Free Speech Contest Support Thread
- Thread starter angelicminx
- Start date
cloudy
Alabama Slammer
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2004
- Posts
- 37,997
neonlyte said:I'll start assembling the posse.
Good on you! Enter into the spirit of things.
Oh, I'm counting on getting bombed into oblivion, and taking the coveted last place for this one. This is how it starts:
Land of the free? I don’t think so, at least, not so much anymore.
From the time we are very young, those of us here in the United States have it drummed into us that we are fortunate to live in the “land of the free.” We are told, over and over again, that we enjoy freedoms that those in other parts of the world only dream about having. And we believe it, or at least most of us do, until we get to the age where we start questioning the blindly held beliefs passed on to us when we are young.
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
Europe has freer speech...
From Wikipaedia:
"The European Convention on Human Rights, when signed on 4 November 1950, proclaimed a broad range of human rights already in existence in the signatories countries (the members of the Council of Europe). These rights include Article 10, which entitles all citizens to free expression.
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
It also included some other restrictions:
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Each country then had to alter their laws to confirm with this, where necessary. In 1998, the United Kingdom implemented the Human Rights Act which granted the judiciary power to apply these rights to cases, and a requirement for Parliament to check compatibility of new laws with the Convention rights. If a judge finds a law to be 'incompatible' with the given Convention rights, then the law must be amended to incorporate these protections.
European-wide cases have been heard in the European Court of Justice as well as the European Court of Human Rights to guarantee these privileges - and cases have tested the need for professional integrity (as a journalist or lawyer) and the compatibility of one with the Human Rights law.
A major issue regarding freedom of speech is the application of defamation (libel) laws. Some countries have been criticized for putting too much burden on the defendant; a recent example is the so-called "McLibel case", against the United Kingdom."
From Wikipaedia:
"The European Convention on Human Rights, when signed on 4 November 1950, proclaimed a broad range of human rights already in existence in the signatories countries (the members of the Council of Europe). These rights include Article 10, which entitles all citizens to free expression.
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
It also included some other restrictions:
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or the rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Each country then had to alter their laws to confirm with this, where necessary. In 1998, the United Kingdom implemented the Human Rights Act which granted the judiciary power to apply these rights to cases, and a requirement for Parliament to check compatibility of new laws with the Convention rights. If a judge finds a law to be 'incompatible' with the given Convention rights, then the law must be amended to incorporate these protections.
European-wide cases have been heard in the European Court of Justice as well as the European Court of Human Rights to guarantee these privileges - and cases have tested the need for professional integrity (as a journalist or lawyer) and the compatibility of one with the Human Rights law.
A major issue regarding freedom of speech is the application of defamation (libel) laws. Some countries have been criticized for putting too much burden on the defendant; a recent example is the so-called "McLibel case", against the United Kingdom."
angelicminx
Loving the monkey!
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Posts
- 3,490
Just submitted "Where Do We Draw The Line?" for good or bad. It was time to let it fly. Sigh... looking for my Armorall.
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
Congratulations to all those entering this contest, especially those who decided to enter after the level of attack against the entries was known.
I do not feel like running a last place contest on this Free Speech event because the last place would be decided by the bigots. Where have they come from on a site that only exists because of free speech? Anyone know?
I'm still thinking about another entry or entries. The PCs reveal so much ignorance about the subject. So many people seem to believe that free speech only exists in the US and nowhere else.
Free speech existed two thousand years ago, folks. St Paul used it in Ephesus. It had a long history even then with limitations. Only free men in Greece had free speech. Slaves and women did not.
John Milton wrote in defence of free speech referring back to the ancient Greeks.
Free speech had a long history before the American Revolution and is still widespread throughout many parts of the world that are not states of the Union.
Og - from a county that insisted in 1066 AD that William the Conqueror confirmed their ancient laws - including free speech. They wouldn't let him pass until he had. He did and this county has had free speech since 'time immemorial'.
I do not feel like running a last place contest on this Free Speech event because the last place would be decided by the bigots. Where have they come from on a site that only exists because of free speech? Anyone know?
I'm still thinking about another entry or entries. The PCs reveal so much ignorance about the subject. So many people seem to believe that free speech only exists in the US and nowhere else.
Free speech existed two thousand years ago, folks. St Paul used it in Ephesus. It had a long history even then with limitations. Only free men in Greece had free speech. Slaves and women did not.
John Milton wrote in defence of free speech referring back to the ancient Greeks.
Free speech had a long history before the American Revolution and is still widespread throughout many parts of the world that are not states of the Union.
Og - from a county that insisted in 1066 AD that William the Conqueror confirmed their ancient laws - including free speech. They wouldn't let him pass until he had. He did and this county has had free speech since 'time immemorial'.
sophia jane
Decked Out
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
- 15,225
Og- I agree about the last place issue. I also think the support thread will be in great demand during this contest! At least we know we can all come here and get genuine feedback on our pieces.
For what it's worth, I've read all of the essays and voted on them (so far). I only left two pc's, though.
SJ
For what it's worth, I've read all of the essays and voted on them (so far). I only left two pc's, though.
SJ
It appears Laurel is doing her thing and sweeping away the malicious votes.
Good luck for tomorrow Cloudy, Minx and the other brave hearts. Don't hold out much hope for my serious entry, it's largely about the UK.
Ogg - I think dropping the informal last place contest is a sound idea. See what others think. (Don't post the rules, no one can remember the formular )
Good luck for tomorrow Cloudy, Minx and the other brave hearts. Don't hold out much hope for my serious entry, it's largely about the UK.
Ogg - I think dropping the informal last place contest is a sound idea. See what others think. (Don't post the rules, no one can remember the formular
)
Last edited:
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
cloudy said:Yep, that's what the council is for.
Aborigines had the corroroboree - dancing covered in white mud and making obscene gestures at those in authority who reciprocated.
Women were not participants. They just laughed at the stupid men.
Og
sophia jane
Decked Out
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
- 15,225
Just submitted mine. Had to upload it tho (I usually just c&p) cuz of block quotes and such.
I'll be joining the ranks of the abused soon.
SJ
I'll be joining the ranks of the abused soon.
SJ
angelicminx
Loving the monkey!
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Posts
- 3,490
Congratulations to all that have their pieces posted to this point. I have finished reading and commenting on all of them. There are some well written and thought out works there.
What happened to the link to the contest entries though? I had saved all of them posted to date to my pc and now the link is gone.
Mine has not posted yet. I left special instructions, because I did have one block of quotation that needed an indent. Sigh. Waiting on pins and needles for it to post.
What happened to the link to the contest entries though? I had saved all of them posted to date to my pc and now the link is gone.
Mine has not posted yet. I left special instructions, because I did have one block of quotation that needed an indent. Sigh. Waiting on pins and needles for it to post.
sophia jane
Decked Out
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
- 15,225
My essay posted. Good luck to all of us who posted today! I wish you kind pc's.
SJ
SJ
angelicminx
Loving the monkey!
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Posts
- 3,490
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
Front Page
The Free Speech Contest is no longer on the front page of Literotica.
I have sent a PM to Laurel asking for it to re-appear. Some of the attention may be unwelcome, but as authors we are usually attention-seeking freaks.
I will NOT be running the last place contest on Free Speech. I will wait until the National Nude Day Contest and write about a nudist who never sheds her burqa.
Og
The Free Speech Contest is no longer on the front page of Literotica.
I have sent a PM to Laurel asking for it to re-appear. Some of the attention may be unwelcome, but as authors we are usually attention-seeking freaks.
I will NOT be running the last place contest on Free Speech. I will wait until the National Nude Day Contest and write about a nudist who never sheds her burqa.
Og
dreampilot79
Thanks to Rhino for da AV
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2004
- Posts
- 2,949
Submitted mine yesterday but still not a single read...sigh.. so not posted... and I had my armor all shined up too!
Og.. I have to agree with you about no last place contest.. though considering I spent a total of less than 2 hours writing mine... only because after reading advance copies of 2 others I had to do it...I woulda been a shoe in for last...
still... not fair to have bigots do the deciding!
good plan Og.. I approve of yer decision (which will prolly cause ya to re-evaluate just cuz I agreed..lol)
Og.. I have to agree with you about no last place contest.. though considering I spent a total of less than 2 hours writing mine... only because after reading advance copies of 2 others I had to do it...I woulda been a shoe in for last...
still... not fair to have bigots do the deciding!
good plan Og.. I approve of yer decision (which will prolly cause ya to re-evaluate just cuz I agreed..lol)
sophia jane
Decked Out
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
- 15,225
I noticed a couple of pc's last night (on others' essays) questioning why there are suddenly so many essays about the first ammendment. Hope people aren't getting low votes because readers don't know about the contest.
I think my essay have been so non-controversial that it's boring! Only 5 votes thus far!
SJ
I think my essay have been so non-controversial that it's boring! Only 5 votes thus far!
SJ
dreampilot79
Thanks to Rhino for da AV
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2004
- Posts
- 2,949
sophia jane said:
Welllll SJ.. I just voted.. so maybe 6?
sophia jane
Decked Out
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2005
- Posts
- 15,225
dreampilot79 said:
Thanks, DP. Just finished reading and voting on all the entries. An interesting mix of work. I can't wait to read more.
This is turning out to be a really interesting contest, not so much because of the numbers, but because of the ideas being expressed by both the writers and the readers.
SJ
oggbashan
Dying Truth seeker
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2002
- Posts
- 56,017
dreampilot79 said:
So, for once I agree with you, dreampilot. Don't take it as a precedent.
The last place contest is a fun thing played mainly for laughs and encouraging those of us who want to experiment (and fail!). This Free Speech Contest is getting too serious. The bigots are among us and their lack of understanding is appalling. Is Kansas missing any citizens?
Og
Similar threads
