Re:Appeals Court Rules White House Overstepped First Amendme...
by akerl_ on Saturday September 09, 2023 @09:00PM
(#37451897)
> In the United States, short of direct threats, you can always say whatever you want.
This isn't the case. There are many exceptions to the 1st Amendment's protection of speech, beyond just true threats.
This commonly brought up example is a complete garbage. It was first brought into American jurisprudence during WWI
In fact, this case illustrates exactly why we ought not to criminalize speech. The phrase first entered American jurisprudence in Eugene v Debs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs), in which the government tried to prosecute an anti-war protester. Do you think the anti-war guy was popular in his time? Do you understand now why the government has no business policing speech?
In the United States, short of direct threats, you can always say whatever you want. It's a fundamental human right, and frankly, no government has a moral right to take that away. This idea is foundational to American democracy. FFS, civil rights group will defend your right to proclaim 'hate speech' in