How do members feel about freedom of speech?

[bigbear]

Do members here, for the most part, believe that we have the same right to freedom of speech that we do to keep and bear arms?

Does that right extend to postings on this forum (and others?)

Does that right include disagreement with politicians, which might be aired in a public forum?

Something interesting recently happened to me that has me asking this.

I have a good reason for asking this, really, but I am wondering how members feel already.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by bigbear

Do members here, for the most part, believe that we have the same right to freedom of speech that we do to keep and bear arms?

My guess is yes, "for the most part", this would be true

Originally Posted by bigbear

Does that right extend to postings on this forum (and others?)

No. This forums is private property. Just like private physical property can restrict your 2A rights a forum can restrict your 1A rights.
I would guess that a forum run by a government or other public entity may be considered "public property" and the opposite would be true... but I am not 100% sure about that.

Originally Posted by bigbear

Does that right include disagreement with politicians, which might be aired in a public forum?

If it is private property the prior answer covers it regardless the topic.

Originally Posted by bigbear

Something interesting recently happened to me that has me asking this.

I have a good reason for asking this, really, but I am wondering how members feel already.

I'm interested in hearing the back story when avail

[knighthawk06699]

I believe that you have the right to say what ever you want. But at the very same time I also that a man can and should be accountable for what comes out of your mouth. If you want to use the N word by all means that is your right, but know this at the same time if a person of color, or in general hears it and take offense, you had better be prepared for the repercussions of your words. The pen is mightier than the sword, and that is very true.

Say what you want but mean what you say, and be prepared to back up anything that you say. But don't be afraid to say it.

[Asterix909]

Originally Posted by Pa. Patriot

I would guess that a forum run by a government or other public entity may be considered "public property" and the opposite would be true... but I am not 100% sure about that.

Think of it this way: you have the freedom to type and submit any darn thing you want to a forum, private or not. That is your freedom. But the forum has no obligation to post what you submitted. I can ask the president to write "Asterix909 rules" on the walls of the whitehouse all I want, thats my freedom (to request that), but he doesn't have to do it:-)

[tourrider]

While this forum is not public, you may have the right to freely speak in a public forum.

However your right to speak does not include the right to be heard.
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[sluggie24]

A person does have the right to free speech but these days that right is a shadow of what it once was. You can say whatever you want as long as it doesn't conflict with the "popular" view and doesn't offend anyone anywhere.........oh and don't yell "fire" in a crowded theater either.......

Maybe there really is no freedom of speech anymore.........

[bigbear]

Tomorrow's Patriot News will have a story by Joe Elias. Members here may find it interesting.

[widearea]

Originally Posted by bigbear

Tomorrow's Patriot News will have a story by Joe Elias. Members here may find it interesting.

Care to give a brief summary of what it will contain?

[Jrod]

Excellent reply PaPatriot !!!!!

The 1A guarantee of freedom of speech protects us from government (federal and state) restictions on speech, expecially political speech.

One other thing, while we are thinking about speech, carefully pay attention to how speech is viewed. Is the quality of the speech viewed from the perspective of what was meant by the speaker or from the perspective of the how the message was received by the recipient. These days the PC crowd wants to measure speech from the perspective of the recipient (who all too often is "offended") while ignoring the intent of the messenger.

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Jrod

... The 1A guarantee of freedom of speech protects us from government (federal and state) restrictions on speech, expecially political speech. .

Exactly!

Good post.