Freedom of Speech or Free Speech: Same Thing?

This is a powder keg issue regardless. In one argument people want to emphasize the right of the speaker and not the hearer. But can’t one turn on public radio and have a reasonable expectation that there will not be unacceptable talk? Or on non-cable television? Or if one goes to a concert or sporting event?

On the other hand I will admit that television and radio is not a necessity of life. So if I object to certain content I surely don’t have to watch it. Same with radio. What if you are warned that a certain show contains potential offensive views then you can choose ahead of time to not listen. This has been done to some degree at times. That would be a fair compromise perhaps to build on that.

I suppose one could argue that you don’t have to attend a concert or a game either. And that is absolutely true. No one has to attend an event.

It does go to demonstrate how it would be nice if we considered their is more than just the issue of what you can say or where you say it. What about what we have to hear?

I guess the bigger question is why do we need to have this in writing? Isn’t it common courtesy? Is it unreasonable for people to use common sense in public or in a public forum? I mean do we need an FCC to help you figure out what is obscene and what isn’t? They are corrupt anyway. Seriously though you know what you wouldn’t want your kids to repeat. And it’s not like you don’t have plenty of outlets to have free speech.

You have your own circle of friends, you have satellite radio, cable television, your own backyard and in films based on a rating system.

In the end though the reality is we need to be careful not to see any “freedom” as an excuse to do whatever pleases us personally. For it stands to reason that there is no such absolute freedom in life. For every action truly does cause a reaction.