We’re talking about Freedom of Speech today. As an American, (fuck yeah!), I have the right to say just about anything I want to say. Note the “just about”. We’ll come back to that later.
It really galls me when people misinterpret this freedom willfully and to suit themselves rather than the community of random and varied people that make up the American (fuck yeah!) population. Freedom of Speech doesn’t mean Freedom from Consequences. Allow me to explain.
No, better yet. Let the actual amendment explain:
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.
What does that actually say, then? Specifically about our so-vaunted “freedom of speech”.
It says Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech. And that’s all it says.
I say fucked-up shit for a living!
Therefore, an individual can say things like “Obama’s a Muslim,” “Dick Cheney is like Darth Vader,” “Sarah Palin is a moron,” because America (fuck yeah!). Whether the speech is right, wrong, or just offensive is immaterial. A person can’t be prosecuted by the U.S. government for an opinion. That’s all the first amendment has to say about “freedom of speech”. We are protected from being imprisoned for stating our beliefs, even if they’re anti-government, anti-America (fuck yeah!), or anti-anything.
It also means, other people can react the way they want to. You may be sued by someone for something you’ve said. You may lose a job for your speech. This is not an abridgement of your “freedom of speech”. The first amendment only states no law will be made by Congress to stop people’s speech.
People in the public eye who’ve said something douchebaggy, often act like the victim when the public reaction goes against them. Many times they start crying about “freedom of speech” when other people call for them to resign, or at least apologize.
And that’s not what “freedom of speech” means.
It only means you won’t be thrown in jail for saying something unpopular, not in America (fuck yeah!) Most of the time, anyway….
But consequences will still happen. People get fired. People get labeled. People lose status and money. Because the reaction to douchebaggery is also “freedom of speech”. Crazy claims against the president have been very popular lately, and these are also protected. (Not sure if that’s “freedom of speech”, or just people “free to be stupid”.)
How the public and media react to terrible behavior or disgusting comments has nothing to do with protected speech. This is a thing that folks who basically make their living off of being douchebags are always crying over. Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill Maher, etc. (Actually, I think Bill Maher gets it.)
They have a right to say what they want. Consequences can be a bitch, though. If people turn on you when you exhibit disgusting behavior or ideas, there’s no use crying “What about Freedom of Speech?” There’s nothing in the First Amendment about being protected from people’s reaction to your assholiness.
Here, look at it again:
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.
Soak in it a minute. Aaaaahhhhh!
Courts have taken up “Freedom of Speech” cases since America (fuck yeah!) began. There’s a distinction drawn between political speech and commercial speech. Obscenity and pornography are, obviously, sensitive topics. Censorship is defined differently than just an abridgement of free speech. These debates are beyond the scope of this post. I’m willing to banter with any big brains who think I’m taking a simplistic approach. Hey, I’ve got an obligation to provide entertainment here, you know. Can’t get too studious. I know I’m simplifying the issue. I can read a Wikipedia page, too. Let’s not get this thing too complicated, though, and move on.
We’ve probably all heard of the adage “Don’t yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theatre.” Speech designed to panic or cause unnecessary fear in a public place is typically not protected by “Freedom of Speech”. Hate-mongering can also be deemed a criminal activity.
Nowadays, this seems to be a fine line. Radical groups like the Tea Party put out all kinds of vile, misleading and hate-filled shit and rarely get called out on it. But that’s probably a post I’m going to stay away from. For now, anyway. *hehheh*
If you really trust this bitch more than you trust Obama, there is no hope for you….
Oh, fuck that. Let me touch briefly on those guys :
Remember one of the Tea Party rallys in front of the White House during the Shutdown? The Shutdown the Tea Baggers caused but blamed Obama for? Led by the brilliant minds of Ted Cruz and Michelle Bachmann, a group of angry white folks called for the president to “get off your knees, put down the Koran and come out with your hands up?” A gigantic Confederate flag was even defiantly displayed in front of the White House.
Well, there’s your first amendment in action. Those guys were able to say disgusting stuff and not be arrested. Because America (fuck yeah!). An ironic thought generally occurs to most thinking folk while watching fucking idiots like that. If we were really in the clutches of a tyrannical administration that was trampling on our liberty, as the Tea Baggers like to claim, those people would not have been able to assemble that way and spew the crap that they did. Our country allows douchebaggery. At times, tragically. But America (fuck yeah….)
So there’s my say on “Freedom of Speech” and the misinterpretation of one of our most famous amendments to the Constitution. It just bugs me when dumbasses pull amendments out their butt that they don’t seem to really understand. This was fun. I may do the second amendment next.
Well, I got more political than I intended to. If I haven’t turned you off, see you tomorrow, EvDaDaDecs!
treatmentofvisions 
Well said. For every action done or word spoken, there is a consequence. It may not involve jail, but one still needs to deal.
My view about government is that we shouldn’t have one. We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves, thank you very much. I wish people could see that (maybe THAT is too naive).
Anyway, if you decide to write about our right to arms, I will be interested to read.
As much as the U.S. government has become cumbersome and untrustworthy, I think anarchy is not an option. Most people may be capable of taking care of themselves, but some would want to take care of everyone else. In an ugly way. We still need some of the protections of society, such as it is.
I do have some thoughts on the 2nd amendment and that people tend to misread that one, too! But I’ll hold off on that post for a while:) Prefer to run this as an entertainment blog, primarily….
Understood. I’m glad you saw fit to read one of my posts, so that I could follow your very entertaining, and wickedly funny, blog.
Thank you. I heart you , too!
‘MURICA!
Sorry I had to. Great post.
Fuck yeah!
BAM AMERICA! 😀
We love guns!
I knew you’d appreciate my word choice!
Freedom never exists within itself, it always has to relate to something, Freedom of speech at a mediators meeting I was summoned to this year, the adversaries lied with no back up paperwork on their claims, verbally, their lies cost me nine and a half thousand dollars, as far as I know I have no recourse, they, had freedom of speech.
Thank you for finding my blog and following. I will do the same looking around yours at the moment
Good to have you here!
Thank you