Does the 'right to free speech' actually exist in the US?

Yep. There was an 8 year pause that included Nakoula Basseley being thrown in jail for a movie no one saw and that had nothing to do with Iran's attack on the Benghazi consulate. Freedom of speech has been restored. Slander/Libel really has nothing to do with redress for speech government leaders don't like since public figures can't sue. The audits of conservatives who dared to express conservative ideas under the Obama administration was an anomaly that will likely never be repeated.

 

It would apparently surprise you that men are actually less likely to "want to force women, who don’t want a child, to have to go through an entire pregnancy" than women. In fact, 51% of women self-identify as "pro-life" (and only 46% of men). I bet you learned something new today. You're welcome.

source: https://news.gallup.com/poll/244709/pro-choice-pro-life-2018-demographic-tables.aspx

 

The principle of free speech (which I consider to be something broader than just the "right to free speech" enshrined in the First Amendment and accompanying jurisprudence) is undergoing an alarming amount of erosion in American society.

 

Actually it wouldn’t surprise me as I was already aware. But thanks for your concern anyway.

 

So why the "Clearly you’re a male" comment? Just couldn't help but try to insert some biting (and misplaced) sexism into your commentary?

 

Then we can agree that the permanency of Roe v Wade can in fact be altered --- even against the wishes of the entire public --- all by judicial fiat as was the Warren Court decision. Ginsburg's cancer makes the upcoming change all that more likely, yes?

That was a generality. The odds that it applies to any one liberal on any message forum is usually very high due to their belief this constitutional republic uses direct voting as the end result, when it only guides the qualified electors.

 

Free speech does not include protection from consequence. Anyone is free to slander another, but they are not protected from the consequences of having done so.

The law does not say you are prohibited from slandering another, it says those harmed by your slander have legal recourse.

 

You presume the worst, that she would be utterly unable to raise the money or make arrangements to pay.

 

Wasn't that one aimed at me, or is she now a repeat offender? Oh noes.

 

You're not talking about "speech" but about acts which in themselves are illegal.

Slander/libel is false speech made with the intent to do harm.
Inciting violence is a crime again, the intent is to cause harm.

Using speech to commit crimes or torts is not protected speech.

 

(*grins*) Well said.

 

Yes, I'm referring to the comment aimed at you earlier. It appeared to have been made from ignorance and driven by sexist viewpoints, but now she claims it was made with full knowledge of its error, so I'm curious what the motive was in that case.

 

Your female misogyny is showing. Tisk!

Seriously? No hyperbole? No nasty, no stretching any truths or inventing any lies? I can't speak for conservative women except in generalities drawn from reading many of them, so limited to males only.....

What the "righties" want to do with women depends entirely how that woman treats each man. The exact same applies the other way around.

 

I am ever so tempted to just reply in kind every time a person of the female persuasion addresses me in such a less-than-cordial manner. As a delicate flower of limited worldly exposure, entirely innocent of its way, I cannot express my heartbreak at such treatment. Really. I sob myself to sleep in my little room, shattered....

 

Cancel Culture is poisoning American dialogue.

 

I have no idea of Roe v Wade will be overturned.
Why do you believe I’m a liberal? Oh right, because only liberals are for personal freedoms. This forum is like junior high school with how people have a need to label everyone.

 

Many women would be utterly unable to raise the money.

 

James Rosen and James Risen? Perhaps they thought they were the same person!

 

Then there is actually no BLANKET freedom of speech. Just LOTS of freedom of speech and more freedom of speech than any other country on the planet.

 

As in financial harm?

 

What about incitement of violence?

 

This post explains why the First Amendment doesn't cover that:

 

What does freedom of speech have to do with government leaders suing people?

Are you referring to the IRS scandal?

 

Does any of what you say here conflict with the below?

 

And how exactly has Trump shut down all communication?

Which "source" did Trump threaten to shut down?

Yes, I DO mean CLASSIFIED material! Hence why I said, "I don't think the press should be immune from leaking CLASSIFIED material."

The problem is, defining what "legitimate information" is.

Amazing! You're so unbelievably misinformed! I don't know what fake news source you got this nonsense from, but that naked lady was NOT shot at!

Sure I do. I asked:

And you replied with: