Freedom of speech - A dichotomy?

[Argeus the Paladin]

One friend of mine on another forum has said something to this effect: "You either have reedom of speech or you do not. There is no freedom of speech with restriction i.e. regulations."

Discuss?

[removeduser_487563287433]

One friend of mine on another forum has said something to this effect: "You either have reedom of speech or you do not. There is no freedom of speech with restriction i.e. regulations."

Discuss?

Fire in a crowded cinema, hate speach, etc. etc. ad nuseum.

[Jom]

Fire in a crowded cinema, hate speach, etc. etc. ad nuseum.

And a favourite of yours: libel laws.

[43rdFoot]

Freedom of speech entails the fact that you will be hearing things you don't want to. But nobody ever said freedom was easy.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

Well, we're not free if you mean that freedom entitles you to murder people at will. Same with free speech, there are some limits, although I think that those limits should be minimized as much as possible in the case of free speech. If it makes you uncomfortable, then deal with it; use your own freedom of speech to figh it.

So the issue is primarily etymological. The term free speech is not 100% true to the definition of freedom. But nothing is; we are not truly free, nor should we be. Somehow we manage to get along. 'Nuff said.

[Raglan]

its the illusion of free speach rather than the reality that comforts most people. I see people moaning about us supposed to having freedom of speach when the politicians censor something, but complaining if a fundermentalist stands up and starts telling people how he hates the country he lives in.

[Ariovistus Maximus]

Indeed. Most people want freedom of speech for themselves and likeminded individuals, not freedom of speech.