Firstly good to see that while the UK was asleep the first amendement was busy at work. The UK regardless of what is being stated here has excellent standards

Firstly good to see that while the UK was asleep the first amendement was busy at work. The UK regardless of what is being stated here has excellent standards of free speech. I can protest government policies (see student protests of 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15646709 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-15646709), I can write what I want and talk about what I want with some clear rules for example: - Defamation (Publicly making statements about another individual which are false and derogatory) - Official Secrets Act (Revealing information covered by the act. Everyone is bound by regardless if you signed a copy or not) - Make threats direct at individuals or places We also have a ton of rules to protect rape victims, on-going prosecutions and children. The twitter / facebook cases are already causing serious issues for prosecutors here and the Crown Prosecution Service is already writing guidance to limit the number of prosecutions. The UK just like the US has a good legal system in place with separate police, prosecution service and judiciary (non of which are elected!) in the Robin Hood Airport case the high court ruled it was a bad prosecution and this will stand as case law for the future. If you have not seen what's been going on in the UK in regards to a wholesale bbq'ing of the press, police and government by the Leveson Inquiry and the three on-going related police investigations take a look. It is a good example of a working democracy cleaning house. Free speech means sometimes you get offended by me saying X politician is stupid but it should not be used as an excuse for threatening, bigoted or racist behaviour.