If you asked most Americans whether or not they support free speech, the vast majority of them would say that they do. Even most Leftists would probably tell you that they support free speech, but in the same breath they would admit that it should have some limitations.
And that’s precisely the problem with Americans these days. They claim that they support the freedom to say whatever they want, but when asked how they feel about specific examples of speech that they don’t like, it’s obvious that they don’t actually believe in free speech. And though the Left is catching the most flak for being anti-free speech these days, it’s a problem on both sides of the political aisle.
That was made abundantly clear after YouGov polled Americans on how they felt about the prospect of shutting down news outlets that publish inaccurate stories.
A new YouGov poll shows that a wide plurality of Republicans would be willing to permit courts to “shut down news media outlets for publishing or broadcasting stories that are biased or inaccurate.” The numbers: 45% of Republicans would favor such a policy, and 35% say they haven’t heard enough to say. That means that just 20% of Republicans would oppose such a policy. Among Democrats, just 18% favor such a policy, with 39% opposed and 43% saying they haven’t heard enough to decide. And among independents, 25% say they back such media shut downs, with 27% opposing and 48% deferring judgment. Overall, just 29% of Americans oppose such a policy.
When it comes to fining media outlets, the numbers are even worse. Just 12% of Republicans oppose such a policy; only 21% of independents oppose such a policy; overall, 80% of Americans either support such a policy (34%, including 55% of Republicans) or don’t know enough to say.
It’s understandable that Republicans feel this way, given how they’ve been treated by the media for so long. But it’s still wrong. After all, who gets to decide what news is “biased or inaccurate?” This would open the door for the government to shut down any news outlet, regardless of its political bent. They would have carte blanche to kill any speech that challenges the status quo by simply calling it inaccurate. You might recognize that argument as the same point made by conservatives when the media first engaged in its “fake news” witch hunt.
The truth is, free speech is under assault in all directions in America, and its future doesn’t look too bright. That’s because, not only is it losing respect among Republicans and Leftists, but young Americans also don’t really believe in it. Polls have shown that 7 out of 10 college students think that offensive speech should be restricted on their campuses, and 40% of Millennials think that the government should prevent people from saying things that are offensive to minorities; a number that is far higher than what is observed in previous generations.
These are scary times for the 1st Amendment. Broad sections of the population don’t value free speech, and their ranks are growing. And what’s worse, is that while they support policies that hurt the 1st amendment, they still often claim to support it. They have no idea that they support the destruction of their own rights.
If these people don’t wake up, then someday we are going to lose a fundamental right that protects the free exchange of ideas, and that right is a well from which all freedoms and prosperity spring from. If you don’t believe me, all you have to do is look at any country that doesn’t value this right. Those places are not pretty.
There’s a reason why free speech is in the 1st Amendment, and not the 2nd or 3rd. It’s the most important right, and we’re in danger of losing it.
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Heres some free speech,,,
What gives with these freaks thinking its ok for other freaks to be in positions that require them to be 110% comitted and on point and with people relying on them when they can even get it straight that dick means boy, puzzy means girl,,,,,
That tranz freak seal WAS a seal but is now just IT, i dont give a rats ass what you do after you get out but while your serving you better damn well be paying attention to the shit that matters
There is a Bill in Congress that says if you criticize Israehell you will be fined $1 Million Dollars and face 20 years in Prison. Yep folks look who is attempting to destroy the 1st Amendment and turn all Americans into slaves. Had enough of their BS yet? Lock n load.
” Broad sections of the population don’t value free speech, and their ranks are growing.”
Won’t these asswipes be in for a surprise!
On another note: We have a place in a very remote area. It has come to our attention that a few of the people there seem to think it’s just fine to call the cops for stupid shit. Dead cow on the side of the road, trash on private land, verbal threats. If you move to or live in a remote place (or any other) you had better get smart because everyone else will shun you and you will have zero friends (other than fellow rats). There are 3 of them (called the rat pack) that are now on the places shitlist. If shtf they are done for. We don’t need cops for ANYTHING up there! If your moving to a new place or want to call the cops for shit then you had better watch your back because you will recieve 0 help from anyone. Be a fookin man and handle your issues yourself! 3 rats vs. 30 men, what do you think their odds are?
They endanger EVERYONE in the place. 90% of the people drive up and down the road to visit and drink at peoples houses and some have no license or plates and it’s all good! Don’t need any of that shit and never an accident as long as I have been there. We have a great and fun place but fuckers like these rats put us all in danger. Get it?
I hear ya G, Similar to the same thing I have here. There are a couple of Rats that call code enforcement on stupid stuff. I had some dick call code on me for putting a portable shed on my multiple acres where I keep my tools, and put it here without a permit, and some dick thought he would be cute and call on me. I have my suspicions, because the Code guy said he drives a Red Pick-up truck and lives in the Main road coming in. So he watches anybody hauling in building supplies or whatever, then he calls. I talked with our private road maintenance guy, since this entire subdivision acres are all private subdivision property with private roads. And we pay to keep them maintained. And he too confirmed that, that guy in the red pickup truck is a rat and there are a few around here that want to kill him. That’s why I said if you buy a BOL way out in the boonies, Think OPSEC, and make sure all your buildings and structures are away from the road and prying eyes.
Well that day when the Code guy showed up at my gate in the morning for his initial visit, he had a Google Overhead Map reflecting this shed’s roof. And he wanted to come on to my property to inspect. And I said “NO-Thanks”, and so we talked through my 6 ft barbed wire fence where my No Trespassing sign are up that also says Video Recording, and I was packing a concealed weapon also, and I never let him on here. I was nice but firm. But he still took a picture from the outside of the gate trying to get a photo of the shed. Its getting all worked out, cause I already was putting the wind anchor straps on and it was all up to code anyway. And you never let anybody on your property without a legitimate warrant signed by a judge. I know my rights, and why open up pandora’s box.
Even the Code guy is pissed at this BS, because he had to drive maybe 40 miles each way to follow up with this complaint of a simple shed. Its that ridiculous. So get your “Rat Lists” together and when the great culling starts in SHTF, blast away at these Rats. And people here, too drive golf carts and 4 wheelers on these private roads. I never bother anybody.
So when you move into an area like this, be low key and don’t start raising hell. I was pretty discrete when I moved here and said I was semi retired and did not say much of anything else, but was working on my property. Some are Jealous, because I am one of the largest land owners out here in this subdivision. Its a country Subdivision, not like in the cities, and people own acres of land. Most of the people here are dumb crackers, not too bright, and I run circles around them with my knowledge and how the laws work. Sometimes also you need to break up the good ol’ boy system that is ripping off the rest. Its a fight every year of where the road money is spent. There is a lot more to this, but you get the point. Anybody who messes with me, I’ll clean their clocks. Physically or in the courts.
I heard they are going to clean you clock old man. You talk a whole lot a shit on these silly Fear Porn sites.
Genius,I believe you have a “bad attitude”. You need to know these folks are better educated then you/know the “correct way” to solve potential problems ect.,now be quite and listen to your betters!
The dead cow on the road could be the result of black death(or a petri dish to grow it),just saying,might be worth a gander with full PPE!
I know one of them (a bad offender) that calls the cops for everything (they have to make a 150 mile round trip to respond) and he makes moonshine and smokes dope and drives drunk and has no permits for his place. This is how stupid they are. Another one is a stupid beech on disability that has a shitload of horses, goats, dogs, chickens, pigeons, and god knows what else. She can’t afford to feed them and starves them. Kind of like an animal Aushvitz. That retarded beeech would be in jail if the humane society or peta ever found out. I would turn her in but I am not a rat. Trust me these people (rats) are not too bright at all. If I ever get in any shit because of them, they better have fire insurance…
CSS, one option you can do is plant some pot on his property and call him in. What comes around goes around…
Ya know G, I play fair and square, and I am a pretty easy going guy. Those people too slip up, and I keep score, and when it reaches a point, I’ll unleash the Ahole in me, and call them out on everything. Its a friggin chess game so just get your ducks in line.
CSS, good points. My family and I are the same way. If anyone thinks I have a ‘bad attitude’, just start messing with me and you’ll learn the REAL meaning of attitude, deplorable, irredeemable, bitter clinger, etc.
You might need to move. Where I live, I can build what I want, and no one cares. I built a huge greenhouse years ago, and I didn’t ask anyone or have to get a permit.
BTW, don’t be putting anything where Google Earth can see it. My greenhouse doesn’t show in the aerial photos, nor does any of my outbuildings. The main house shows up, and what’s left of an abandoned pumphouse shows up. Everything else is hidden under trees, most of them pines, so even winter photos don’t show anything. I could build an entire house in my back yard, and no one would know except for a couple of neighbors who wouldn’t care.
Genius, I hear you loud and clear. It’s the same way at the BOL and all my relatives who live nearby. We always mind our own business and never bother anyone. We won’t tolerate any outsiders coming to look for trouble. We handle our own problems and NEVER call cops for anything. They’re totally useless and don’t care about the public anyway.
Genuis,understand your frustration(would probably “adopt”those starving critters till could rehome em!),that said,planting pot and calling feds,eh,just rewards feds with more money and does make you a rat.I understand you like your moonshine but don’t let it allow you to do stupid things,like becoming the monster you so rightfully hate.Tis actually one of the reasons gave up for now booze,was thinking evil thoughts,with the booze,may have acted on em,not good!
Free speech is under attack big time.
In Countries in Europe and in Canada people go to prison for asking questions about what may have happened to a group of people. Questions are crimes. Also one can be jailed for reporting that your rapist is Moslem, even if he is.
Any cricism of (((Is real hell))) and it gets you a fine of minimum 250 thousand and up to 20 years in prison. 42 senators and congressmen approved it so far.
If people think someone will make good judgments about truth without prejudice, they are fools. Even if there were no policy of (((tptb))), even if you hired saints with no agenda, and all of them had high IQs, no matter what, with the best of intentions, people get it wrong.
Let people give the news. Let others clarify with arguments as to the accuracy of the information. People will gravitate towards those whose info turns out to be generally reliable. Those who lie or constantly put out fake news will get ignored while those who are accurate and likable will rise up. Most definitely, the many voices on the Internet are making us all better shoppers for real news.
_ the dumbing down has been effective. The next generation will need to figure out what is important from what is mental clutter. Hint: turn off the idiot box.
_
B from CA, yeah I posted that similar bill about the (((You know who’s))). I hear it was a $1 Million fine. I did not pay much attention to it, and didn’t read the details, since it is so freaking bizzaro and was news reported on the radio. Any Congress person who signs that bill is a traitor to the US Constitution, and deserves to be impeached and removed from office. Or their head on a platter for the buzzards to pick away at.
When people lie or the Fake News is a lie, we all need to call them out for their lies by posting the facts. Maybe then, they will stop lying. You need to publically humiliate the for their lies as well. F-em.
CSS, I also read that article. They can take that shit and stuff it. Now they think they can tell us who we can or cannot do business with? They can all bite my ass. I’ve never done business with any chew and never will.
Well here’s a little free speech for ya. The Donald is going to remove one branch of Queers from the military (Good Start)! Get ready for the Protests! Trekker Out
Those queers and deviant sodomites makes me puke, god damned he-she sub-human apes.
This is nothing new. The ink wasn’t dry on the First Amendment when President John Adams, second President and original Founding Father signed the Alien and Sedition Act.
Demonize, condem, isolate, intimidate, incarcerate, by all means shut down the opposition.
Only 100% strict adherence to the US Constitution and Bill Of Rights not only in word but intent can stop the above.
What happened to,Any law that is passed by these crooks in DC that is contrary to the constitution is void?
Remember every “Law, Policy Rule or Restriction” o the books, is one more right the Government takes away from your freedoms. The entire Judicial system needs to be overhauled. Stop the Bogus laws that prohibit competition. Like the Pot laws, which helps the Pharm Opioid Drug industry keeps it’s Monopoly, and profits flowing.
Its Regulatory Fraud and Taking of your Rights Basically. I say every law they install the victims of the law need to be compensated for that taking of your rights. Just like property rights, which are included in the 5th Amendment.
5th Amendment of US Constitution:
Takings clause[edit]
Eminent domain[edit]
Main article: Eminent domain
The Supreme Court has held that the federal government and each state has the power of eminent domain—the power to take private property for “public use”. The Takings Clause, the last clause of the Fifth Amendment, limits the power of eminent domain by requiring that “just compensation” be paid if private property is taken for public use. The just compensation provision of the Fifth Amendment did not originally apply directly to the states, but since Chicago, B. & Q. Railroad Co. v. Chicago (1897), federal courts have held that the Fourteenth Amendment extended the effects of that provision to the states.
For most people the older you get the more set in your ways you become. I get into trouble in public talking about what I consider free speech. People just don’t want to hear it and become angry. Mostly anti government from A to Z trashing. Don’t mess with their limited outlooks.
Aljamo, same here, I also value free speech and won’t give it up. Someone doesn’t like what I’m saying? Want to do something about it? Then bring it on and we’ll see who’s standing when the smoke clears. I live by a set of rules called the Bill Of Rights. NOT some draconian garbage and especially not if it comes from a chew.
“Those people who think they know it all are truly annoying to those of us who actually do know it all”. I welcome free speech from people who are open to the possibility that they could be wrong and are open to evidence that their position is wrong.
You only LOSE FREE SPEECH when you abdicate it……..I realize that is a lost concept on most people….surrender is all that most people know.
NJ, oh so true. Free speech…..USE IT OR LOSE IT.
The Country and the World is set to fail!!
Hello! Is this Gordon’s Pizza?
No sir, it’s Google’s Pizza.
Did I dial the wrong number?
No sir, Google bought the pizza store.
Oh, alright – then I’d like to place an order please.
Do you want the usual?
The usual? You know what my usual is?
According to the caller ID, the last 15 times you’ve ordered a
12-slice with double-cheese, sausage, and thick crust.
Okay – that’s what I want this time too.
May I suggest that this time you order an 8-slice with ricotta,
arugula, and tomato instead?
No, I hate vegetables.
But your cholesterol is not good.
How do you know?
Through the subscribers guide. We have the results of your
blood tests for the last 7 years.
Maybe so, but I don’t want the pizza you suggest – I already
take medicine for high cholesterol.
But you haven’t taken the medicine regularly. 4 months ago
you purchased a box of only 30 tablets.from Drugsale Network
I bought more from another drugstore.
It’s not showing on your credit card sir.
I paid in cash.
But according to your bank statement youdid not withdraw that much cash.
I have another source of cash.
This is not showing on your last tax form, unless you got it from an
undeclared income source.
WHAT THE &$!!@$!? ENOUGH!
I’m sick of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
I’m going to an island without internet, where there’s
no cellphone line, and no one to spy on me …
I understand sir, but you’ll need to renew your passport … it expired 5 weeks ago.
Point well made Sir and I second that sentiment!
“It’s coming soon.”
“No – it’s already here.”
Get what you want and need now. Pay with CASH as much as possible, before they take that avenue away.
Resist the Chip.
They’re not opposed to free speech … they’re retarded.
They are literally unable to think, to process information, to understand. They haven’t the foggiest idea what “free speech” is, or why anyone might want to protect it.
This is true of well over one half of all Americans. Who knows what percent, … but the large (if not vast) majority.
“Please don’t discuss this kind of thing at the work place.”
“Why?”
“Well. You know, it’s the workplace. We don’t do that here -”
“Whose “we”?”
“Look. I’m gonna report you to HR for harassment.”
“OK. Cupcake. Go ahead.”
————–
Some grown men have never released from the teet. Some have simply never been challenged, corrected or raised by real men.
Instead, they’ve adopted the whiny, submissive traits of their mothers.
Our society is the result of far too few real men raising their children.
That’s why there’s a Second Amendment, when any of the other rights (or the one proclaimed by the Second Amendment) are ignored or “outlawed” and attacked by government or by any other aggressor.
The person handing out jury nullification information flyers in front of a courthouse was arrested and eventually sentenced to jail, that is a gross infringement of freedom of speech. If the jury thinks someone is innocent or the law on the books is unreasonable they can deliver a not guilty verdict. Even that legal right has been criminalized. Justice not served.
aljamo, True poetic justice is when that Guy got charged with handing out Jury Nullification papers, and goes to court and the Jurors find out what Jury Nulification is in his case, they return a verdict of Not Guilty under Jury Nullification. LOL.. There is no crime, if there is no victim.
Hope it doesn’t happen, but the judge may ‘instruct‘ the jury to change their verdict, or may even reject and change it on their own.