Is it time to put a muzzle on free speech? page 9

[joelwlcx]

What part of criticizing OUR country did you miss?

Huh? No...

What you said suggests that I can bad mouth my own country (which I can...), but if I bad mouth another country, or their values, then they can "Retaliate". At least that's how it sounded to me, when I read it. As far as I'm concerned, that's an act of war.

[anna5]

Ah, of course, there is a huge problem with the response to this video. The same forces which print absolutely hateful textbooks, books, preach hate on radio and TV, train terrorists, send suicide bombers, etc. are now (or rather when it concerns them) appalled, appalled, appalled. According to them, hate supposed to be only one way.
Thank you, but thank you.

[Bosnic]

Pro tip: If the film offends you, stop thinking about it and watching it.

Grow up, please. If the claims in the film are false and ridiculous, then you have nothing to worry about.

[BONZ]

I wouldn't say caused, but I'd risked "contributed" - to what degree is impossible to measure. I mentioned negative eugenics and Henry Ford. Why don't you check .. the connections - they are well known.

I'm quite familiar with the subject matter. Just wanted to make sure I clearly understood what you were contending.

[Nicator]

Enabling a government to muzzle free speech is more dangerous than the consequences of that silly film.

[Grok]

Which government? Ours? Well, that's what free speech is all about. You have the right to criticize OUR government. It says nothing about anyone else's and doesn't promise protection from retaliation if you do.

Nady, free speech is free speech. I can criticize any government I want, and I do. Thank you very much.

Oh, and by the way, all government is bad.

[kenn]

Not sure I can put things in words~ right now, I'm troubled. I believe in our freedoms and rights. They are what makes America great. BY THE PEOPLE. I don't believe government should monitor the Internet even if it were possible.

But I wonder what's the resistance for intelligent people monitoring themselves? Personal responsibility. Everything written is global now. Facebook, blogs, even this forum/thread. Anyone, anywhere can read it. And take offense. Yes, that would be their responsibility, but we're talking about people who believe names do hurt, cultures where honor is more important than life. Having a right and bashing people over the head with it are not the same thing.

Was the video just an excuse? Of course! I'm sure some thing are universal, finding a justification for doing something you wanted to do anyway, just didn't want to be blamed. Like none of us have ever played the *look what you made me do* card.

I don't have any answers. The world has changed so much since I was a kid~ we didn't even have color TV! The last 20 years have just exploded with technology~ how do we handle these changes? Should we set an example of discretion? If you can't say something nice? I wish I knew.

I read all this and I still don't understand exactly what you're asking for

[Chaohinon]

As much as it pains me to do this, I have to side with the conservatoids on this one. Muslims don't have a right to go batshit over terrible movies any more than I have a right to kill Nickelback because their music offends my soul.

Logically, I don't see how there can be any such things as "dangerous free speech." Speech is just speech no matter how offensive or vitriolic it might be. If anything bad happens as a result, it just comes down to stupid humans doing stupid things they know they shouldn't do.

That said, I think storming an embassy is a totally legitimate response to decades of being bombed and occupied by the west. They still have every right to be pissed about that, and I can see how a hate film could have been the final spark on that fuse.

I mean, I feel for Christopher Steven's family. But if the shoe were on the other foot, I wouldn't think twice about stringing up some shit claiming to be my "ambassador." We are the enemy and will be treated as such until we GTFO out of their countries.

[joelwlcx]

That said, I think storming an embassy is a totally legitimate response to decades of being bombed and occupied by the west. They still have every right to be pissed about that, and I can see how a hate film could have been the final spark on that fuse.

I mean, I feel for Christopher Steven's family. But if the shoe were on the other foot, I wouldn't think twice about stringing up some shit claiming to be my "ambassador." We are the enemy and will be treated as such until we GTFO out of their countries.

I can agree with this. If a foreign nation occupied my home and pushed their views on me... I'd revolt too. Cartoon/film, no. Oppression and culture war... Hell yes.

[anna5]

Well, nothing new in the world. How one can't notice that Libya and Egypt are not Iraq or Afghanistan if beyond me. Oh, the non existing teaching of geography and history in America. They slaughter each other with great enjoyment, but, of course in the eyes of some they "feel" for each other. Sure. Tell this Syrian refugees, Muslim slaves in Muslim countries, women stoned for being raped, CHILDREN sent on suicide missions, etc. Yes, nothing new in the world. During the WWII, some American didn't support American involvement because ... the US was ... an imperialistic country.