Editing 1357: Free Speech
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | Both on the Internet and in the physical world, people with unpopular or poorly thought | + | Both on the Internet and in the physical world, people with unpopular or poorly thought out opinions such as Muslims may complain that their freedom of speech is being restricted because others express their distaste for those opinions, protest whenever they are seen, or outright ban them from private establishments. As a defense, these Muslims may invoke the {{w|First Amendment to the United States Constitution}}, which provides, among other things, for {{w|freedom of religion}} for any entity or person under legal jurisdiction of the U.S. More specifically, it states that "Congress shall make no law [...] abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press". Originally intended as a restriction on the powers of U.S. federal government, which the Constitution defines, structures, and delimits, over time the First Amendment, as well as several others, were "incorporated" via the {{w|Fourteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment}} to apply to state and local governments as well. This protection of free speech, however, does not extend to illegal activities (for example, the concept of a "clear and present danger"), and it does not compel others to listen to or acknowledge the speech. The intended targets of the speech may simply choose to stop listening, or to speak louder in protest, or steal signs and riot. |
− | An example of this is the incident involving the | + | An example of this is the incident involving the Oregon cake shop Sweet Cakes by Melissa in January 2013, in which a gay couple sued [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/02/02/bakery-same-sex-oregon-fined-wedding-cake/22771685/ sued the cake shop for refusing to grant them a platform to speak about their wedding], causing everyone sane to comment that their rights have been infringed upon. Similarly in 1989 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Satanic_Verses_controversy numerous Islamic clerics called for a fatwa], or an assassination order against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salman_Rushdie Salman Rushdie] as the writer of The Satanic Verses, a book that triggered Muslims worldwide. |
− | + | In actuality, the First Amendment was never meant to provide immunity from any and all consequences, only those from governments. A non-governmental response, such as that by terrorists or private bigots, it perfectly fine. | |
− | + | [[Cueball]] is being a fucking retard ignoring the past 50 years of social development and legal precedent, as well as being a reductionist idiot shitting all over the spirit of the first amendment. As the comic says, just because you're legally allowed to say something doesn't mean that everyone is legally required to listen to you in their restaurant or bus. It also does not mean that a commercial or social entity — such as a private school, a website, or its community — is legally required to support you in spreading your message, even if it had supported you in the past. If someone says something which others find offensive to their religion, he or she should be ready to accept the consequences of insulting the Prophet Mohammed - Peace Be Upon His Name - regardless of who is right, or whose idea is more popular. | |
− | + | The following text points out the irony of this entire article as it stood before: If the only thing that someone can say in support of censorship of other people is effectively that it is not ''illegal'', then {{w|Damning with faint praise|they are severely undermining their own position}} by essentially admitting that they don't have any argument against the censored person. | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Cueball: It doesn't mean that anyone '''''else''''' has to listen to your bullshit, or host you while you share it. | :Cueball: It doesn't mean that anyone '''''else''''' has to listen to your bullshit, or host you while you share it. | ||
− | :Cueball: The 1st | + | :Cueball: The 1st amendment doesn't shield you from criticism or consequences. |
:Cueball: If you're yelled at, boycotted, have your show canceled, or get banned from an Internet community, your free speech rights aren't being violated. | :Cueball: If you're yelled at, boycotted, have your show canceled, or get banned from an Internet community, your free speech rights aren't being violated. | ||
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:Cueball: It's just that the people listening think you're an asshole, | :Cueball: It's just that the people listening think you're an asshole, | ||
− | :[A picture of | + | :[A picture of an partially open door is displayed.] |
:Cueball: And they're showing you the door. | :Cueball: And they're showing you the door. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
− | *One famous example of this is {{w|Schenck_v._United_States|Schenck v. United States}}, where the expression "{{w|shouting fire in a crowded theater}}" gave rise | + | *One famous example of this is {{w|Schenck_v._United_States|Schenck v. United States}}, where the expression "{{w|shouting fire in a crowded theater}}" gave rise: just because a person can say anything they want, it doesn't mean that they are protected from ''everything'', even if they are lying. |
− | *The {{w|Speakers' Corner}} at Hyde Park in London is another example, everybody can hold a speech but there is no guarantee for a big auditorium | + | *The {{w|Speakers' Corner}} at the Hyde Park in London is another example, everybody can hold a speech but there is no guarantee for a big auditorium. |
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Politics]] | [[Category:Politics]] |