Do we really have freedom of speech in this country?
962677
We have had, but are rapidly losing, freedom of speech in the UK. The PC brigade / humanists are in the process of stamping out all views contrary to their own, esp the historically dominant Christian worldview, upon which most of the free world was founded (USA and England are prime examples). The irony of all this is that it is done in the name of free speech / tolerance. However, they (the PC brigade) are the most intolerant of the lot as they do not tolerate views contrary to their own.  In practical terms, it goes like this: "We the PC brigade hereby declare that there are no absolutes and that there is no truth, except of course for the absolute truth that their are no absolutes. Accordingly, no religion or other worldview has the right to state that it is true to the exclusion of others, though we (the PC brigade) of course believe that OUR PC views are true to the exclusion of all others". The true threat to freedom is now the fundamental PC brigade. How ironic, don't ya think?
133942
I am going to leave this question open ended.  I was going to say that what makes this country so great is that it enables us the ability to speak up and tell our elected officials what is wrong and that something needs to be fixed.  However I can see a minor encroachment on our civil liberties when it comes to our National Security.  I do not believe that any of our rights should be take away, but I believe that we live in different times now.  It is sort of an unfortunate thing.
24175
You have freedom of speech in the US, criminally you cannot be charge with a crime speaking your mind. The only thing you cannot say is Fire in a public place and that you are going to kill our presdent, those two thing are illegal to say.\n\nNow civilly, you can be brought to court for saying lies (slander) or damaging statements about people that affected them in some way. \n\nThere are very limited consquences for using your right to free speech.
1148766
Yes - many.\n\nCommercial speech isn't afforded as much protection as political speech.  Speech that is classified as conduct is afforded very little protection.  Pornography and nude dancing are afforded less protection....\n\nThose are just a few of the "free speech" limitations...
311852
no, because we live in a land where we have something called freedom of speech where people can speak thier minds but with all this politcal correctness bulls*** people forget that.
86943
Free speech has some limitations, like not screaming fire in a closed theatre. Thus, it is not unrestricted, and whenever it goes against the basic morals of the country it should be deemed as detrimental. In these times of electronic communications, free speech needs to be reviewed and more limits imposed.\n\nThere are some 'cons' to restricting it, if it is done by irresponsible people or Satanists. For example, the left is trying to make it impossible for Christian people to voice their faith. So having public prayer is restricted in some institutions. That is a huge 'con' on restricting free speech, since the people who want to push religion out of our lives are the same who would benefit from a decadence in our moral values: homosexuals, pedophiles, communists, etc.
1011881
Yes. Not only is it a free speech issue - it is the most protected form of free speech under the Constitution - political free speech.
640748
Great question.  There is alot that is right with our country.  We have the freedom to speak what we wish no matter how stupid it may be.  We have the freedom to get any job that we are qualified for.  We have the freedom to worship as we wish.  We have the freedom to marry who we wish.  I know there are other countries who do the same.  I am proud of my country even though I get tired of all the political bickering that is going on right now.
94706
We have freedom of speech. We can say what we think but we also understand that others also have that right. If we reacted with violence every time we were offended, society would turn to chaos. With freedom comes the responsibility of respecting other peoples freedom.
400872
Well, this is supposed to be a country with free speech, but apparently, to some people it is not so. Word to the wise, never get involved in politics anywhere. People do what they want to when they want. The smartest people stay out of it. It's either rule with an iron fist or let the inmates run the asylum. Iraq under Saddam was the former and America today is the latter. The inmates have spoken, it's a democracy, I have better things to worry about, as do you!
697020
This is sickening to say the least.\n\nUnfortunately the US isn't far behind.  Freedom of speech should be just that, the freedom to speak - period!\n\nUntil the special interest groups, political correctness and so called multiculturalism are eliminated from society we can expect to lose more than our freedom of speech.
1068351
No, people will say it anyway.  We live in an opinionated society, where freedom of speech is practiced to the extreme.  But I will say this...You, chicken boy, are a very nice man.
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!
259781
yes you do. when it comes to your well being you have total freedom of speech and it is a crime to prevent it. when it comes to controling your  life you have freedom of speech but it's not worth the breath it cost if you don't have a sympathetic adult willing to help. unless it's how smart you want to be, then you won't have to tell anybody!!
127858
Because we have so much freedom and opportunity here. It is such a huge place, and we can move about freely, make our own choices, speak our own minds without fear of repercussions.\n\nPeople have to learn to differentiate between the evil our government does, and how good and wonderful our people are.\n\nHere we still believe "I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it!"
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
10321
it makes me proud to be an american where at least i know im free, freedom of speech, we are just free to do what we want for the most part. in most countries they have no freedom which is sad but we as the USA can say that