A Primer on Free Speech

Forums:
Email this Topic • Print this Page

There seems to be some confusion on what "Free Speech" means. So I will attempt to clarify it.

- Free Speech means that you can say anything you want without fear of legal sanctions or punishment from the government (there are narrow restrictions on free speech such as inciting violence, but this thread is not about that).

- Free Speech means that the government can't punish you for what you say or believe in a public space.

- It means that on government property, different ideas are considered equal. A local government can prohibit expression of all religions or belief systems in a given space. But if they allow one they have to allow all equally.

- Free Speech means that you have the right to criticize anyone, or ridicule them, or insult them.

- Free Speech means that you can start a newspaper or website or write a book or a song about anything you want. If it is your newspaper or your website you get to choose what articles to publish and what to ban based on your own ideas of what is important and what is offensive.

- Free Speech means that you can say things that other people, or even most people find hateful. Hate Speech is Free Speech.

Topic Stats
Top Replies
Link to this Topic

Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 274 • Replies: 6

[+3] - Brandon9000 - 06/05/2020I don't see anything in your lists that I disagree with.

- Free Speech does not mean that all ideas need to be treated equally. Just because an idea about racial equality is popular and everyone is talking about it doesn't mean that people need to pay any attention to a competing unpopular idea about racial hatred.

- Free Speech does not mean that newspapers or websites have to represent you (although you are free to start your own newspaper or website).

- Free Speech does not mean that people have to like your ideas or like you as a person.

- Free Speech does not mean that anyone has to listen to you. Popular ideas tend to be treated as good ideas. People have the right to hold to unpopular ideas, but no one has to pay any attention.

- Free speech does not mean that people can't insult or ridicule your ideas. If your ideas are ridiculous or hateful, they probably will.

1 Reply

@maxdancona,

Point 1- you are repetitive at times in your second chapter when the gentle reader looks back at your first chapter of this thread.

Subpoint 1- yes, I am aware that my response is technically directed towards chapter one. However, it intertwines with chapter two.

Point 2- you lack the necessary communication skills to adequately hold a reader's attention for more than a few seconds.

Point 3- have you been dipping in your standings (both here and abroad)?

Point 4-is your employer aware of the simmering rage within you?

Point 5- can you be specific as to who (here or elsewhere in your daily rituals), has questioned you (or others) regarding free speech?

2 Replies

@Sturgis,

This wasn't written for you Sturgis, although I appreciate the fact that you were interested enough to respond. Thanks for the bump.

This was specifically written for some people from the conservative side of things.

1 Reply

@maxdancona,

Then, you must message them post haste and direct them to your handiwork!

0 Replies

@Sturgis,

You seem to have spent a lot of time not disagreeing with me.

That is your right, but it does seem a little silly.

A Primer on Free Speech

Quick Links

My Account

able2know