Click HERE to see this thread with all of the graphics, features, and links.

Just interested to know what the general thoughts on this were form the people who live in America.

1: What does the term "freedom of speech" mean personally to you?

2: Do you believe you still have this right and will be protected by law for expressing this right?


Peace out.

1) exactly what it states: speaking freely about your opinion and not having a problem about saying it
2) no

1. I see it as being able to say what you want without having to worry about what other people think about it.
2. Somewhat, because there's always people who have problems with what others think, plus there's all this censorhip in TV and music and (especially) video games, but there is still a lot of freedom about how you can think and express yourself.

have you ever heard

you have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law you have the right to an attorney if you cannot afford an attorney the state will provide you with one

that states that if you've commited a crime then you have the right to remain silent saying that you can still speak its just not wise to

yep. we're learning about all that in government class.

the ammendments?

1) It depends on the condition of "Freedom of Speech". If you don't threaten our government with harm or you don't threaten another law-abiding citizen then you can say practically anything you want, within reason(as long as it isn't slander).

2)Again, depends on the circumstances. Usually, yes.

Those are the rights when you are arrested, you have a right to be silent, meaning you dont have to say a word or you can talk, but if you are convicted we can use what you said while being arrested in court. It has NOTHING to do with freedom of speach...

GO LILLY!!

Yessssssss...arent i a smarty pants!!

Well see here is the problem with free speech. No matter what u say u can say it ne where u want to say it but really its not true.
I cant walk into a kindergraten class and start swearing i mean they would call the cops on me but isnt that freedom of speech and also like when u do practice ur freedom of speech and if there is other people that dont like ur thoughts they will practice there opinion on free speech and start to argue with u. This happens alot at KKK rallys. but i mean thats ok they deserve to be yelled at but im saying ne time someone else can walk up and yell at u so really its not free.


and no i dont

right but they still fall under freedom of speach you can say somthing still and the cops have no right to do anything to you for what you say

They are not going to do anything to you. But if you ARE convicted they are going to use what you said as evidence!

To the kindergarden comment-
You can have freedom of whatever as long as it's not infringing on the rights of others. Those children's parents probably don't want their kid's to hear words like that. It's their right to keep their kids away from vulgar language. You can't invade on their rights.

To the rest of your post(I think)-
A belief is completely different than a right. It's your right to have a belief. It's also other people's rights to have their beliefs. It's freedom of speech that allows us to voice our beliefs against those that don't believe in the same thing.

To me, the term "freedom of speech" means being able to express your views wherever you happen to be, without it being legal for the cops to all dogpile you and drag you away to jail. And no, I don't believe I still have this right. Mainly because of the patriot act. Back in the 90's, you could say stuff like "The president is being prejudiced towards the jews in Israel; he needs to give the Palestinians an equal say!" Now you could get arrested for saying that.

Criminals have no freedoms. They are read the Miranda (something I think it's code) and that is their rights. End of story.

right the point is do you feel you have that right and i believe yes you do you just have to take consequences under the circumstances of the law like we have that law freedom of speach but it can be overcome depending on the circumstances

Could you find that somewhere and post the actual law? I'd like to see that. I've never heard of it...If it is a law, it's BS. What about all the protestors for the war on Iraq? They never got arrested. (I'm not saying your lieing, I'm just curious. I like to find out about new laws and stuff...)

I'm not saying that you WOULD get arrested, what I mean is that under certain circumstances, I bet you could. Besides, if Bush passes a law like that, he's not just going to come out and tell everybody. Take the "No Child Left Behind" act--all he does is test and test and test and nobody actually learns anything!! Plus, the kids in the resource classroom, kids who recently immigrated from foreign countries, etc have to pass the SAME TESTS as the other kids!!! A president who would do that is not above doing what I described.

Well, yeah. If you would say something to the extent of...I'm scared to even say it. Seriously. The government has programs that check the content of websites now...I'm not saying it.

Under that circumstance...Yes, I understand why you could be arrested. But if you're just saying, "Bush is acting unfairly towards Jews. He needs to change his policies" They can't do a damn thing.

Well at school it is stupid u cant say i hate this teacher because this this and this because u will get in trouble. Thats if they are good comments of why they are a bad teacher. you cant just say he is a *** i hate him cause he is a little ***** or something

Saying that a teacher is a *** could be slander...If he isn't a homo that is. If he is then he probably doesn't want you calling him that so it's...Errr...what's the word? Damn it! Oh well...It's something not good.

Thanks everyone for your response.

You're welcome, Leia. And I'm not Scruffy-Looking!

no friends?

The "Freedom of Speech" thing means mostly that we are free to express our minds. We still have this right. Censorship is only so young minds aren't exposed to...things. The writers of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, probably had no idea that we'd one day have 1000 channels (let alone television) and computers, and not everything on those are things 10-year-olds should be looking at.

That's just the censorship thing though.