912. Freedom of speech

34 Replies

912freedom

If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s censorship. Freedom of speech! That’s what’s needed. “Je suis Charlie” was the call for freedom of speech and this blog espouses that.

You’ve no idea how many people on this blog disagreed with me when I spoke about freedom of speech. Can’t these religious bigots take criticism? Freedom of speech is what the makes the world go round and some people want to limit it. It’s lack of openness to other people’s opinions that gets me down.

These people are so closed minded. And those in favour of censorship should go elsewhere to express their narrow-mindedness. A warning: I don’t care who you are but anyone who disagrees with my position on this will immediately be wiped with the delete button. I hope I’ve made my position clear.

To listen to the story being read click HERE!

 

34 thoughts on “912. Freedom of speech”

  4. Cynthia Jobin

    Just because I have published ugly and demeaning drawings that “make fun” of you, your mother and father, your native land, and your deepest beliefs—-is that any reason to get all huffy about it?

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      1. Cynthia Jobin

        Since we’re being serious….There seems to be a naïve misunderstanding about freedom of speech—that it should deserve no adverse consequences. Some of the famous dissidents we admire, understood that there are consequences when your speech offends—it’s free, yes, and it also invites reaction that you must be ready to endure.
        The insufficiently knowledgeable babies who don’t understand this, were probably also not educated in basic scientific principles that often apply to the social as well as the physical world—like Newton’s Third Law of Motion:

        Formally stated, Newton’s third law is: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The statement means that in every interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. The size of the forces on the first object equals the size of the force on the second object.

        The question next becomes: is blasting someone’s head off an “equal” reaction to being insulted by a cartoon……

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        1. Bruce Goodman Post author

          Thanks for that! I’ve seen some of the cartoons (about half a dozen) and didn’t find them particularly funny. And I couldn’t see why they would offend. One was reasonably amusing – it was of two women looking at an old school photo (everyone in burqas) and one women was pointing and saying “That’s me there”.

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          1. Cynthia Jobin

            In that same vein of humor, a favorite blogger I follow, who is Indian, has a post up now that is unbelievably hilarious in its satire about the wearing of garments that hide one’s identity.. His site is: darkofficehumour.wordpress.com should you be interested in seeing it.

            Liked by 1 person

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  7. Shubha Athavale

    I am not learned enough to comment on the “freedom of speech” discussion happening here but I know that the Mahatma said that with rights come responsibilities, so if I have the right to speak my mind then I have the responsibility to not offend anyone….and the way I see it is that freedom of speech is limited to “oneself” so when as a naturalized Australian, I call Australia home, I don’t have the fear of offending the Indians in India, who cannot accept this fact….not sure if I am making my point clear…

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  8. arlingwoman

    I had a teacher in high school who said “your rights end where somebody else’s rights begin,” which we would all do well to remember. Freedom of speech, like civil liberties, is difficult for many people to understand. It means you might defend someone’s right to say things you find reprehensible (like neo-Nazis, say). Not the same as thinking something shouldn’t be said because it’s rude or unnecessary or hurtful. I go through a protocol of self censorship every day. Does this need to be said? Does this need to be said by me? Does this need to be said by me now? It’s a nice protocol.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Bruce Goodman Post author

      It seems to be a good protocol, and thanks for giving it. My story came from a simple event – I said that I didn’t agree with the blog that said “all conflict in the world is brought about by religion.” I was called “a typical religious bigot who was no better than those who joined ISIS” !

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. Keith Channing

    I’m so glad to see that we think alike, Bruce. I don’t claim to be right about averything; everyone is entitled to their own stupid opinion. At the same time, no-one is perfect, and if I had any faults, I’d be the first to admit to them.

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    2. Bruce Goodman Post author

      😀 I’m very open to your opinion – that’s all it is: an opinion – and prefer to let insignificant opinions die their own death rather than waste energy showing the wrong aspects of bigotry and small-mindedness. All I can say – if it keeps people happy – yes, I agree with you.

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Rob McShane

    Opinions, perceptions, perspectives – all subjective and all acceptable – providing no-one is hurt!
    Well, there’s mine anyway.
    Then, of course, one needs to define ‘hurt’ which would depend on your opinion, perception and perspective – easy, isn’t it! 😊😕😞🙇

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  14. the19tharticle

    It’s so strange how some people are willing to debate the ideas and fully practice freedom of speech, and how some people outright deny others freedom of speech because of hurt feelings.

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