Is Free Speech Dying?

reply to post by ImaginaryReality1984


In the states, we have them at political rallies and public speeches for pretty much the same reason. Speaking out inside the Capitol Building (audible on any subject, even how well the politician is liked) is not accepted at any time..One could call it a capitol offense except usually you are just escorted out of the building unless you say anything explicitly wrong. Like I won't vote for you again.

Being as to be a politician you have to be within a certain class of unestablished nobility (because establishing it would be unconstitutional) therefore anything that makes them feel less than ecstatically happy borders on Hate Speech.

reply to post by Ahabstar


Yep i've read about those. It's not just that however it's also all the political correctness talk. What worries me is that comedians are now being told what they can and cannot say and i've always thought that comedians being dictated to is a real indicator of a loss of free speech. That may sound silly to some but comedians are at the forefront of accepted speech when you think about it.

[edit on 26-1-2009 by ImaginaryReality1984]

Originally posted by Cio88
In fact there is a 99% chance this will be removed.

If you stay on-topic, your posts will not be removed.

Please stay on the topic of this thread, or use the ATS Issues thread to discuss site-related issues in the open.

Originally posted by ImaginaryReality1984
Free speech really seems to be dying, where will it go from here?

From what I've seen in the evolution of "free speech" is nothing more than a higher number of people acting like: "You can say whatever you want, as long as you don't say anything bad about me."

Everyone supports free speech, as long as you don't offend them.

The only true test of someone's real ability to champion and defend free expression is their ability to tolerate and support the stating of ideas they detest. It's that simple.

Free expression has nothing to do with your ability to say what you want. It has everything to do with letting someone else say something you abhor. And yes, fewer and fewer people posses that tolerance.

You obviously don't support Free speech. You have removed my sig? why?

Its my opinion. You need to follow your own rules.. or do you not feel you have to follow them?

You always talk about people showing respect and staying on topic. My post was on topic ... and using my free speech. But, because you are head honcho.. and no body questions you .. you troll in and remove posts. I just seems like there is a little kid at the helm of your account.

Originally posted by Cio88
You obviously don't support Free speech. You have removed my sig? why?

I believe it was explained to you that it was inappropriate political baiting.

My post was on topic

No. This thread is about erosion of government-guaranteed free speech because of various degrees of intolerance making its way into legislation. Your post was about your selfish need to apparently be offensive in your posts. Again, please use the ATS Issues thread for comments such as that.

Originally posted by ImaginaryReality1984
Recently Holland enacted a law stating that it is an offense to bad mouth Islam.

The Vatican has also stated that freedom of speech doesn't include the right to offend religious sentiments and that intolerance is a threat to peace... So, it seems this kind of thing is happening around the world about different religions. This is certainly a concern.

What is so bothersome is that violence is being attributed to the WORDS people speak (hate speech) along with those who take violent action. That line between speech (or expression) and ACTION is being obliterated. And, in my opinion, that's the line that we must keep solid. Sticks and stones, you know?

But making religion a special case opens the door for making other special cases. How crazy would it be if, here in the US, we were told that freedom of speech no longer includes the right to offend governmental institutions or policies? That makes it clear how ridiculous this whole 'offending religion' idea is.


[edit on 27-1-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]

In France, any "incorrect" opinion about the Jews and the zionism can bring you in jail, like a theft or an agression on an old lady ...

The boundaries of freedom of speech are getting more and more uncomfortable ...

Everybody has to turn one's tong seven times in one's mouth before telling one's opinion.

THAT is the end of free speech.

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

Yeah !

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic
The Vatican has also stated that freedom of speech doesn't include the right to offend religious sentiments and that intolerance is a threat to peace... So, it seems this kind of thing is happening around the world about different religions. This is certainly a concern.

It certainly is.
Maybe organised religions haing the audacity to insist that their opinions should be free from criticism,condemnation or denouncement is indicative of how, on a deeply fundamental level,they perceive themselves to be more 'superior' to other human beings and deserving of 'special treatment'.

Maybe this very unoriginal and predictable 'delusions of grandeur groupthink' is an inherent phycosis resulting from the conditioning and indoctrination followers receive which specificaly informs them they are somehow more special/chosen/holy/saved/superior to other human beings - just like any other dangerous cult.


[edit on 02/10/08 by karl 12]

Originally posted by Cio88
You obviously don't support Free speech. You have removed my sig? why?

Its my opinion. You need to follow your own rules.. or do you not feel you have to follow them?

You always talk about people showing respect and staying on topic. My post was on topic ... and using my free speech. But, because you are head honcho.. and no body questions you .. you troll in and remove posts. I just seems like there is a little kid at the helm of your account.

Your post wasn't on topic and here is why.

ATS is a political discussion forum. If there weren't rules to prevent profanity, offensive material and political baiting then any discussion would devolve into a slanging match between parties and nothing would ever get discussed. Issues would be avoided instead replaced by personal attacks.

I was referring to freedom of speech that is guaranteed under a healthy democracy or republic. If you cannot see the difference between a private website based on even handed discussion and the government then i'm afraid i can't help you.


Benevolent Heretic.

Yes i am very concerned that it seems to be the religious leading this movement against free speech. Maybe it's because they fear their grasp is slipping on the world, however this isn't the case. Religion now seems even more popular than ever before. Of course it's their right to say they want to be protected under law, afterall that is free speech. However the government should guarantee free speech with legislation and in fact it used to.

However the government themselves started this trend when they labelled certain things as hate speech. Whilst hate speech is obviously a real thing it is very different from hateful acts as you stated. As long as someone is just speaking i really don't have a problem. I may completely disagree or even hate what they're saying, but it's their right to say it.

[edit on 27-1-2009 by ImaginaryReality1984]