NationStates Jolt Archive

I have a very good question just to see who i am dealing with in the game what is your perspective on Freedom of Speech im all for it but i want to hear your opinions as well

I believe freedom of speech to be a valuable asset to the citizens of any nation. However, it is a thing to be carefully controlled. Freedom of speech in the U.S. was originally intended for citizens to be able to criticize their government without adverse consequences. But, flash forward to today. People's sacred beliefs are ridiculed and mocked without thought. Racist web sites run rampant. Instructions on how to kill others with bare hands, and even to make thermonuclear devices with surprisingly common objects, can be found with a simple web search. Certainly, freedom of speech is a significant entitlement vital to the smooth operation of any nation. However, in the name of security and safety, malignancies such as these cannot be tolerated.

Freedom of speech is fine, as long as it isn't illegal. Over here ( Belgium) there are laws against racism and negationism, and that is just fine by me.

Freedom of speech is fine, as long as it isn't illegal. Over here ( Belgium) there are laws against racism and negationism, and that is just fine by me.

So in essence, Belgium really doesnt have freedom of speech. I am certainly not a racist, but I can UNDERSTAND why what some people think is racism is something different. I know some a few people (as unintelligent as they may be) who think that arguing against Affirmative Action is racist....I dont know, what happens IF one race in a nation DOES in fact have the advantage, what do you do to the people who speak out...label them as racist and refuse to listen to them?

Freedom of speech is fine, as long as it isn't illegal. Over here ( Belgium) there are laws against racism and negationism, and that is just fine by me.

So in essence, Belgium really doesnt have freedom of speech. I am certainly not a racist, but I can UNDERSTAND why what some people think is racism is something different. I know some a few people (as unintelligent as they may be) who think that arguing against Affirmative Action is racist....I dont know, what happens IF one race in a nation DOES in fact have the advantage, what do you do to the people who speak out...label them as racist and refuse to listen to them?

These laws are in fact only used in severe cases, and only used to show that free speech is a privilege, not a right in its own. It's a difficult but good legal procedure.

I believe freedom of speech to be a valuable asset to the citizens of any nation. However, it is a thing to be carefully controlled. Freedom of speech in the U.S. was originally intended for citizens to be able to criticize their government without adverse consequences. But, flash forward to today. People's sacred beliefs are ridiculed and mocked without thought. Racist web sites run rampant. Instructions on how to kill others with bare hands, and even to make thermonuclear devices with surprisingly common objects, can be found with a simple web search. Certainly, freedom of speech is a significant entitlement vital to the smooth operation of any nation. However, in the name of security and safety, malignancies such as these cannot be tolerated.
I completely agree with this but I have voted for the freedom of speech laws. This is because I believe that everyone has a right to the truth.

Freedom of speech is one of the basics of a free society, along with freedom of thought, direct democracy, freedom of association, right to bear arms, and free distribution.

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Freedom must be tempered with responsability, otherwise it's worthless.

"These laws are in fact only used in severe cases, and only used to show that free speech is a privilege, not a right in its own. It's a difficult but good legal procedure."

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Freedom of speech is a right. It's not a privilage.

"These laws are in fact only used in severe cases, and only used to show that free speech is a privilege, not a right in its own. It's a difficult but good legal procedure."

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Freedom of speech is a right. It's not a privilage.

I agree, the freedom to speak out is not something that should be harnessed, otherwise it loses the essential purpose of having free speech. I dont think it is a matter bestowing upon someone the right to speak out...it is a fundamental human right.

"These laws are in fact only used in severe cases, and only used to show that free speech is a privilege, not a right in its own. It's a difficult but good legal procedure."

I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Freedom of speech is a right. It's not a privilage.

Then I ask you again: What if the expression of this " right" hurts other people?
And besides, what I meant with privilage is that freedom of speech is one of the easiest things to forbid in a dictatorship. Therefore it is precious, a privilage, but a dangerous one too. A very powerfull one.

My opinion is that if you forget the "r" in "your" in the thread title, you don't deserve free speech.

And I depend on free speech for my right to say that...

And that...

And that...

And that...

My fingers are getting sore, so go back up three lines every time you get here.

This topic is being discussed here- http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=153656

Posting on that thread will give you a better chance of being answered.

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UN representative,
The Black New World
Meet The Reps (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=132588) ~ What can the UN do and what can it do for me?
(http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151465&highlight=)

Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right; simple as that.

I am an avid proponent of Freedom of Speech.

I do feel that the goverment has the right and responsibility to place limitations on certain types of speech. I also feel that citizens have a responsibility to use their freedom wisely.

I too live in the US. I wish that our citizens could control their own speech, but they cant. And our government can make only limited intrusions on this right. We erred on the side of excess and our society has suffered for it.

Hate Crimes are illegal.
Speech intended to incite an illegal act is illegal.
But prosecution of someone who advocates killing minorities is hard to win.
And if we do win such a battle, then a jury has equally admitted that we are not responsible for our own actions.
Which would open the door to ALOT of civil lawsuits.

Its too late to stop our own fall.
But with a properly written UN proposition, we may be able to keep other countries from suffering the same.

So in essence, Belgium really doesnt have freedom of speech. I am certainly not a racist, but I can UNDERSTAND why what some people think is racism is something different.

Essentially I agree.

If you don't have the freedom to say and think dumb assed things, then it isn't free speech.


It really is a common mistake to assume that people who advocate for free speech support things like hate crimes. We don't. Instead, we believe that by practicing tolerance and allowing people to be morons, that one day our good example might lead to less hate.

Naturally the Confederated City States of Mikitivity believe in free speech, as my government highly values civil liberties. Yes, at times people do really dumb things. But being tolerant sometimes you have to just learn to ignore people instead of arresting them for being different (or idiots).

10kMichael
p.s. I think the Anne Frank Haus had some great debates in the downstairs room that would make wonderful national issues. I've been thinking of the Dutch Fireworks ad and debate around it.

We support the concept of free speech, although it must be weighed against the wishes of the majority and simple common sense.

If a far right party wanted to march through Capitol's streets, we'd allow it, but not at the expense of any ethnic groups who might feel endangered or supressed

I personally am for freedom of speech, in that it must be used in a responsible manner with common sense and mutul respect for all people.

I am certainly all for freedom from speech, of others, when I tell them all to clamp up and listen to me because I am always right.

:wink:

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