Free speech in the US puzzles those abroad

[MillCreek]

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/19/161439562/held-dear-in-u-s-free-speech-perplexing-abroad?ft=1&f=1001

Interesting article on how free speech in the US is widely misinterpreted abroad.

[RoadKingLarry]

Is it just me or was that article a bit of a condemnation of our freedom of speech?

As for the rest of the world, heck the majority of US citizens don't really understand the 1st amendment, how can we expect some durned foreigner to grasp the concept.

Sadly, I've seen too many examples lately of people that would gladly exchange their liberties for a little temporary safety.

[griz]

As for the rest of the world, heck the majority of US citizens don't really understand the 1st amendment, how can we expect some durned foreigner to grasp the concept.

Ain't that the truth.  Even on private gun boards, lots of people think that freedom of speech means other people are required to listen to what ever nonsense they are spouting at the time.

[roo_ster]

I am tired of trying to understand and accommodate goat-humping troglodytes. 

[lysander6]

We can do that by entirely withdrawing from the Middle East in the next 72 hours.  There, that was easy.

[longeyes]

Uh, no.  Would that it were that "easy."

You see the "Middle East" is not going to withdraw from US.  We have the Middle East in our midst and even at the very highest levels of our own government and government-business interests.