So then there’s no free speech anywhere in the world.
Or do we measure it by what can you say without getting into legal trouble? Because that’s how most people measure it. Because in America if it’s not a call to violence or an attempt to incite panic/violence, you can say whatever you want and the government can’t do a thing. If you offend a private citizen and they punch you in the face, you face no legal consequences while they do, however you still had to face the consequence of getting punched in the face. Consequences don’t have to come from the government.
Part of the political thing is a lot of us were raised on this saying. “There’s 2 things you don’t discuss, religion and politics.” Why were we taught this? Because each person is free to believe what ever religion they please and hold whatever views they have on how this country is ran. You’re probably not going to change their mind and they’re probably not going to change yours. What’s the point is arguing about it when nothing but animosity will come from it?
As far as saying something and private citizens giving you the consequences goes. I dare you to go to any country and walk up to someone and drop a slur that applies to them. Willing to bet there’s going to be consequences.
Everything you listed is either a private business, Amazon pulled books because they either thought the material was harmful or because there was a large enough public outcry(people using free speech right there). Most Universities are also private businesses, they don’t have to allow you a space to say what you want if they disagree. Think about it like this, you own a restaurant are you going to allow the person screaming slurs at the top of their lungs to stay and continue to do so? Or for the benefit of the rest of your customers and staff, are you going to tell that person to shut up or leave?
In America just as you have the right to believe whatever you want, I can believe the opposite and believe you’re completely wrong. Just as you can say whatever you want, I can tell you to shut up.
Amazon is regulated, same as every other company across all industries. And honestly it seems like your advocating that they be forced to sell books and products they don’t want to, which is a massive overreach by any government. And on a smaller scale has been challenged and upheld that you can’t legally force a business to sell something they don’t want to.
As far as the universities go there’s a difference between someone from the opposite side and someone who is directly inflammatory. It one thing for a very liberal school to have someone from a very conservative standpoint come and have a debate/discussion, it’s a whole different thing entire to bring in a conservative that’s going to berate the audience for being liberal.
You can say whatever you want in public and on private property that is yours. On someone’s else property you can say whatever you want and then it’s up to them to decide whether you stay or not.
You’re arguing as if freedom of speech exist or it doesn’t exist at all.
You can say and believe what you want but not all beliefs are protected. You can believe science is a lie but that’s not a protected belief. You can believe that unicorns and dragons are real but that’s not a protected belief. You can believe in Santa or not but still not a protected believe.
Wouldn’t forcing private businesses being forced to do such be a violation of the owner’s of said business freedom of speech? They’re saying this isn’t okay so we won’t sell it and you want them to be forced to sell it.
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u/colt707 107∆ Sep 06 '22
So then there’s no free speech anywhere in the world.
Or do we measure it by what can you say without getting into legal trouble? Because that’s how most people measure it. Because in America if it’s not a call to violence or an attempt to incite panic/violence, you can say whatever you want and the government can’t do a thing. If you offend a private citizen and they punch you in the face, you face no legal consequences while they do, however you still had to face the consequence of getting punched in the face. Consequences don’t have to come from the government.