Freedom of speech

[Darnell 8,478]

No one is going to arrest you for dropping a racial slur.

Hate crimes/speech laws only apply when a dangerous situation is created/a threat is apparent.

It's my understanding that if the law is broken, an arrest is made. These aren't 'federal' yet, but more states have laws on the books NOW, about this, than 10 years prior.

[Captain Oates 911]

Seems if we draw the line anywhere it will open up to where that line could be moved repeatedly until saying anything unless it has been preapproved can mean getting arrested. I may not approve of many things that are said but I know that many have died to give us the right to speak our minds.

There is already a line both in the US and elsewhere, it's just a question of where it should be. In the US it's classically about shouting fire in a theatre.

Many countries have crafted laws that acknowledges people's rights to have any opinion and to speak their minds but forbids race hate and disorderly conduct via 'threatening and abusive language'

The impression I am getting is that many on VJ want no barriers - so that someone could stand outside say a southern baptist church and scream the filthiest racial language at people going in. Am I hearing it correctly that this is what people are in favor of in the US ?

People have died to prevent race hate too. Many more than died in the war of independence.

Only around 700,000 people lived in the colonies and supported independance in 1776 whereas 600,000 Americans died in the civil war against slavery and many against naziism.

Actually I suspected that many Americans on VJ would say they supported race hate and threatening and abusive language under the guise of free speech so the opinions on here are only confirmation of that.

I know there are others who think differently and deplore the violent and hateful speech, so it would be nice to hear from them too sometime

[^_^ 5,021]

The impression I am getting is that many on VJ want no barriers - so that someone could stand outside say a southern baptist church and scream the filthiest racial language at people going in. Am I hearing it correctly that this is what people are in favor of in the US ?

Yes, they should be allowed to yell and scream. If the impede movement in a public area or otherwise infringe on their rights, then yes arrest them. But you have no right to make sure you never hear the f word or the n word.

[Captain Oates 911]

Yes, they should be allowed to yell and scream. If the impede movement in a public area or otherwise infringe on their rights, then yes arrest them. But you have no right to make sure you never hear the f word or the n word.

are you in favor of TOS on VJ ? or should free speech be allowed to an unlimited extent ?

[^_^ 5,021]

are you in favor of TOS on VJ ? or should free speech be allowed to an unlimited extent ?

VJ is Ewok's private property. Think of this as his private home and he allows us to hang out in here as long as we check out the ads he has plastered all over the walls. In here, he can set the rules however he likes.

My opinions only become germane when discussing the public sphere because it is there that my opinion (and yours) has a role.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Legacy member

[Captain Oates 911]

VJ is Ewok's private property. Think of this as his private home and he allows us to hang out in here as long as we check out the ads he has plastered all over the walls. In here, he can set the rules however he likes.

My opinions only become germane when discussing the public sphere because it is there that my opinion (and yours) has a role.

Yes I know how it works, but do you feel restricted, and if asked to vote by the owner, would you be in favor of anything goes ?

Would you enjoy unlimited free speech on VJ if it was offered ?

Edited August 18, 2010 by saywhat

[^_^ 5,021]

... do you feel restricted, and if asked to vote by the owner, would you be in favor of anything goes ?

No, I would not be in favor of anything goes.

[Captain Oates 911]

No, I would not be in favor of anything goes.

Isn't that inconsistent - you would restrict free speech on VJ even if it were available, but you would not restrict anyone screaming anything in the face of a 7 year old girl in the street ?

[^_^ 5,021]

Isn't that inconsistent - you would restrict free speech on VJ even if it were available, but you would not restrict anyone screaming anything in the face of a 7 year old girl in the street ?

You'd like to run the world the way you run a message board?

[Captain Oates 911]

You'd like to run the world the way you run a message board?

Surely a message board can never be as injurious as a face to face confrontation with a child in the street.

Why should a message board be a kinder place than 'the real world'

[^_^ 5,021]

Surely a message board can never be as injurious as a face to face confrontation with a child in the street.

Why should a message board be a kinder place than 'the real world'

Because if message board moderators/administrators take the power you've given them and run amok, you can simply log out and find another board.

The whole reason we believe in limiting the powers of government when it comes to things like freedom of speech and expression is to limit the ability of the authorities to use excessive limitations to their own advantage.

[Captain Oates 911]

Because if message board moderators/administrators take the power you've given them and run amok, you can simply log out and find another board.

The whole reason we believe in limiting the powers of government when it comes to things like freedom of speech and expression is to limit the ability of the authorities to use excessive limitations to their own advantage.

Let's cut to the chase, do you believe that the USA is the only country in the world that has genuine free speech ? and which first world country's citizens do you believe are repressed by their governments taking advantage of their power to ban hate speech, racist threats etc ? UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain etc in which of these countries, which don't allow abusive threatening racial speech, do you think the citizens feel cowed and silenced and afraid of their governments and unable to express their opinions ?

If you had adopted a black child and a skinhead thug leaned into the pram and abused it, would you wish you had some remedy in the law rather than only the choice of violence ?

[^_^ 5,021]

Let's cut to the chase, do you believe that the USA is the only country in the world that has genuine free speech ?

I don't believe so, but I don't know.

...and which first world country's citizens do you believe are repressed by their governments taking advantage of their power to ban hate speech, racist threats etc ? UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Spain etc in which of these countries, which don't allow abusive threatening racial speech, do you think the citizens feel cowed and silenced and afraid of their governments and unable to express their opinions ?

I know very little about Europe. Sorry but this sounds like a conversation you should have with someone else

If you had adopted a black child and a skinhead thug leaned into the pram and abused it, would you wish you had some remedy in the law rather than only the choice of violence ?

What's a pram?

Regardless, national policy should never be set based on an individuals emotional needs.

[Captain Oates 911]

a pram is a stroller

the pursuit of happiness is an emotional need

so is liberty I suppose

ok well thanks for the exchange of views.....I guess we have exhausted the subject

[spookyturtle 9,466]

In every other first world country.............