And now I am an authoritarian Republican

[renie408]

No, actually I think the people who toss anybody out of their party who does not see things precisely as they do and who are incapable of seeing any kind of shade of grey would be much more like Republicans. "Free speech means you can say anything you want, any way you want, anywhere you want. If you don't agree with that, then you are against free speech." "Oh, you think people should be civil and say what they have to say within the framework of the venue at which they have chosen to speak?? Well, you are an authoritarian and a Republican." Why is that any different than the way conservatives think and act? The subjects may be different, but the tone of the response is the same.


I have been practically SPIT on here because I don't think Andrew Meyer's actions are defended under free speech. Free speech gives you the right to say your piece. It does not give you the right to shove your piece down the throats of others at the expense of their peaceful, organized public discussion. It also does not give you the right to say your piece ENDLESSLY at any given public forum. I don't give a flying donkey fuck that Meyer's was an ass. If he had been an ass who had said what he had to say and then sat down when his time was up, no problem. If he had been a pro-Bush wingnut who had called John Kerry a flip flopping pansy...and then sat down when his time was up, no problem. What about the rights of THE OTHER PEOPLE THERE? The rights of the organizers of the event? What about THEIR RIGHTS? Why is HIS right to get as much attention drawn to himself as possible more important than their rights?

THIS is what you think free speech is about? That is sad and embarrassing and wrong.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. The nail has been hit on the head

It isn't any different than the way conservatives think and act.

[Selatius]

2. I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it here again

Generally speaking, interrupting and heckling, regardless of which side you are on, deprives the other person the floor to speak. If that's not stepping on somebody else's right to speak, I don't know what is.

However, I also believe the use of tasers on this person was grossly disproportionate to the original offense. It was totally uncalled for and extreme.

[renie408]

7. Initially, I didn't understand the tasering...

But when it was explained that it is against Florida precedent on how to handle people who resist arrest and how the taser worked, I decided that I tend to agree with you.

But I think some people are confusing the two issues. They are SO outraged that he got tasered that they are excusing the behavior that led to it happening. In their heads, to make the tasering even more egregious, they have turned this kid into some American hero who was just trying to exercise his right to free speech. THAT just seems so wrong to me.

[Rex]

3. DU GD is a pit, sometimes you can't crawl out and it can be overwhelming

shake it off, no one here is any better than you or me or anyone else. If someone virtually spit on you, then they suck(yes I said it) and can't win an argument with you.

[xchrom]

4. thank you. n/t

[rug]

5. Nice post, Goebbels.

[renie408]

8. Thanks, kkkarl. n/t

[cali]

6. Don't worry about it.

And for the record, I agree with you.

[sandnsea]

9. Protesting a "white tree" is free speech

Not expecting to have nooses hung because you speak out, is free speech.

This shit that's been going on the last couple days. I don't know what the hell you call it, but it sure doesn't have a damn thing to do with free speech.

This place has been a disgrace for days.

And while we're at it - fucking in bathrooms isn't a civil rights issue either.

:banghead:

[renie408]

10. LOL...Amen. n/t