12-09-2020, 12:18 AM
In the gun debates, it is often said that no right is absolute, without specifying what the limits are. I have often clarified that. A right does not protect someone who causes harm to another, or violates another’s rights. Thus the Second gives a right to own and carry a gun, but not to murder someone.
Can the principle be applied to free speech other than the example of crying 'fire' in a crowded theater? In that case the potential harm is obvious. If you lie, at what point are you causing harm. If you say COVID is a hoax and it is not, are you doing deadly harm to those that believe you? Negligent homicide? If you knowingly falsely say there is election fraud and there is not, and that you should send money to prove it, using the money for other personal reasons, is that theft?
Thoughts?
Can the principle be applied to free speech other than the example of crying 'fire' in a crowded theater? In that case the potential harm is obvious. If you lie, at what point are you causing harm. If you say COVID is a hoax and it is not, are you doing deadly harm to those that believe you? Negligent homicide? If you knowingly falsely say there is election fraud and there is not, and that you should send money to prove it, using the money for other personal reasons, is that theft?
Thoughts?
That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.