- McLibel -

Re: Freedom of speech is not absolute.

Posted by: Angel Vae on August 02, 1998 at 21:32:50:

In Reply to: Freedom of speech is not absolute. posted by george on July 21, 1998 at 09:57:58:

: : > The question is not Why, but WHY NOT?

: : > Freedom of speach. That's why not.

: : What the hell are you talking about?
: : We shouldn't attack McDonalds' abuses of their workers,
: : the environment and the animals they kill, because of freedom
: : of speach (speech)? Is that what you're saying?

: Freedom of speech is not absolute. You cannot yell "fire" in a crowded theater; you can't make obscene telephone calls; you cannot publish state secrets; you can't find pornography (to any great extent, anyway) in the public library; you can't incite a riot; you cannot publish slanderous statements about someone; you can't lie in advertising; you can't file a false 1040. And so on. Freedom of speech is no defense to a charge of fraud or misrepresentation. Most folks who blithely answer "freedom of speech" don't know what the hell they're talking about.

: --
: McSpotlight: "Can't"? Or "shouldn't/are not allowed to"?

: I've never seen anyone stop someone yelling "fire" in a crowded theatre.




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