Does ‘Innocence of Muslims’ meet the free-speech test?

LA Times Op-ed: Does ‘Innocence of Muslims’ meet the free-speech test?: Women writing opinion pieces might very well offend these very same Muslims and bring about the very same sorts of violence. Even so we don’t dare question if Sarah Chayes has the right to express her beliefs or re-state the beliefs of others. It is unfortunate that Chayes does not have a similar commitment to freedom, liberty and equality. Most especially for her. And that is also unfortunate. As well as perplexing. We cannot at all understand why those who have the most to lose to these unenlightened folks are the first to sacrifice all that is good in an effort to appease them.

This post was last modified on July 7, 2021

Kip Hooker:

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  • The argument about what is and isn't free speech deals primarily with political speech, not speech that is like: "Grandma, that dress you're wearing makes you look like an ugly twenty year old hooker." I mean, while the statement may be true, it was probably and uncharitable remark. On the other hand, calling a political apponent out for being a tax cheat or philanderer is covered under the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Calling granny a whore isn't free speech, however, calling Barry a dickless queer is. Try and get the two straight!

  • She ought to pay more attention to what's happening in the world; her whole premise is based on the anti-Mo video having caused the deaths in Libya, but that whole idea has been definitively shot down, although El Preisidente apparently hasn't received the memo yet.

  • Recently, I heard a legal commentator discuss free speech and the crowded theater example. His argument was that if one were to do that he would not be arrested for a speech crime but for disturbing the peace, which goes to Karmaa's point. Holmes was a progressive and it amazes me that his opinion -and that example- was never challenged.

  • Leftists hate to be challenged and react badly when this occurs. Just like their role models in Islam. Their intellectual arrogance is what results, when they are in power, in gulags, mob justice, book burnings, etc.

    To leftist control freaks, speech is just one other facet of life that needs their "gifted" control.

  • I never shout "theater" in a crowded fire. Just the same, it's free speech. I wouldn't dare suggest that the "prophet" of a certain middle-east death cult sucks cock in hell, but isn't that the freedom afforded to me?

    Here's the "test": is it speech? If so, it's not supposed to be impeded by the government of the United States. Period.

    • The basic rule of thumb is that YOUR rights end where MINE begin. That's the only "test". And as far as free speech, that has nothing to do with saying things that make me unhappy or uncomfortable.

      Personally, I don't get it. How weak must your faith be that an an insult to your faith can cause you to be outraged or to kill people? If someone mocked my faith, and I was 100% certain that my beliefs were the only correct ones, I would feel pity for the person who did that. But anger? No.

      • Here's the test:

        "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

        Period.

  • "Women writing opinion pieces might very well offend these very same Muslims and bring about the very same sorts of violence."

    Yeah, I wonder how she would feel about it if the Muslims decided to riot because women in LA weren't wearing burqas? Keep appeasing these bullies and that's what it will come to, but by that time, there will be no one left willing to stand up to them. Pleasant dreams, journ0list schithead.

  • I didn't realize that there was a test. The overreach is getting to the breaking point. There will be an equal and opposite reaction sooner or later.