[Tullywood Farm]

Someone in a link a while back mentioned Freedom of Speech.

I wondered if there was such a thing (outside America that is).

Any legal people know the stance, I know that there are such things as libel and slander, but there must be conditions around these - or is there?

[sellickbhoy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation

enjoy a right riveting read

[Bodger]

Shut up !

[smiffy]

America, land of the free...... what ever - america is one of the most unfree countrys in the world, they just dont know it. in america you can be held without trial!

UK, used to be a free country, but now our wonderful caring government has brought in the 'anti-terrorism' laws which have stripped away the freedom of every resident of the UK..... oh yes and here we can be held with out trial here too. But dont worry they are protecting us, from some un known terror they keep telling us sheep about, so we are all too scared to question their motives.

It is the right of every UK resident to protest at wrong doing, sorry it was one of our rights.... but dont do it now or you can be arrested and imprisioned without trial under the new anti terrorism laws.

Sorry Julie, but it makes me sick.... hail the bl**dy revolution!!! oooops sorry now i am a terrorist   sat at my computer insiting terrorism!!! a few years ago it would have been fedom of speach

[kevkev57]

For me true ''freedom of speech ' is a bit like the word ' democracy ' it does not exist in its purest form. Of course we are told that we have freedom and live in a democratic land, but that is said to make us feel more easy with ourselves and surroundings. Sort of comfort food for the masses.

Freedom of speech has its legal limits. You cannot go around spreading words of hate or racism for example. That could be called an infringement of your freedom of speech if you think about it, if you apply the rule of freedom of speech logically.

I certainly do not consider the USA as the land of the free, free to choose, freedom of speech etc. That is long gone. Both the USA and the UK have had freedoms eroded away. It has to be said, since 9/11 , basic fundemental rights once taken for granted, not even thought about by us as we expected them to be there all the time, have gone....and will not be coming back.

A whole mirade of laws,rules, and political correctness have got us to where we collectively now.which is for most of us, worried or uneasy. I certainly feel uneasy about the way the world is going. Perhaps its middle age creeping in, time to think harder and worry more, perhaps not.

Don't even start talking about terror laws, all done for our own good , all trotted out neatly, not long after 9/11 as well.

I remember a few years back trying to get into a conversation with an American. A bright guy. The subject of the conversation I have long forgot, but what I remember was his constant ' holding back ' out of fear. He had become so politically correct that he was almost paralysed from the neck up. That is what happens to your freedom of speech when you give in to the state.

Hope that helps
Kevin

[Wellieboots]

Libel & slander are both torts of law (or delicts up here in Scotland) and are therefore tried in civil courts. Civil law is not something that you can pin down to a specific set of regulations or an act as it is made using judicial precident, common law etc - therefore why we are heading the way of the US by sueing for absolutely everything! Civil law is designed to offer compensation for a loss & that doesn't have to be a physical loss.

Nothing stops you saying what you want (freedom of speech) but if it is defamatory/discriminatory in any way (think equality in race, ability etc..etc..) then you could also fall foul of any other criminal law such as disibility discrimination act, race relations act.

The latter is why some folks trying to enter the country to speak are refused entry or a visa beacuse it is thought in the eyes of the judicary that they might spread discrimatory remarks etc. which would therefore be committing a criminal offence.

Now this could be complete guff, I'm not a lawyer but I have to teach aspects of law when I'm training

[Bodger]

Freedom of speech comes with responsibility and its certainly not absolute in any country.

I think that we have an amount of free speech in this country as do the Americans. It maybe unfashionable in some quarters to say this but I actually love America and would feel much happier living there than in countries such as China or Afghanistan. If we did, I'm sure that we'd soon learn where our bread was buttered.

In some countries, women virtually have no rights to free speech and I'd rather have the imperfect rights that we have in the western world than non at all.

Should people be allowed to openly advocate racist, religious and sexist views in public that are aimed at violence and repression ? I think not. The line has got to be drawn somewhere, but as to where that line should be drawn, is certainly open to debate.

[kevkev57]

" but I actually love America and would feel much happier living there than in countries such as China or Afghanistan. If we did, I'm sure that we'd soon learn where our bread was buttered."



I think most people would agree that living in China or Afghanistan would not be preferable to America ,as they are at the other end of the scale when it comes to freedom of speech.

That being said, China and Afghanistan are of less concern to me if I was to be selfish about it. What concerns me is where I live and where my family lives. I am sure someone from Afghanistan would think America and the UK are paradise. I don't because I remember it as it was, and I would like that standard returned, but its very unlikely.

As for Afghanistan, we need not worry as America and the UK are going to bring freedom to them all , just like they did in Iraq !  A coke machine on every corner , and a Chevy in the drive.

Kevin

Kevin

[Wellieboots]

Don't forget the 7/11 on every street as well. I hate that! After many years of very fortunate travelling around SE Asia, S America & the Asia/Pacific Islands I hate the fact that 7/11's are everywhere - with their "ping-pong" door opening chimes

[doganjo]

I know I am dim - but what's 7/11's?

[sheila]

SHOPS

[Wellieboots]

7/11's - open 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm & selling pretty much everything that you didn't think you'd need. You need to hear the door chime (ping-pong), it is like a song you  don't like that someone sings which then gets in your head for the rest of the day, or at least my small pea sized brain holding heid!

[sandy]

Nothing wrong with 7/11, if you work shifts and need something, a fuse, milk, matches, tights etc, it's good, years previously you would have to borrow from your neighbour, now there is not excuse (exept no money) As I have said many times, 3 years at colledge then uni made me very conciouse of saying the correct thing, I am a stubborn person and hate that sort of restriction, just getting over it now!!!!

[doganjo]

Are there any in Clackmannan?  Never seen them.  But then I suppose I haven't needed to look.

[Farmer]

Is this thread the reason why Tullywood has vanished??? Be afraid....

Farmer