I think that when the authors of the First Amendment wrote it, they envisioned a time where things would be more peaceful, and the Freedom of Speech would not be abused (ex: KK and neo-nazi rallys like occrider said)

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It has to start somewhere,
It has to start sometime,
What better place then here?
What better time than now?
--Rage Against the Machine

^Yeah, some people in America really do not deserve the freedom of speech

quote:

Originally posted by Dupz What happened with those Dixie Chicks recently with their comments about George Bush? Apparently their music was taken off the radio in several US states, and they were threatened with violence etc etc etc... But anyway, seeing this, i think that this is where we have lost our freedom of speech.. i mean, cant people take a little light critisism anymore?? Are we that closed minded that we cannot accept anyones opinion who is different to our own.. Are we so arrogant to believe that our own opinions are always right?? Oh, another point. Anthony Mudine (an australian boxer) said, about the sept 11 attacks, that the US had brought this terror on themselves. I mean, he didnt go out and say they DESERVED it, he just expressed his opinion on the issue(which may be right or wrong, but that's not the point). Anyway, by simply stating his opinion the American boxing federation had banned him from fighting any fights in the US.. this means he has less chance of gaining his world title.. Now why do people have to bring these issues down to a personal level? We are all entitled to express our opinoins, within reason, and we are all entitled to receive due critisism, but things are just getting out of hand.

see thats whats pointless about the american concept of freedom of speech. You cant lose it, especially if its an inalienable right! Its plainly obivous what real freedom of speech is when such things like this happen where people are persecuted. I think we have a very jaded sense of justice if we believe people should be protected for anything they say.

quote:

Originally posted by trancedfarmer see thats whats pointless about the american concept of freedom of speech. You cant lose it, especially if its an inalienable right! Its plainly obivous what real freedom of speech is when such things like this happen where people are persecuted. I think we have a very jaded sense of justice if we believe people should be protected for anything they say.

I still don't see how it's pointless. It's as protected as the framers of the constitution intended it to be. But as much as people before said, there are boundaries to everything. You may say anything you wish to say with freedom from imprisonment, but with it comes the understanding that what you say may have repurcussions beyond imprisonment. For example regarding the dixie chicks ... they have every right to voice opposition to whatever they want, but then their fans have every right to be outraged by what they say and boycott their music. If I go down to the slums of DC and start shouting out racial slurs and get my ass kicked, does that mean that I can say free speech is pointless and nonexistent? No. It's protected where it matters ... I can start up any political party, I can make any political statement I want, I can publish anything I want, and I can protest anything I want to. If somebody tries to fire me for my beliefs I can sue their asses off and get rich. If the gov't tries to put me in jail for my beliefs alone I can sue their asses off and get rich. Our court system is more or less structured to behave as if the 1st amendment is the word of God himself. That's why the KKK, the blank panthers, Nambla, and whoever else can frolic around with impunity.

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