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[MetalSlimeHunt]

Thought this would be related to the thread, seeing as it includes LGBT stuff.

"Rugby player woke up gay after stroke"

Two things can result from this. One, that it's definitely proven that being gay is hardcoded into the brain.

Or two, obviously since it resulted from a stroke, being gay is a result of brain damage!

In other words, nothing really changes.

It doesn't necessarily definitely prove anything. This is a single odd case, and that does not constitute absolute evidence. Anyway, strokes have been known to change completely normal but mutually contradictory traits in individuals, so it also can't really be used to say gay people are brain damaged.

Speaking of gay people, The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Vote was 10-8, total party line split.

[Nadaka]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/occupy-protestors-interrupt-michele-bachmann-speech-south-carolina-211213107.html

Read the last line. Michele Bachman used the phrase "Don't you love the first amendment?" sarcastically. Yes. I do. Yes, this is RAGE!

[Virex]

Wait isn't interrupting someone technically a breach of the first amendment? You're preventing said person from articulating her views after all.

[Nadaka]

Wait isn't interrupting someone technically a breach of the first amendment? You're preventing said person from articulating her views after all.

No it isn't. The first amendment is about protecting peoples right to protest from being suppressed by the government (among other things).

[ECrownofFire]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/occupy-protestors-interrupt-michele-bachmann-speech-south-carolina-211213107.html

Read the last line. Michele Bachman used the phrase "Don't you love the first amendment?" sarcastically. Yes. I do. Yes, this is RAGE!

Wha-

I don't...

Oh wait, Bachmann.

[Virex]

Wait isn't interrupting someone technically a breach of the first amendment? You're preventing said person from articulating her views after all.

No it isn't. The first amendment is about protecting peoples right to protest from being suppressed by the government (among other things).

Wait, I thought the first amendment also protected the freedom of speech, as in, I am forbidden from infringing on someone else's freedom of speech?

[Bauglir]

Wait, I thought the first amendment also protected the freedom of speech, as in, I am forbidden from infringing on someone else's freedom of speech?

No, because you are only bound by the Constitution indirectly. Except in whatever capacity you may have as a government agent (which I don't think you have any). It's why Toady can ban people from the forum.

[Virex]

So the US actually doesn't protect the freedom of speech? I have a hard time believing that.

[Nadaka]

Wait isn't interrupting someone technically a breach of the first amendment? You're preventing said person from articulating her views after all.

No it isn't. The first amendment is about protecting peoples right to protest from being suppressed by the government (among other things).

Wait, I thought the first amendment also protected the freedom of speech, as in, I am forbidden from infringing on someone else's freedom of speech?

What? NO! Just because you speak more loudly does not mean you are infringing on the free speech of someone else. The bill of rights is a restriction on the ability of government to restrict rights, not an enumeration or restriction of the rights of people.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Wait, I thought the first amendment also protected the freedom of speech, as in, I am forbidden from infringing on someone else's freedom of speech?

So the US actually doesn't protect the freedom of speech? I have a hard time believing that.

Between individuals, it's left up to whatever chaotic mess people can carve out. Only an entity of power, such as the government, can truly prevent you from saying things. You are perfectly able of playing "Who can shout louder?" with peers all day long.

It's why Toady can ban people from the forum.

Technically, Toady can ban people from the forum because he owns or rents the servers that this site is hosted on, thus making the whole thing his private property that he allows any individual who stumbles across to communicate over.

[ECrownofFire]

So the US actually doesn't protect the freedom of speech? I have a hard time believing that.

Technically, it should. In practice, no.

More specifically, the government can't limit your freedom of speech, but other people can, especially if you're saying stupid shit (or anything they don't agree with) on their property or something.

[Virex]

Wait, I thought telling someone to shut up was already an infringement on her freedom of speech? As in, you're attempting to prevent someone from exercising a human right?

[Bauglir]

It's why Toady can ban people from the forum.

Technically, Toady can ban people from the forum because he owns or rents the servers that this site is hosted on, thus making the whole thing his private property that he allows any individual who stumbles across it to communicate over.

Yes, exactly. And the reason he can do that with private property is because the 1st Amendment does not apply to his actions as a private citizen.

So the US actually doesn't protect the freedom of speech? I have a hard time believing that.

The US government protects the freedom of speech of its citizens from being infringed upon by the US government. That's all the 1st amendment obligates it to do, and probably all it should do given the shenanigans that could be got up to otherwise. Although there's something to be said for preventing giant piles of money from speaking louder than anything else, I just can't think of anything that would work for that without being a greater problem still.

Wait, I thought telling someone to shut up was already an infringement on her freedom of speech? As in, you're attempting to prevent someone from exercising a human right?

Only if you are a government or an agent thereof. Also, certain actions you can take (such as rampant and unchecked stabbing) to make somebody shut up can be problematic.

[ECrownofFire]

Wait, I thought telling someone to shut up was already an infringement on her freedom of speech? As in, you're attempting to prevent someone from exercising a human right?

Well, since you're sort of exercising your right to not listen to them, no. Something along these lines anyway.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Wait, I thought telling someone to shut up was already an infringement on her freedom of speech? As in, you're attempting to prevent someone from exercising a human right?

They can tell her to shut up, but she can tell them to fuck off and then keep talking anyway because they have no power over her. All citizens are equal. You can't do that to the government, hence why they aren't allowed to tell people to shut up except under very specific circumstances that almost never come up.