# Push the limits of 'Freedom of Speech' here. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 24, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293 "2007-03-24T05:40:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![4JawChuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/f9ae1b/32.png) [@4JawChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4JawChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/1 "2007-03-24T05:40:22Z")
Say whatever you want, but there are limits to “Free Speech”. I would have preferred this thread to be called “Be careful what you post here”, but I have no choice. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/2 "2007-03-24T05:54:08Z")
Speech ain’t free here. It’s $14.95 a year. ---
**Author:** ![Manatee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manatee)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/3 "2007-03-24T06:15:32Z")
Fire!!! ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/4 "2007-03-24T07:06:27Z")
_Runs shrieking from the thread_ Wait. The thread isn’t on fire :mad: You bastard. Beyond the classic shouting fire, or the like, what would be the limits of free speech? I bought the Turner Diaries on Amazon, and I’ve sold Mein Kamph. Better to know the things you fellow humans are thinking than not. Now that you made the statement, what do you think are the limits to free speech? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/5 "2007-03-24T07:16:04Z")
Well, if I were feeling like setting myself up for a mess of problems I’d start talking shit about the need to smack down Shrub or Cheney. But I’m too chicken to post that, here. ---
**Author:** ![Strain\_of\_Thought](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@Strain\_of\_Thought](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strain_of_Thought)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/6 "2007-03-24T07:35:11Z")
Well, [statistical analysis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_bell_curve) is generally considered to be an intolerably obscene activity if your results challenge cherished notions. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/7 "2007-03-24T08:11:05Z")
[QUOTE=Strain of Thought] Well, [statistical analysis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_bell_curve) is generally considered to be an intolerably obscene activity if your results challenge cherished notions. [/QUOTE] That is very true. If one uses [faulty (_i.e._ dishonest) premises](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50882/) and [worse math](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50883/) to try to bolster the cherished notions of those who only seek to employ that bad logic to create rationalizations for bad political policies, it is liable to result in people pointing out the absurdities of your position. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/8 "2007-03-24T08:23:58Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] That is very true. If one uses [faulty (_i.e._ dishonest) premises](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50882/) and [worse math](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50883/) to try to bolster the cherished notions of those who only seek to employ that bad logic to create rationalizations for bad political policies, it is liable to result in people pointing out the absurdities of your position. [/QUOTE] My head just exploded. I’m charging it to your tab. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/9 "2007-03-24T08:39:41Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] My head just exploded. [/QUOTE] And I only used a ladyfinger–not even a cherry bomb. You need to be less knowledge averse. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/10 "2007-03-24T09:31:15Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] That is very true. If one uses [faulty (_i.e._ dishonest) premises](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50882/) and [worse math](http://www.slate.com/id/2416/sidebar/50883/) to try to bolster the cherished notions of those who only seek to employ that bad logic to create rationalizations for bad political policies, it is liable to result in people pointing out the absurdities of your position. [/QUOTE] Would you believe I was about to say that? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/11 "2007-03-24T14:16:59Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] Speech ain’t free here. It’s $14.95 a year. [/QUOTE] **Oak** , you’ve got it wrong two ways: 1. Speech inherently is free. It don’t cost nothing to make whatever words you want fly out of your mouth. Your vocal cords vibrate pressure waves into the air for no charge. It’s getting your words _published_ here on the Dope that costs you $14.95 (or $7.95 for charter members). So speech is free, publication isn’t. 2. Freedom isn’t free. That costs a buck-o-five. There are no inherent limits to free speech. There are only man-made limits, based on what is culturally acceptable (usually for reasons of public safety, or offense). For example, I could run downtown and yell “BRAPPAROBAGOBAGO ON WHEAT TOAST WITH LENIN AND A SIDE OF TROTSKY! RAMMALATOOTOOOOO!” to which you’d think I’d be screaming Communist gibberish. But those extraterrestrials in the know realize that ‘rammalatootoo’ is actually Andorian Cluster slang for “May your mothership have an anal probe,” and thus I would be cattle-dissected for blasphemy. Bottom line, you can yell whatever the hell you want, until someone makes the mental connection and you offend them. That’s where speech doesn’t become “free” anymore, but becomes “culturally restrained”. I hate that whole label of “free” speech. All speech is free. But some of it can be “restrained”. Tripler And the preceeding post is my exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/12 "2007-03-24T14:22:21Z")
And **Oak** , I originally misread your post, mentally omitting the ‘here’ in your first sentence. Sorry 'bout that. . . :smack: Tripler Consider my post expounding on your point. ---
**Author:** ![essell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/34f0e0/32.png) [@essell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/essell)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/13 "2007-03-24T14:31:45Z")
I have great admiration for the achievments of the Nazi party of Germany during the 20th Century. Is that the sort of thing you had in mind **crinz83**? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/14 "2007-03-24T14:52:49Z")
[QUOTE=Manatee] Fire!!! [/QUOTE] This is totally irresponsible. What if I had been in a crowded theater when I read this? ---
**Author:** ![seenidog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@seenidog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seenidog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/15 "2007-03-24T15:45:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally Posted by Manatee > Fire!!! Of course this brings up the old joke, is it immoral to run into a crowded firehouse and yell “MOVIE!”? ---
**Author:** ![Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Silence\_of\_the\_clams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silence_of_the_clams)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/16 "2007-03-24T15:55:19Z")
One shouldn’t run aound crying FIRE unless bringing marshmellows. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2007, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/17 "2007-03-24T15:59:54Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] This is totally irresponsible. What if I had been in a crowded theater when I read this? [/QUOTE] [del]or worse, what if I had run into a crowded firehouse and yelled “_ **MOVIE** _!”[/del] damn you **seenidog**! ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/18 "2007-03-25T01:05:12Z")
[QUOTE=OtakuLoki] Well, if I were feeling like setting myself up for a mess of problems I’d start talking shit about the need to smack down Shrub or Cheney. But I’m too chicken to post that, here. [/QUOTE] I think we need to smack down Shrub _and_ Cheney…badly. Or maybe just smack them, period. What? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/19 "2007-03-25T01:12:33Z")
Then you reach the point where exercising your freedom of speech just results in making you look like a jerk. I could say “flybjt, flybjt, flybjt, flybjt” (where “flybjt” is whatever term is most objectionable to a given subset of Humanity) but what would it prove? There is a difference between pointing out an obvious (or not so obvious) problem and just spouting venom because it somehow makes you feel superior. Oh, and by the way… “Booger.” ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293/20 "2007-03-25T01:59:18Z")
I want to kill the President of the United States—John Adams! Under the sedition act, this is clearly an illegal statement. And, of course, since Mr. Adams is already dead, I’d have to settle for a posthumous execution. Just like Cromwell. BTW—I specifically _don’t_ want to kill the current PotUS, George Bush. I actually like the guy, even if I didn’t vote for him (the coin landed on “tails,” so I went for senator cinderblock.). 😛 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/push-the-limits-of-freedom-of-speech-here/397293.md?page=2)