A PSA...First Amendment Rights / Freedom of Speech

[DisneyKevin]

I often hear about folks that visit the Dis who feel that their First Amendment rights are being violated when told they cant say certain things or their posts get deleted.

I can only assume they have never read the Bill of Rights.

For their education, I thought I should print the wording of the First Amendment, so that they can see that it has NOTHING to do with posting on a discussion board.

Amendment I

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.

 

[mainegal]

Thanks for the reminder about our great Constitution.

For those who need an excuse to celebrate - Constitution Week is September 17 - 23. The other nine in the Bill of Rights are pretty important, too.

 

[WaltD4Me]

This is such a pet peeve of mine. I can't stand when someone says something, a celebrity, politician, whoever and they get backlash from it and then they start spouting off about their freedom of speech. "But what about my freedom of speech?" No where in the constitution does it guarantee you that there won't be any consequences for saying whatever stupid thing comes into your head, it just guarantees you won't be arrested for it.

If I call my boss a big fat lazy stupid slob, I would expect him to fire me and I wouldn't expect the first amendment to protect me from that.

Why anyone would think it's a free pass to say anything they want on a message board, regardless of the message board's rules for posting, has always been completely beyond me.

 

[dalt01]

speaking one's mind is easy.......................getting someone to actually listen to you is hard........and not making a butt out of yourself while doing it can be downright daunting.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

You mean to tell me Benjamin Franklin didn't post on the DIS?

 

[Cyrano]

I prefer the Scots vernacular when someone complains about their rights… “and there are two g’s in bugger off!”

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

I prefer the Scots vernacular when someone complains about their rights… “and there are two g’s in bugger off!”

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This is such a pet peeve of mine. I can't stand when someone says something, a celebrity, politician, whoever and they get backlash from it and then they start spouting off about their freedom of speech. "But what about my freedom of speech?" No where in the constitution does it guarantee you that there won't be any consequences for saying whatever stupid thing comes into your head, it just guarantees you won't be arrested for it.

If I call my boss a big fat lazy stupid slob, I would expect him to fire me and I wouldn't expect the first amendment to protect me from that.

Why anyone would think it's a free pass to say anything they want on a message board, regardless of the message board's rules for posting, has always been completely beyond me.

I couldn't have said this better myself. I enjoyed your response...especially the scenario about your boss.

 

[mytripsandraces]

You mean to tell me Benjamin Franklin didn't post on the DIS?

He did, but he used a Penn name.

 

[EPCOT is a verb]

He did, but he used a Penn name.

lol!!!

 

[dburg30]

Board I admin I just tell people that dont like how we moderate, to make their own forums and let people say whatever they want. My board, my rules...

Sometimes I dont agree with how things are moderated on this board and others, but quickly remember it really doesnt matter what I think.

 

[Joshua_me]

Exactly.

It's not a good idea to yell, "movie !" in a crowded firehouse.

 

[challer]

I often hear about folks that visit the Dis who feel that their First Amendment rights are being violated when told they cant say certain things or their posts get deleted.

I would say I'm surprised, but I also watch the news and I hear much more ridiculous things coming out of many people's mouths.

 

[rocio]

Exactly.

It's not a good idea to yell, "movie !" in a crowded firehouse.

 

[doconeill]

I have had similar discussions over the years. I'n my previous University life I've had to tell students to take down web pages or risk losing their accounts completely where they were selling things, which was a strict no-no on our systems. I had one threaten to sue me, the school, and everyone in it because _I_ (I didn't make the rules, I enforced them, although I did draft the copy of the rules he had to agree to and sign to get the account in the first place) was violating his first amendment rights. I let him rant, loudly, while I just sat amused...and then explained to him that he is free to do anything he wants on HIS soapbox...but we were under no obligation to provide that soapbox for him.

 

[DUHgreg]

I often hear about folks that visit the Dis who feel that their First Amendment rights are being violated when told they cant say certain things or their posts get deleted.

I can only assume they have never read the Bill of Rights.

For their education, I thought I should print the wording of the First Amendment, so that they can see that it has NOTHING to do with posting on a discussion board.

Amendment I

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.

Unless we are dealing with people who think that the DIS is the government.

In my line of work, the two most misunderstood legal rights/protections are free speech and hostile work environment.

 

[THEBIG-IG]

He did, but he used a Penn name.

Sure, like Silence Dogood; Harry Meanwell; et al.

 

[jimmiej]

This is such a pet peeve of mine. I can't stand when someone says something, a celebrity, politician, whoever and they get backlash from it and then they start spouting off about their freedom of speech. "But what about my freedom of speech?" No where in the constitution does it guarantee you that there won't be any consequences for saying whatever stupid thing comes into your head, it just guarantees you won't be arrested for it.

Bingo!

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

IT'S A FREAKING PRIVATE WEB SITE PEOPLE!!!! The Bill of Rights has nothing to do with it. The owners could put up nothing but gibberish and you can do nothing to stop them.

If you don't like this site, news flash, there are OTHER WEB SITES. Or, news flash number 2, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN.

 

[princessbride6205]

Yes, CONGRESS shall make no law...
but the DIS (and any other private website) can.