Reply #31: ah

[kenfrequed]

And you are making an entirely different point than reality dictates in this case. Somehow I see France having free speech and right to assemble and march and possess broad freedoms in the press and exercising them on a regular basis. I don't think this is only a narrow vociferous right to speak on specific redress of grievances.

And for that matter if we are so damned free to speak out why is it when Americans do so in a political manner our police gas us, truncheon us, and imprison us. I live in Minnesota and recall the protests at the RNC very well.

And while you state there are laws regarding limitations of speech in France the only real example you can bring up is a law against 'hate speech.' I know I have always wanted to bilge racist bullshit and feel very hurt that I cannot.

But what about the purient American laws that control public nudity or the display of nude people? Surely that is a limitation on freedom of speech and expression. Or how about civil laws that allow a corporation to sue me into the stone-age for damage to their name and reputation if I speak out about how their products or practices hurt Americans. Obviously free speech isn't really 'for-free speech' in America.

Oh, and considering that France was subjegated by the Nazi's in World War II, I think a little nervousness about hate-speech is somehow understandable.

Why don't you cite some French legal code rather than making tired generalizations trumped up by whatever absurd right wing radio broadcast you are getting your Francophobic BS from.