Say whatever you want. Just don't force me to listen to it.

Jim P. needs to take it a little further. Free speech also means not forcing me to participate or subsidize political messages that I oppose (e.g. "diversity training,""multicultural training,"). "Fair" share payments to Unions in states that force you to join a union to have a job is another.

Although on the latter, you theoretically can resign from the union and require them to refund in advance the portion of your "fair" share payment that is allocated to political activities, we all know a good accountant and manipulate that. And regardless, if you make "fair" share payments for "collective" bargaining you don't get to vote. Ummm sounds like taxation without representation to me.

Bill O Rights,

Very true. There is only so much an individual can do though.

Jim P. should go a step further. The "tolerant" students at universities who disrupt the speech of invited speakers needs to be addressed. I don't know the answer. Some choices:
1. Deny known protesters admittance to the auditorium
2. Have adequate security at the event.
3. Have multiple camera video of the event to identify the protestors for later discipline.

Comrades,
The declaration of positive rights: "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We can no longer afford to provide you with all three services. You will be allowed to pick only one and the other two will be redistributed to each according to his need."

Extra rations to Comrade O'Brien for the idea.

I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

As I've always said, the remedy for free speech is more free speech. You don't like what someone says, then exercise your free speech to prove them wrong.

Years ago, I subscribed to an alternative book catalog that advertised itself as a litmus test of free speech tolerance. There was something in there to horrify everyone. It was the NAMBLA books that tested my tolerance.

I think it was called Loompanics (or something like that) and would guess it is out of business as a terrorist organization by now, although it was alive and well in the Nixon years.

I have noticed that free speech seems to be omnidirectional at most educational institutions.

As in "we the faculty" and "the radical students" have the right to say any incredibly stupid thing that pops into our heads,

And you the listener, have the right to counter that by saying "I disagree". But the moment you put up data, or facts, that point out how incredibly stupid, the original statement was, you are "threatening" and "intolerant" and you need to be shut down.

I will not necessarily defend your right to say something I might disagree with. But I will defend with my life MY right to say it if I so desire.

But I will defend with my life MY right to say it if I so desire. -- Fayd at November 11, 2013 12:06 PM

Please be selfish.

Somehow I have MLK's I have a dream speech at least paraphrased in my mind: "I have a dream that everyone will be based on the content of their character and not the color of their skin."

For some reason not a single word of Malcom X comes to mind.

But of course that is the choice of those who think they are in the right and refuse to learn from anything or anyone who doesn't believe the same way.

For some reason not a single word of Malcom X comes to mind.

You should check out his last speech where he told people that Islam was making them all slaves anew and they needed to stop holding on to their victim mentality.

Would have been interesting to see how his advocasy evolved had they not killed him for telling people to grow up, think for themselves, and take responsibility for their own lives

I see my comical comment was being taken WAY too seriously. I would defend ALL free speech because I know that I am helping to defend it for everyone else and myself as well.

Oh, no. I always blame myself as the writer if I'm not clear in my intent. The people who post on this blog are among the smartest I've ever encountered.

Oh, no. I always blame myself as the writer if I'm not clear in my intent. The people who post on this blog are among the smartest I've ever encountered. -- Fayd at November 12, 2013 9:27 AM

I have a tendency to take what someone writes at face value. And it I try to go with facts.

So I admit I didn't get the sarcasm you intended. But I do appreciate the smartest comment. I hope I can always bring that to the table.