Do You think YA violates the free speech amendment of the constitution for acts of their own?
2007-11-07 15:19:08 · 12 answers · asked by riverrat15666 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Very good answers and points of view. I appreciate them all!!! But is Yahoo answers congress? are THEY the law? Can they delete alternate viewpoints at whim?
Don't quote me law....I'm a Judge in a county court.
2007-11-07 16:00:49 · update #1
If speech is not offensive (swear words) but is deleted blatantly for no reason but political gain.....Those people have to fry.
2007-11-07 16:04:03 · update #2
Yes-------I have had many posts removed w/out good reason...
2007-11-07 15:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by GUARD DOG 4 · 4⤊ 9⤋
Let me try very gently to explain this to you.....
The US Constitution speaks of Freedom of Speech in one place - the First Amendment, which, you may recall, is part of the Bill of Rights.
In its entirety, the First Amendment to the US Constitution says this:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Read that again - it says "CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW....ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH...."
Now, let's apply this to Yahoo! Answers....
To the best of my understanding, Congress has not made a law that abridges your freedom of speech on Yahoo! Answers.
What I think you're actually complaining about is Yahoo! Answers own rules and regulations for using the website.
Yahoo! is a private corporation, not part of the Federal government, and certainly not part of Congress, therefore, they have the right to establish whatever rules and regulations they please for how to "play nice" if you want to continue using their website.
Please tell me that you don't think the "Right to Free Speech" is some kind of universal power to go anywhere you please and say anything you want. I'm assuming that you'd agree with me that I don't have a right to walk in your front door, sit down at your dinner table, and start hassling you with anything I feel like saying. Do you think that if you chase me out of the house, or call the police or threaten me with a bat, that I can start screaming "Free Speech! Free Speech! I have a right to Free Speech and these people won't let me have my Free Speech!!!!"
Get back to us when you hear that Congress has passed new rules about what's acceptable for you to post on Yahoo! Answers. Until then, I'd recommend that you play by Yahoo's rules, or, as a private organization, they'll exercise their rights to freedom in their own "home" and ban you from the website.
P.S. Yahoo's rules are restricted by laws that protect certain classes of individuals from discrimination. Even as a private organization, they could not, for example, have a rule that says that Catholic people can't post here.
I'm oversimplifying things (quite a lot), but the simple answer is this: Your right to "Free Speech" refers only to the fact that the US Congress can not infringe upon your "free speech".
Sorry.
2007-11-07 23:35:04 · answer #2 · answered by NotAnyoneYouKnow 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Not at all. I am pleased that they make some attempt to preserve civility. Rants, name calling, insults and swearing may be purgative, but they add nothing to the exchange of ideas. I'm glad that attentive users of YA report those who are out of line, and I hope they keep doing so until those who are unable to have a civil discussion either learn to behave themselves or go elsewhere.
2007-11-07 23:25:41 · answer #3 · answered by TG 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Rather a fairly liberal defense of free speech, hence weak
sometimes, under siege from the hordes of neocon bullies
who try to yell it down. Or turn to wet tissues for a variation.
2007-11-07 23:29:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
But Yahoo has the responsibility to protect the community as well.
2007-11-08 02:32:03 · answer #5 · answered by boyplakwatsa.com 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
If you ever bothered to study the Constitution you would know that it does not apply here because Yahoo is a privately owned corporation, not a branch of the US government.
2007-11-07 23:23:43 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 6⤋
No. Entirely too many people do not understand that the concept of free speech does not extend to these types of forums.
2007-11-07 23:34:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
The Constitution does not apply to yahoo answers.
2007-11-07 23:24:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 7⤋
They have a set of terms and conditions that you agree to when you sign up. If you don't like those terms, go rant somewhere that appreciates it.
nuff said!
2007-11-07 23:48:52 · answer #9 · answered by avail_skillz 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
constitution does not cover ya if u wanr unlimited rant get ur own server which the governmet cant shut unless its like child porn etc
2007-11-07 23:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋
They are a private business. They can do as they choose. This is also a world wide sight, and the whole world does not share our free speech.
2007-11-07 23:22:17 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 8⤋