On 7/3/2005 6:28:17 PM abzurd wrote: I don't understand. I'd like an american person to explain to me how it works. How can you have a country where KKK can exist but if you say that a movie star is gay you can be sued for millions? I'm serious. I really don't understand.

You can say what you wish, but if someone is injured by your saying it, you may be called to account.

If the First Amendment allowed for total freedom of speech, then yes. But there are limits, which have already been discussed. So I think we're doing okay.

I think it all boils down to having a sense of tactfulness. Defamation, etcetera. Pro-first amendment folks are very correct in their support of it, but too many people have no tact, or lack just enough to not be granted the full extent of its benefits. And so there are limits due to some people not knowing what they should through common sense application of this right, and countless others. These are the same people who take rights as literally as saying they are allowed to run around screaming at "n_ggers, chinks, and slims", yelling key words like BOMB at the airport, making a bad name for people via ugly gossip, and claiming anarchy cuz it's a free country. This is the worst case scenario of course, but the truth is not far from it.

In short, the only reason people think they should be allowed total freedom of speech is if they are well aware that what they want to say is utterly tasteless and unnecessary. It's evidence of their missing the point of speech freedom completely. F-ing savages.

It's my favorite amendment and I'm pretty pleased with it. I believe that if anyone thinks it's going too far, they should consider how little they actually have to whine about. I mean, there are places where you can get strung up by your toes for criticizing the limits of your rights.

The first amendment is the SH*T!

I don't think it goes too far, people just abuse it.

From my understanding the First Ammendment allows all people the freedom of speech. You can say what you like, when you like about who you like. BUT people don't have to agree with you, they can challenge you and put you in jail or fine you if it's REALLY offensive. The 'freedom' part doesn't give you excemption from penalty.

I think sometimes ppl use the first ammendment for an excuse sometimes for their actions. Like some1 said before yes, it is freedom of speech but there are limits to it

On 7/24/2005 9:29:45 PM niccole wrote: The First Amendment alone doesn't go too far, it's the people that do things in it's name that are going too far.

Agreed.

No, it doesn't. Often, people's interpretations of it go too far, but I think the 1st ammendment is perfect.

On 7/3/2005 6:29:13 PM lonewolf3882 wrote: The First Amendment is the most important.

I agree.

I do not think the First Amendment can go to far. Freedom of Speech does not protect speech you like it protects speech you hate. Now someone shouting "bomb" in an airport when there isn't one should be treated much like slander or libel that isn't true. As far as the KKK goes you must trust in the inteligence of the people to follow the most just ideas which granted they will not always do. But if you do not trust people to make up their own minds they will never be able to.

Without the First Amendment what would our country look like? Think about it.

What the - No! Is our most important right! Perhaps you want to ask if the ACLU goes too far. There's something hot button type.

On 7/24/2005 9:29:03 PM abzurd wrote: ^^^So I can publicly claim that McDonald is bad food without being sued, since it's my opinion? Or Am I damaging them and they can sue me.

of course you can claim that McDonald is bad food..

Opinions are not slander. They are opinions. I could say "I am of the opinion that Dick Cheney shot his lawyer friend of spite." this in not slander. I could also say "Dick Cheney shot that lawyer because he didn't help the Republican party get out enough scandals." Really, it would be comedic satire.

On 7/24/2005 9:29:03 PM abzurd wrote: ^^^So I can publicly claim that McDonald is bad food without being sued, since it's my opinion? Or Am I damaging them and they can sue me.

Saying they have bad food is ok. If you were to say something like, "McDonalds' fries give you cancer." then you could be sued because it damages McDonalds' reputation.

NO! And the fact that 40% of people said 'yes' scares me.

On 9/14/2005 10:59:38 PM unhailey wrote: I think the first amendment goes exactly far enough.

I agree.

There are limitations in it, and it's good that there are.

No. There's a difference between Nazis preeching about their racist beliefs and actually harming people. The first doesn't do any actual harm, although it's unfortunate. The second is a should be outlawed.

You should not be allowed to discriminate against another race, religion, sexuality, gender, or age. But other than that, there's nothing wrong with freedom of speech.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free excercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of their grievances."

i took a class called "freedom of speech and communcation ethics" and had to memorize this.

freedom of speech is only actually legal when we are not at times of war.
when we are at war the government can do whatever they want.

you cant say anything.. what you say cant be libel or slander or you can be put in jail.

At times