But free speech doesn't include all speech. That's the thing. For example, you can't shout, "FIRE!" in a crowded movie theater, you can't threaten the President's life, you can't use inappropriate language on certain internet forums, and so on. The bottom line is that some words are worthless and there is no space for unwarranted profanity in a mature setting. I don't know about banned book lists or whatever, but it sounds like you're advocating profanity and racial slurs everywhere. That's just not ok. With that being said, I agree with you that agreement/acceptance and tolerance are worlds apart and that difference has been lost these days. Before I finish up, freedom can mean a few different things and I think we hold different definitions. Here's what I mean: there is positive freedom which is the ability to do what you ought, and negative freedom which is the ability to do what you want. The classic example to distinguish between the two is a man who chooses to use heroin is free to make that decision, but as soon as he's addicted he's no longer free. So those who favor negative freedom advocate anarchy in essence, while those who advocate positive freedom advocate government regulation, in essence.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

We are not in agreement on this topic. Voltaire said: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." That is where I am at. Shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre is NOT the same as not being able to say the word fire at all. And technically, you can wish or propose that anyone SHOULD be dead - the president included. I may not be able to walk up to him and say, "I am going to kill you," but I can say that I think we would be better off if he were dead. I can get my point across without the direct threat. Profanity is subjective. I have a post about words just being words. Who made ANY word "profane?" Are the stand alone words "shit" "ass" "damn" or "fuck" in and of themselves profane words? No, they are not. They are simply words. I tend to believe what the Ecclesiastes writer said when he wrote that there is a time for everything - to live, to die - to laugh, to cry - to love, to hate - to get, to lose - to speak, to be silent. You make it sound like using a "bad" word is "wrong" and "inappropriate." If that is true, then you can not, and do not believe in free speech. As soon as ANYONE decides what is or is not appropriate or correct for another individual, then the freedom has been lost and stifled. Do you honestly want any person telling YOU or ME what we can and can not say? I don't. Who are they to make such a declaration or imposition? Our "leaders" in all walks of life are certainly no moral compass these days. Watch, listen to, or follow them, and you will most likely be more corrupt than you would ever dream of being. I certainly don't want them deciding what I should or should not be saying. People and groups of people put the "spin" and "negativity" on all things. The book Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn have words that have been found to be offensive by today's word police. Here is just one list to get you thinking about what I am saying. http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/censorship/bannedbooksthatshapedamerica The writers of those books meant no ill will or "slurring" towards any group. They wrote in the context and setting of the day. If people today feel superior to go back in time and re-do, re-say, and re-write all of history as it happened, then God help us all. And that is exactly what "political correctness" seeks to accomplish. The positive/negative freedom does not work either. YOU are assuming that all of humanity will respect and adhere to a higher purpose of a Creator. That works for the Christian, but not for the rest of the world. Freedom of speech is NOT only for believers - it is for all people. Find anything that is truly offensive by your or my standards in society {i.e. a bad art piece, a horrible song lyrics, a destructive movie, etc.} and it is protected under and by free speech. If those things are protected and allowable, then it is clear that depending on which group you belong to determines much of what you can or can not say and get by with it.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Do you not realize how hypocritical this post is?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Is that a hypothetical question, rhetorical question, or a hypocritical one? If you wish to comment and be specific, then you get answers.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I don't understand how that could be hypothetical or hypocritical, but you're free to explain. You're saying that if people don't like what you say they can can it, correct? But you don't like what they're saying, and you're not shutting your mouth about. However, we have the tendency to not communicate to each other well, so please correct me if I'm mistaken.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I don't even know where to go with you on this one! You don't even seem to be anywhere close to my track of thought or vibe. I am just freely expressing thoughts and reflections I have. This is not an attack post. I play with words, concepts, and phrases all the time. It is amusing to me. And I love pitting one idea or concept against another. Again, it amuses and stimulates me. My brain is constantly churning and grinding, and much of what pops in to my head is purely on its own. I don't have to work at it. Since I am a huge advocate OF and FOR free speech, that is one of my favorite topics. This post is a spin off of free speech and/or censorship. If people want other people to stop saying certain things, then those people should stop saying what they are saying. The over-riding point is: neither should or will stop saying what they say. I hope this helps. And yes, we seem to have difficulty communicating. I am not trying to deliberately be contentious with you. But I have said it on here before and will probably say it again - there really and truly is such a thing as a "generation gap" and "communication breakdown." See if these two songs help you relate to any of this. These are from my generation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3z0DEEfA9s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neG1wOssJ4k

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I'm not sure that I understand your usage of pronouns in that comment. "If people want other people to stop saying certain things, then those people should stop saying what they are saying." Like what? By "those people" do you mean "people" or "other people?" Your contradictory statements aren't easy to keep straight, either. "Then they should not say what they say" and "The over-riding point is: neither should or will stop saying what they say," literally are opposites. I'm not trying to be difficult with you, but I've never had this problem with anyone else on this scale before. Maybe it's how our minds work rather than our age difference. I don't understand why you included those songs.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I give up..........................

by Anonymous 10 years ago

How come?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

I don't know how to help or make you understand. And I don't want to fight. So I would rather just leave it be and walk away. We can try again on another day or post.

by Anonymous 10 years ago

Understood.

by Anonymous 10 years ago