Report, edit, etc...Posted by UnholySentinel on 2004-10-29 at 19:44:10
My Freedom
I strongly support freedom of speech. But lately I've been torn between supporting it and wanting people to shut their idiot mouths.
Freedom of speech, by the way, does not apply to the private sector. When John Rocker was fined by Major League Baseball for publicly spouting racist drivel, people defended his "freedom of speech." Those people are morons; freedom of speech means you can't get arrested for saying something. It does not mean you can mouth off in a magazine and keep your job.
The basic concept of the Bill of Rights is that we all have freedoms as long as they don't infringe on the freedoms of anyone else. My rights end where yours begin. In other words, you are free to mow your lawn because it's your property. But you are not free to mow your lawn at 4:00 AM, because then you're infringing on your neighbor's freedom of sleep.
Freedom of speech is one of the most important concepts in America. But I also believe that, as citizens of this great country, we should also have the freedom to not be barraged by morons.
For example, if when in the midst of a political debate, you use the words "dillhole," "NASCAR," or "Jesus," you are violating my freedom. Especially if you started the debate against my will while on an airplane, as if the computer system seating us next to each other gave you the right to prevent me from sleeping.
If you're the type of person that always says "just my luck" whenever anything bad happens, you're violating my freedom. To insist that every little thing is just your luck means you think there's some cosmic plan that involves an all-knowing and all-powerful deity purposely getting tartar sauce on your Capri pants. If you spill food on your lap, it's not fate, it's a distinct lack of hand-eye coordination. The rest of us have been eating properly for years -- give it a shot sometime.
If you ever discuss waiting for a young celebrity to turn 18, you're violating my freedom. Celebrities will not date you. Ever. Especially when they find out that you've been leering at them since they were in middle school. The best chance you have with them is before they turn 18 since the more they mature, the more likely they'll realize that anyone who is sitting and waiting for someone to be legal is a sketchy creep.
If you hang a "God Bless America" sign on an overpass, as if that's going to influence his decision, you're violating my freedom. My god isn't driving down highway 45 thinking, "There was something I had to do today. I washed the car, got a haircut, spilled tartar sauce on that girl's Capri pants . . . that's it! I forgot to bless America! Good thing I saw that sign. Speaking of signs, I could really go for a zesty chicken border bowl. I hope I don't spill anything."
If when giving me directions, you assume I'm from the area, you're violating my freedom. I asked you for directions because I swallowed my pride enough to admit I don't know where I'm going, not because I'm testing you. I don't know which way north is. I don't know how to get to 610 on my own. And you should know I don't know this especially if you work at the front desk of a motel. Yesterday I called a Holiday Inn asking how to get there and the attendant's first question was "are you from the area?" It's safe to assume I'm not. If I was from the area, odds are I wouldn't be staying at a Holiday freakin Inn.
If you get into an argument about whether or not your watch has the correct time, you're violating my freedom. Most cell phones are 100% accurate. So are a lot of computer clocks. Your watch is not. And if it is two minutes slow, who cares? That doesn't mean you're a bad person. Just that you'll be two minutes late for the next meeting at the hall of stupid.
And, most importantly, if you write me a comment telling me that you disagree with this post without explaining why, or that you think I'm too bitter (as if social criticism is not inherently negative), you're violating my freedom.
Any other opinions?
I strongly support freedom of speech. But lately I've been torn between supporting it and wanting people to shut their idiot mouths.
Freedom of speech, by the way, does not apply to the private sector. When John Rocker was fined by Major League Baseball for publicly spouting racist drivel, people defended his "freedom of speech." Those people are morons; freedom of speech means you can't get arrested for saying something. It does not mean you can mouth off in a magazine and keep your job.
The basic concept of the Bill of Rights is that we all have freedoms as long as they don't infringe on the freedoms of anyone else. My rights end where yours begin. In other words, you are free to mow your lawn because it's your property. But you are not free to mow your lawn at 4:00 AM, because then you're infringing on your neighbor's freedom of sleep.
Freedom of speech is one of the most important concepts in America. But I also believe that, as citizens of this great country, we should also have the freedom to not be barraged by morons.
For example, if when in the midst of a political debate, you use the words "dillhole," "NASCAR," or "Jesus," you are violating my freedom. Especially if you started the debate against my will while on an airplane, as if the computer system seating us next to each other gave you the right to prevent me from sleeping.
If you're the type of person that always says "just my luck" whenever anything bad happens, you're violating my freedom. To insist that every little thing is just your luck means you think there's some cosmic plan that involves an all-knowing and all-powerful deity purposely getting tartar sauce on your Capri pants. If you spill food on your lap, it's not fate, it's a distinct lack of hand-eye coordination. The rest of us have been eating properly for years -- give it a shot sometime.
If you ever discuss waiting for a young celebrity to turn 18, you're violating my freedom. Celebrities will not date you. Ever. Especially when they find out that you've been leering at them since they were in middle school. The best chance you have with them is before they turn 18 since the more they mature, the more likely they'll realize that anyone who is sitting and waiting for someone to be legal is a sketchy creep.
If you hang a "God Bless America" sign on an overpass, as if that's going to influence his decision, you're violating my freedom. My god isn't driving down highway 45 thinking, "There was something I had to do today. I washed the car, got a haircut, spilled tartar sauce on that girl's Capri pants . . . that's it! I forgot to bless America! Good thing I saw that sign. Speaking of signs, I could really go for a zesty chicken border bowl. I hope I don't spill anything."
If when giving me directions, you assume I'm from the area, you're violating my freedom. I asked you for directions because I swallowed my pride enough to admit I don't know where I'm going, not because I'm testing you. I don't know which way north is. I don't know how to get to 610 on my own. And you should know I don't know this especially if you work at the front desk of a motel. Yesterday I called a Holiday Inn asking how to get there and the attendant's first question was "are you from the area?" It's safe to assume I'm not. If I was from the area, odds are I wouldn't be staying at a Holiday freakin Inn.
If you get into an argument about whether or not your watch has the correct time, you're violating my freedom. Most cell phones are 100% accurate. So are a lot of computer clocks. Your watch is not. And if it is two minutes slow, who cares? That doesn't mean you're a bad person. Just that you'll be two minutes late for the next meeting at the hall of stupid.
And, most importantly, if you write me a comment telling me that you disagree with this post without explaining why, or that you think I'm too bitter (as if social criticism is not inherently negative), you're violating my freedom.
Any other opinions?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Helios on 2004-10-29 at 21:11:59
One thing i'd like to point out firstly is these "freedoms" you keep claiming. "If you're the type of person that always says "just my luck" whenever anything bad happens, you're violating my freedom." - How is that violating a freedom in any way ?
Well two rights are covered there, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. John Rocker keeping his job was something decided by MLB association and it was their choice to take action. Thats the same as if you cussed at your boss at work sure you can do it because its freedom of speech doesnt mean you have the right to keep your job.
You have the right to sue the particular person for badgery or some related charge. But they still have the right to say whatever they want so say when they choose to. You being inconvienced by a few morons is no reason to make it a "right".
QUOTE
Freedom of speech, by the way, does not apply to the private sector. When John Rocker was fined by Major League Baseball for publicly spouting racist drivel, people defended his "freedom of speech." Those people are morons; freedom of speech means you can't get arrested for saying something. It does not mean you can mouth off in a magazine and keep your job
Well two rights are covered there, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. John Rocker keeping his job was something decided by MLB association and it was their choice to take action. Thats the same as if you cussed at your boss at work sure you can do it because its freedom of speech doesnt mean you have the right to keep your job.
QUOTE
Freedom of speech is one of the most important concepts in America. But I also believe that, as citizens of this great country, we should also have the freedom to not be barraged by morons.
You have the right to sue the particular person for badgery or some related charge. But they still have the right to say whatever they want so say when they choose to. You being inconvienced by a few morons is no reason to make it a "right".
Report, edit, etc...Posted by UnholySentinel on 2004-10-29 at 21:27:14
QUOTE
If you're the type of person that always says "just my luck" whenever anything bad happens, you're violating my freedom. To insist that every little thing is just your luck means you think there's some cosmic plan that involves an all-knowing and all-powerful deity purposely getting tartar sauce on your Capri pants. If you spill food on your lap, it's not fate, it's a distinct lack of hand-eye coordination. The rest of us have been eating properly for years -- give it a shot sometime.
if you read the last of it you would understand. It goes into the debate on religion that includes the pledge.
most of this ideas are not dear to my heart, but more of a ldevil's advocate' approach.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Helios on 2004-10-29 at 21:44:08
If most of these ideas are not dear to your heart why do you write them as so ? I see a lot of 'I's' and 'My's' in that post.
As for the last part about being "too bitter" then yes you are. You're complaining about someone else's right to say what they want, yet you are dojng the exact same. If I hadnt known these ideas werent really true to you, id say you were a hypocrite of the extreme.
As for the last part about being "too bitter" then yes you are. You're complaining about someone else's right to say what they want, yet you are dojng the exact same. If I hadnt known these ideas werent really true to you, id say you were a hypocrite of the extreme.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by UnholySentinel on 2004-10-29 at 23:20:59
true, but the phrase comes to mind 'if you cant say anything nice dont say anything at all' and also the rule about flaming for these forums backs this up. Your rights end where mine start. Its allright to debate but the minute someone uses their freedom of speech to start flaming, they are encroaching upon mine. If you cant do something or say something without offending someone, why should you? Does it serve a real purpose?
Report, edit, etc...Posted by PearS on 2004-10-29 at 23:51:18
Wow, cry me a river. Who cares if you are personally insulted that i believe i have bad luck. If you are honestly offended when someone says to you 'no im pretty sure my watch time is correct,' then you have serious problems. You soundlike someone who shoots up a school because they don't like being made fun of. You have formed a list of the all time stupidest things to get upset over.
Get a life plz k thx.
Get a life plz k thx.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by UnholySentinel on 2004-10-30 at 13:33:21
allright, i concede. the white flag is raised and i bow to your superior skills. Let your freedom of speech flow with the power of the Force.Report, edit, etc...Posted by StarEditron 4000 on 2004-10-30 at 19:35:55
When our founding fathers thought of Freedom of Speech, they meant GOOD SPEECH! Cussing and saying F U is BAD SPEECH, so you have no right to say those things. But UnholySentinel, you are absolutely right!
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Mini Moose 2707 on 2004-10-31 at 10:11:24
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."
-Soren Kierkegaard
-Soren Kierkegaard
Report, edit, etc...Posted by Kow on 2004-10-31 at 14:55:00
Damn, i wanted to say that 
Report, edit, etc...Posted by T.s.u.k.a.s.a on 2004-11-07 at 11:12:34
Freedom of speech is abused. Even though America is a "Free Country", you can't do whatever you want and have to obey the laws. Freedom of speech means that you can speak out against the government and not get put in jail for it, like they did in communist countries, dictatorships, countries ruled by a king, etc.
People should not be allowed to say racial things about each other. America is a melting pot. We have nearly every people in America. Since America is so diverse, people should not be allowed to speak out against a certain race because they don't happen to like that race or those kinds of people. I would rather get called an idiot or stupid rather than Jew, gay, etc. for making a mistake. If someone insults a certain group or race, they are insulting America, because that race or group is part of America. "How are we supposed to survive if we don't pretend to like each other?" -Leela-
It's hypocritical how Bush and Kerry say that their decisions are influenced by religion when there is the "Separation of Church and State" law.
Some of our other constitutional rights are already restricted. Here is an example: We have the right to bear arms. In New Jersey, they got rid of the fake guns but kept the real ones. That's right, bb guns are benned but pistols, revolvers, and rifles are legal. Also, there are weapons which civillians are not allowed to own. Even though we have the right to bear arms, civilians are not allowed to have rocket launchers, bazookas, bombs, and other heavy weapons.
So, I say if we can say whatever we want, we should be able to have whetever weapons we want (with the apropriate license).
Like some other people said, we are allowed to have our rights as long as they don't violate the rights of others. In America, we MOSTLY have the right to be however we want and not get harrased for it (The right to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness. Making racial comments violates that right. Insulting someone is harrasment and/or verbal assault. Someone can be fined for verbal assault, and that's a good thing.
People should not be allowed to say racial things about each other. America is a melting pot. We have nearly every people in America. Since America is so diverse, people should not be allowed to speak out against a certain race because they don't happen to like that race or those kinds of people. I would rather get called an idiot or stupid rather than Jew, gay, etc. for making a mistake. If someone insults a certain group or race, they are insulting America, because that race or group is part of America. "How are we supposed to survive if we don't pretend to like each other?" -Leela-
It's hypocritical how Bush and Kerry say that their decisions are influenced by religion when there is the "Separation of Church and State" law.
Some of our other constitutional rights are already restricted. Here is an example: We have the right to bear arms. In New Jersey, they got rid of the fake guns but kept the real ones. That's right, bb guns are benned but pistols, revolvers, and rifles are legal. Also, there are weapons which civillians are not allowed to own. Even though we have the right to bear arms, civilians are not allowed to have rocket launchers, bazookas, bombs, and other heavy weapons.
So, I say if we can say whatever we want, we should be able to have whetever weapons we want (with the apropriate license).
Like some other people said, we are allowed to have our rights as long as they don't violate the rights of others. In America, we MOSTLY have the right to be however we want and not get harrased for it (The right to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness. Making racial comments violates that right. Insulting someone is harrasment and/or verbal assault. Someone can be fined for verbal assault, and that's a good thing.
Report, edit, etc...Posted by iamandragon on 2004-11-13 at 07:48:44
Freedom of speech is absolutely right, just as long as people do not use the 'freedom' on bad things...