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Mike, Freedom of Speech is one of the most precious things we have in this country.

Although I don't agree with everything people say, they have absolutely every right to say it.
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I totally agree with you on this 100%!



Cat

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Im not going against Freedom of Speach here, Im just questioning what we'd be without it, and whether it would be better or worse...
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what would we be without Freedom of Speech?  Thats simple:  

Iraq perhaps? Where the people are tortured and/or killed for speaking out against their leader?  

Or possibly Cuba where the people have to leave on rafts to avoid being cought and thrown in prison?


As I said earlier, Freedom of Speech is one of the greatest things we have.  As much as I might despise something someone says, I would never want the government to deny their right to say it.

And to answer your question:  denying our right to speak would be the beginning to the end of our way of life and what we hold near and dear to our hearts as Americans.  



To be honest, I'm actually kinda surprised this is even being discussed.

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Here's how I see it. Freedom of speech is a great thing to have. But when it's used to criticize people (i.e. K.K.K); those people should be shot!

There should be some limitations on this.
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If there were limitations, it wouldn't be freedom, would it?  :)

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Here's how I see it. Freedom of speech is a great thing to have. But when it's used to criticize people (i.e. K.K.K); those people should be shot!

There should be some limitations on this.
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Fred, when you begin censoring what people can and cannot say, based on whather you agree with them or not, you create a huge slippery slope, where does it end and who decides what people can and cannot say?


I too think rhetoric used by the KKK is horrible to say the least, but, its their right.

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Think about it, a major part of the current downfall is due to criticism, if we weren't aloud that criticism, would this place be differint?
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That's a major fallacy in your argument to start with: where's the downfall due to criticism?  Surely what people (in power) do is much more important than what people (not in power) say?

Phil

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You don't work your best on something for fear of someone's criticism, right?  Now imagine this, everybody in the country is like that, then what do we have?  We have a country full of people not working to ability.  Now, imagine if we didn't have that right.  Imagine if we weren't aloud to think differintly.  It would be differint, yes, but correct?

just a thought....
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Personally, i think if no one was criticised they wouldn't have to do as good a job.  I think it's the opposite of what your saying: The fear of criticism only contributes to working hard, the harder you work at something - theoretically - the less they'll have to criticise about it, right?

Or have i missed the point?

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If there were limitations, it wouldn't be freedom, would it?  :)


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By limitations I mean, not using Freedom of speach for racism.

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I too think rhetoric used by the KKK is horrible to say the least, but, its their right.

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>:(

Quoting:By limitations I mean, not using Freedom of speach for racism.
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Fred, you're missing the point.

Goreripper was right, if you start "limiting" what people can and can't say, your "freedom" of speech is gone.

After all, Freedom of Speech doesn't just apply to speech that you, I, and everyone else agrees with, it applies to everything, even if its hateful and nasty like the KKK.

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By limitations I mean, not using Freedom of speach for racism.
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Why?  Because you personally think racism is bad?  Because it's a common opinion?

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Fred, when you begin censoring what people can and cannot say, based on whather you agree with them or not, you create a huge slippery slope, where does it end and who decides what people can and cannot say?


I too think rhetoric used by the KKK is horrible to say the least, but, its their right.


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I don't know 80's, Are you getting more liberal, or I more consaervative?  I totally agree with this post, and your later one too.

When asked about censorship Tom Jefferson replied "Who's foot is to be the guide by which all others are to be stretched or cut?", and it was Voltair, I think, who said "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

And while you and I have disagreed in the past, on this one we seem to be on the same page, and I must say, that fact greatly increases my respect for your opinions.

And, by the way, hope things are going well for you.  Glad to see you backon the board.  ;D

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I don't know 80's, Are you getting more liberal, or I more consaervative?End Quote

neither.

Freedom of Speech is guaranteed to all of us here in the Good Ol' US of A.   Its not a liberal or conservative matter at all.  Its a matter of basic rights. 

Quoting:And while you and I have disagreed in the past, on this one we seem to be on the same page, and I must say, that fact greatly increases my respect for your opinions.End Quote

See, I'm not just a whacko right-wing lunatic after all.

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neither.

Freedom of Speech is guaranteed to all of us here in the Good Ol' US of A.   Its not a liberal or conservative matter at all.  Its a matter of basic rights. 





See, I'm not just a whacko right-wing lunatic after all. ;D


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And, although we do disagree about a number of things, I'm not a whacko left wing lunatic after all either.  ;)  ;D

Look forward to debating you.  You're perspective is always interesting.