cont'd ...

Dear David,

I'm reminded of the old joke - about an American
arguing with a Russian about freedom of speech.
The American tells the Russian - "In our country
we can stand outside the White House and shout
that our President is a dud!" That's the difference
between us.

The Russian smiles and replies - "No, not at all.
We can stand outside the Kremlin and also shout that
your President is a dud!"

Foxy,

I suggest you keep your day job and leave the jokes to the comedians.

Mr O,

You get it
Or you don't.

Don't feel bad.

david,

Hear me out, I do agree with your posting, so I'm not the tyrant I am made out to be.
I feel your wrath still in the air.
I must clarify.
My comment about the holocaust was referring to the fact that it is against the LAW, or an offence for someone to suggest that it never happened.
I DID NOT SAY IT NEVER HAPPENED!
My highlighting the holocaust was about it being illegal just to say or imply it never happened.
Now seriously, do you not think it's waaaay over the top, or a tad ridiculous that someone can be charged and prosecuted for merely suggesting or questioning if the holocaust actually happened?
As for the Illuminati, I am not familiar with what you know or have read or seen about them, but I do know what I have read and seen about them.
Now over the years I have not read or seen anything which exonerates or challenges or refutes most of the claims and articles about the group.
So in the spirit of freedom of information and speech, I feel it is incumbent upon someone to respond with what information or sense of the topic at hand, which in this case I was referring to the Illuminati.
Nothing more, nothing less.
As for Foxy's prattling on about free speech and consequences, I and others are sick of hearing it, as if her continual ravings are going to change anyone's minds.
If someone says something illegal, then let the system handle it.
BUT if I have to curb my language and my message just to accommodate the sensitivities of some air-headed bimbo, then if you feel so inclined, by all means, berate me, but do it because YOU feel the need and not because some other overly sensitive person whinges and whines to you to fight her battles for her.
Thank you for your time, and I'm sorry that you have had to go through all this because of some self important over virtuous person who is too immature to know what REAL people are any more

Dear Foxy,

I am not an absolutist for free speech, but any restriction must be a reasonable restriction.

Governments may be resentful of criticism, but one should be free to criticise the government in a democratic society.

One of the restrictions of speech in 18c is that speech may offend. Somebody who doesn’t want to hear the speaker may be offended, but I don’t regard that as a reason to shut somebody up. However, it is a reason under Australian law.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes of the US Supreme Court stated that speech can be restricted if it presents “a clear and present danger”. One shouting “fire” in a crowded theatre where there no fire or inciting a lynch mob to lynch an individual is a clear and present danger. I regard some of ALTRAV’s comments as hate speech. However, it does not present a clear and present danger so he should not be shut up.

The US Constitution in the First Amendment refers to free speech.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise 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 a redress of grievances.”
— U.S. Constitution

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2015/01/great-american-thinkers-free-speech/#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Thomas%20Jefferson%2C%20U.S.%20Founding%20Father%20%E2%80%9CFreedom%20of,vigor%20from%20a%20popular%20examination%20into%20the%20action contains a lot of quotes on free speech.

In my opinion free speech is our most important right.

In Australia defamation suits can shut a person up. In the US defamation is not an offense although libel is. Truth is no defense against defamation charges in Australia.

18C and defamation laws are some of the many restrictions on free speech in Australia.

Dear ALTRAV,

I think you are wrong, but I don't think that is a reason to shut you up.

Thomas Jefferson said: Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.