Is there such a thing as Free Speech?

[Huin]

Amendment I of our Constitution states among other that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech. But that is a directive prohibiting Congress from abridging the freedom of speech. And thinking further, if in our society there existed gradually acquired restrictions to what is or is not appropriate to communicate, then this directive to congress becomes also gradually of less importance.

On websites like this we have forums and groups of members with like interests. If they post a subject to open a discussion that is known to most members their ways of thinking on that subject becomes strengthened and everybody is happy. But beware when a problem is suggested that might not appease our need to have confirmed what we think we know or want to believe to be true. Maybe that is why the test pilot of the 737 MAX failed to mention or dwell on that small problem since there was a way to overcome it. Nevertheless it was a problem and not every other pilot was able to overcome it and people died because of it.

I must concede there is freedom of speech, so long as it is politically correct. Is that agreeable?

[Skittles]

1. yes

I can call Trump a pussy grabbing fascist piece of Putin-owned shit. Now the fact that a DEMOCRATIC website may have RULES regarding content does NOT negate free speech.

[defacto7]

5. Absolutely agree.

We have the right to say what we wish anywhere we choose without governmental control. But we aren't privileged to speak freely everywhere we choose due to the rights of others. Free speech is at times costly.

[Huin]

8. Indeed, the truth shall set us free

If we speak the truth though it may be offensive (to someone, we might not even know who) would that be exceeding the limits of what we are privileged to say?

By the way, I like your signature line.

[defacto7]

9. Thank you.

We can say anything we wish, but we will either reap the benefits or suffer the consequenses and sometimes the consequenses are worth the effort. The privilege I spoke of means the acceptable limits expected or imposed by an assembly of people who share certain ideas or a code of conduct. It may be to maintain civility or just to limit subject matter. Under those conditions you still have the right to say what you want but that particular group of people may object. We have the right to offend but not the right to offend without social consequences.

As for speaking the truth, that is up to you. I advocate honesty.

[ret5hd]

2. In what circumstance has the govt infringed...

on your free speech?

Private forums have always been free to infringe on speech. Employers, churches, me ( in my house see where the n word gets you) etc.

So tell us your story.

[Huin]

6. NO No no infringement by the government ...

There is no story. So I cannot oblige. What I tried to convey is my realization that what the Constitution says regarding the freedom of speech is of no consequence to us. Generally we are guided by what is allowed by the society in which we live.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

3. Politically Correct? Or POLITELY CORRECT?

So your Mother is ugly.. wanna fight about it?

[Huin]

7. Both or neither ...

..Still in the process of trying to figure that one out. I am even still learning what can or cannot be said or discussed on this website. Apparently hurling insults is Ok, asking a simple question in search for a reasonable answer may not be. Too problematic.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

11. Freedom of Speech works on all sides... The hard part is separating opinion from facts.

Facts are right or wrong.

Opinions are in the minority or majority and doesn't necessarily mean accuracy.

However, stating an opinion freely opens up others 'Freedom Of Speech' to agree/disagree/argue.

It's worse stating 'feelings' with no 'sources or footnotes'... and then yelling at anyone else 'I AM ALLOWED MY OPINION!" (like many of my friends do on facebook... sigh).

[softydog88]

10. A friend of mine quit DU...

because she was in a room where she disagreed with the subject and said so. She was met with swift reprisals and essentially told that she needed to agree with the original poster's POV or not post. She posted "so I need to agree with you or fuck off? Fine, I'll fuck off." I think about that every time I post here, which admittedly hasn't been much. I have been spared such reprisals so far, but I'm not the first one to say that the essence of free speech is that you sometimes have to be confronted with opinions with which you disagree. That's a price I'm willing to pay. But I don't want to be on a site where everyone agrees. We all hate the president*, and that's good, but there are a lot of other subjects with many POVs out there, and I want to ensure we can all have our say and not be attacked for doing so. Disagree with me, good...that's healthy and it exposes me to other opinions. But to say I shouldn't post because my opinion isn't in line with subject of the post is screwed up.

[Huin]

12. Your friend is a person of strong character ...

and strong words. A particular response appeared in reply to one of my posts. That started me thinking about where we really stand with what we do and what we think and what we say. When we are with friends we talk about what we have in common, if there is not much in common then discussions are usually what I might label small talk. But we cannot talk politics if we are in disagreement on basic principles. Where I lived up to my teens, people lived politics. It did not matter if you favored opposite parties. In fact that was good because then issues could be discussed. I think that is the way people should be, not listen to slanted and often hateful commercials just before the elections. If we cannot use our God-given brain to reason what is good or bad: And listen to all sides, not to be influenced by what is dictated, but to seek what is best for everybody, then, maybe, we are not worthy to live in a democracy. I joined DU because I could make a difference by someone weighing at least a little when I tried to make a point. I met responses that said our minds are made up, and what you say does not fit. Does that make sense.

[Dworkin]

13. Political correctness and Trump

Folks,

I am in no way a Trump supporter, hate the man, but will have to accede to one thing. He saw that many people were tiring of political correctness and he used it successfully to get power.

We have seen the dreadful results. Deep discussions of free speech and political correctness would be so beneficial worldwide just now, but unfortunately those who have pinned their colours to the Trump mast will never go there for two reasons. One is that they won't give up the political ground they see as reclaimed for them, and two is that his supporters won't discuss anything as they see 'discussion' as a liberal trap.

Anyone see the irony in that?

D.