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I think that the USA is definitely a proponent of free speech, and actually that it takes it to extremes. Pretty much the only speech outlawed is child pornogr

I think that the USA is definitely a proponent of free speech, and actually that it takes it to extremes. Pretty much the only speech outlawed is child pornography and that which a reasonable person would see as inciting imminent violence. That's a pretty high bar, higher than any other country I've ever heard of.

learc83 8y ago
I agree that the US has stronger free speech protections than any country I'm aware of, but we have more restrictions than the 2 you've mentioned. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exceptions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exce...
- ameister14 8y ago
  Yes, words under copyright and defamatory statements. Not a huge expansion, covered under 'pretty much' in my opinion. Fighting words is essentially a dead precedent, and all that remains is inciting imminent violence, which I mentioned.
  - learc83 8y ago
    >copyright and defamatory statements These are much bigger restrictions that impact far more people than the others you mentioned. >Fighting words is essentially a dead precedent, and all that remains is inciting imminent violence, which I mentioned. There's also huge limitations on commercial speech; obscenity (which covers more than child pornography); reasonable time, manner, and place restrictions; perjury; blackmail; harassment; solicitations to commit crimes (not just inciting violence); student's speech while in school.
    - ameister14 8y ago
      Obscenity doesn't cover much more than child pornography. It used to, but not anymore. You should read Reno v ACLU. The reasonable time, manner and place restrictions aren't enforced and also wouldn't be upheld, but you're right, perjury, blackmail and some kinds of harassment aren't covered. Solicitations to commit crimes actually aren't always illegal.
      - learc83 8y ago
        >Obscenity doesn't cover much more than child pornography. It used to, but not anymore. The definition of obscenity isn't well defined, but there are still numerous laws throughout the US that ban obscene speech that have been upheld--zoophilia porn laws, and bans on selling sex toys are 2 examples I can think of off the top of my head. >The reasonable time, manner and place restrictions aren't enforced and also wouldn't be upheld The government very regularly enforces this. What do you think free speech zones and protest permits are for?

learc83 8y ago

I agree that the US has stronger free speech protections than any country I'm aware of, but we have more restrictions than the 2 you've mentioned. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exceptions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_free_speech_exce...

ameister14 8y ago
Yes, words under copyright and defamatory statements. Not a huge expansion, covered under 'pretty much' in my opinion. Fighting words is essentially a dead precedent, and all that remains is inciting imminent violence, which I mentioned.
- learc83 8y ago
  >copyright and defamatory statements These are much bigger restrictions that impact far more people than the others you mentioned. >Fighting words is essentially a dead precedent, and all that remains is inciting imminent violence, which I mentioned. There's also huge limitations on commercial speech; obscenity (which covers more than child pornography); reasonable time, manner, and place restrictions; perjury; blackmail; harassment; solicitations to commit crimes (not just inciting violence); student's speech while in school.
  - ameister14 8y ago
    Obscenity doesn't cover much more than child pornography. It used to, but not anymore. You should read Reno v ACLU. The reasonable time, manner and place restrictions aren't enforced and also wouldn't be upheld, but you're right, perjury, blackmail and some kinds of harassment aren't covered. Solicitations to commit crimes actually aren't always illegal.
    - learc83 8y ago
      >Obscenity doesn't cover much more than child pornography. It used to, but not anymore. The definition of obscenity isn't well defined, but there are still numerous laws throughout the US that ban obscene speech that have been upheld--zoophilia porn laws, and bans on selling sex toys are 2 examples I can think of off the top of my head. >The reasonable time, manner and place restrictions aren't enforced and also wouldn't be upheld The government very regularly enforces this. What do you think free speech zones and protest permits are for?