What is your opinion about freedom of speach?
103891
I think that generally, people should be able to speak about anything.  There have to be exceptions made where public safety or an important government need (a much more narrowly defined concept then it might appear) are involved.  For example, defamation is one area where I am pleased that the law curtails inappropriate speech.  Also, to paraphrase Justice Holmes, can you imagine the mayhem that would be caused if the law didn't threaten to punish people who would otherwise yell fire in a crowded auditorium when in fact no fire existed?  People could be trampled to death for the sake of preserving one person's right to speak freely in all circumstances.  Surely, that is not the result you desire.  I am in favor, however, of open debate and discourse on all topics and in all manners where public safety and important government interest (again narrowly defined) are not implicated.
868651
First of all, there are rights and responsibilities. For every right you enjoy (freedom of speech) there are responsibilities (respecting other people's rights.) Think of it this way: everyone has the right to feel safe and to not be slandered. If you were the Prime Minister, and someone goes up to you and calls you an "idiotic fool", would that not anger you? Freedom of speech only lasts if you are respectful of the rights of others. You will be punished if you infringe on everyone else's rights, so I guess freedom is limited. \n\nIn the end, it depends on your definition of freedom. I think of freedom as more of a privilege. But if you see freedom as being able to do anything you wish, then to you there would be no true freedom.
613575
It's free enough for us to do whatever we want to do. But there is always accountability for our own actions. If you want to do something about the wrongs in the world then do it that's what freedom is for.
955771
I am one of a dying breed in that I believe that in order to live in a country where you have rights, you sometimes have to fight for them, and while I do believe that everyone is entitled to there beliefs, and has the right to express their opinions there are times when doing so is counter productive for the welfare of the country that you live in. Rights are not without boundaries. My rights stop where yours begin, and the same applies to to yours. If you can't love your country, at least have some respect for it.
1116365
Right is right. 'Rights' are inalienable. 'Wrongs' need to be righted.\n\n'Rights' are not priviledges. They are not earned.\n\nBut, I aggree that freedom isn't free.
940817
Which one of the bill of rights gives you freedom of choice?  We do not have total freedom in this country, but it's a lot better than in most other countries.
879532
It should be banned. It amounts to intrusion into the personal freedom. An American citizen could file a constitutional petition before the Supreme Court urging it to protect his Fundamental Right of Freedom to think and decide under the Bill of Rights provisions of the American Constitution.
555248
Freedom is being able to travel from one part of the country to another without having to get permission from your goverment.\n\nFreedom is being able to meet with a group of people and not get arrested for forming an assembly.\n\nFreedom is speaking out against the government and not disapearing in the middle of the night.\n\nFreedom is being able to practice any religion and not be persecuted by the government for it.\n\nFreedom is being allowed to ask questions like this.
1093629
freedom should be everynoe's right  it is nether taken or given it should just be.
277002
Absolutely.  It's freedom of speech.  Its the first ammendment of the constitution.(Bill of rights section)
442874
Yes, the freedoms of the 1st are fundamental to a democracy and a non-tyrannical government. They protect us as individuals and allow us to think for ourselves.
382090
I felt free when I registered to vote. I felt free when I volunteered too work for the election of a local political candidate. I feel free when I get into lively discussions about religion, politics, history, etc with friends and family who have a different mind set (Sometimes radically different.) I felt free when I, free of any mental reservation, signed my contract with the Army and agreed to accept a commission as an officer in the Army upon graduation from college. I felt free the day my dad started his own business (just by himself in a cluttered 10 x 10 workspace with a computer and some filing cabinets.) I felt free when I saw his company grow from that to a thriving business with an office downtown, 4 employees and 2 company vehicles. \n\nI'm quite proud to say that political, religious, social and economic freedom are things that I have the priviledge of seeing on a regular basis.
583447
Nothing has been stripped away from you. You still have the freedom to practice your religion, as you choose.\nThat is the commonality that separates the U.S. from other cultures. FREEDOM. There are other countries that practice Christianity. That is not what makes the USA the country that it is.\nFreedom is what separates us from others. The freedom to practice Christianity, or Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, etc., or no religion.\nThe freedom to dissent, without being arrested or killed. The freedom to bear arms. The freedom to come and go out of this country, as we please. The freedom to pick and choose our own mates, or none. The freedom to have 0 children or 10 children. The list is endless in this country.\nAs with all "families", we bicker amongst ourselves. But, as with all families, we stand together and fight against outsiders. \nAnd please don't bring up Iraq as an example of not standing together. I don't think too many people would have objected if we had stayed with the original goal of pursuing Bin-Laden and Al-Queda (sp?).\nWe're still more united than you think.\nAs far as the concept of separation of church and state, this is not a theocracy, rather a democracy or republic, however you would like to phrase it. The government should not be "exclusive", but "inclusive". To espouse one particular belief would exclude a very large segment of the population. One should never be made to feel like an "outsider" in ones' own country. Not in the United States. The land of freedom.\nAs long as we still have the right to go to our respective churches (or none) and worship as we please, there should be no complaints.
709026
"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." George Bush \n\nWe have wiretapping of of US citizens, even though it's against the Constitution. We have people declared as enemy combatants by the executive branch, habeus corpus is suspended for those accused, which is against the Constitution. \nYou can even be charged and detained indefinitely, without access to a lawyer, without being told what crime you violated, without your family even knowing where you are. \n\nThink about the above. \n\n"When facism comes to America it will come wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross” - Sinclair Lewis
859710
MY FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND SELF EXPRESSION, ONCE\nTHOSE ARE GONE WHAT IS LEFT???\nBUT I DO AGREE WITH YOUR CHOICE AS THAT'S RIGHT AS WELL!!!
1177426
Yes, I think it's a big deal, and I am NOT offended to find those words on our coins.  It is one of the very few places that God is still honored in our country.  Should we invalidate the Declaration of Independence, or the Bill of Rights, because they make reference to God?  No!  This country was founded in Christianity, and although I do firmly believe in freedom from religious persecution, I think we've gone way too far on the other side... it is now the Christians who are persecuted, our prayers are not allowed, the very basic principals that this country was founded on are litigated, and all by people claiming to be offended by it... well, you know what?  In many other countries, being the "wrong" religion can get you jailed and executed.  We allow you the God-given right to disagree, but what right do you have to change  who we are?!?!  This country was founded on Christian principals, and you have the right to live here and not be a Christian (although I pray for those lost souls), but that does not mean that you have the right to interfere with my rights, either.  Keep God in all that we do, to honor our forefathers, and honor our FATHER.
57454
It's true, we all have our own personal beliefs, yet some tend to lean theirs onto others. They'll say it's "Freedom of Speech." How about "Freedom of Choice"?  I choose to follow my path, which may parallel with yours or go in a different direction, but I'm not going to insist mine is THE way. It's what works for us that we choose the road which to walk.