Does freedom of speech still exist?

[Wicked Rebel]

Recently, there have been a few incidents where freedom of speech has been put into question. Tim Hardaway's view on gays in the NBA is one of them. Yes, he was out of line about what he said and yes it's the NBAs right to fine him as his employer. But should he be viewed any less because of what he said? It is his rights as an American citizen to say his views on gays publicly, and now he is viewed as a gay hating jerk, even though his opinion are shared by the majority.

Another incident is with Mrs. I'm riding my husbands popularity(Clinton). She is one of the main advocates of getting rid of the confederate flag, which, ironically, is protected under freedom of speech. The Confederate flag has been under much scrutiny lately because of its association with slavery. Just because you fly the flag, does not mean you are racist. If you want to get rid of something racist, get rid affirmative action, not some lines and colors on a piece of fabric. Another thing I find funny is now that Hilary is running for president, she is so against the confederate flag, when she said nothing for 12 years as first lady in Arkansas, where the confederate flag can be seen daily, if not hourly. The confederate flag stands for tradition and a way of life, not I hate black people. If the confederate flag is banished, I hope someone goes to court for it being unconstitutional, and I believe they should win, for banishing the flag wouldn't be the right thing to do, but it would be against what America stands for. If incidents like this continue, I truly believe freedom of speech will mean something completely different, if not done away with completely.

What are your opinions on the current interpretation of freedom of speech?

Wicked Rebel Reviewed by Wicked Rebel on 02-21-2007. Does freedom of speech still exist? Recently, there have been a few incidents where freedom of speech has been put into question. Tim Hardaway's view on gays in the NBA is one of them. Yes, he was out of line about what he said and yes it's the NBAs right to fine him as his employer. But should he be viewed any less because of what he said? It is his rights as an American citizen to say his views on gays publicly, and now he is viewed as a gay hating jerk, even though his opinion are shared by the majority. Another Rating: 5

[Purple Banana]

I think free speech is truly an issue in America. People DO say what they wish, however, because of public outcry from religious, political, and special interest groups, it's censored.

People are beginning to ignore that with freedom of speech, someone somewhere WILL get offended, and they don't like that. So they have to censor those who share different viewpoints.

Granted, a lot of offensive speech is outright offensive, but as long as no actions are taken, then it should NEVER be censored.

Call me a Socialist, and ACLU ally, a communist, terrorist, whatever. People should ALWAYS have a right to say what they want, when they want, and how they want.

Like I always say- NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO BE OFFENDED.

[Wicked Rebel]

because of public outcry from religious, political, and special interest groups

And that is one of the main reasons that freedom of speech is becoming less and less significant today. How many "groups" exist now? I wouldn't be surprised if there was a group for the protection of monkeys fucking each other in the ass. Why aren't Christian extremists being viewed as terrorist? There is a fine line between expressing your opinion as a group, and being plain stupid and ignorant. Everyday on tv, you can find a tv evangelist. If freedom of speech should be put into question, it should be some of the stuff they say. But then of course, you would be going into the question of freedom of religion, and thats where it becomes very messy. Why do you get chastised for saying, I don't believe in God, when there is some guy on tv saying, if you don't believe in God, you are going to go to hell along with all the muslims, jews, islams, etc...

This is not what our founding fathers had in mind happening and I think they would not be very supportive of lil Mrs. Clinton, or most of the Democratic party if they were here today.

[cannabis=freedom]

I think free speech is truly an issue in America. People DO say what they wish, however, because of public outcry from religious, political, and special interest groups, it's censored.

People are beginning to ignore that with freedom of speech, someone somewhere WILL get offended, and they don't like that. So they have to censor those who share different viewpoints.

Granted, a lot of offensive speech is outright offensive, but as long as no actions are taken, then it should NEVER be censored.

Call me a Socialist, and ACLU ally, a communist, terrorist, whatever. People should ALWAYS have a right to say what they want, when they want, and how they want.

Like I always say- NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO BE OFFENDED.

I absolutely agree. If a guy says he fucking hates all gays, Jews, etc. and they should burn in hell, that's a distateful view that is wrong, but nevertheless, as long as he does not harm any of these people, he has the right to say it because that is what democracy is. Also whoever said a double standard exists is right. A black dude can criticize the whites but not vice versa, a woman can bash men but not vice versa, etc.

[Delta9 UK]

Also whoever said a double standard exists is right. A black dude can criticize the whites but not vice versa, a woman can bash men but not vice versa, etc.

LOL, sure - because Women in society are never marginalised

- and as for whites critisizing blacks and vice-versa that really is a tricky viewpoint. The 18-24 age range of black males in the UK and the US make up a massively disproportionate % of the prison population. I wonder why...

But Black poeple and those belonging to other racial minorities aren't treated differently though - honest! LMAO

[Bong30]

I think free speech is truly an issue in America. People DO say what they wish, however, because of public outcry from religious, political, and special interest groups, it's censored.

People are beginning to ignore that with freedom of speech, someone somewhere WILL get offended, and they don't like that. So they have to censor those who share different viewpoints.

Granted, a lot of offensive speech is outright offensive, but as long as no actions are taken, then it should NEVER be censored.

Call me a Socialist, and ACLU ally, a communist, terrorist, whatever. People should ALWAYS have a right to say what they want, when they want, and how they want.

Like I always say- NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT NOT TO BE OFFENDED.

WRONG.....EVERY ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED.....

I can call you a commie pinko....it might offend you...GOOD

you might call me a right wing neocon nut job, might offend me....GOOD

we still have the freedom to say it......


we are walking a line of political corectness, that will be our down fall.....I dont do PC.

with exceptions "fire in a movie theater" we have the 1st ammendment and people have died defending it.......

Did the goverment take action aginst Tim Hardaway? The NBA did, but they are a private group...they can do what they want with him.

you guys are mixing up the goverment censoring, and private sector censoring.


So purple...you are a commie Pinko, and i hope it offends you.

you have the right to be offened, and i have the right to say it, with no fear of retaliation from my goverment......= freedom

[delusionsofNORMALity]

freedom of speech is not a license to spew hatred and bigotry. it is the right to express your opinions in whatever forum is available to you. newspapers, tv and other media outlets are privately owned and it is their right under freedom of speech to deny access to anyone whose opinions they find unacceptable, there are always other avenues.

freedom of speech does not free you from the consequences of your actions. if you state opinions that are considered socially repugnant, you should expect to be judged by your words. though you may have the right to express your ignorance and prejudice, others have an equal right to call you a fool and treat you as such.

as for the confederate flag -

many historians seem to enjoy painting the civil war as a war against slavery, that's not the entire picture. it was a struggle between an industrial society and an agrarian one, between the progressive ideologies of the north and the longstanding traditions of the south. many see the stars and bars as a symbol traditional american values in the face of impersonal industrialization. those who see it as only a banner of slavery are usually attempting to further a political agenda or are blinded by political correctness to such an extent that they can only see the negative aspects of an opposing viewpoint.


all in all, freedom of speech is doing surprisingly well. with the advent of the internet, censorship becomes more and more difficult and information flow increases daily (not necessarily a good thing at times). when google starts deleting politically incorrect websites from its lists you might start getting a little concerned though.

[Psycho4Bud]

Anyone has the right to act ignorant and Tim Hardaway did just that. NOW if he looses endorsements etc........big deal. That's the consumers right. When your in the public eye and make your living because if it you HAVE to use discretion or sacrifice your pocket book for your views. He can always go to a California treatment facility........seems to be the thing these days.

delusionsofNORMALity said it all about the Confederate flag.......

What I don't get is one races freedoms vs. anothers. This forum is a perfect example: NO racist comment allowed. So if a person uses the "N" word it usually results in a ban. I recall one time receiving an e-mail stating that I made a mistake, the guy that sent the e-mail was supposedly black and felt that because of this it was alright to use that wording. Now how the hell do I know what color a user in here actually is besides the obvious about such a statement.

Same with the Rap music etc........Why is it hate for some and not for all? IF we are going to have rules in society it should be equally recognized across the board. Wrong word to use for most but yet the Grammy's gives awards for albums littered with this type of garbage.

See the recent case where the Muslim cab driver tried running over two college students after a religious discussion? NO hate crime charges filed. What if it were a Christian cabby trying to run over two Muslims? This strays away from freedom of speach but with the relationship between that and hate crimes these days................

Have a good one!:s4:

[Purple Banana]

WRONG.....EVERY ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED.....

I can call you a commie pinko....it might offend you...GOOD

you might call me a right wing neocon nut job, might offend me....GOOD

we still have the freedom to say it......


we are walking a line of political corectness, that will be our down fall.....I dont do PC.

with exceptions "fire in a movie theater" we have the 1st ammendment and people have died defending it.......

Did the goverment take action aginst Tim Hardaway? The NBA did, but they are a private group...they can do what they want with him.

you guys are mixing up the goverment censoring, and private sector censoring.


So purple...you are a commie Pinko, and i hope it offends you.

you have the right to be offened, and i have the right to say it, with no fear of retaliation from my goverment......= freedom

That's exactly what I had said- No one has the right NOT to be offended, you reworded it correctly, essentially as everyone has a right to be offended.

It didn't offend me, actually, I rarely get offended :thumbsup:

[Bong30]

That's exactly what I had said- No one has the right NOT to be offended, you reworded it correctly, essentially as everyone has a right to be offended.

It didn't offend me, actually, I rarely get offended :thumbsup:

Cool...PB,

just think walking around not trying to offend anyone......ohh shit, i allready do that.....LOL:jointsmile: