Do you agree with the Pope on limits to freedom of speech?

AZ Jim said:
Even with free speech we need to understand what we say comes with consequences. Those who doubt the foregoing need only stop a big guy on the street an insult the woman he is with. There are some limits on free speech now. Inciting a riot comes to mind as does the often quoted "fire in the crowded theater".
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Exactly AZ, well said.

Ralphy1 said:
The Seals could be on their way!
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I like seals with their furry fat bods and velvety noses [though they do pong of fish.]
 

Like I've already stated..........go ahead and use foul language towards a cop or Judge, then say "that is my Free Speech right to say what I want to". I can just see the handcuffs coming out and the cop saying "see what happens when you disrespect an Officer" or Judge saying "your sentence has just been doubled for disrespecting my Bench!"
 

Sunny said:
I had not heard about the Pope's comment, so I looked it up out of curiosity. Here's the article about it.

http://rt.com/news/222935-pope-religion-freedom-insulted/

It sounds to me that he was speaking more as a conciliatory politician than as a religious leader. (And of course, the nature of his job does make him a politician.) It was the kind of generally "respectful" comment that heads of state frequently make. I wouldn't read too much into it, for that reason.

As for my own feelings about this, I think that any leader of anything is fair game for humor, commentary, argument, and yes, even ridicule. Religious leaders included. (Or maybe, I should say religious leaders especially.)
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I just read about it too, and I like Pope Francis compared to others in the past. He is leader of the Catholics, and that's all, so I don't read much into his statements either. Everyone is fair game, religious leaders especially, IMO. I do wish that we didn't have to resort to those childish offensive cartoons though, regardless of category. I never like them or paid much attention to them. But nobody should be losing their lives over them in any free country.
 
ClassicRockr said:
Like I've already stated..........go ahead and use foul language towards a cop or Judge, then say "that is my Free Speech right to say what I want to". I can just see the handcuffs coming out and the cop saying "see what happens when you disrespect an Officer" or Judge saying "your sentence has just been doubled for disrespecting my Bench!"
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You're entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. I don't put cops or judges on a pedestal, they're just doing the jobs they signed up for. Handcuffs shouldn't come out unless a crime is committed that warrants arrest. Length of sentence should be justified to fit the crime involved, not a personal means of retaliation. That is a big problem with the justice system these days, it's no longer fair, but personally punitive with spite as the driving factor. Crooked cops and judges have proved that over the years, and it needs to stop.
 
Anyone think that this is an infringement of freedom of speech?

Bigger fines for offensive conduct


31st March 2014


From Monday 31 March, increased on-the-spot fines of up to $1100 will be handed out to anyone engaging in drunken or anti-social behaviour.

policefines_760x428.jpg

policefines_760x428.jpg



The new penalties are part of the Government’s crackdown on public drug and alcohol fuelled violence. Under the new scheme, criminal infringement notices for offensive language and offensive behaviour will rise to $500, while continued intoxicated and disorderly behaviour after a direction to ‘move on’ will attract a fine of $1100.

Attorney General Greg Smith SC announced the scheme as the latest step in the government’s mission to target drunken behaviour on NSW streets. The announcement follows the recent implementation of new alcohol laws, which include 1.30am lockouts and mandatory minimum sentences for fatal one punch attacks.

The new penalty structure will be:
Criminal Infringement
Notice type
Old fine
New fine from 31/3
Offensive language
$150
$500
Offensive conduct
$200
$500
Continuation of intoxicated and disorderly behaviour following move on direction
$200
$1100

“The message to drunken thugs is clear: violent, offensive and anti-social behaviour simply won’t be tolerated. Anyone ignoring that message should prepare to learn a very expensive lesson,” Mr Smith said.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher said police, armed with greater powers and more resources would be out on the streets actively enforcing the new fines.
 
So, we can limit our freedom of speech, to please the Muslims, then the Catholics then the Protestants then everyone else?

THAT my friends in not freedom of speech...true freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions on anything even if you are very insulting in doing so.

" Responsible freedom of speech" is no freedom of speech.

Our freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones which have made America so strong .


If we start modifying that.. the terrorists have won !!!
 
At the age of ten I was taught to speak up and express myself and to have opinions. However the teacher insisted that we should always do it with respect, especially to the people with whom we disagreed.

I think this approach strikes the right balance and then even ten year olds can exercise their right to freedom of expression.
 
Well, go ahead and say anything you want to one of your law enforcement officers or to a Judge in court and just see what happens. This isn't a dare, but......

Elyzabeth said:
So, we can limit our freedom of speech, to please the Muslims, then the Catholics then the Protestants then everyone else?

THAT my friends in not freedom of speech...true freedom of speech allows us to voice our opinions on anything even if you are very insulting in doing so.

" Responsible freedom of speech" is no freedom of speech.

Our freedom of speech is one of the cornerstones which have made America so strong .


If we start modifying that.. the terrorists have won !!!
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SeaBreeze said:
You're entitled to your opinion, but I disagree. I don't put cops or judges on a pedestal, they're just doing the jobs they signed up for. Handcuffs shouldn't come out unless a crime is committed that warrants arrest. Length of sentence should be justified to fit the crime involved, not a personal means of retaliation. That is a big problem with the justice system these days, it's no longer fair, but personally punitive with spite as the driving factor. Crooked cops and judges have proved that over the years, and it needs to stop.
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There are rules in courts to assure order. All are expected to address the bench with respect, and to speak in their proper turn. If everybody could just jump up and holler out whatever they wanted when they wanted to, it would just be chaotic. This isn't anything to do with free speech, but has to do with the rules in place within the framework of the court system. If you do not respect the rules of the court or become disruptive, you can be held in contempt or removed from the courtroom.
 
Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone from a homeless man to the President, from the Queen of England to the cleaning woman, were to be treated with great respect. I think that would be the Pope's message. Respect is not just for religions, it is for everyone, even when they don't expect it or deserve it.

It starts with not being deliberately insulting and offensive.
 
If I was King you would be sent to the tower for a little head adjustment...
 
You can have freedom of speech and still be restricted as to where or when you can say things.

This forum for instance. We can say what we want only as long as we follow the rules of the forum. If you want an unrestricted voice you can start your own forum.
 
No one could ever be THE King, but I could have been your King in previous times as my name is Richard, and I would have shown you no mercy no matter how much you groveled...
 
I am also known as generously endowed Richard... :eek:nthego:
 

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