Why is 'Freedom of Speech' so misunderstood?

[Dogstile]

The main thing that bothers me with free speech (although I agree with the OP, if you call a co-worker a ****** or ****** then that private organistaion has every right to fire you) is people who support free speech as long as they agree with what's being said. Like when the WBC were banned from preaching in England. I mean I hate those guys as much as anyone, but freedom of speech exists to defend unpopular speech. We don't need to defend things the majority agree with.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

WBC was banned in England because they practice hate speech. That's banned here.

Yes but making laws against them picketing funerals is one thing totally banning them from preaching to anyone who would care to listen is another. They are not telling people to go out and kill gay people or anything. What they preach is disgusting and bigoted but it's there view. They have a website, godhatesireland.com it pisses me off but I don't think they should be stopped from saying it I just get on with my life. They have every right to say that, just like I have a right to say "they're a bunch of homophobic cunts who no reasonable person would agree with and due to the fact that the church is made up of Phelps' own family I'm inclined to believe it's due to a flaw in their genes that may or may not be a direct result of inbreeding."

Not in England they don't. The law is different here.

I shouldn't have said every right. Because I wasn't talking about legal rights in this case. I meant it in a more idealistic sense.

Ahh right, of course, in an ideal world you wouldn't have people using god to sue everyone they piss off.

 

[messy]

people are dumb...

How dare you say that!

Why? Or were you joking?

Yeah I was joking. I figured someone would make this joke in the thread at some point.

 

[subtlefuge]

Because they get attention for it.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

people are dumb...

People are dumb? Relative to what? There isnt anything out there that's smarter than people.

Correction time...

THE MASSES are dumb, WHEN COMPARED TO THE FEW WHO HAVE TO LOOK AFTER THEM.

(you are forgetting that humans are actually the third most intelligent species on Earth. Stephen Fry said so himself...)

Do you really think that "the few" are looking after us?

Do you have food on your table? Police on your streets? Or money in your bank? If so then yes, I think they're doing their job much better than we give them credit for, and I'm sure that most of us couldn't do it any better no matter what we like to think.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

people are dumb...

How dare you say that!

Why? Or were you joking?

Yeah I was joking. I figured someone would make this joke in the thread at some point.

Oh good, I can lol now then

 

[WitchD0ctor]

people are dumb...

People are dumb? Relative to what? There isnt anything out there that's smarter than people.

at times, dumber than a brick

 

[Kortney]

The main thing that bothers me with free speech (although I agree with the OP, if you call a co-worker a ****** or ****** then that private organistaion has every right to fire you) is people who support free speech as long as they agree with what's being said. Like when the WBC were banned from preaching in England. I mean I hate those guys as much as anyone, but freedom of speech exists to defend unpopular speech. We don't need to defend things the majority agree with.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Wrongsies!

The WBC were banned in the United Kingdom for planning to Incite hatred. Inciting hatred and/or violence is illegal in the United Kingdom. I see no reason as to why that is a bad thing.

One thing that has always confused me is the complete lack of outrage in the USA over how seriously television is censored. American television networks censor nearly every swear word in the sun in the attempt of not offending people, and the populous doesn't really seem to care all that much. However, when someone wants to ban funeral protesting - then the populous gets up in arms and says "You can't do that! We have freedom of speech here!". It's strange to me.

EDIT: Also, I can't stand that quote. Stop it. It's over spammed, self righteous nonsense!

 

[TStormer]

6 rounds so far, all are wins, I would screenshot but CBA.

Not actually luck, just going off what the average idiot would choose then countering it.