free speech issues

When the Journal of Controversial Ideas came out there were some naysayers who said that it turned out to be a half-hearted collection of half-baked contrarian clap trap. I believe that I see a way in which we can shut those naysayers up forever and demonstrate the value of this journal by...

In another thread there is a discussion following the murder* of a customer at a restaurant who it is claimed was using racist insults at the employee. The employee apparently punched the customer who fell down and hit their head and died from that injury. (*using murder colloquially as any form...

I found this story interesting: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/sen-josh-hawley-s-wife-files-criminal-complaint-over-protest-outside-couple-s-washington-dc-home-report/ar-BB1dsfgi?ocid=msedgntp Summary: On January 4, protestors held a rally at the home of Senator Josh Hawley over his...

Is freedom of speech itself no longer acceptable in America? Conservatives staging free speech rally attacked by critics

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/18/facebook-bans-far-right-groups-including-bnp-edl-and-britain-first Not sure if this is a UK only thing; all the organisations and people referred to are UK based. Is this happening in other countries too?

In its 5-4 ruling Wednesday in Janus vs. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), the US Supreme Court overturned decades-old precedent that allowed government unions to compel public employees to pay union fees or risk being fired. Another massive victory for...

New York governor Andrew Cuomo has signed an executive order requiring state agencies to divest themselves of businesses and individuals participating in the BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions) movement against the Israeli government over their dealings with the Palestinians. Regardless of...

The post is so brief it's hard to excerpt: "TheLocal.de reports: “On Thursday . . . the High Court in North Rhine-Westphalia upheld a ruling from a lower court that ordered [Martin] Budich to pay a €100 fine” for organizing a public viewing of “Life of Brian” on Good Friday. “Showing the film...

An absolutely disgusting development: I'm not sure what personal rights can exist at all when a person can be prosecuted for insulting a politician. This is reminiscent of the DDR. What next for Germany, bringing back the Stasi? If Europe once again descends into fascism and/or...

I'm a true lover of history and one of the things I really hate is to see history twisted for modern religious, political or ideological reasons. There are unfortunately many examples of this and I think I speak for all here when I say Holocaust denial is one of the very,very,VERY worse. Should...

More evidence that Islamists want to change the USA http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2015/04/23/university-of-maryland-cancels-screening-of-american-sniper/

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/sen-feinstein-anarchist-cookbook-not-protected-first-amendment Good luck with that. Ranb

Markey proposal may threaten free speech Boston Herald Proposed meme (with tune): M.A.R.K.E.Y M.O.U.S.E :)

Freely admitted upfront, I have only a cursory knowledge of UK politics. So, I really don't know the nuances of Paul Weston, and whether Brits consider him a qualified and serious candidate with a meaningful shot at the election, or nothing more than a rabble-rousing wedge candidate. Here's the...

http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-clippers-owner-black-people-racist-audio-magic-johnson/ I love living in a post-racial society, don't you?

Duck Dynasty patriarch suspended from show for expressing his religious beliefs. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/18/showbiz/duck-dynasty-suspension/ http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/12/18/phil-robertson-suspended-after-comments-about-homosexuality/

Said numerous times over on various websites, but should people be able to say whatever they want under the guise of "free speech," despite being hurtful or abusive in directly or indirectly? When and why does ushering out the "emotional abuse card/you hurt my feelings," render free speech...

Our friends at American Atheists were behind the erection of the Atheist monument in Starke, Florida. It was strategically placed near a 10 commandments monument.

Two separate bills have been introduced into the Arizona state legislature that would require students recite the pledge of allegiance daily and the other would require a oath to support the constitution in order to graduate from high school. I think this is an appalling turn of events. You do...

I was happy to be greeted by some good news this morning. I love the ACLU... Even when they take positions I don't personally agree with (that is not the case here). http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/11/choose-life-license-plates-ruled-unconstitutional-in-north-carolina/?hpt=hp_t3

Inspiration for this thread came from Humes Fork and his link to PZ Myer's blog post, Sunday Sacrilege: Free speech is not freedom from responsibility. The question is, when does one's right to privacy (if one exists) come into conflict with the right to free speech? Suppose someone has a...

This is today's "Letter of Note" and I think worth sharing, even if it's 19 years old. Here's the letter. Sadly, Bill Hicks was diagnosed with cancer the very month he wrote that letter and died less than a year later.

I'm tired of these countries oppressing non-believers for merely expressing an opinion, which does not violate anyone else's rights. These four countries are the ones I immediately thought of, but it's not an exhaustive. Please feel free to add other countries to the list if you have examples...

Hi everyone Has the proposed UN resolution 16/18 Against Defamation of Religion been discussed here? I can't see a search function on the forum so I thought I'd ask. I was going to add this to one of the threads on blasphemy, but then I thought it's not really about blasphemy as such so I...

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Thai-Court-Jails-American-For-Royal-Insult-Online-135238478.html Let me go on record as saying that King Bhumiphol Adulyadej is a big meanie, he smells bad, and he has a face like a monkey's but. And no, I have no intention of visiting that country...

A high school girl sends a disparaging Tweet about Sam Brownback during his appearance and is forced to apologize to him and the school. I wonder if the staffer responsible for monitoring social media is on the state payroll.

Fighting Over Online Sex Ads Here's what they say they do to prevent ads for minors: We don't blame the maker of a gun if the gun is used by a criminal. We don't blame the maker of a car if its driver disobeys traffic laws. But they want to shut this whole business down because of a few bad...

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/26/confederate-flag-still-flying-in-black-south-carolina-neighborhood-despite/ (Sorry about the link from fox news) So - on the surface, my 'keep your government out of my business' side of me says that she should be perfectly entitled to fly whatever damn...

Reading man jailed for "trolling" I abhor what he did but am also disturbed that he has been jailed.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/02/scotus.westboro.church/index.html?hpt=C1 Don't like them. Don't like the ruling. But, the Constitution wins, as it should.