elkoholic Posted May 3, 2005 Report Share Posted May 3, 2005 Has freedom of speech gone too far? When one's freedom of speech causes harm, be it mental, financial or even physical, is it still acceptable? An example is American Idol (yes, I know some of you hate it) where a web-site (votefortheworst.com I think) is being justified by saying it is freedom of speech when in reality it is a collusion by the friends of one of the finalist. A more important example being the incredible accusations heard during political races which result in the election of some very incompetent individuals who are running our country, or any country with elections for that matter. Maybe those individuals who use free speech as a shield, but have something to gain from their actions, should be in some way held accountable. Lying for personal gain should be a punishable crime, hence, that would make most of our elected officials criminals, and maybe there would be more of a semblance of right and honesty in the world. Being able to express your opinion should not include lies and half truths, and any attempts to profit, either yourself or others, should not be protected under the realm of "free speech". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horst Posted May 3, 2005 Report Share Posted May 3, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech Lets look at a country without free speech first.What you just said, speaking out in a public forum against our elected officials, could very well be a crime.I believe it is/was in some countries for anyone to bad mouth the government publicly. as far as the American idol star goes, they wanted thier 15 minutes of fame, theyll have to live with the critisicm just like all the other big name stars do.Im in favor of having to much free speech as compared to the alternatives JMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech When someone wants to hide behind the freedom of speech it should be based on at least some factual basis. Someone shouldn't be able to say anything they want with no regard for the truth - politics or otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech I believe if the speech from one person is detrimental to another and can be proven false a person could possibly sue for defamation of character if I am not mistaken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech William, you're absolutely correct about the ability to sue for defamation of character. Not only could they be sued for this, but also criminally prosecuted in some cases for libel or slander (more specific forms of criminal defamation of character.) I don't really see the way politicians as an example of those who hide behind freedom of speech. Generally the things they say against their opponent have some truth to them or are presented as opinions or arguements pertaining to an issue. These are neither slanderous nor libelous in most cases--and without the freedom of politicians to debate issues, discuss importance of character, and the like, we, as voters would always be left in the dark. I can't really see how an anti-American Idol website could be seen as an abuse of the first amendment. It just doesn't seem to rise to the level of anything even remotely important. In fact, one could say it makes people even MORE interested in the show and therefore increases their ratings. I would argue that we've actually seen a NARROWING of our rights as a greater threat than those who abuse them. The courts are trying to flush the first amendment through activist interpretation of the so-called establishment clause. It seems that you can freely express anything you wish these days as long as it's not an expression of faith...that's sad. Also a brief fact check. There is no absolute freedom of speech in this country. The FCC regulates television and radio, for example. There are laws against false advertising and penalties for lying to police, courts, and Congress. You cannot yell "FIRE!" in a movie theater. You can't call on people to revolt against the government. You can't openly or under cover conspire against the government. There are reasonable measures in place that balance the right of the freedom of speech with the responsibility of living in a society based on the rule of law. Though the government regulates things to a certain degree, the best defense against those who print or speak mistruths is using the freedom of speech to call them on it. One could argue, for example, that biased media lie all the time. The response--talk radio, cable news, and Internet news sites. Overall, I think the greater peril is the loss of these rights...not overuse/abuse of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParrotHead Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech Lets just remember this - with every freedom comes responsibilities - lets not get the two mixed up. In order for you to truely enjoy anc cherrish the freedom to speak out you must first be responsible enough to get your @ss kicked once you do. The problem with "Freedom of Sheech" isn't freedom - it's the lack of most American's not taking or being responsible for what comes out of their mouths. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech We live in a very rich country with great freedoms and great responsibilities. Taking those freedoms away or limiting them is a very dangerous idea. Where do we stop, and where is the line drawn. Any time one of our freedoms is threatened so is our very way of life. While I am discusted by many things in this world, I defend their right to exist. When you take a freedom from one, you take it from all and you open the door to take something else away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldksnarc Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech There is no such thing as absolute freedom. When two or more people live in close proximity to one another, absolute personal freedom is lost to an orderly society. One person's "absolute" freedom is lost to insure another person's freedom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech "absolute" freedom is chaos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonhunter Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech [ QUOTE ] "absolute" freedom is chaos [/ QUOTE ] true true.......but if thats the case when are you "free" When do you go from being opressed to become or gaining your fredom. We are the Land of the Free(and we are Free as far as Im concerned) but what is the line between "freedom" and opression(sp?)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParrotHead Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech [ QUOTE ] but what is the line between "freedom" and opression [/ QUOTE ] Simple - the governing body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 6, 2005 Report Share Posted May 6, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] but what is the line between "freedom" and opression [/ QUOTE ] Simple - the governing body . [/ QUOTE ] Afraid in some situations that is part of the problem . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParrotHead Posted May 6, 2005 Report Share Posted May 6, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech Wrong wtn - it's not a problem in "some" situations but rather a problem in "most" situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 7, 2005 Report Share Posted May 7, 2005 Re: Freedom of speech right on again,parrot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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