America, the last country on Earth with Free Speech

[Team Sergeant]

What's amusing is that not a single major media outlet carried this story, not one.

This was a facebook post and the individual was sentenced to six months..........

This is no free speech in Europe, Canada, Australia etc.

America is the last nation on earth that still defends Free Speech. And you can thank the 2nd Amendment for that.






German Journalist Sentenced to 6 Months of Jail Time for Criticizing Islam
by Chris Black
August 22, 2017, 10:50 am

We just got word about a German journalist, Michael Stürzenberger respectively, who was sentenced to 6 months in jail for free speech basically. Even if he received a suspended sentence, i.e. he’ll not go to jail this time (maybe later), putting people in jail for dissenting opinion is something that you’d expect in Nazi Germany or USSR, not 2017’s Germany.
Michael Stürzenberger was sentenced to jail for hate speech as he uploaded a historical photo on social media, arguing that Islam is a fascist ideology. The German journalist is well known in the country for his militantism against the construction of a mega mosque in Munich. The historic photo he posted on Facebook as an argument for Islam being a fascist ideology depicts the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during War World 2, Amin al-Husseini respectively, shaking hands with a high ranked Nazi.

cont:







https://www.theissue.com/politics/ge...ticizing-islam

[Box]

I can only imagine the selective outrage that would erupt if a journalist was jailed in the USA.

Of course, hate speech toward the NRA, the current POTUS, Christian groups, and pretty much anyone with an opinion contrary to what is demanded by the talking heads in academia is acceptable for now as long as we don't bad mouth any sensitive liberal topics...

However, I would gamble that a liberal president with a supporting congress will have us looking a lot like aNgela merKel's version of geRmany in a matter of weeks.

[rsdengler]

Wow, sounds vaguely familiar to the time period when my father grew up in Germany, in the 1930’s. Yep, political correctness and absurd laws have taken over common sense, but hey it’s OK to be critical of the Christian Religion. But shame on you if you speak out against Islamic Radicalism in Germany and Europe; no doubt they will be watching you…….Nice, I wonder if they are still wearing the black trench coats and linger in dark halls and alley ways around your home?

[Flagg]

I’d push back a bit about free speech outside the US.

Japan has fairly robust legal framework for free speech.

South Korea does as well, but with restrictions on anything supportive of North Korea and “national security” which could undermine the right is used malignantly.

Australia has free speech enshrined in case law

New Zealand has free speech embedded in its human rights legislation.

Australia/NZ both in particular top the power distance index(lack of respect for authority) where outlier opinions are accepted/tolerated.

But in having said that, none have the 2nd ammendment to deter tyranny(although Aus/NZ both have ridiculous numbers of firearms owners).

I certainly get your point though Team Sgt.

Imagine it was 1987 and West Germany made it illegal to criticise communism. Madness.

It would be interesting to see the President get in a Twitter war with EU leaders about freedom of speech.

Maybe bring back Voice of America to target militant/incongruent Islam?

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Flagg

I’d push back a bit about free speech outside the US.

Japan has fairly robust legal framework for free speech.

South Korea does as well, but with restrictions on anything supportive of North Korea and “national security” which could undermine the right is used malignantly.

Australia has free speech enshrined in case law

New Zealand has free speech embedded in its human rights legislation.

Australia/NZ both in particular top the power distance index(lack of respect for authority) where outlier opinions are accepted/tolerated.

But in having said that, none have the 2nd ammendment to deter tyranny(although Aus/NZ both have ridiculous numbers of firearms owners).

Wrong and wrong.

Japan, free speech, nope, has hate speech “laws” yes. And has used them in court to punish.

Australia, has free speech, nope. Has hate speech laws and will throw you in
prison.


http://www.findlaw.com.au/articles/4...-in-austr.aspx

Some of us may presume that because we live in a liberal democracy like Australia, certain personal freedoms are a given – like free speech – and that any imposition on a person’s speech would be viewed as an attempt to curtail the freedom. Additionally, we’re going to presume (for the sake of the topic of this piece) that many Australians would be familiar with the US Constitution and specifically the First Amendment which states; “Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…”, and we’re going to also guess (again for efficacy) that some people may believe that we here in Australia also enjoy a similar type of Constitutional protection: But do we? Well… it must be said that Australia’s free speech laws are interesting to say the least.

First, let’s get the easy part out of the way: Australia does not have an explicit First Amendment equivalent enshrining the protection of freedom of speech in our Constitution. So where does this leave us? Well, it wasn’t until 1992 in Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Wills and Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (ACTV) 177 CLR 1 where the issue of free speech was significantly dealt with.

And I don't want to "argue" that Australia's freedom of speech is defended by "case law". If a nation thinks that little of their freedom of speech, not to add it to their constitution then they deserve their fate. In America our military defends the Constitution, not case law. Think about that.

New Zealand, seems free speech might still be intact.

[ddoering]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

What's amusing is that not a single major media outlet carried this story, not one.

This was a facebook post and the individual was sentenced to six months..........

This is no free speech in Europe, Canada, Australia etc.






German Journalist Sentenced to 6 Months of Jail Time for Criticizing Islam
by Chris Black
August 22, 2017, 10:50 am

We just got word about a German journalist, Michael Stürzenberger respectively, who was sentenced to 6 months in jail for free speech basically. Even if he received a suspended sentence, i.e. he’ll not go to jail this time (maybe later), putting people in jail for dissenting opinion is something that you’d expect in Nazi Germany or USSR, not 2017’s Germany.
Michael Stürzenberger was sentenced to jail for hate speech as he uploaded a historical photo on social media, arguing that Islam is a fascist ideology. The German journalist is well known in the country for his militantism against the construction of a mega mosque in Munich. The historic photo he posted on Facebook as an argument for Islam being a fascist ideology depicts the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during War World 2, Amin al-Husseini respectively, shaking hands with a high ranked Nazi.

cont:







https://www.theissue.com/politics/ge...ticizing-islam

Sounds pretty Nazish to me. You must not question Der Fuerher.

[tonyz]

Vee have vaaayys of stopping you talk.

[JimP]

Brush Okie - don't forget getting audited by the IRS; having the EPA suddenly find that your back yard is a "wetland"; that your medical records are suddenly "lost"; your kids education records are lost; etc...etc.

We could NOT survive another Obama administration. I'm not sure we can save our republic but if it can be done, it needs to be done by someone like the current occupant - who in the immortal passion of the honey-badger - "don't GAF."

[craigepo]

Rights are only as good as the forces protecting them. If you get bored, take a look at the constitution of the People's Republic of China. Pay particular attention to Chapter II, The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens. As you read through the rights to free speech and demonstration and religion, think about how many times you know that China has violated those rights on TV, and how many Chinese Christians are in jail for being Christian.


http://en.people.cn/constitution/constitution.html

[Sohei]

We are still what we are as a Nation because of the 2nd Amendment.

That is what separates us from other countries who claim they have freedom of speech and truly don't.

[mark46th]

But in having said that, none have the 2nd ammendment to deter tyranny(although Aus/NZ both have ridiculous numbers of firearms owners)." Flagg

That's why the Forefathers put in the 2nd Amendment, to protect us from our own government.

[Airbornelawyer]

What's amusing is that not a single major media outlet carried this story, not one.

What is sad is that they probably did not cover it because it is not particulary newsworthy. When I studied comparative constitutional law almost 20 years ago, we read case law from the Bundesverfassungsgericht going back to the 1980s which placed limits on the freedom of speech and the press under Article 5 of the Grundgesetz which would be considered intolerable under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

And it is not just Germany. The United Kingdom has been known for decades for so-called "libel tourism", where someone would bring a libel suit in a UK court against an American citizen rather than in a U.S. court because such a suit would fail on First Amendment grounds in any U.S. court but would survive under UK libel laws.