Freedom of speech.

Post by **Aardvark** » January 13, 2015, 5:50 pm

We in the West take it for granted. After the recent events in Paris, we question it, but in China it's an ongoing problem .... https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/world ... democracy/

Post by **stattointhailand** » January 13, 2015, 7:22 pm

We in the West take it for granted.

You really ARE kidding aren't you Aardy ........... I can't remember anything like Freedom of speech in England since the sixties.

Can't say this
Mustn't say that
That could be racist
That might get you in trouble
Write that and I'll sue you even though it's true you can't prove it

etc etc etc

Oh and you can't post anything on forums that might upset the powers that be

Post by **Jing Jing** » January 13, 2015, 8:57 pm

The United Kingdom does not have a single legal system since it was created by the political union of previously independent countries. The United Kingdom has three legal systems; English law, which applies in England and Wales, Northern Ireland law, which applies in Northern Ireland based on common law principles, and Scot law, which applies in Scotland, is a pluralistic system based on civil-law principles.

There is no written English constitution. Likewise, there is no official codification of English statutes. Any statute passed by Parliament is by definition valid and not subject to review by the courts. The statutes’ “constitutionality” is not an issue a court can address. Rather, Parliament alone may act to change a law.

The US has a constitution and the 1st Amendment states:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.[1]

Post by **jackspratt** » January 13, 2015, 9:47 pm

In its purist form, what you say is probably correct, JJ.

However, under both legal systems, the highest courts of the UK and the USA have the power, and exercise it, to "interpret" the laws as passed by parliament or Congress respectively.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » January 13, 2015, 11:21 pm

stattointhailand wrote:We in the West take it for granted.

You really ARE kidding aren't you Aardy ........... I can't remember anything like Freedom of speech in England since the sixties.

Can't say this
Mustn't say that
That could be racist
That might get you in trouble
Write that and I'll sue you even though it's true you can't prove it

etc etc etc

Oh and you can't post anything on forums that might upset the powers that be

It's called freedom under the law otherwise it could lead to complete anarchy. Canada has adopted the Westminster model of freedom of speech, democracy, legal system et al. We do not have freedom to do what we want, we have freedom to do what we want according to the law.

In places like China, for instance, you have freedom to agree with the government, but not much leeway to disagree with it.

Post by **Earnest** » January 14, 2015, 5:13 am

Aardvark wrote:We in the West take it for granted.

I know what you mean.

Post by **marjamlew** » January 14, 2015, 8:01 am

Gotta love our freedom of speech. Many places where this type of thing would not go down to well. And freedom of reply is good too if you don't appreciate Melbourne's post post punk Fitzroy-Northcote, Billy Bragg inspired/style Smith Street Band ditty for our glorious PM:
http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/the-smith ... able-face/

Post by **Bonanza** » January 14, 2015, 10:00 am

If I may quote the late Edager Marriot - it also applies to Freedom Of Speech:

It were that there Magna Charta,
As was signed by the Barons of old,
Means in England today, you can do what you like,
As long as you do what you're told.

Post by **the-monk** » January 14, 2015, 5:48 pm

This is what Neil Mcdonald ( CBC ) wrote yesterday .. before UK declared its intention to KILL secured apps like SNAPCHAT <<<More state power, not free speech, the likeliest we-are-Charlie result ,,, >>>>>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/more-state ... -1.2898354

Post by **ronan01** » January 16, 2015, 10:57 am

IN 2015, HAVE COJONES: SAY NO TO SELF-CENSORSHIP

"Not only did the Sony-bashers fail to take a stand against ITV2’s caving-in to the online offencerati — they were a part of that online offencerati. The Guardian editorialised angrily against Sony’s climbdown, arguing that ‘cancelling the release of a film because of online intimidation’ undermines free speech. Yet Guardian writers were central to whipping up the ‘online intimidation’ that led to ITV2 ditching Dapper, and far from penning leaders criticising ITV2’s self-censorship, the Guardian celebrated it with the words: ‘Dapper Laughs is not laughing anymore after ITV turn-off.’ Currently, Guardian writers are responding like hormonal schoolgirls to George Clooney’s condemnation of Sony for failing to stand up to online bullies, having themselves played the role of online bullies in relation to ITV2."

"By the same token, maybe Sony should have asked for North Korea’s permission to make The Interview, and maybe Salman Rushdie should have run The Satanic Verses by the ayatollahs before publication, and perhaps the Sex Pistols should have sent advance copies of God Save the Queen to the queen for her majestic approval. The insistence that all artists and institutions should consider ‘the possibility of a hostile response’ is to institutionalise self-censorship, to make an article of faith of pre-emptive self-gagging just in case someone takes offence."

http://www.spiked-online.com/freespeech ... LhHTiuUfuI

Post by **ronan01** » January 18, 2015, 7:00 am

Mufti urges calm in Australia but criticises Charlie Hebdo's double standards

"He said the Muslim community believed in freedom of expression without violating general ethics and without disrespecting the beliefs of others. "Anyone who claims that the Muslim community in Australia accepts such a practice does not truly understand the nature of the community.""

http://www.theage.com.au/national/mufti ... 2ro02.html

Post by **ronan01** » February 8, 2015, 9:22 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM-HJT8_esM

Post by **Bonanza** » February 8, 2015, 7:07 pm

I am a believer in 'Free Speech'. Nevertheless I also understand that 'Freedom of Speech' is a western cultural concept, which does not exist in many (most?) other cultures, nor in many non-western countries. Those who insist on exercising their right to 'Free Speech' should also bear in mind that where this right exists there are also cultural mores of courtesy and good taste. If you exercise your right of 'Free Speech' in such a way as to deliberately anger or offend others, you should not be too surprised if they invoke their culture's perceived right to respond as they see fit.

If you tell the man next door that you think his wife is a slut, don't then be surprised if he punches you. Common sense and caution are also good cultural traits.

Post by **jackspratt** » February 8, 2015, 7:42 pm

=D>

Well said Bonanza.

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » February 8, 2015, 11:59 pm

At least freedom of expression is alive and well in Thailand:-

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 53625.html

Post by **Laan Yaa Mo** » February 9, 2015, 8:25 pm

The Bangkok Post suggests that curtailment of political criticism by the current unelected government will only contribute to people containing their discontent until a more convenient time arrives when they will be able to express their feelings.

http://bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/ ... discontent

Post by **ronan01** » February 16, 2015, 6:29 pm

http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/ar ... OHGnPmUfuI

"It must stop. The caginess about free speech, the apologising for offence-giving, the lust for nobbling or no-platforming anyone who dares to rile or disturb us… it all must stop, for it is destroying open and honest public debate and it is giving a green light to ever-more sections of society to play the offence card, too, and to say STFU to those they dislike, or to demand with force and menace that they STFU or else, as has happened in Paris and Copenhagen. "

Post by **mathusalah80** » February 16, 2015, 9:59 pm

Ronan,
You might enjoy reading, (sorry about that Statto), "Talk to the Hand"....The utter bloody rudeness of everyday life.. by Lynne Truss. You could then follow up with her equally (in)famous "Eats, Shoots & Leaves"

Post by **ronan01** » February 18, 2015, 5:27 pm

mathusalah80 wrote:Ronan,
You might enjoy reading, (sorry about that Statto), "Talk to the Hand"....The utter bloody rudeness of everyday life.. by Lynne Truss. You could then follow up with her equally (in)famous "Eats, Shoots & Leaves"

"Eats, Shoots & Leaves" is what wombats and politically incorrect aussie males do

Post by **bumper** » February 18, 2015, 6:31 pm

Political correctness has long given away freedom of speech. Me I have decided I'm to damn old to care what is correct anymore. That being said if i wished to live in China I expect I would have to conform to the law. Or live somewhere else. Lets say a head scarf is an issue. Don't bother me at all as long as I can wear my ball cap where I wish.

You want to worship a jelly bean go ahead don't care. Don't bother me when I worship a radish.

Now how hard is thart:lol: