Freedom is a lack of restraint, but not a lack of accountability. We, the American people, are, under our law system, “…endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these arer life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!” Those “rights” are enumerated in the Bill of Rights. The first of those is freedom of speech. The bottom line is that you can say anything you want without restraint. BUT, you are also open to accountability if what you say does harm to other people’s guaranteed rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

What are those tools of “accountability”? They are, as best this writer knows, the laws that forbid and punish slander, libel and incitement to riot! If someone employs any or all of these three, they are subject to a legal system that accords them the right to know the charges against them, to be legally represented, have a “speedy” trial by a jury of their peers, the right to call witnesses, the right to present evidence, and the right to confront their accuser in a court of law. These additional rights protect the right of freedom of speech while establishing the accountability factor.

Pensiamento Peligroso