Has freedom of speech gone too far?

[Truktek2]

First there were those psychos protesting soldiers funerals. Now I see this. Do these people really need protection under the constitution? Personally, I think they should be executed. Why can't I yell fire in a crowded theatre, but these a**h**les can say what they want? A complete disgrace.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...ng-little-girl

[rollerberg2000]

I never underestimate the power of people to be vicious. Or innappropriate. Or stupid. I think execution is a little strong, but public humiliation and ridicule (what they're currently getting) is perfectly in order.

By the way, for every nutjob in the world like these lunatics, there as many or more (IMO) kindhearted, gracious, loving people in the world. You have to work really hard to be that stupid.

[MatticusMania]

No, it hasnt gone too far. This is not a matter of freedom of speech and the question 'has it gone too far?' need not even enter into it. This is a matter of bullying, or feuding maybe (the original post, not the apology, can be found on the first page of the bully thread) and people being a-holes for the sake of it.

[sloasdaylight]

WBBC has a history of doing **** like this. LOLOL I DON'T READ LINKS

To answer your question, no, it hasn't. They're not yelling fire in a theater, or bomb on an airplane, so they're perfectly within their rights to do what they're doing. It's like flag burning or anything else that's questionable or objectionable to most. If you're going to have freedom of speech, you have to respect the right of those you find utterly reprehensible as well as the rights of those you agree with.

[SnakeKappele]

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

WBBC has a history of doing **** like this. LOLOL I DON'T READ LINKS

To answer your question, no, it hasn't. They're not yelling fire in a theater, or bomb on an airplane, so they're perfectly within their rights to do what they're doing. It's like flag burning or anything else that's questionable or objectionable to most. If you're going to have freedom of speech, you have to respect the right of those you find utterly reprehensible as well as the rights of those you agree with.

+1

[XigXag]

First: those people are some disgusting bags of pus.

Freedom of speech can never go too far. People should always be aloud to say what they wish. They should also be prepared for the consequences of saying it. In this way speech is a self moderating system. The entire world now knows just what incredible bags of pus they are.
I hope they enjoyed their freedom of speech.

[Truktek2]

Good points. It just burns me up that things such as these can be protected under the law and people not held accountable for their actions. Like someone pointed out, maybe they can be charged with some sort of menacing?Not sure since they didn't actually threaten anyone. I guess the pen (or in this case the computer) is mightier than the sword. Hey look at me, our forefathers gave me the right to ba a complete d**k

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by XigXag

First: those people are some disgusting bags of pus.

Freedom of speech can never go too far. People should always be aloud to say what they wish. They should also be prepared for the consequences of saying it. In this way speech is a self moderating system. The entire world now knows just what incredible bags of pus they are.
I hope they enjoyed their freedom of speech.

+1

FTR, we do have freedom of speech, and yes you can yell out fire in a crowded theater, though not without the repercussions of 'inciting chaos' or whatever else the police decide to charge you with.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Truktek2

Good points. It just burns me up that actions such as these can be protected under the law and people not held accountable for their actions. Like someone pointed out, maybe they can be charged with some sort of menacing?Not sure since they didn't actually threaten anyone. I guess the pen (or in this case the computer) is mightier than the sword. Hey look at me, our forefathers gave me the right to ba a complete d**k

BUT, look at all of the negative attention and shame it has brought their family. Enough so that they felt a public apology was warranted.

[bassrique]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusion_zone

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

WBBC has a history of doing **** like this. LOLOL I DON'T READ LINKS

To answer your question, no, it hasn't. They're not yelling fire in a theater, or bomb on an airplane, so they're perfectly within their rights to do what they're doing. It's like flag burning or anything else that's questionable or objectionable to most. If you're going to have freedom of speech, you have to respect the right of those you find utterly reprehensible as well as the rights of those you agree with.

+1.

This is just poor taste.

[Skitch it!]

I think that women's mentality is in the balance, it's quite 'unhinged' imo.

[basstotheface]

Not a problem with freedom of speech, more a problem with people. Don't blame a freedom for people abusing it. I can jump off a building, I would die, don't blame my freedom to jump off of buildings for this, blame my idiocy.

These guys will be shunned by anyone that recognizes them, so that seems like enough to me.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Truktek2

First there were those psychos protesting soldiers funerals. Now I see this. These people really need protection under the constitution? Personally, I think they should be executed. Why can't I yell fire in a crowded theatre, but these a**h**les can say what they want? A complete disgrace.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...ng-little-girl

it will be interesting to see the level of decorum at fred phelp's funeral.....the fact that he disrupted funerals of troops will be forgotten,and they will be remembered with honor,while phelps will be nothing more than an ugly footnote for his mean spirited diatribes.....

[Drifta]

How can it go too far?

The minute we start outlawing 'hateful, violent, psycho' type speeches, we start leaving one of the foundations this great nation was built upon for interpretation by the law. We can not do that.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Drifta

How can it go too far?

The minute we start outlawing 'hateful, violent, psycho' type speeches, we start leaving one of the foundations this great nation was built upon for interpretation by the law. We can not do that.

kinda like they do here.....freedom is too precious to give up for convenience or comfort

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by rollerberg2000

I never underestimate the power of people to be vicious. Or innappropriate. Or stupid. I think execution is a little strong, but public humiliation and ridicule (what they're currently getting) is perfectly in order.

By the way, for every nutjob in the world like these lunatics, there as many or more (IMO) kindhearted, gracious, loving people in the world. You have to work really hard to be that stupid.

+1

[Staredge]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

it will be interesting to see the level of decorum at fred phelp's funeral.....the fact that he disrupted funerals of troops will be forgotten,and they will be remembered with honor,while phelps will be nothing more than an ugly footnote for his mean spirited diatribes.....

Hopefully very high. I think the best way for people to respond to him would be to go and be civil. No sense in dropping to his level.

[XigXag]

On the other hand there is Justin Bieber. That may in fact, be going too far.

[MIJ-VI]

IMO one of the best ways to show respect for the cherished concept of free speech is to engage one's brain before putting one's mouth in gear...