3 ms·
Causing harm is illegal, "free speech!" is not a magical incantation. Would you say that a mafia boss who only issues orders is protected by free speech?
by lores 2y ago
Causing harm is illegal, "free speech!" is not a magical incantation. Would you say that a mafia boss who only issues orders is protected by free speech?
- hagbard_c 2y agoThe word 'harm' has been abused a lot lately so that is probably not the best term to use here. A mafia boss ordering people around has nothing to do with free speech. When you say 'all $GROUPs should be killed' jokingly in some discussion you're using free speech. If you say the same in front of an armed mob in pursuit of a host of $GROUPs who then proceeds to kill all $GROUPs you gave an order to do so.
- lores 2y agoSo... we agree that not all speech is suitable at all time with all audiences?
- hagbard_c 2y agoWords used to incite imminent lawless action are not free speech, nor are expressions which are in violation of other laws like those regarding defamation, obscenity, prior restraint, incitement and fighting words. It is not the audience in itself on which the consideration depends but the reasonable expectation of reactions by that audience. In the example I gave about 'killing all $GROUPs' it is the presence of an armed audience chasing a group of $GROUPs which turn what was a joke in another context into incitement.
- lores 2y agoWell, Jones knew the parents were getting death threats and being severely harassed, and yet continued to incite his crowd with lies, so I guess we agree he caused harm and was rightly punished for it.