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philosophy -> RE: Freedom can go to hell! (1/12/2010 12:09:14 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TheHeretic
Could you clarify what you mean by this, Phil? As I'm reading it, I have to disagree in the strongest of terms. We have our individual state variations of course, and there are always skirmishes along the fringe, but I don't think that is what you mean.
...happy to oblige.
The answer comes in two parts.
The first part you yourself referred to in a later post.
"Most of our nonsense restrictions are regarding sex and dirty words broadcast on the public airwaves"
In large part there are bizarre and nonsensical restrictions on the type of language useable in public settings. i freely admit it's a small thing, but if you're going to suggest that the US is the land of free speech because people are free to taunt mourners at a funeral the very least you can do is let the word 'fuck' be used on tv.
The second part i'm fairly sure you'll disagree with, but here goes. Free speech is only free when speech is free of restriction. This doesn't just mean you're free to say something, it also means you're free of consequences. In the US there are consequences to speaking certain things. Try going to a local bar and then, in a loud voice, suggest that the US should take responsibility for creating the climate in which Islamic terrorism occured. Think there'd be a sanction applied to you? Probably.
Now, you'd quite rightly point out that speech always has consequences. i'd agree. and this is why i say that there is only an illusion of free speech in the USA. Because speech always has consequences, it is always conditional. In effect there is no such thing as free speech. It's an impossibility. The USA is the only country that tries to maintain an illusion that speech can be free.
Hope that clarifies my position Rich. i always enjoy debating with you :)
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