Free speech is a discussion that brings out a lot of different people with a lot of different takes on it.
You have people that believe in unmitigated free speech. (this is free speech)
You have people that believe in free speech except for illegal speech, but who decides what's illegal and what's illegal constantly changes.
You have people that believe in free speech, but not violence or bigotry.
You have people that believe in free speech, but then ban anyone who they decide is a shill that posts MSM shill business.
You also have people that believe other people should only believe or write what they themselves believe, no questions asked. You see this in many countries ran by full on authoritarian governments.
Then there's the matter of private property. Should you be allowed to yell whatever you want on someone else's property, whether it be a home, a car, a business or a website. No matter what people try to convince you of, a website is private property, it is owned by someone or a corporation, they pay the bills.
Do we force private companies to pay the bills to host content that they do not want?
Also take note on this fact: Any site that has allowed very very little moderation always turns into a shit show or stormfront. There are many many many examples of this. This alone shouldn't be a problem, however, constant bigotry and aggressive insults to anyone who doesn't share those views is a very good way to chase everyone away.
Some people will say great! We don't want those faggots here! Then all you're doing is jerking each other off to the exact same ideas, which results in zero growth and mostly just a big pile of jizz on your own face.
So what is an acceptable level of free speech to everyone here?
EDIT: Woke up today banned form the Donald. Never even posted there. LOL
Yes.
No speech should be illegal.
Violent speech should be free and legal repercussions only come when a threat is made. The threat is the crime (the actual admission of being a potential threat to cause harm) the speech is not. Threats are the only speech that could be considered violent and is only potentially violent. Telling another person to go commit violence should no be illegal as it relies on the actions of another person and is their decision and we should respect that each person does what they decide and are responsible for it.
A private website is not obliged to allow for free speech.
You are free to yell whatever you want on a person's property until that person tells you to leave the property. If they do not, they are guilty of trespassing. Not any speech while trespassing unless it was a threat of physical harm.
No private company should be forced to host anything they do not want or do business with anyone they do not wish to based on any reason, including racism and bigotry.
totally agree.
Remember the line, "I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it, to the death." - it's from Voltaire, Patrick Henry, or Evelyn Beatrice Hall and the ACLU has forgotten this. I think they infiltrated it.
It used to be the ACLU would defend even neo nazis. I'm more of punch a nazi in the face kinda person, but if you replace nazi with commie, I'm totally up for punching those fuckers too.
Despite that, I feel they should be allowed to speak their ideas.
popular speech does not need protection.
And totally, your right to free speech does not override my right to not listen.
I do remember that line! It used to be widely accepted. Now it gets censored for hate speech/violence if you say it.
I also remember another gem:
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but WORDS will never hurt me" -Pretty sure this was from Jesus but it may have been Sinbad. Maybe Bee Arthur not sure really someone wise AF.
Speaking of...
"I am rubber you are glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!" I am quite sure that was Pee Wee Herman also known for "I know you are but what am I?" as a way of countering hurtful speech that still today there is no known comeback from.
We need more great minds like Herman. So what if he masterbates at a porn theater from time to time? He's got a right to live his truth right? Where is his hashtag?