• Re: Belgium: Telling the Truth is Now a Crime

    From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Monday, June 01, 2026 17:54:11
    On 5/31/2026 4:31 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 31, 2026 at 1:17:45 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 5/31/2026 3:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 31, 2026 at 8:59:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 5/31/2026 6:18 AM, BTR1701 wrote:

    Brandenburg is not implicated in your scenario because a published book
    fails the 'imminent' prong of the Brandenburg test.

    I doubt that "imminent" carries an expiration date. E.g., "as soon as >>>> humanly possible" would seem a practical equivalence.

    Cases subsequent to Brandenburg have interpreted 'imminent' to mean exactly
    what it says: the lawless action must occur so close in time to the speech
    at
    issue to be in conjunction with it. A published book cannot satisfy that >>> criteria. Brandenburg literally requires a scenario where a guy stands >>> before
    a crowd and says, "Let's go kill that guy!" or "Let's burn that store down"!
    and then immediately leads the crowd to do just that. Speaking in the form
    of
    a book that takes months to publish, then delivered to stores, then sits on
    the shelf for however long, doesn't satisfy the imminency requirement.

    Fwiw, I didn't intend something so asynchronous as a "published book",
    but rather an online post, whose effect can be as immediate as a
    stem-winder in Hyde Park.

    Even that would fail the imminency test 99% of the time. Unless the government
    can prove the person read the post and reacted with violence within seconds of
    the poster hitting the send button, the lawless action is not legally imminent.

    It's not the success of the advocacy, but rather the advocate's intent.


    And the remoteness of the speech to the lawless action is also a factor. Some lower court cases have held that someone speaking on TV in one place can't be held responsible for another's reaction to it thousands of miles away. The Supreme Court, to my knowledge, hasn't clarified this, however.

    That strikes me as out-of-touch with today's reality, which removes
    ordinary distance factors from communications.


    Again, though, we come up against the fact that few (if any) words do
    have an exact meaning. E.g., is a threat to dynamite the town library
    not "imminent" if the fuse is 3 hours long?

    Setting a bomb in a library and lighting the fuse isn't a threat no matter how
    long it is. That's an action, not speech.

    What's the difference if I incite a riot on the spot or designate a site
    three hours away?



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, June 06, 2026 23:45:09
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than what the >> government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least they >> were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a real >> bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're locking >> you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 00:36:54
    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:
    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>>sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>nations" have made it a crime to object to public policies that have >>>massive negative impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything >>>different than what the government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least >>>they were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they
    never made any pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected >>>would have a real bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that they're >>>not executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're >>>free, open, and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even
    as they're locking you up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a >>cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    Hah!

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 13:08:00
    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>> sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free, >>> open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 18:51:43
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>
    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>>> sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal. >>>>
    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>> nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive >>>> negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least >>>> they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never >>>> made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a >>>> real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>> authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free, >>>> open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>> govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats in any actually free society.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 19:25:06
    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:
    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>>On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>>>>sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>>>nations" have made it a crime to object to public policies that have >>>>>massive negative impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything >>>>>different than what the government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least >>>>>they were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they >>>>>never made any pretense that what they said goes and anyone who >>>>>objected would have a real bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>>>authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that >>>>>they're not executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time
    insist they're free, open, and democratic societies who treasure
    free speech. Even as they're locking you up for saying anything they >>>>>don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a >>>>cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>>>govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>>most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats in >any actually free society.

    moviePig lied. He does want authoritarianism.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 19:38:25
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:25:06 PM PDT, ""Adam H. Kerman"" <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>> On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>>> On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>>>>> sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>>>> nations" have made it a crime to object to public policies that have >>>>>> massive negative impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything >>>>>> different than what the government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least >>>>>> they were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they >>>>>> never made any pretense that what they said goes and anyone who
    objected would have a real bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>>>> authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time
    insist they're free, open, and democratic societies who treasure
    free speech. Even as they're locking you up for saying anything they >>>>>> don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>>>> govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>>> most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats in
    any actually free society.

    moviePig lied. He does want authoritarianism.

    Apparently.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 15:38:55
    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal. >>>>>
    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>>> nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive >>>>> negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never >>>>> made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>>> authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that >>>>> they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>>> govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>> most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats in any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.
    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 20:11:52
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>
    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> >>>>>> wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal. >>>>>>
    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive >>>>>> negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than >>>>>> what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never >>>>>> made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>>>> authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that >>>>>> they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're >>>>>> locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a >>>>> cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>>> most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats >> in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't have the right feelings while saying it.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So, e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out on the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 16:29:13
    On 6/7/2026 3:38 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:25:06 PM PDT, ""Adam H. Kerman"" <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>> On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>>>> On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to >>>>>>>> sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western >>>>>>> nations" have made it a crime to object to public policies that have >>>>>>> massive negative impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything >>>>>>> different than what the government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least >>>>>>> they were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they >>>>>>> never made any pretense that what they said goes and anyone who
    objected would have a real bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as >>>>>>> authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that >>>>>>> they're not executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time
    insist they're free, open, and democratic societies who treasure >>>>>>> free speech. Even as they're locking you up for saying anything they >>>>>>> don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a >>>>>> cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should* >>>>>> govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>>>> most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats in
    any actually free society.

    moviePig lied. He does want authoritarianism.

    Apparently.

    Yet neither you nor Uppin' Adam answers either of my questions.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 16:34:34
    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than >>>>>>> what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that >>>>>>> they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a >>>>>> cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the >>>>>> most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't have the right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?


    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 20:36:30
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>
    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> >>>>>> wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist >>>>>>>> they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it? >>>>>>
    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We >> don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is >>> imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech >>> is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So, >>> e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out >> on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 17:05:36
    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist >>>>>>>>> they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it? >>>>>>>
    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens. >>>
    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?


    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is >>>> imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech >>>> is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So, >>>> e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the >>>> public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 21:10:09
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> >>>>>> wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing >>>>>>>>>>> is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and >>>>>>>>>> free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, >>>>>>>>>> but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected >>>>>>>>>> would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist >>>>>>>>>> they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if >>>>>>>>> any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it? >>>>>>>>
    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government >>>>>> bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens. >>>>
    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't >>>> have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the >>>>> public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.) >>>>
    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly >>>> out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media. >>
    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 21:25:33
    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We >don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't have the >right feelings while saying it.

    moviePig is going for authoritarian and kinky.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 17:30:33
    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and >>>>>>>>>>> free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators, >>>>>>>>>>> but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected >>>>>>>>>>> would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist >>>>>>>>>>> they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if >>>>>>>>>> any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it? >>>>>>>>>
    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government >>>>>>> bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't >>>>> have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the >>>>>> public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.) >>>>>
    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media. >>>
    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 21:50:05
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> >>>>>> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that >>>>>>>>>>>> have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol >>>>>>>>>>>> Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are >>>>>>>>>>>> every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if >>>>>>>>>>> any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government >>>>>>>> bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who >>>>>> say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't >>>>>> have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative. >>
    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 18:17:22
    On 6/7/2026 5:50 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a
    truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that
    have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol >>>>>>>>>>>>> Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are
    every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like.

    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if
    any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government
    bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who
    say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't
    have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative. >>>
    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up.

    But the mobs are carrying placards to bring you their "facts".



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 22:27:03
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 3:17:22 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:50 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that
    have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything >>>>>>>>>>>>>> different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are
    every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like. >>>>>>>>>>>>>
    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he >>>>>>>>>>>>> promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if
    any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if >>>>>>>>>>>>> none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government
    bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who
    say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't
    have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always >>>>>>>>> arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on >>>>>>>>> protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of >>>>>>>>> ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is >>>>>>>> certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up.

    But the mobs are carrying placards to bring you their "facts".

    Makes no difference. Just because you're speaking while committing other
    crimes doesn't insulate you from liability for those crimes.

    You can't walk into a bank, hold it up, steal the money, then when caught, claim immunity from prosecution because you had a political slogan on your t-shirt while you were robbing the bank.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Monday, June 08, 2026 00:00:24
    BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com> wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up.

    I wish moviePig would read contitutional law for understanding.

    or the right of the people peaceably to assemble

    Blocking transportation in interstate commerce or a post road isn't "peaceable".

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Sunday, June 07, 2026 21:47:49
    On 6/7/2026 6:27 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 3:17:22 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:50 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that
    have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything
    different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are
    every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech.
    Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he >>>>>>>>>>>>>> promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if
    any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if >>>>>>>>>>>>>> none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government
    bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who
    say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't
    have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one?

    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one? >>>>>>
    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always >>>>>>>>>> arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on >>>>>>>>>> protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of >>>>>>>>>> ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is >>>>>>>>> certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up.

    But the mobs are carrying placards to bring you their "facts".

    Makes no difference. Just because you're speaking while committing other crimes doesn't insulate you from liability for those crimes.

    You can't walk into a bank, hold it up, steal the money, then when caught, claim immunity from prosecution because you had a political slogan on your t-shirt while you were robbing the bank.

    Sorry to disappoint you (and your chihuahua) but that's exactly what
    I've been saying. Any reasonable person would conclude that blocking
    major traffic is more about holding the public interest hostage than it
    is about whatever message the banners shout.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Monday, June 08, 2026 02:56:31
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 6:47:49 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 6:27 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 3:17:22 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:50 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig"
    <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or
    worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that
    have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything
    different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol
    Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are
    every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech.
    Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if
    any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if
    none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government
    bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on >>>>>>>>>>> its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who
    say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't
    have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one? >>>>>>>
    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one? >>>>>>>
    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted.

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always >>>>>>>>>>> arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on >>>>>>>>>>> protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of
    ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is
    certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any >>>>>>>>> usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up. >>>
    But the mobs are carrying placards to bring you their "facts".

    Makes no difference. Just because you're speaking while committing other
    crimes doesn't insulate you from liability for those crimes.

    You can't walk into a bank, hold it up, steal the money, then when caught, >> claim immunity from prosecution because you had a political slogan on your >> t-shirt while you were robbing the bank.

    Sorry to disappoint you (and your chihuahua) but that's exactly what
    I've been saying. Any reasonable person would conclude that blocking
    major traffic is more about holding the public interest hostage than it
    is about whatever message the banners shout.

    And those arrested would be charged with anything from disorderly conduct to blocking a public right-of-way. The government won't be charging them or punishing them for their speech.

    However, above you *would* have the government charging people for saying "We don't have free speech" if you or one of your apparatchiks determined they
    were using wrongthink when they said it. That is punishment of speech, not actions.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Monday, June 08, 2026 11:00:11
    On 6/7/2026 10:56 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 6:47:49 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 6:27 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 3:17:22 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote: >>>
    On 6/7/2026 5:50 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:30:33 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 5:10 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 2:05:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:36 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 1:34:34 PM PDT, "moviePig"
    <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 4:11 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 12:38:55 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/7/2026 2:51 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On Jun 7, 2026 at 10:08:00 AM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 6/6/2026 7:45 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
    On May 29, 2026 at 3:20:40 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    On 5/28/2026 6:40 PM, BTR1701 wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 28, 2026 at 2:30:36 PM PDT, "moviePig" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:


    Note that if, as you suggest, it's a >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> truth that "everyone knows", then what he's actually doing
    is akin to
    sloganeering ...for a cause that, for better or
    worse, is illegal.

    Yes, the governments in these supposedly "democratic and
    free Western
    nations"
    have made it a crime to object to public policies that
    have massive
    negative
    impacts on the people, or to advocate for anything
    different than
    what the
    government is doing.

    We've always had authoritarian governments and dictators,
    but at least
    they
    were honest about it. The Nazis, Mao, Stalin, Pol
    Pot... they never
    made any
    pretense that what they said goes and anyone who objected
    would have a
    real
    bad day.

    But now we have all these Western governments, who are
    every bit as
    authoritarian as those listed above (the only >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> difference is that
    they're not
    executing dissidents... yet), but at the same time insist
    they're free,
    open,
    and democratic societies who treasure free speech.
    Even as they're
    locking
    you
    up for saying anything they don't like. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    No one wants authoritarianism, or feels that he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> promotes it. But a
    cut-to-the-chase question here is, e.g.,: what speech, if
    any, *should*
    govt. have the power to prohibit or punish? And if
    none, what's the
    most extreme example that you can think of to illustrate it?

    https://ibb.co/0pZV9NcP

    ...depending on how they say it.

    Making such determinations isn't the proper role of government
    bureaucrats
    in
    any actually free society.

    Any society, free or otherwise, must place restraints on >>>>>>>>>>>> its citizens.

    It is not necessary for society to punish the speech of people who
    say "We
    don't have free speech" because a bureaucrat determines they didn't
    have the
    right feelings while saying it.

    Is that an actual exchange or your interpretation of one? >>>>>>>>
    Is your *meme* an actual exchange or your interpretation of one? >>>>>>>>
    It's what you said in response to the meme I posted. >>>>>>>>>
    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always
    arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on >>>>>>>>>>>> protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of
    ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is
    certainly
    out
    on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation. >>>>>>>>>>
    As I said, 'speech' is the communication of ideas. Via any >>>>>>>>>> usual media.

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    Okay, Pol Pig.

    See me when your 101 freeway is next shut down by mobs.

    See, but that's not speech so I have no problem with locking them up. >>>>
    But the mobs are carrying placards to bring you their "facts".

    Makes no difference. Just because you're speaking while committing other >>> crimes doesn't insulate you from liability for those crimes.

    You can't walk into a bank, hold it up, steal the money, then when caught,
    claim immunity from prosecution because you had a political slogan on your
    t-shirt while you were robbing the bank.

    Sorry to disappoint you (and your chihuahua) but that's exactly what
    I've been saying. Any reasonable person would conclude that blocking
    major traffic is more about holding the public interest hostage than it
    is about whatever message the banners shout.

    And those arrested would be charged with anything from disorderly conduct to blocking a public right-of-way. The government won't be charging them or punishing them for their speech.

    However, above you *would* have the government charging people for saying "We don't have free speech" if you or one of your apparatchiks determined they were using wrongthink when they said it. That is punishment of speech, not actions.

    What I said was "...depending on how they say it". E.g., they can
    speak/write it to their hearts' content, but they can't etch it into the sidewalk in front of 10 Downing St.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.15
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From The Horny Goat@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 16:39:41
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 20:11:52 -0000 (UTC), BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com>
    wrote:

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is
    imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech
    is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So,
    e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out on >the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    Freedom of speech also includes publications both periodicals and
    books.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From The Horny Goat@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 16:42:42
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 17:05:36 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    And if they don't have a placard? I have the right to read a book
    aloud in public subject to the usual conditions (e.g. obscenity,
    national security, creating a danger to the public and a few lesser
    causes)

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From The Horny Goat@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 16:47:03
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 21:47:49 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    Sorry to disappoint you (and your chihuahua) but that's exactly what
    I've been saying. Any reasonable person would conclude that blocking
    major traffic is more about holding the public interest hostage than it
    is about whatever message the banners shout.

    OK so were the Muslims who blocked all entrances / exits from the
    Quebec City Catholic cathedral for several hours "exercising their
    rights"? And if not, why did the Quebec Provincial Police not
    intervene?

    I personally believe organizing a crowd to block roadways and
    sidewalks IS not exercising a right to free speech but effectively
    abducting those inside.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From The Horny Goat@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 17:14:00
    On Mon, 8 Jun 2026 11:00:11 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    However, above you *would* have the government charging people for saying "We
    don't have free speech" if you or one of your apparatchiks determined they >> were using wrongthink when they said it. That is punishment of speech, not >> actions.

    What I said was "...depending on how they say it". E.g., they can >speak/write it to their hearts' content, but they can't etch it into the >sidewalk in front of 10 Downing St.

    If you're in a position to etch (or spray paint) a slogan into the
    sidewalk in front of #10 Downing Street you're probably a politician
    since Downing Street as a whole is gated to the general public.

    Now that black steel gate is commonly a site for protests of all sorts
    (the day - June 2016 - about 10 days before the Brexit vote - I was
    there there was a large group of nannies there who I was told were
    from Congo - I was mostly surprised to see them not overwhelmed by
    Brexiteers on both sides waving their banners but that's the gospel
    truth. Where you DID see a lot of "LEAVE" and "REMAIN" banners was
    from the sides of ships in the Thames as there are lots of "sea buses"
    like the one that took us from the river bank just south of
    Westminster Abbey to Greenwich which was where I got my favorite photo
    of the trip - my wife and I kissing across the International Dateline.
    Her feet were in the eastern hemisphere, mine in the western
    hemisphere. Found a friendly Brit who was happy to borrow my camera to
    shoot us at Greenwich!)

    Been there done that got the photo.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 22:14:33
    On 6/12/2026 7:47 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 21:47:49 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    Sorry to disappoint you (and your chihuahua) but that's exactly what
    I've been saying. Any reasonable person would conclude that blocking
    major traffic is more about holding the public interest hostage than it
    is about whatever message the banners shout.

    OK so were the Muslims who blocked all entrances / exits from the
    Quebec City Catholic cathedral for several hours "exercising their
    rights"? And if not, why did the Quebec Provincial Police not
    intervene?

    I personally believe organizing a crowd to block roadways and
    sidewalks IS not exercising a right to free speech but effectively
    abducting those inside.

    That logic seems unassailable. Yet, afaik, courts do lean toward making
    sure that some degree of such extortion is allowed ...under the rubric
    of "free speech".



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From moviePig@3:633/10 to All on Friday, June 12, 2026 22:16:58
    On 6/12/2026 7:42 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 17:05:36 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative.

    And if they don't have a placard? I have the right to read a book
    aloud in public subject to the usual conditions (e.g. obscenity,
    national security, creating a danger to the public and a few lesser
    causes)

    If there's no placard, there's likely no "speech".



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From BTR1701@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, June 13, 2026 03:24:44
    On Jun 12, 2026 at 7:16:58 PM PDT, "moviePig" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote:

    On 6/12/2026 7:42 PM, The Horny Goat wrote:
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 17:05:36 -0400, moviePig <nobody@nowhere.com>
    wrote:

    Then why would picket-lines be exempt?

    I'd allow a picket-line to the degree that its placards are informative. >>
    And if they don't have a placard? I have the right to read a book
    aloud in public subject to the usual conditions (e.g. obscenity,
    national security, creating a danger to the public and a few lesser
    causes)

    If there's no placard, there's likely no "speech".

    I see you haven't had the pleasure of exposure to their incessant and inane chants.



    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Adam H. Kerman@3:633/10 to All on Saturday, June 13, 2026 07:19:51
    The Horny Goat <lcraver@home.ca> wrote:
    On Sun, 7 Jun 2026 20:11:52 -0000 (UTC), BTR1701 <atropos@mac.com>
    wrote:

    And thus the question of who'll watch the watchers always arises (and is >>> imperfectly answered). The only limits *I'd* impose on protected speech >>> is that it actually *be* speech, i.e., the communication of ideas. So, >>> e.g., picket-lines, sit-ins, traffic-blocks are suffered only at the
    public's indulgence. (No, I don't expect a SCOTUS nomination soon.)

    Yes, restricting the 1st Amendment only to the spoken word is certainly out on
    the far fringes of constitutional interpretation.

    Freedom of speech also includes publications both periodicals and
    books.

    No. It's a sub claause.

    or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;

    You are going to have matters that apply to both speech and press, or
    just to speech, or just to press.

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.16
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)