First Amendment Freedom of Speech is Not...

[Anonymous]

The First Amendment guarantees you the freedom to speak. But since it comes up on this board every single time a conservative says something crazy, the First Amendment is not an invisible force field to protect you from all of the consequences of what you say.

If you say something incredibly offensive or stupid, the first amendment's freedom of speech clause:

*Does not require people to like you or believe you
*Does not prevent people from disagreeing with you
*Does not protect you from being called a douchebag, idiot, moron, racist, whatever
*Does not guarantee that your employer won't fire you, unless you are a public employee and under certain circumstances
*Does not prevent people from boycotting your show, business, or sponsor

In a free society, there is a marketplace of ideas. Some ideas thrive and some wither. You get to say what you want, and then the public gets to decide what they think of that and act accordingly. The prosperity of Stern, Rush, and a shelf full of tabloid magazines proves that even the marketplace of ideas sets a pretty low bar. So let's not fret that a man spouting self-admitted absurdities might get his feelings hurt or make a tad less money.

[Anonymous]

so whats the point of your tirade?

everyone on DCUM already dislikes conservatives... you established that early on and we're on your side.

you used the words douchebag & moron and invoked howard stern's name, so we know you probably didnt go to college or if you did, it was a tiny liberal arts one or large public one.

[Anonymous]

Right wing thought police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so whats the point of your tirade?

everyone on DCUM already dislikes conservatives... you established that early on and we're on your side.

you used the words douchebag & moron and invoked howard stern's name, so we know you probably didnt go to college or if you did, it was a tiny liberal arts one or large public one.

The point of the tirade was to state explicitly some things that should go without saying, but which your response shows are necessary.

There are quite a few conservatives on DCUM, and some of us liberals are happy that the civil ones are here.

OP mentioned the use of the words douchebag and moron, but did not call anyone a douchebag or moron; there is a big difference, and even a high school graduate should be able to understand that.

[takoma]

Just to clarify, the 9:51 response was me (after rebooting and losing my sign-in), not the OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so whats the point of your tirade?

everyone on DCUM already dislikes conservatives... you established that early on and we're on your side.

you used the words douchebag & moron and invoked howard stern's name, so we know you probably didnt go to college or if you did, it was a tiny liberal arts one or large public one.

One would think this is obvious high school civics stuff. But apparently not.

Regarding the firing of Juan Williams:

NPR will have nobody, not even a fellow liberal who dares not tote its doctrine in its entirety.

Classic liberal censorship. The first amendment only applies to strippers and pornographers in their playbook.

Regarding Rush Limbaugh:

So what is Liberal view of free speech? If someone says something you don't like get him off the air?

Hank Williams Junior:

"After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision. By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment
Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It’s been a great run."

And on and on.

And while I did not call you a douchebag, I think the First Amendment allows one to call someone a douchebag. If however they do, they have to own up to the consequences of their words. Like these guys.

[Anonymous]

Jim Messina, an Obama campaign manager, tweeted as his quote of the day "The chimichanga? It may be the only thing Republicans have left to offer Latinos.”

Sounds pretty sensitive to me right? I mean we all know that Chimichangas are real mexican food right?

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:Jim Messina, an Obama campaign manager, tweeted as his quote of the day "The chimichanga? It may be the only thing Republicans have left to offer Latinos.”

Sounds pretty sensitive to me right? I mean we all know that Chimichangas are real mexican food right?

Not being a big fan of Mexican food, I am no expert on what is authentic. But it is far from clear to me why you think (a) that Messina was using the chimichanga as an example of what he thinks is genuine rather than what the GOP might think is genuine, or in what way it is derogatory to Latinos (as opposed to the GOP) even if he is as ignorant as I am.

I'm sure there is insensitivity on the left, but this example is weak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jim Messina, an Obama campaign manager, tweeted as his quote of the day "The chimichanga? It may be the only thing Republicans have left to offer Latinos.”

Sounds pretty sensitive to me right? I mean we all know that Chimichangas are real mexican food right?

Duh, he's mocking you by making you look clueless about Latinos. It wouldn't have worked if he wrote "tamal de elote". Because why would Republicans be giving out tamales?