"Free speech" does NOT mean you have the right to swear or slander other people or foment violence. Free speech means you cannot be prosecuted by the government for speaking or publishing dissenting opinion or publishing information critical of the government or its employees.
I am not advocating a return to the censorship of the 30's and I understand language does evolve over time but IMHO we have gotten way beyond what is considered proper language in mixed company and into "pants on the ground territory". It is way past time where we need to return to those customs and practices which made us one of the greatest countries, and cultures, in history.
We finally agree!
Well, for the most part. It is our freedoms that are supposed to separate the U.S. from the rest of the planet.
I would go beyond what you stated with regard to our freedom to speak our minds. There should be no thought police which decide what is or is not in "good taste".
As far as swearing on radio, it sure has changed in the past few years. It used to be you couldn't say S.O.B., or use the many genital references that are used today.
Advocating violence could also be open to interpretation. I heard many hosts, both on TV and radio, say George W. Bush should be murdered. I doubt they had visits from the secret service. I'm sure you're saying "you can't yell fire in a packed theater". Well, if you cause panic, and where people get hurt, then you have no freedom of speech defense.
The bottom line is I will defend every person's freedom of speech until someone gets hurt. If I don't like what they say, I'll change the station/channel or walk away.
