Freedom of speech is one of the most basic of all Amendment rights. However, just because we have a law which says "You are free to speak" doesn't mean you can say what you feel in all places and at any time you so choose.<P>With everything in life, there are a set of rules one must follow. Likewise, our right to speak freely has rules and a exceptions to the law as it stands. <P>In this case, the word exception means you must follow these rules if you are to base your opinion on the First Amendment Rights. <P>The exceptions are few, but are well regarded in a court of law. They are:<P>Defamation: (includes spoken slander and/or written libel)You cannot make untrue statements about people (ie: I am your husband's other woman and he sees me and my child every night), claiming you can say them under our First Amendment rights. If you do this, you can be sued in a court of law. <P>Causing Panic: You cannot scream FIRE in a crowded room, office building, movie theater etc. unless, of course, it is true. You cannot create chaos in the name of Freedom of Speech.<P>Fighting Words: Simply put, this exception include using words which "by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace." <P>Incitement to Crime: Using words, actions, art or so forth to entice another to commit a crime.<P>Sedition: Words which advocate unlawful actions towards the government.<P>Obscenity: There are three rules which apply:<P>1) whether the average person, thinks your words, actions or work is offensive <BR>2) Whethere your words, actions or work is projected in an offensive way to others<BR>3) whether your words, actions or work is without serious value <P>Offense: If someone is highly offended by your words, actions or art, and they suffer physical, mental or economical hardship, your right to speak freely is exempt from our First Amendment Rights.<P>Establishment of Religion: This means no forced prayer in public schools. <P><BR>In addition to the rules and exceptions of the First Amendment, you also have to follow the rules of this very site. It is owned, operated and paid for by Marriage Builders, it's owners, it's moderators etc. Basically, what they say goes. Your rights follow with this: if you don't like it, post elsewhere or design a site of your own so you can apply your own rights and exceptions. <P>You are free to speak freely providing your are mature enough to follow the rules, addition excetions of the First Amendment as well as the rules which apply for this site. If you cannot follow them, you lose your right to speak freely. <P><BR>

Hey COR,<BR>Does every high school teacher on the planet use the "yelling fire in a crowded movie theatre" example? hahaha.<BR>-cd

LOL! I think they do, but my third grader also knows this too, so maybe they're starting earlier. It is awfully tempting to a child, huh? <P>Take care,<BR>CoR

Another great post... uuuuuupppppp!<P>SB