Whatever happened to Freedom of Speech?
601184
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.
1111965
That is a really good question.  I totally agree with you on all points.  Its always sue this person, sue that person.  What happened to freedom of speech?  No one has a sense of humor.  I am a fat woman,  I have been teased all my life.  I think fat women are the last of the species that people can still make fun of.  You never hear anyone talk about the fat bubbas laying on the beach making fun of fat women.  But so what?  I am what I am.  I'm sure not going to sue someone over it.  Or go whinning to the ACLU.
359396
Well educated. Let me answer your questions if that's acceptable.\n\nFreedom of speech - who'll listen? Morally correct concept, but in practical every day life, an individual is restricted on what he or she says because of social mores. In the last 15 years, political correctness has been the trend. That only curtains freedom of speech. On the other hand, I could say anything I want about any politician. What I say however most likely will be forgotton. Freedom of speech also amplifies opinions. It seems everyone these days has an opinion about this or that. Opinions, I believe, is the most common form of Freedom of Speech but also the weakest. Many who have opinions lack any kind of indepth knowledge of complicated matters, that would take volumes of book to explain in extricate details.\n\nFreedom of choosing a career - life experience has thought me to suceed in a chosen career one needs to be very talented or has to know someone. If someone lacks talent let's say in journalism and has no solid (close friends or family) connection, the person would be wasting his or her time in the choosen field. If the person has some but not much talent, the individual will not advance far in the profession.\n\nFreedom of religious- this is USA's strongest trait as a nation. We are totally free to believe in what we want to believe.
157274
yes, if we break down the right to bear arms we have no freedoms left.  Free speech and privacy are already gone.
356738
Global? Are you serious? Of course not. There are countries where freedom of speech is a joke.\n\nAh, well if you are specifically talking about Yahoo, then no, there is not freedom of speech, there are rules and terms of use. I have no problem with them. There is no need to do any of the things that go against the rules of the site. There is a mature and respectful way to answer any question on this site while being both honest and within the guidelines of the site. Some have the ability to do that, and some don't.
819691
I am a conservative Republican and I absolutely believe that we have a First Amendment Right to burn the U.S. Flag.  "I may not agree with a word that you are saying, I but I would defend, to the death, your right to say it."    No law abridging "freedom of speech".  First you have to ask what "speech" is.  If you think that speech only means "the spoken and written word", then fine, that's it.  The real question becomes, how far should the government be able to go to control your message coming across?  Hey, the internet and this Board aren't mentioned.  What is stopping the Government from shutting this site down.  Typing this stupid debate is not "speech" right?  P.S. chicks are allowed to dance nude BECAUSE of the liberal interpretation of "free speech", so don't rock the boat!
202318
Well they say we have free speech but i think its really limited speech you can say what you want as long as it dont offend somebody which is hard to do cuz you can say something and not mean nothing by it but someone could get offended
66256
Its a social experiment thats still being worked out.  There are ongoing problems, like when does freedom of speech become libel?\n\nIts not perfect, but works reasonably well in the western world compared to other systems.  There is accountability.  There is representation. We can't be held without charge, we can't be convicted without trial.
718167
CENSORSHIP IS A BITCH. thanks yahoo for "allowing" freedom of speech!
933835
Freedom of speech is not a problem in the USA.  It's alive and well.  Of course, we have our whackos too.  That is, some people believe so strongly in their opinions, that they leave no room in their minds for the opinions of others.  These types, tend to express their opinions as fact rather than opinion.  The next step is threatening others who have differnig opinions.  Happens everywhere; or so I thought.  I didn't think that was unique to the USA.  \n\nPeople in the USA also blast their politicians.  Happens almost every day.  You may not see the bulk of it in the news where you live (UK ?) but if you lived in the USA, you'd see and hear more than you might think was possible.  \n\nJust reading the questions and answers in this forum's Religion and Politics categories is enough to wear me out.  Too bad all the energy devoted to this can't be used to power our vehicles.  Would help my budget some.
223801
Printing such things about ANY prophet, Islam, Christianity, Jewism..... has got nothing to do with freedom of speech.\nIn Europe even a researcher can't say that my research has led me to the fact that the holocaust might not have taken place, it might be just a story, in France and other parts of Europe, girls can't ware hijab when they go to school, do you see any FREEDOM in this? Freedom of speech is just a tool!!
923689
=Absolutely.  Whatever happened to censorship on TV?
184192
I think the fact that you were scolded in the first place is an example of the underlying problem western society faces.  We all believe in freedom of speech, to the point that ignorant, irrational and illogical cartoons about a sacred religious leader are allowed, albeit with some disdain, under the ideals of freedom of speech.  Yet so many great questions, like yours, based on logic, are completely written off as taboo.  I too like to discuss the "unmentionable" issues that are in fact key to our society's progression.  A huge example is the "unpatriotic" label alot of Americans got back in '03.
556152
Most liberals I've ever met are diehard free-speech advocates. If you're talking about the "political correctness" movement, it's dying the death it deserves, and it was only embraced by a minority of people, anyway. Most liberals will definitely go to bat for freedom of speech, and not just for causes they believe in. When somebody has to step in and defend the rights of groups like the KKK to speak, it's often a group perceived as "liberal", such as the ACLU.
904267
In Britain we do not have a 'bill of rights' but we are given 'free speech'......well that is if you're an immigrant.....as for the rest of us....we just have to grin and bear it....oh what a joy to live in a dictatorship dressed up in 'democratic clothes'!!
791164
That's because it has been taken over by the new "Politically Correct" generation of progressives who want us all to think & act alike!  This is the so-called FUTURE of what is known as THE NEW WORLD ORDER!  Whenever a controversial subject arises, someone censors it just because they find it OFFENSIVE!  Hitler was so right when he said that America will destroy itself from within.  I can see it happening because I am old enough to remember life in a truly free country BEFORE the ACLU got out of control with their need to show just how broken the system could become.  They have made their point, now how do we wake them up to what they have done!?  :o)
394788
Yes, you're correct, technically, but it's too dangerous now to exercise that particular form of freedom of speech. (and your picture is beautiful...I don't know what the first answerer is talking about)