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by ethbr1 680 days ago
The exceptions are far more narrow than in the UK. Try and bring a libel charge in each country.

PS: And technically, afaik, it isn't a crime to call for the assassination of the president of the US. It's illegal to attempt it, and to take actions that support those attempting it. But if you just post on Facebook about it... you'll get a call from the Secret Service and a recommendation that you don't do that, but no charge.
2 comments
fragmede 680 days ago
Post a copy of Pixar's latest movie online and see if that speech is protected. Or CSAM. It would be better to acknowledge that there very much are limits on the freedom of speech, just like everywhere else, instead of pretending we're better than everyone else and that we don't have any censors.
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ethbr1 680 days ago
> that we don't have any censors.

That's not the argument I'm making.

I'm noting that the US started from a right to free speech, and then carved out exclusions to that.

Whereas the UK came at it the other way and added to a list of types of speech that are free.

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krapp 680 days ago
Nevertheless, mocking the UK for having "free speech, except when we disagree with it" is kind of specious when that exactly describes free speech in the US as well. It's simply a matter of where different countries choose to draw the lines.
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ethbr1 680 days ago
If you're making the absolutist argument, then yes, you are correct.

If you're making a practical argument, then we can trade exclusions 1-for-1 in the US vs UK, and the UK list will go on far after you've exhausted the US ones.

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