Quote:
Originally Posted by Hyacinth Bucket
I had an interesting conversation this evening on freedom of speech. We know from personal experiences where we can not write or state what we would like to say.
Other than on certain street corners in the states or on the continent, or your own blog, where do you feel you have full freedom of speech.
Looking forward to hearing your responses.
HB
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HB, surprised to see you open such a potentially huge can of worms. For those who will opine, I'd like to remind them of the basis for this right, the first amendment. "[I
]Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances[/I]." It does not say that Acme Corp. cannot make employment rules restricting speech nor does it say that an organization cannot impose restriction for membership. Over the years, this right has evolved to include many other than Congress, especially school boards and even non-government organs. We have reached a point where many believe that their constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech allows them to say anything about anybody anytime and anywhere, sans the old yelling fire in the crowded theater. I do not believe that was the initial purpose of its inclusion in the Constitution and I hope we eventually move back closer to the framers' intent.
And then there is the standard reply to spee4ch with which one disagrees. You may have the right to say it, but I do not have to listen nor does society owe you a platform for that speech. Case in point were the rantings of Ward Churchill. I firmly believe that he had a right to say what he said, whether he actually believed all his polemics, but I was sorry the press publicized him so much, and I fault the Colorado university system for providing his platform. The same applies to Ann Coulter. Whether you agree with her or not, she has a right to her views and her writings. However, no publisher has a duty to print her books, certainly no one has to buy the or read her columns, and no television or radio show must give Ann her platform. In both cases above, when their expected platforms were denied, both cried "Freedom of Speech." Both were wrong.
So, in answer to your question, HB, I feel that I have full freedom of speech anywhere, anytime (with minimal legal exceptions), but if I exercise that right, I must be prepared for the reaction.