23 Nov 2019, 1:39 am
Freedom of speech has never meant "say as you please." If words have meaning then they can have a gravity of their own.
Shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater is the stereotypical example of "free speech" causing harm, and I forget the old court case that got someone in trouble for doing just that.
Saying "I will gladly pay you Tuesday to shoot the Grand Poohbah today" is a threat. Speech? Yes. Right? No, not even if the Grand Poohbah is the most arrogant old goat to ever hold public office and richly deserves a leaden luncheon. It's a death threat and arranging murder.
King Henry II of England, annoyed by Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was trying to separate church & state a little further, cried out "Will nobody rid me of this troublesome priest!" Four of his knights rode off and broke into the church, murdered the archbishop, and left the king to explain how he was just acting out of frustration. Public disapproval ran high and King Henry, to show his public humiliation (and the royal posterior) knelt naked at Archbishop Becket's tomb to be scourged by the monks of Becket's order as his penance. (I think this is very funny. It's at least better than events from the lives of other English monarchs.)
The idea of free speech means that the government is not censoring the press. Truly "free speech" is verbal anarchy, and a tyranny of meaninglessness, probably much the way some of the readers see this post. 
23 Nov 2019, 6:34 am
23 Nov 2019, 7:49 am
23 Nov 2019, 7:58 am
If speech that encourages suicide is illegal, then their speech alone may be enough to convict them.
Are you saying that suicide counselors should explain the best method to use instead of reasons not to do it?
Euthanasia practitioners write books on how to kill yourself.
These books provide encouragement to kill yourself, when you're suffering.
Will these books be illegal speech?
For example, a HOW-TO kill yourself book …
Last edited by LoveNotHate on 23 Nov 2019, 8:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
23 Nov 2019, 8:04 am
If speech that encourages suicide is illegal, then their speech alone may be enough to convict them.
Are you saying that suicide counselors should explain the best method to use instead of reasons not to do it?
Euthanasia practitioners write books on how to kill yourself.
Will these books be illegal speech?
For example, a HOW-TO kill yourself book …
I am familiar with the books. There is also The Peaceful Pills Handbook. What I am asking is if you call the suicide hotline or something, should the counselors be trained to talk you out of doing it or make a recommendation as far as pills vs gun?
23 Nov 2019, 8:06 am
23 Nov 2019, 8:07 am
23 Nov 2019, 8:08 am
If speech that encourages suicide is illegal, then their speech alone may be enough to convict them.
Are you saying that suicide counselors should explain the best method to use instead of reasons not to do it?
Euthanasia practitioners write books on how to kill yourself.
Will these books be illegal speech?
For example, a HOW-TO kill yourself book …
I am familiar with the books. There is also The Peaceful Pills Handbook. What I am asking is if you call the suicide hotline or something, should the counselors be trained to talk you out of doing it or make a recommendation as far as pills vs gun?
23 Nov 2019, 8:09 am
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