Do you agree with the First Amendment to the US Constitution as regards free speech?
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
October 23, 2018 11:14am CST
We don't have this rule in the United Kingdom, and for that I am profoundly grateful.
The problem I have with the absolute right to say or write what you like is that it allows people to get away with being extremely unpleasant to other people and express hatred towards them. This means that when religious nutcases in the US carry placards at the funeral of a gay person that say "God Hates F(a)gs", there is absolutely nothing that can be done to stop them.
In the UK this counts as hate speech, and anyone guilty of this can be arrested and charged with a public order offence. That - to my way of thinking - is the right approach.
I would very surprised if the authors of the US Constitution really wanted hate speech to thrive in their nation, but that is the result of their short-sighted action.
7 people like this
8 responses
@topffer (42155)
• France
23 Oct 18
There are several limits to freedom of speech in France, to protect private life and also against abusive language, defamation, discrimination, apology of war or terrorism, hate speech, etc, etc. Public servants have also the duty to be careful and moderated about what they tell during their working hours. Globally I approve these limitations, although some laws can be discussed, as they may limit the work of historians or some progress in the society.
1 person likes this
@hillhjill (23761)
• United States
23 Oct 18
I believe that we should have the right to free speech but we don't really, there is nothing free here in America no more, they are taking it all away from us and the free speech stuff is what is also dividing us because of hate speech. If you don't want to hear it then don't listen.
1 person likes this
@hillhjill (23761)
• United States
23 Oct 18
@vandana7 I think everything should just being left alone and stay the way that's it's suppose to be.
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
23 Oct 18
Free speech needs some guidelines. Can I yell fire anywhere I want?
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
23 Oct 18
Hate speech is always open to interpretation. There is "hate speech" from anti-religion nutcases and I have heard slurs made by gays against non-gays. All have a right to express themselves until it crosses over into violence or inciting violence.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19626)
• United States
23 Oct 18
It may preach free speech John here in the USA, but really it is pick and choose here what they allow a person to say. It is freedom with a catch. And saying something can get you killed over here as you well know it is a trigger happy society.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
First, there are many instances where the hate speech you are sharing are actually dealt with directly. Hate speech is illegal in the US and has been for a long time.
The American ideal of Freedom of Speech came directly from the founder's experience as 2nd or 3rd class English Citizens.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
23 Oct 18
@indexer If you take the "legal" position of freedom of speech, you cannot use that in the case of hate speech. So far Hate Speech laws have stood the test. Now, they have only appeared before the US Supreme court once, they may not remain if they go to the Supreme Court again.
That is a really tricky line that people dance around today.
