"Conservatives" clearly have no clue when it comes to the issue of free speech.

Free speech doesn't mean you can slander or defame anyone you don't like, and expect there to be no consequences. People you baselessly accuse of crimes, for example, will fight back, and it should be pointed out that there are defamation and libel laws, and they exist for a reason.
Free speech has never been without legal restraints. You can't scream there's a bomb on board a crowded aeroplane just for laughs; you will be arrested upon touchdown.
To all those whiny "conservatives" out there who like to grumble about restrictions being placed upon free speech, I simply say keep on crying, because I fully support such restrictions, and the next time you have the audacity, the sheer gall, to accuse someone you don't like of (for example) being in support of child abuse, consider yourself to be lucky if all you receive in return is a punch to the face.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Baremine · 70-79, C

I certainly have seen more restrictions on free speech coming from the leftist liberals than the conservative side. The Biden administration was one of the worst at restricting free speech. In fact the socialist Biden restricted freedom of religion as well.

Pambie · 22-25, F

@Baremine How? Where? And even if that's true, so what? I'm not talking about "liberals" here, but those on the faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar ultra-Right who like to grumble about their "first amendment rights" being violated while they spread nasty rumours about people they don't like, and for that reason alone.
What you're doing here is engaging in what is known as "whataboutism". The crimes of others do not justify your own crimes.

uikakarotuevegeta · 26-30

@Pambie except in America, defamation is extremely difficult to prove and is balanced with free speech. unlike most jurisdictions where you simply have to prove the person(s) defaming you knowingly or negligently made a false statement, in USA you have to further prove they resulted in your reputation being irreparably harmed. it's easier for private figures but for public figures, it's pretty much impossible for them to win a defamation lawsuit due to the protections the First Amendment provides. and as I mentioned in my own answer, defamation isn't classified as a criminal offence in USA so the burden is on the allegedly defamed to sue the alleged defamers.

sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M

@Pambie

Pambie · 22-25, F

@sunsporter1649 CNN. Okay. Why are you bringing them up here? What's your point?

Pambie · 22-25, F

@uikakarotuevegeta Yes, defamation isn't a criminal offense, and I never said it was, but how is any of this relevant to the point I made about self-proclaimed conservatives believing they can say anything they like without having to deal with the consequences?

sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M

@Pambie "I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price," Schumer, who was then minority leader, said at the time. "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions."

Pambie · 22-25, F

@sunsporter1649 What are you going on about?