Absolute Right to Free Speech?

[Crookhunter]

My department has covered it's bases on this (social media) and has a lengthy section in the G.O. It states that if you post anything that can bring discredit to yourself or department then you can face discipline even termination.

[Blood Trail]

Free speech. Yes. Absolute free speech (in the sense of consequences from what you chose to say), no. Sometimes, it's good to tame your tongue.

[FULL DRAW]

You think most people who use the words, actually understand them?

the attorney is correct, you don't have an absolute right to free speech.

Freedom of speech, yes. But even that has limitations.

Exactly. You have the freedom to say what ever you want and any given time on what ever platform you wish. However you are not protected from those words repercussions.
Like those frat kids in OU. They have every right to chant what ever they like but need to understand that there may be consequences to what is being said.

[Burnadell]

Interesting news clip I just watched where an officer in another State was fired for making a FaceBook post, and there was a civil service hearing held. I'm not debating the issue of his firing, but the City's attorney was making his argument and stated, "No one has an absolute right to free speech...."

So my question to all, do we, as citizens of this great Nation, have an absolute right to free speech?

And the civil service board ruled in officer's favor and he got his job back.

You did not say how you feel. Do YOU believe in it? I remember that you threatened WCB when he exercised his right of free speech.

[AntlerCollector]

You did not say how you feel. Do YOU believe in it? I remember that you threatened WCB when he exercised his right of free speech.

Lol.

[AntlerCollector]

Of course you don't have absolute right to free speech. We have moderators that will wack you

[JTRichardson]

we do not have the absolute right to free speech. if speech can be translated to a punishable crime (disorderly conduct for "cussing"/detained for refusing to say "yes sir") then it is not an absolute freedom.

[Tryton]

You always have a right to free speech. But if yous say derogatory stuff that is against your company policy in a right to work state, you can be looking for a new job.

[hoythitman]

We no more have a right to free speech then we do any other right. Since the PB oil spill newspapers were fined for putting pics of oil on the beaches after a certain point when the O administration said it was all cleared up (if that isnt a clear violation of the 1st I dont know what is). Police can infringe on the 4th much more easily now, the 6th amendment doesn't apply to DHS or a handful of other groups, the 14th also doesn't apply to DHS in many situations, the list goes on. Our bill of rights has been reduced to a historical document with little weight thanks to many years of abuse by the executive branch.

[JTRichardson]

We no more have a right to free speech then we do any other right. Since the PB oil spill newspapers were fined for putting pics of oil on the beaches after a certain point when the O administration said it was all cleared up (if that isnt a clear violation of the 1st I dont know what is). Police can infringe on the 4th much more easily now, the 6th amendment doesn't apply to DHS or a handful of other groups, the 14th also doesn't apply to DHS in many situations, the list goes on. Our bill of rights has been reduced to a historical document with little weight thanks to many years of abuse by the executive branch.

[AJ the TP Guru]

To those who believe we have an "absolute" right":

You apparently do not realize that you can be arrested for making verbal threats to the President.

I was shocked by a TBH thread recently wherein one poster appeared to be suggesting that Obama be assassinated. He subsequently hedged on that, but it sure looked like that was what he was advocating to several of us. Just asking to be investigated, imo.

And yes, TBH would be obligated to turn his personal info over to authorities had thy asked for it.

[Pkripper]

Everyone has a right to say whatever they want, but as the officer and 2 kids from OU found out, speech can have severe repercussions. May not get you in legal trouble but can certainly get you fired.

[Lungbuster13]

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[Bill]

Absolutely...we are protected by the Constitution to be able to say any stupid, mean, racist, bigoted think we want to...however, freedom of speech in no way protects you from the consequences that may stem from those actions.

Saying something that is rude or vile or (God forbid) interpreted as "racist" is protected under the Constitution. It's different from the intent in yelling "fire" in a crowded theater since there is an actual possibility of injury to others.

What bothers me about the situation in the Oklahoma fraternity situation is that there was first zero due process in the frat being shut down, and the students expelled. That's not how a constitutional republic based on the rule of law operates. Second, while their words caused others consternation, is it reciprocal so if I'm insulted by rap lyrcis degrading woman as "Ho's" I have a reason to have somebody expelled? Finally, I read that the students signed a "code of conduct" which their actions violated. I am not an attorney or a constitutional scholar (like our president pretends to be), but I thought the principal is that you can not "sign away your rights"?

The only other time I've seen absolute authority like this with no due process is in the CA waterfowl refuges. The refuge manager by fish and game code has absolute authority on ejections from a refuge and determining when and if a hunter can return for various reasons. If its a legal issue it goes to court, but if it's unsportsmanlike behavior he can boot somebody out, no hearing or appeal.

Carry on!

[meltingfeather]

You think most people who use the words, actually understand them?

the attorney is correct, you don't have an absolute right to free speech.

Freedom of speech, yes. But even that has limitations.

ding!