A question for Americans

[emeraldrafael]

No, been then nothing is ever really free. But its better then what it could be, and its better then where we came from. So you gotta use what you can get.

 

[MercenaryCanary]

It's not really free speech but free speech would be terrible anyways.

LOL What.

Because then people could walk around saying they want to kill this person and that person, and utter threats and spread hate and genocide propaganda and what not.

That isn't that bad. I'd rather we have open society that has the freedom to voice anything it wants than a polite society that is kind. We're America. We're not nice at all. We hate each other. We hate others. And yet, we still all can get behind the fact that we can at least voice our hatred about things.

I've been pushing the limits as to what can be said in my school. Things that I would never say, I say simply because I have the freedom to do such. I can tell everyone in my classes a bunch of dead baby jokes that even I slightly cringe at? Fantastic! I'm exercising my rights!

 

[Nekros22]

If you believe America has free speech, perform this simple scientific test.

Stand in a shopping mall, get someone to film you.

Start speaking audibly to passers by, saying "I hate N***ers, and i hope everyone here agrees with me. N****ers will be the death of us all." and repeatedly say it over and over.



If you last beyond 10 minutes before security chucks you out, id be amazed. If you made it past 30, id be dumbfounded and shocked.

Make it a full hour and you can say the U.S has free speech.




The truth is - NO country has true "free speech". Americans just like chest thumping and using the claim its in their constitution as a means to belittle other countries and make themselves feel superior.

They dont have it, and the reason they dont have it is because in reality you dont want it. Because common sense and a civilized country require intelligent people to step in when nutbags, sickos, degenerates and low-life evil people would seek to abuse it.

Ok, let's just establish that you're mad. That's on the table.

You're one of those people who thinks a small minority of people represents an entire country. It doesn't work that way.

THE 1ST AMENDMENT PROTECTS YOU FROM INFRINGEMENTS ON YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY THE GOVERNMENT!

If you walk up to a black man, call him a "n****r" and inevitably be thought of as a lesser person (or punched in the face, more likely), segwaying from that to "AMERICA DOESN'T HAVE FREE SPEECH" is illogical. That man you just called the n-word is a person entitled to every right you have.

The reason us "chest-thumping" Americans claim the Freedom of Speech is in our Constitution is because it is. The government cannot stop you from believing, saying, thinking, and writing what you want to. Granted, some things you say, believe, think and write can get you into a lot of trouble, but everyone will know about it because everyone will be told about it, i.e., the media is free to report it.

except they can and do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech_zone

You honestly think a "Free Speech Zone" is intended to limit public opinion? You really believe that in a public protest with possibly thousands of people screaming at each other, you can trust that everyone will behave themselves? You are honestly telling me that at a Nazi rally in the middle of a Jewish community or a KKK rally in the middle of a black community without some form of barricade or protection is a good idea?

Tell you what, tough guy. Don your white robes, light up a cross, and walk into your nearest minority neighborhood to test your freedom of speech. I guarantee it won't be the government trying to stop you.

 

[bak00777]

It's supposed be but everyone is America is too sensitive and easily offended these days. So slowly it's going away in my opinion.

pretty much this, words are just words, ignore them and your life will be so much better.

 

[crimson sickle2]

It's definitely a tricky subject. For the most part we don't have free speech except in matters of opinion. Many forms of media and people have had to silence any religious portrayals, for example. Morality really sucks in America currently and a lot of people are starting to turn into whiny little kids, I fear for my own well-being sometimes. I mean no disrespect to anyone, just an observation I've had.

 

[sirkai007]

As long as it is not deemed obscene (Look up Miller Test), doesn't incite imminent danger, isn't slanderous, or doesn't incite violence or rioting, then we can say it.

 

[maturin]

Free Speech was killed by Political Correctness, but there was no arrest, trial or public outcry.

It's supposed be but everyone is America is too sensitive and easily offended these days. So slowly it's going away in my opinion.

Everyone else in this thread gets that this is really stupid, right?

We're destroying our constitution in the name of canned politeness so large corporations don't have to worry about lawsuits, and public school administrators won't get complaints from parents. Right.

 

[BenzSmoke]

It's not exactly free speech if the government decides what is and isn't protected by the constitution.
It's better than a lot of countries though, so it's freeish.

 

[Nekros22]

Free Speech was killed by Political Correctness, but there was no arrest, trial or public outcry.

It's supposed be but everyone is America is too sensitive and easily offended these days. So slowly it's going away in my opinion.

Everyone else in this thread gets that this is really stupid, right?

No, he's hit the nail on the head.

The only stupidity in this thread are people saying that Freedom of Speech isn't guaranteed or should be limited because some other people's feelings get hurt.

To quote the very correct Youtube video put up here a while ago, "What happened to being an adult? What happened to getting over it? He called me a bad name, don't worry about it, he's a dick!"

 

[BenzSmoke]

Argh, Double Post! Ignore this.

 

[Jzolr0708]

Just a question, do you really have free speech if the government decides what speech is protected or not? For instance, the government can decide that videogames aren't protected as free speech, and ban them. What's to say the government can't decide that films aren't protected as free speech. So my question for the day is, is your speech truly protected?

I assume that you've heard of the Westboro Baptist Church?

Listen, I hate those mother fuckers to no end, and to be honest, I would feel no sympathy if they were to fall off the face of this earth, but the one benefit to having these assholes picket is that it is a perfect display of how America truely has free speech.

They preach one of the most violent, despicable messages you can think of, one that makes people murderous with rage, and yet, because we say that we allow free speech, we stand by the fact that they are allowed to speak their mind in a public setting.

The day that the government decides WBC is not allowed to spread their message, however terrible and horrid it is, is the day that free speech has died a little.

 

[Nekros22]

If you believe America has free speech, perform this simple scientific test.

Stand in a shopping mall, get someone to film you.

Start speaking audibly to passers by, saying "I hate N***ers, and i hope everyone here agrees with me. N****ers will be the death of us all." and repeatedly say it over and over.



If you last beyond 10 minutes before security chucks you out, id be amazed. If you made it past 30, id be dumbfounded and shocked.

Make it a full hour and you can say the U.S has free speech.




The truth is - NO country has true "free speech". Americans just like chest thumping and using the claim its in their constitution as a means to belittle other countries and make themselves feel superior.

They dont have it, and the reason they dont have it is because in reality you dont want it. Because common sense and a civilized country require intelligent people to step in when nutbags, sickos, degenerates and low-life evil people would seek to abuse it.

Ok, let's just establish that you're mad. That's on the table.

You're one of those people who thinks a small minority of people represents an entire country. It doesn't work that way.

THE 1ST AMENDMENT PROTECTS YOU FROM INFRINGEMENTS ON YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY THE GOVERNMENT!

If you walk up to a black man, call him a "n****r" and inevitably be thought of as a lesser person (or punched in the face, more likely), segwaying from that to "AMERICA DOESN'T HAVE FREE SPEECH" is illogical. That man you just called the n-word is a person entitled to every right you have.

The reason us "chest-thumping" Americans claim the Freedom of Speech is in our Constitution is because it is. The government cannot stop you from believing, saying, thinking, and writing what you want to. Granted, some things you say, believe, think and write can get you into a lot of trouble, but everyone will know about it because everyone will be told about it, i.e., the media is free to report it.

except they can and do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech_zone

You honestly think a "Free Speech Zone" is intended to limit public opinion? You really believe that in a public protest with possibly thousands of people screaming at each other, you can trust that everyone will behave themselves? You are honestly telling me that at a Nazi rally in the middle of a Jewish community or a KKK rally in the middle of a black community without some form of barricade or protection is a good idea?

Tell you what, tough guy. Don your white robes, light up a cross, and walk into your nearest minority neighborhood to test your freedom of speech. I guarantee it won't be the government trying to stop you.

does it not stop people from speaking freely to their government?

and i dont believe its a good idea but thats the point, free speech is over-rated

What in the hell are you talking about when you say "free speech is overrated?"

You have this "V for Vendetta" view of the government, you've watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" one too many times. What's going to be accomplished if I run up on stage, plant my feet on the ground, and shout in Barack Obama's face that he's a socialist weasel who's ruining this country? Nothing. You change the government by becoming involved in it, not shouting at it from the side lines.

 

[maturin]

No, he's hit the nail on the head.

The only stupidity in this thread are people saying that Freedom of Speech isn't guaranteed or should be limited because some other people's feelings get hurt.
[/quote]
Um, these are people on an Escapist thread. So you're saying that the freedom of speech is dying because a very few people on the internet think hate speech should be criminalized? I haven't read any posts to that effect, but I can't imagine anyone is suggesting any specific limits more severe than that.

 

[GWarface]

Free speech is a myth, and so it should be.

Not where i live...

I feel sorry for you...

I feel sorry for you if people are allowed to run around the streets inciting racial hatred and the like.

oh my, here we go again...
Because you have the right to say what you want, doesnt necessarily mean that you have to.
And even if you do, you have to be ready to defend what you said..
Freedom of speech is not a holy shield that makes you immune to your surroundings. If you talk shit, you better get ready to eat shit.

As an example; if i were running around Copenhagen and yelling that i wanted to slaughter and eat all immigrants, i would propably be the one to be slaughtered. Why? Because only idiots "run around the streets inciting racial hatred and the like"... And we got other laws to handle them...

Such as?

And I was being literal with it, the point is you need a cap on it at some point to stop the inevitable mad men who really do believe the xenophobic shit they say, and who add fuel to any racial tensions (just using that as an example).

Such as the law against disturbing a public place, i think that would be a good law to start with...

So you don't have freedom of speech then. What's free about being told where and when you can say things?

And an ellipsis does not replace a full stop, stop using it on every sentence. /grammar rage

There is a difference between talking and yelling... Yelling gets your voice into a wider area than just talking thus disturbing the public peace.. It doesnt really matter what you yell it will still be annoying to other people...

As for your gramma nazism, taken from wikipedia: "An ellipsis can also be used to indicate a pause in speech, an unfinished thought, or, at the end of a sentence "

Nuff said..

Not on every sentence (an ellipsis is also '...', 2 dots means nothing) - it's to indicate a longer pause such as a lost thought. It doesn't replace a full stop constantly.

You're really missing the point too - stop being so literal. People should not be allowed to make claims that incites hate or violence against others, no matter how they do it.

So if i go around a saying "Valve is so stupid i hate them! i want to punch them in the kidney for being late on ep3!", then i should promptly be put in jail or hefty fined?
Thats a sad sad world we live in then...

And if its a problem that im too literal, maybe you should try make your point a little more clear, then being literal wont be a problem....

As for the ellipsis problem, im sorry to say but i wont stop use them... It deflects my speech pattern and its an old habit...

 

[Nekros22]

No, he's hit the nail on the head.

The only stupidity in this thread are people saying that Freedom of Speech isn't guaranteed or should be limited because some other people's feelings get hurt.

Um, these are people on an Escapist thread. So you're saying that the freedom of speech is dying because a very few people on the internet think hate speech should be criminalized? I haven't read any posts to that effect, but I can't imagine anyone is suggesting any specific limits more severe than that.

That'd be reasonable if it was just a few people and if it was just on the Internet. But it's not.

 

[Nekros22]

If you believe America has free speech, perform this simple scientific test.

Stand in a shopping mall, get someone to film you.

Start speaking audibly to passers by, saying "I hate N***ers, and i hope everyone here agrees with me. N****ers will be the death of us all." and repeatedly say it over and over.



If you last beyond 10 minutes before security chucks you out, id be amazed. If you made it past 30, id be dumbfounded and shocked.

Make it a full hour and you can say the U.S has free speech.




The truth is - NO country has true "free speech". Americans just like chest thumping and using the claim its in their constitution as a means to belittle other countries and make themselves feel superior.

They dont have it, and the reason they dont have it is because in reality you dont want it. Because common sense and a civilized country require intelligent people to step in when nutbags, sickos, degenerates and low-life evil people would seek to abuse it.

Ok, let's just establish that you're mad. That's on the table.

You're one of those people who thinks a small minority of people represents an entire country. It doesn't work that way.

THE 1ST AMENDMENT PROTECTS YOU FROM INFRINGEMENTS ON YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH BY THE GOVERNMENT!

If you walk up to a black man, call him a "n****r" and inevitably be thought of as a lesser person (or punched in the face, more likely), segwaying from that to "AMERICA DOESN'T HAVE FREE SPEECH" is illogical. That man you just called the n-word is a person entitled to every right you have.

The reason us "chest-thumping" Americans claim the Freedom of Speech is in our Constitution is because it is. The government cannot stop you from believing, saying, thinking, and writing what you want to. Granted, some things you say, believe, think and write can get you into a lot of trouble, but everyone will know about it because everyone will be told about it, i.e., the media is free to report it.

except they can and do
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_speech_zone

You honestly think a "Free Speech Zone" is intended to limit public opinion? You really believe that in a public protest with possibly thousands of people screaming at each other, you can trust that everyone will behave themselves? You are honestly telling me that at a Nazi rally in the middle of a Jewish community or a KKK rally in the middle of a black community without some form of barricade or protection is a good idea?

Tell you what, tough guy. Don your white robes, light up a cross, and walk into your nearest minority neighborhood to test your freedom of speech. I guarantee it won't be the government trying to stop you.

does it not stop people from speaking freely to their government?

and i dont believe its a good idea but thats the point, free speech is over-rated

What in the hell are you talking about when you say "free speech is overrated?"

You have this "V for Vendetta" view of the government, you've watched "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" one too many times. What's going to be accomplished if I run up on stage, plant my feet on the ground, and shout in Barack Obama's face that he's a socialist weasel who's ruining this country? Nothing. You change the government by becoming involved in it, not shouting at it from the side lines.

I have never watched that, and i don't have that view at all. What im saying is americans hoot and holler about their amazing right to free speech when in actuality its not so much better than any of the developed world. And protest doesnt mean shouting at some1, i for one have done peaceful marches before placard held high. calm down bro ^^

You said that "Free Speech Zones" hinder a person's right to speak freely to their government, but a Free Speech Zone is only used at protests or similar events. Flip flopping on your position isn't helping you.

Americans "hoot and holler" about free speech because we, unlike other countries, appreciate it.