A free speech issue?

[okeydokey]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16752321/

Is this a free speech issue? Would you be offended to board an airplane with a passenger wearing an anti-Bush t-shirt?

 

[debster812]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16752321/

Is this a free speech issue? Would you be offended to board an airplane with a passenger wearing an anti-Bush t-shirt?

Anti-Bush? Probably not.

Saying "Bush is the World's Biggest Terrorist" Probably NOT cool to try to get on a plane with a tshirt saying ANYTHING about terrorists.

Plus, I think this guy can be as anti-Bush as he wants, since he's an Australian, living in London.

 

[brasswillow]

In my understanding when you purchase a ticket with an airline you are making a contract with the airline to follow their rules and they will take you where you want to go. If it is in the rules that the airline has the right to remove someone or ask that person to change their shirt if it is deemed offensive then, per the contract, the passenger must comply or be in breach of the contract and will not be permitted on the flight.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Would I be offended? Probably, and I dislike Bush myself.
Does he have a right to possibly incite a riot on an airplane? No. It would be a security issue, like shouting disturbing anti-government slogans in an airplane. He can wear it, if he wants, but he'd better cover it up or turn it inside out. Don't consider this free speech as much as instigating a disturbance on a public conveyance.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

This is a bit ridiculous- I've seen people in airports with all sorts of clothing on- and as long as the guy was spouting something about blowing people up this should have been a non-issue...

Not sure what Australia's Free Speech laws are- and what Qantas defines as offensive- but really- if you look back on American history with an open view- many things our "Patriot's" did would be acts of terrorism today and were even viewed that way in England during revolutionary times...

 

[TheDoctor]

The airline is wrong here.

 

[Fitswimmer]

There's free speech and then there is common sense. Wear it once you get to your destination. Airline people are understandably jumpy these days. Even though the guy advertising his hatred is probably the LAST one who is actually going to do anything-take a longer look at the person who looks the least suspicious.