Does Freedom of Speech imply freedom from consequences?

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:12:08 -0400

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 26 at 2017 2:13 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:13:53 -0400

Of course not. Freedom and Responsibility are two sides of the same coin, inseparable.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Sep 26 at 2017 2:17 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:17:16 -0400

If you feel the need to express your opinion among others then you need to weigh the consequences for that free speech. Some may argue with you over politics. Others may challenge you in the street during a protest you felt impelled to participate in. Whatever the consequences may be you should accept them for expressing your opinion.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 26 at 2017 2:17 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:17:36 -0400

No.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 26 at 2017 2:21 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:21:51 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 2:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:23:24 -0400

Let's put it this way.....I could, by definition of Freedom of Speech, call my boss a b*tch, a motherf*cker, and all other kinds of names.....but the consequences would be that I would be fired.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Sep 26 at 2017 2:30 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:30:36 -0400

I would say it would depend on the consequences. I would not agree with a person being fired for expressing a political/social opinion.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 2:43 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:43:38 -0400

Nope. Freedom is hard. We have Freedom and Liberties, but one of the costs is bearing the responsibility for the consequences of the decisions we take.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 26 at 2017 3:14 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:14:01 -0400

No. We have the freedom to say a great many things. But we also have the freedom to not say things. Sometimes people need to learn the difference or suffer the consequences.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 3:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:27:37 -0400

Just from government consequences. That whole congress shall make no law thing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 3:30 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:30:34 -0400

The correct answer is a limited yes, It's really quite simple the first amendment's freedom of speech is only a right to prevent the GOVERNMENT from prohibiting your ability to make your argument. It has no applicability to private matters, you have zero constitutional right to say what you want to say free from any and all consequences except consequences from your sovereign.

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.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 3:34 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:34:12 -0400

This could point to an answer http://jacksonville.com/reason/2017-03-18/fact-check-did-navy-oust-black-sailor-who-didn-t-salute-flag

Fact Check: Did Navy oust black sailor who didn’t salute the flag?

Times-Union readers want to know:

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 26 at 2017 4:38 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 16:38:13 -0400

Enough said.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 26 at 2017 4:43 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 16:43:58 -0400

I get so amused when people say shit like 'oh those NFL players have freedom of speech'. No. Those NFL players have Pussy-assed owners who are afraid to fire them, and a GOVERNMENT and GOVERNMENT ONLY that cannot tell them to stop.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 26 at 2017 5:41 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:41:38 -0400

NO.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 8:08 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 20:08:59 -0400

Some seem to think so. But, if you are free to say something, I am free to respond. If either is restricted we all lose freedom of speech.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 10:13 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:13:29 -0400

No. Actions always have consequences.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2017 1:23 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 01:23:02 -0400

No you have the right to say what you want but if the words cause harm to another you must deal with the consequences

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Sep 27 at 2017 5:03 AM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 05:03:39 -0400

Absolutely... Not. if I make disparaging comments about my boss, that would be my right to do so. Just like it would be his right and, arguably, responsibility to fire me on the spot for doing so. Every action has a reaction. Sometimes we won't like the reaction, sometimes we will. That's why it's important to understand what possible outcomes lay ahead before saying/doing something.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 27 at 2017 7:53 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 07:53:23 -0400

Freedom of speech only applied to the government attempting to prosecute for it. That does not mean freedom from opposing view points or someone using their free speech and property rights to fire someone. The whole point of free speech is debate and free flowing ideas. We also need to remember that EVERY right has an obligation not to infringe upon another's. Many folks forget that part.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 27 at 2017 10:03 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 10:03:24 -0400

Of course not.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 27 at 2017 10:24 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 10:24:20 -0400

One thing. The constitutional guaranteed freedom of speech declares the government has no right to censer our speech or the press. Yes when we are in the private sector we have the right to say what ever we want, but we also have to be ready to accept the consequences for what we say. If at my job it was stated politics and religion may not be discusses and the consequences for bringing up the subjects is being fired, then be prepared to be fired. You know this and broke the rules.
I belong to a web group that does not allow political talk what so ever. I break the rules I am off. Is this infringing on my first amendment rights - no. This is private no government involved.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Sep 27 at 2017 3:19 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 15:19:51 -0400

My dad used to say that if you are big enough to say or do something you are big enough to admit it and accept the consequences of your actions. You can say what you want to say and that is your right...however, don't turn around at me when I rebuke your words with my thoughts because that is my right. Too many people want their say but don't want to hear the other side because the infringes on their thoughts.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2017 1:28 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 01:28:27 -0400

No. I could walk down the street calling people out, cussing at people, and while I can't get in legal trouble for it I'll probably get my ass kicked at some point. Do what you want, hope it's worth it because it might have consequences you're not prepared for.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2017 2:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 14:33:22 -0400

Is this a trick question?
I plead the 5th Amendment.

Response by Sgt Joel Pedaline made Jul 27 at 2022 6:30 PM

Sgt Joel Pedaline — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 18:30:28 -0400

Not every form of speech is protected. You can't yell fire in a theater, nor yell "a bomb" in a plane at 30,000 feet

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 30 at 2022 11:03 AM

SSG Steve Knox — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 11:03:01 -0500

It all depends on topic, what is said, who hears it, and how it is interpreted.