy Sheehan.

Before it became complete insanity...Yahoo news had an area where you could comment on news stories and voice your opinion. It was removed most likely...because certain people thought it necessary to insight board riots. That isn't 'freedom of speech'. That's just malicious, and there is a difference.

Answer 2

First amendment rights have been bastardized.

People use the term "Freedom of Speech" to justify saying whatever they want without regard for whom it might hurt or whether it adds anything of value to the public consciousness.

Freedom of the press is supposed to be about keeping business and government honest by writing about what they are doing to keep the public informed. Now, freedom of the press seems to mean the right to print/broadcast whatever makes money. Do you really think the founding fathers intended freedom of the press to allow paparazzi to follow and record celebrities every movement?

Freedom of religion is supposed to allow people to practice whatever religion they choose or no religion if they choose. But in recent years it seems like that freedom means the right to practice any religion as long as it's a form of Christianity.

The rights to assembly and petition have basically become moot because the government process is just too big to be moved by a small body of protesters - at least on a federal and state level.

Answer 3

Are you saying that nobody protests against anything?

Answer 4

Yes. You have free speech. No one has to listen. That is a freedom as well.