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Old 09-18-2003, 12:11 PM   #43 (permalink)
smooth
Junkie
 
Location: Right here
Quote:
Originally posted by j8ear
Actually it is a RIGHT as well as an ability. You have NO right to be protected or otherwise shielded from things spoken which you are offended by or even damaged by. NONE what so ever.

You and I, him or her have the absolute right to say almost ANYTHING we want.

It is the ~most~ offensive speech which needs the heaviest protection from censorship. This is vital to the founding notions of every successful democratic endevour.

-bear
The founding notions of every successful democratic endeavor are to protect political speech.

Your view that you have an absolute right to say whatever you want is inaccurate according to well-founded law. I do have an absolute right to be protected or otherwise shielded from things spoken which I am offended by or even damaged by.

How do you explain your statement in light of libel and slander suits?

[edit] I should also add statutes banning "fighting words" and stupid or dangerous statements, such as, shouting "Fire" in a crowded theator or threatening to assassinate someone. [/edit]

Neither you nor JcL has addressed the parellel legal construct regarding flailing arms.

Do you believe I do not have a right to be protected from damage by your flailing arms?

Or do you think the government has a duty to limit one's right to flail his or her arms around to restrict the damage one might inflict on another citizen?
__________________
"The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann

"You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman

Last edited by smooth; 09-18-2003 at 01:23 PM..
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