Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrat
Individual Freedom For Everyone

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Russia Today: The Alyona Show- Ana Kasparian: 'Free Speech Has a Price'

Source:Russia Today- Alyona Minkovski talking to Ana Kasparian.

"RT (formerly Russia Today) is a state-controlled international television network funded by the federal tax budget of the Russian government.[5][6] It operates pay television channels directed to audiences outside of Russia, as well as providing Internet content in English, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, and Russian.

RT operates as a multilingual service with conventional channels in five languages: the original English-language channel was launched in 2005, the Arabic-language channel in 2007, Spanish in 2009, German in 2014 and French in 2017. RT America (since 2010),[7] RT UK (since 2014) and other regional channels also offer some locally based content.

RT is a brand of TV-Novosti, an "autonomous non-profit organization", founded by the Russian news agency, RIA Novosti, on 6 April 2005.[3][8] During the economic crisis in December 2008, the Russian government, headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, included ANO "TV-Novosti" on its list of core organizations of strategic importance to Russia." 

From Wikipedia 

"So where is the line drawn on freedom of speech here in the US? Or better yet, who decides what is socially acceptable speech or not? Ana Kasparian of The Young Turks discusses." 


As long as people don't threaten to kill, physically or libel other people or yell fire like in a theater, people can pretty much say whatever the hell that they want to in America, without facing consequences at least from government. It's that simple and that includes hate speech and the Westboro Church case back in March is a perfect example of this. 

You can call people whatever the hell you want to and say whatever the hell you want to them, as long as you don't threaten to physically hurt them, kill them or libel them. And then they can say whatever the hell that they want to in response in reply, under the same certain conditions in response. Thats what free speech is about. 

It's not just about political speech or religious speech for Christians (of course) hat some so-called Christian-Conservatives  may suggest. That however doesn't mean that when people say something that offends or that other people disagree with, that they are aren't potential consequences for what people say, nor should there be in any liberal democracy. People can respond to each other indefinitely as long as they don't threaten to physically hurt or kill someone or libel them. 

Yes, free speech does come with a price but that doesn't mean its not worth paying. People have to understand when living in a liberal democracy that before they say something that may offend others. Or others may disagree with, especially controversial things that may be viewed as bigoted. That the people who are offended or disagree with you may respond and hit hard back. So if you are going to be very expressive and feel the need to express yourself on controversial issues that you better have thick skin and not be easily offended. Especially when people say things to you that you know is wrong and if anything is ignorant. 

Me personally, as far as I'm concern, people can say and should feel free to say whatever they want to me. Just as long as they say it to my face and not behind my back. For one thing I pretty much know when someone has an opinion about me and what it is. And when I disagree with it, so what everyone is entitled to an opinion. And when they are right I take it for what its worth and move on with my life. It's not the act thats the problem but the coverup thats the problem. A lesson from the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. 

So to answer the question free speech does come with a price, the price being that people can talk back. Which is a good lesson in my case like my blog (to use as an example) I allow people to say whatever they want to about it, now I prefer that they are on topic and not make it personal. They also need to know however that if they are going to hit me, that I'll probably hit back. Unless they are so ignorant that they aren't worth my time. And by the way I'm thick skin and I hit hard, not bragging just a fact.