"Free Speech"

Greetings good citizen, in a society where most of what we're told is dubious at best one can only question 'the benefit' of free speech.

Part of the rationale behind restoring dueling is to 'temper' the myopic's insensitivity. People wouldn't say half of the BS they spout if they knew they might have to pay for their arrogance on the field of honor.

Is that a 'bad' thing?

Civil society starts with keeping a civil tongue yet some would argue that muzzling the likes of Mr. Limbaugh (et:al) is what leads to the dark ages where speaking truth to power often led to summary execution.

Whereas the counter argument is also true. If you spout anti-social remarks because things aren't the way YOU think they should be, are you really building 'social cohesion' by advocating for religious, racist or elitist goals?

How does one such as myself take on the subject of 'free speech' when it protects my right to dissent? I don't object to dissent. No matter how carefully I craft there will always be people who aren't 'satisfied' because their desires aren't fulfilled.

{In most cases said desires are greedy, they want exclusive control over something that belongs to us all...so others won't 'spoil' what they hold dear.}

This is a failure of an educational system that doesn't teach logic (or even study it for that matter.) [The damning reason behind this failure is we are forced to accept many 'illogical' outcomes thanks to the irrational desires of others.]

The current mantra of 'protected speech' is once again restricted to those who own the public forum and profit over their control of mass communications.

Why is it they never address overpopulation or the multiple failures of capitalism if they are so interested in 'pursuing the truth?'

Because those who deny both problems exist don't want the public dwelling on their studied lack of action.

No one appreciates more than I the hypocritical stance of decrying what passes for 'free speech' in our society vs the need for 'productive public discourse' across the social spectrum.

Spouting hate and discussing problems are two entirely separate issues which should never be lumped together!

There is zero irony in the fact today's toxic political environment is the end product of 'unfettered speech'. Slanderous lies told about both sides to smother compromise and stifle rational discussion.

Worse is most of you fail to appreciate why such an environment is 'desireable'...and the answer is simple. If you can't communicate, you won't solve or even attempt to address 'injustice'.

For those who say they embrace 'fix the problem, not the blame' they seem much more interested not being told (much less discussing) what is or isn't a 'problem'.

Those who decry 'political correctness' only want what they want, 'end of discussion'.

Much is said about the symptoms of social collapse but nobody is interested in SOLVING the CAUSES.

Which is to point at yet another elephant in the room, so long as ONE Human is destitute, none should enjoy luxury.

So we return to the heart of the issue, fixing the blame instead of the problem.

When will they ever learn?

Thanks for letting me inside YOUR head.

Gegner