Even free speech has limits...

This was MSN's question of the day today..

"Should the US prosecute for obscene or menacing Facebook posts & tweets?"

Some 60% said no. (at the time I was on MSN)  I think that response is appalling. Apparently these people don't get it.

Being threatened on the web, which I have not been, has to be frightening.  Probably more so when you don't know who it is that is trying to ruin your day...or your life.  I can only imagine, it is worse if it is someone you know and used to care for.  So for what it's worth, here are my thoughts on the subject...

I think even free speech has some limits.  Whether anonymously on the web, face to face or anonymously in a crowd or a mob, you CANNOT threaten, harass, photo shop a disgusting picture, or stalk another person.  Period.  Pretty simple.  And a very basic rule.

I believe if we can prosecute someone for stalking and making terrorist threats in the "real world,"  then we can certainly prosecute the same type of behavior on the web.  After all, the idiot is doing it in a public forum, where privacy doesn't truly exist.  So honestly, what is the difference if it is done on the street outside your door, or on the web,  inside your computer?

The right to freedom of speech is so precious to most Americans.  And it is guaranteed by the United States Constitution.  But true freedom of speech, is so much different from harassing some one to the point they want to run away and hide from the world, just to feel safe from your asinine, cruel and frightening behavior.

Stalking is stalking.  Bullying is bullying.  Photo shopping someones face into a pornographic photo is just wrong. Threatening someone is threatening them.  Even if it is on Facebook, My Space, or any other social networking site,  anywhere on the Internet.  And by the way, just because you are a teenager, does not make it acceptable behavior.

When one person makes the other person feel as if they are in danger, fearful for their life, or no longer safe to live their life fully and openly, it is no longer "free speech." It is harassment.  It is threatening.  And it is illegal.  Even, dare I say it,  on the web.

Bullying, harassing, photo shopping a nasty picture of someone, or threatening someone on the web, all  while claiming it is your "right to free speech," is morally and ethically wrong.  It is just another excuse for you to get away with trying to make some other person else as miserable as you are.  It is another way for you to excuse your vile, foul, disgusting behavior.  When there is no excuse for it at all.

It is a lie.  It is wrong.  If this is what you think it means to exercise your "right to freedom of speech,"  you are not only "misguided" (I am being nice here,) you are intensely stupid.  And particularly if you believe it is "okay" or even an acceptable behavior on your part.


If you harass someone to a point where they contemplate suicide to get away from you, or, God forbid, actually do commit suicide.  This is murder by suicide.  You should go to prison for the rest of your life for this crime.  I don't care how old, or young, you are.  Murder is murder.  The fact that you "didn't think this would happen," makes no difference to me at all.

So, if you can't control your bullying, harassing, harrying or threatening behavior, we on the receiving end, may have to do it for you.  By whatever means at our disposal...And because you are such a jack ass with your completely immature view of life and the world around you, I want to help you understand.  For us, "any means at our disposal," means legally.  Yes. Really.  You see, the rest of us aren't even close to being as stupid and vicious as you are.