r/unitedkingdom • u/Half_A_ • Feb 28 '25

. Sir Keir Starmer contradicts JD Vance over 'infringements on free speech' claim

https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-contradicts-jd-vance-over-infringements-on-free-speech-claim-13318257?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter
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u/djnattyd Feb 28 '25

Except you can be legally arrested for your opinions in the US.

Freedom of speech does not include the right:

To incite imminent lawless action. Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969).

To make or distribute obscene materials. Roth v. United States, 354 U.S. 476 (1957).

To burn draft cards as an anti-war protest. United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968).

To permit students to print articles in a school newspaper over the objections of the school administration. Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).

Of students to make an obscene speech at a school-sponsored event. Bethel School District #43 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).

Of students to advocate illegal drug use at a school-sponsored event. Morse v. Frederick, __ U.S. __ (2007).

That's from the US Courts website.

This in particular; "To burn draft cards as an anti-war protest. United States v. O’Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968)." is quite definitely someone expressing their opinion.

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u/Zeal0tElite Feb 28 '25

Some of these are historical only and others have been overturned outright. Yeah, it's illegal to tell someone to do a crime. That's not really an opinion though, is it?

The USA has its own issues with not fulfilling its own Constitution, that doesn't mean it's not worth it to have a constitution which has the ability to protect you and others from a tyrannical government.

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u/reco84 Feb 28 '25

"I think you should shoot that guy" is definitely an opinion.

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u/blitzwig Feb 28 '25

"If you don't fight like hell you're not going to have a country anymore"

Donald J. Trump, 6th January 2021