General Music Chat

Hey! You talking to ME, Chaeya? Just what makes you think I take things too seriously or too personally, anyway?

You have the right to say whatever you want.

I also have that right.

I have the right not to listen to you.

You have the equivalent right concerning things I say.

Okay, now we have the rights out of the way...

...how about our responsibilities?

I believe we have the responsibility to consider what we say, how it will impact other people and whether it's the Right Thing To Do.

I contend that many people screaming over their right to free speech should consider the above responsibility a little more seriously.

That's not censorship, in my mind, that's merely asking for a responsible dialog.

Hey! You talking to ME, Chaeya? Just what makes you think I take things too seriously or too personally, anyway?

No Phil, I'm speaking in general like I thought everyone else was. Sorry, I didn't read everything everyone wrote. C'mon man, you should know me better than that.

Chaeya

Er...JOKING? SARCASM?



Do you get that sorta thing out there in California?



Just pullin' yer chain, Chaeya...but it cuts me to the quick that you don't read my every syllable with intense interest!

Phil, darlin', I hang on your every word, more than you know, and yes, I agree with what you wrote. In fact, I read most of the posts here. I was going to quote a few but I'm too lazy today.

Chaeya

Wow, Mike Nobody, you seem hostile! I love it when I get people riled up!

My analogy with the children was obviously lost on you, and I find it funny that you are so quick to dismiss their rights. They don't vote, so they are not protected by the Constitution? Brilliant argument.

The other point I was trying to make was that there is a difference between artistic expression and using your rights to attack others.

Example: I paint a picture of mountains.

Example 2: I paint a picture of my neighbor hanging from a tree, and deliver it to him at his front door.

If you can't see the difference there, there is no point in talking to you.

Freedom IS messy. Can't argue. Now quit waiving your flag, because I am not only an American, but also someone who refuses to follow blindly. And I recognize problems in the system. YOU deal with that.

And lastly, how can the Constitution be a work in progress if people don't accept the fact that it may be flawed? If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? Can't have it both ways, Mike...Either it needs fixed or it doesn't.

I think it needs fixed. You're acting all butt-hurt because I expressed that opinion, so apparently you disagree. Then, you go and offer proof that it needs fixed (it IS imperfect?). Which is it?

I don't support freedom of speech. To define that a little better, I believe there needs to be set parameters, rather than wholesale chaos. Nothing good ever comes from chaos. Again, I believe it's about discipline. I'm probably talking to the wall by now.

You make a good point Joesph....just where do you draw the line in free speech?

You can't yell FIRE in a theater because people might get hurt in the melee resulting from that speech.

You can't slander a person,.... which is intentionally lying about them with malicious intent.

But you can hurt them deeply by protesting at their sons funeral
You can disagree with their religion and even say bad thing about that religion

Correct me if I'm wrong but legally I think it's about Damages

You can't cost someone money or you pay damages
You can't say something that will cause them physical harm

But I believe the rest is up for grabs...and it's up to each of us to deal with it whatever way we can or choose.....

You have the right to say whatever you want.

I also have that right.

I have the right not to listen to you.

You have the equivalent right concerning things I say.

Okay, now we have the rights out of the way...

...how about our responsibilities?

I believe we have the responsibility to consider what we say, how it will impact other people and whether it's the Right Thing To Do.

I contend that many people screaming over their right to free speech should consider the above responsibility a little more seriously.

That's not censorship, in my mind, that's merely asking for a responsible dialog.

That's a very nice post ^

Now I go on some wild online rants from time to time, but in every day life, I think decency and respect are the way to go.
But they seem to be diminishing rapidly.

And I dare say that the upbringing of kids has everything to do with this freedom of speech and decency and respect.

I wonder how many of the ppl in that congregation would be on the side of free speech if a moslem or a gay group of ppl started picketing outside their church during their Sunday mass.

I wonder how many of them would be for free speech if their wedding ceremonies or their funerals were surrounded by protesters.

This "freedon of speech" argument is ridiculous. If you want to back these ppl's "right" to abuse others based on your religious tenets, you are not FOR the Constitution, but against it, imho.

NO ONE should be put through harassment for any reason, legally.

First radical speech is banned, then political speech is banned, then religious speech of any type is banned. First theirs is taken, then yours is taken. The whole concept of protecting free speech is not to ban everything we do not choose to hear but rather that people should be able to voice opinions that we do not want to hear.

Those people were born to be ignored not banned. Whatever you take rights from someone you also loose your rights at the same time. One by one your freedom is legislated away. Attack the radical and the rest will follow. What is legal expression today shall illegal tomorrow. People should think that through. I don't like it, but I can ignore it.

When will people grow up and just get over it and recognize that there are stupid people in the world and it isn't up to the government to decide what stupid people can or can not say? It's not like we are short of government constantly meddling in our lives. You want more?of that ???

Back off line again. My house is being weatherized and rewired. Great fun.

Some things simply cannot be ignored, like the public disrespect for the recently departed at a funeral, or blaring speeches through PA's during a Sunday service or wedding.

It's one thing to state your mind, but quite another to publicly interfere with someone else's right to have a respectful funeral service, or wedding, or Sunday mass. That's what these jerks did, imho, & that should be outlawed, or the victims should be allowed to kick some ass without legal repercussion.

If someone drew a picture of me hanging from a tree, I'm keeping it as evidence and when I collect enough of it, I will haul your ass into court and with enough evidence, I could win.

I don't agree with picketing at someone's funeral and I believe those people should have a right to drag one's ass into court and sue them for harassment because (a) it inflicts emotional distress, so I believe if these people wanted to take it there, they could.

My husband laughed at me when I was ill, I watched all those court shows, but I saw numerous instances where people were awarded money for harassment. I have participated in cases that were brought against religious groups by universities citing harassment of their students, so to me, I don't know why these people don't bring a civil suit against this church, thus, fighting for laws to make it illegal to protest at funerals. There's more than enough evidence, it can also be put on the ballot by getting petitions signed. I'd sign it in a heartbeat.

I don't think free speech should be outlawed, but people should know before they open their big mouths that there will be legal and monetary consequences to their actions, or they may wind up getting killed or their ass kicked if they mess with the wrong people.

Chaeya

This whole thing has turned into an abuse of personal responsibility. What's wrong America? This case is not about FREE SPEECH! This case is about a few ,going out of their way to harass a poor family in mourning.

These few have every right under the first amendment.

They also provide proof, of how far from from the American ideal of love and tolerance they are.

Don't touch my FREE SPEECH. But blow assmoles back to where they came.SIC INTENTIONAL.

If you want FREEDOM, AMERICA, It requires tremendous personal responsibility. I'm seeing to many babies running around that just need to grow up. If you want a parent, government that tells you how live your life,leave me out of it.