It's the classic example of a freedom of speech we don't have.  But is it illegal?  (Obviously not if there's a fire, so don't say that for 2 points.) And what kind of a punishment could you expect?
207977
I don't know about Ireland but if your in the US and your getting assaulted in the movie theater yelling fire will get you help a lot faster than yelling help.You can deal with the penalty later but at least you will still be alive.(think about it) I also have a few other choice words for getting help in bad situations but you'll have to just use your image nation(know what I mean)it will work much better though.
564301
When you fight fire with fire, you get ashes.  I wonder... if you have no problem  with gays.. why the subject?  Why is it on your mind?  God's "word"... is that first hand or second hand or heard it?
85419
We should probably make sure we know the answer to the question of whether it "was illegal" or not. The jury still seems to be out on that one. One camp (the executive branch)holds that Congress's authorization of "any and all necessary force" gave Bush the authority, and another doesn't (the Legislative). Sounds like it's time for the good old Judicial branch to step in and resolve the dispute. Then we can talk about whether or not a censure (different from censor) is appropriate.
128382
This is a real hot potato - your right to free speech is crucial\nBut there is also a responsibility to ensure others aren't offended and minors aren't corrupted\n\nSo maybe the answer is to have a safe area and an open area - in the open area anything goes but access is restricted to over 16's and people who are easily offended won't look there either??
213717
I had to read this about 6 times....but I got it.  \n\nThe key word is "illegal".\n\nI tried to make a valid argument to disagree......but I couldn't...you covered all your bases.  \n\nYou make your point....in a very ugly, condescending and ridiculous way...but you make it.  I wish I could do that.
283852
I got the joke... it's not all bad.\n\nBut I don't know if it is such a good idea to joke about this. It may seem strange to us today that there should be ANY limit on free speech. But this is THE BOTTOM to push if one wish to engage a Muslim in a death dual.\n\nThe law of their religion is full of sins punishable by death. Not unlike our religion BTW. The difference is that, they still feel obligated to carry out that punishment.
78219
The freedom of speech is infringed alot here. Just like everywhere else in America.
49354
The government may make no law respecting your freedom of speech. (1st Amendment).  No state may make any law depriving you of your freedom of speech (14th Amendment).  The freedom of speech applies to personal speech, political speech and even to a lesser extent, commercial speech.  In general, no prior restraint may be made against your freedom of speech (Times v. Sullivan).  However, the freedom of speech is not absolute.  You may not exercise freedom of speech when to do so would subject the public to danger (for example, you may not shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater if there is no fire).  This is a synopsis of ideas from the Constitution and many Supreme Court cases.\n\nYour exercise of freedom of speech may not interfere with other constitutionally guaranteed rights. Many cases have addresssed the use of religious symbols in public places as well as actions of political speech such as burning of the American flag. These cases are not always models of consistency.\n\nSuffice it to say that freedom of speech is well protected but not absolute.\n\n\nIn the context of these cartoons and comments, at least in the USA, you can publish these ideas, even if they are offensive to others.  You are really not addressing the "freedom of speech" as such as much as you are addressing editorial judgment of the press.  While the press is free to say what it wants, it ought to consider the sensibilities of others, especially those who might legitimately take offense to the writings or utterances.
414579
It's a symbol. I'm really not seeing the big deal with burning it. People are being way too sensitive about this.
49469
I would support the restrictions on screaming fire, etc. in a crowded theater. Such language does not really communicate any idea, but is only meant to hurt. It is basically an assault with words. It has no place in my ideal government.\nAs far as offending religions i think we should have the right to do that. It may be hurtful, but not all speech is flattering. We should have the right to make offensive cartoons. How people react to such speech is what should be dealt with, but the speech itself is not the problem.\nAlthough questioning tragedies like the holocaust seems insane, its not something we should regulate. Who knows how far it could be taken. It could evolve into not questioning the politics of a particular president. We should always have the right to evaluate history even if we're not very good at it.\nPornographic images are not pleasing to all people, but it mostly boils down to a moral question that is highly subjective. People who enjoy pornography should have every right to enjoy it. We can't make judgment on what type of media is "good" and what is "bad." pornography would be welcome in my ideal government.\nFinally, hate speech. That's a tough one because like shouting out "fire", hate speech only strives to hurt and offend. Does it also mean to communicate? to spread ideas? i'm not sure. I don't really completely understand the intentions of those who make hate speech. I know i disagree with them, but that's not where i stop my analysis. This issue is more ambiguous to me than the others, but still my gut tells me that i would allow it in my own government. I think most of society doesn't really have an open ear to hate speech anyways. If people must make hateful comments they can go ahead and do it. Society will probably ostracize them anyways.
422103
People who believe this is freedom of speech have disregarded the families right to privacy, especially to cereminiously honor there loved ones that have died.  If racial remarks were said outside of a minority's funeral or hateful remarks to homosexuals funeral, it wouldn't be tolerated.  It shouldn't be tolerated for a soldier's funeral either.
286089
It has shades of Grey is my answer,nothing solid to protect it sadly. There is a difference in something being censored because of basic human dignity, and something being ruled inappropriate behavior for a human being. This freedom of everything has taken away my right not to view pornography,not to be subjected to profanity and violence. Not to have prayer in my school because it offends someone! When it was a right and part of my freedom and my kids. My being offended by gross sexual content on regular televison,billboards,...who cares. The right to protect my children from pedophiles (that has been argued as freedom too, and still to this day.) Whos freedoms am I hurting here?Should your neighbor be able to build his house so high yours was obstructed,your gardens died, what if and no small if,it was ruled it was his freedom of expression and need for a tower, would you not want some rules? Something,someone to help keep the peace of your space? Should he be able to have rock concerts every Friday on his yard?,that could very well cover some of the "freedoms", this kind of "freedom"would not be so nice. Nor the freedom to say terrible things about you or your family. Successful society has agreed on rules or we all best find an island, in short supply I might add.
212317
Free speech is a right. It has limits. You cannot threaten people. But if you believe they are wrong or sinning, they do not have a right to not be offended, as you are neither threatening them or harming them in any way.\n\nYou cannot punish peoples' thoughts and still be a free nation. \n\nYou have no right to deny others' speech merely because you don't like it. It is not harassment. You are equally free to ignore them or refute them. But if you curtail their rights by bringing government force against them, we've all lost.\n\nThat is a path that leads to oppression of all people.
402473
This is quite possibly a setup, done to promote "sensitivity" for their cause. They need to be held for a through investigation and face arrest if this is shown to be the case.\n\nAnd really, they should be charged and thrown into jail for inciting this disturbance, in any event. It's much worse than yelling fire in a theater in view of what has transpired in recent times. \n\nNo one can convince me that they didn't know what they were doing.
96290
You have the freedom of speech, as guarenteed in the first amendment to the Constitution.  However, freedom of speech is not freedom to yell "fire" in a crowded theatre.  Your freedoms cease when they become harmful to another.\n\nCensorship walks that fine line.  Where does your freedom begin to harm others?  Maybe when you use the F-word in an open forum, where kids as young as 8 can easily read them?  Maybe talking about sexual relations, where the same 8 year old may believe every word you say...whether or not you (1) know what you are talking about or (2) are kidding?\n\nYou have the freedom, and inherent to that freedom is the duty to use it responsibility.  If you fail in that, the freedom is taken away.
136282
Is there ANY way in which that is NOT a violation of the first amendment?  That judge managed to destroy BOTH freedom of religion AND freedom of speech in one sentence!  It's perfectly legal to refuse medical treatment for a dying child because it goes against your religious beliefs, but God forbid you make fun of Christianity when your kid's not even there.  Has Bush tried to appoint this guy to the Supreme Court yet?  And why is it that they don't take away people who teach their children to racism and homophobia (or creationism for that matter) but parents who's religion goes against Christianity can lose their kids?  Or maybe it was the sex toy thing.  Perhaps we should take away the kids of everyone who has had sex.  But wait a second, that might not work so well.
564452
I always believed it was illegal lin this country. Now we find out it isn't. Regardless, I think anyone who burns out flag should leave and go to another country. Pick one that is better than this.