Vedant said:
Yes, free speech is a privilege that we take for granted.
I don't think Freedom of speech is a privilege. To me, it is a human right. All American Freedoms are rights that we each have. It is fair that America recognizes the Freedome of Speech. And still today, America needs help to recognize other human rights that come up as the world grows and evolves.
Too many people, in my opinion, feel that Americans are some how priviledged to be citizens. I don't feel this way. I think being American is more of a endeavor and less of a privilege. I say this as a law abiding citizen, tax payer, property and business owner. All the Freedoms that America is "good" enough to alot to it's citizens is paid for, one way or another, by those citizens. So to me, all American Freedoms are not privileges but, rights that have been bought and paid for.
I mean just look at those soldiers out at war right now. They are paying dearly. Their families are paying dearly. I don't agree with the war. But I do have great respect for the sacrafices these people make in their duty. Not only them, but their families.
So, I feel as an American we should all abide by the law, contribute to society, and excersise the Freedoms that we all work hard for. Knowing that other countries might not recognize it's citizens' freedoms (like America) does not make me grateful persay... It makes me work harder to ensure my freedoms are recognized. Because even in America, if each one of us does not fight for our rights, they can easily get taken away.
To the main point.... I think there is the fine line between the freedom of speech and harrassment. For example. A friend and I were having dinner at an upscale resturant and we were sitting on a patio. We were enjoying our meal and good conversation--so was everyone else dinning at this establishment. In the garden right outside the resturant a Preacher came and started yelling and preaching fire and brimstone. Well the security of the area came and told him to leave. I think this was good and fair. He was disturbing the peace. He should have taken his Free Speech to a more appropriate place, or held his demonstration in a manner that was a little more respectful of other people's space. Instead he could have handed out fliers, or held up a sign.
Another example was of a preacher yelling and desturbing a funeral because the deseased happened to be gay. He was holding a very loud protest. To me, that was not the freedom of speech, that was harrasment. What about the Freedom of the family to hold a peacful funeral for their son? The preacher could have excersised his Freedom of Speech in a much more fair and respectful manner. But he didn't.
It is these gray areas that need to be looked at. I think we all can say what we want, whenever you want. But I think all of us need to be required to respect other people's right and choice to listen or not.
