what is freedom of speech?

[ef1]

what is freedom of speech?
fogs and forbes what does freedom of speech mean to you?

[fogs]

Freedom of speech is- freedom to express your opinions on whatever subject you choose to have an opinion on.

[Rabbit]

same as what jon sed freedom to express your opinions

[Sam]

yes homies its ya boi kid ere. freedom of da speech is da very interesting topic to eyes kid because it all soo expresses ur tru meaning of life and what eva yew wanna come across.. even if u ave someting on ya mind just post it in dis topic.. bless

[ef1]

is freedom of speech me just saying anything, like if i dont like someone and i just abuse them, is that freedom of speech?
also whats the difference between spam and freedom of speech? and who chooses what is and isnt?

[forbzie]

freedom of speech is saying what you, BELIEVE in. This includes what you think and excludes meaningless abuse and rudeness just for the sake of it. But, as in everything sometimes you get really pissed off about a topic and you let it all out ( swearing and shouting) - this is not abuse just for the sake of it. No one should be able to take someone's freedom of speech from theme. On any topic. racism, gays, war, politics, anything. people shouldn't be afraid or intimidated ( either banning , beating, being looked down on etc.) so the can't say what they think.

Of course abuse just for the sake of it and attention seeking comets shouldn't be tolerated-- there is a big difference from this and freedom of speech

[fogs]

forbzie said:

freedom of speech is saying what you, BELIEVE in. This includes what you think and excludes meaningless abuse and rudeness just for the sake of it. But, as in everything sometimes you get really pissed off about a topic and you let it all out ( swearing and shouting) - this is not abuse just for the sake of it. No one should be able to take someone's freedom of speech from theme. On any topic. racism, gays, war, politics, anything. people shouldn't be afraid or intimidated ( either banning , beating, being looked down on etc.) so the can't say what they think.

Of course abuse just for the sake of it and attention seeking comets shouldn't be tolerated-- there is a big difference from this and freedom of speech

That isnt freedom of speech at all!
Freedom of speech by definition would have to be un-moderated.
That's abit religio-fascism Forbzie.
Freedom of speech isnt a variable that can be legislated to suit your personal mores. Freedom of speech is freedom of speech nothing less. No matter what any individual thinks about what is being expressed.
If the individual is offended by anything in a freedom of speech forum they must either deal with their personal issues or admit to themselves that freedom of speech isnt for them.

[pkpete]

hmmm if your refering the internet to freedom of speech because your correct im not 'Speeching' im Typing ;D i think its because i could b anyone on this website and you guys could never know if it was the real me - dunno where that came from but, meh whatever

[Gavin]

i think freedom of speech is when one can express there thougts and feelings without and boundries or walls shall i say to restrict them .

[forbzie]

That's abit religio-fascism Forbzie.

Just because i wrote the word "Believe" has nothing to do with religion.

I did't say anyhting about moderation. It is sooo obvious that there IS a huge difference between nuts for nuts's sake and free speach.

[fogs]

When you step into a freedom of speech forum you are best to leave your ego at the door otherwise you will invariably find something that offends you.
Freedom of speech forums can become inane & pointless, however they can also be very interesting depending on who uses it..

[ef1]

i agree with fogs on the deffinition of freedom of speech but i agree with forbes on his civilised concept of what freedom of speech should contain.
fogs surely meaningless drivel, racist abuse or abuse of an individual just for the sake of being abusive while technically being freedom of speech has no place in civilised society. the disscussion of topics no matter how tabboo the subject should be conducted in a clear easy to understand civilised manner otherwise freedom of speech quickly turns into a competition to see who can shout the loudest or pronounce the longest words, thus giving off the illusion of intelligence and control. it doesnt matter how clever or right you think you may be, if you cant explain yourself in a clear,concise and calm manner, your words,no matter how intelligent you think they may be are falling on deaf ears and instead of promoting civilised discussion and trying to help others understand different viewpoints, you are in fact taking part in intellectual point scoring masterbation.
so what do we as a group want to promote with our freedom of speech?is it civilised discussion or intelectual point scoring?

[fogs]

Freedom of speech Is what it is. Doesnt matter what you BELIEVE.
Immediately once you bring individuals beliefs into the equation then it isnt freedom of speech.

This is fundamental to the concept of freedom of speech.

[ef1]

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source
Main Entry: freedom of speech
: the right to express information, ideas, and opinions free of government restrictions based on content and subject only to reasonable limitations (as the power of the government to avoid a clear and present danger) esp. as guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution —see also FREE SPEECH —compare CENSORSHIP, PRIOR RESTRAINT

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
this is from a dictionary of law, fogs where did you get your meaning of freedom of speech from?

[fogs]

that's not THE defiition of 'freedom of speech' it is 'A' definition that Websters want you to think.......... that freedom of speech should be controlled.

It doesnt matter what Websters want you to think.
Freedom of speech is freedom of speech. anything else simply isnt freedom of speech. Some people will be frightened by the prospect of freedom of speech as it can tear down illusions and demolish a house of cards. The fearful who have the most to lose from freedom of speech will be the ones who attempt to limit the ideology of freedom of speech.