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Question: How far should free speech extend!?
In the U!.S and Canada, freedom of expression is often taken for granted, protected by the 1st amendment in the U!.S!. and the Charter of Human Rights in Canada!. But not all citizens in either nation enjoy this right!. underage persons, especially high school students, can be punished for expressing violent or hateful opinions even outside of school!. Racism and Cyber bullying are terrible things, but is it ethical for the government to be involved!? Stalking is one thing, but what about when a student posts an unfavorable blog about a teacher on their myspace!? For someone over eighteen, this would be legal and tolerable, but for a minor, this could result in expulsion!. Is it morally acceptable for the government to limit free speech in order to promote diversity and an ideal society, or should the freedom of opinion and the expression of opinion be unwavering!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Freedom of speech is a universal right that should not be limited by laws!. The truth is that the second we start to infringe upon these rights, however admirable our intentions, we begin to slide down a slippery slope!. Censoring one person for "obscenity" or "defiance of authority" will ultimately lead to more censorship, until finally, even speech that isn't inherently objectionable will be banned simply for its content!. To quote Tommy Smothers of Smothers Brothers fame, "The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen!."
also, in the United States, the situation you described could never occur!. The Internet is not governed by the government!. Several court cases have determined that students who set up websites critical of school officials are protected by the First Amendment!. I am unsure as to whether this applies in Canada!.
Long story short, you can't just start censoring student speech just because you disagree with it!. The answer to speech you dislike is simply more speech!.
Good luck, and Namaste!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
in the future you will only be abel to say Heil Lady Hitler! she will erase man from the planet! woman hate woman! and when man is gone!.!.!.!.guess what will happen!Www@QuestionHome@Com
a question close to my heart!. When is a child a child or a man a man ; or a woman a woman!?
When did r who did decide that 18 was a right and proper age to!? !.!.!. To what !?
I have intelligence and understanding and children; but why a longtime ago did we allow them to run houses, farms, business!? Was it only because we died earlier and if so were we mistaken about that!?
I am 20 years older and yet feel no different about things than I did 20 years ago!. I know more, I have experienced more but wrt free speech I felt oppressed then and I feel oppressed now!. Let's face it , I am oppressed but with20 yrs experience I know t hat that is how I was conditioned to be;
Just because that is how it is doesn't mean that is how it SHOULD be!.
If expulsion from school is something you cannot endure then so be it but understand that you, your parents, your friends have a free choice life because those who have gone before you endureed more than epulsion from school!. Not to demean you but that is truth!.
Wrt government censorship;
that is a new oppression to be fought against: If you will not then don't complain!.
You are part of the solution OR you are part of the problem!.
FACT: Which are you !?
MWww@QuestionHome@Com