Freedom of speech isn't tolerated by some

[WhatNextBanana]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/09/10/charlie-kirks-shooting-terrible-moment-american-democracy/

Political violence on the rise.

People are getting angry when people have Political views they don't agree with. Freedom of speech must be allowed not shutdown.

Tragic news of a young family man shot by someone today. Please remember he was a human with a family. Violence is never ok.

In the U.S., unless you are directly and credibly threatening to kill someone or defaming someone by libel or slander, our speech is protected. Even cases of libel and slander, the bar is incredibly high to prove wrongdoing.

as a regular citizen I can say I hate Trump and wish he were dead or that I believe he eats worms for breakfast. But saying that in an anonymous forum while sitting in my PJs in my living room and no access to weapons or hit men, and not under oath, I’m protected under the 1st Amendment because I’m a U.S. citizen and Donny would have a tough time claiming a ranting middle aged women caused him damages. As a divisive public figure he’s pretty libel-proof. And I really have no idea if he eats worms or not. I’ve never breakfasted with the man.

we really can say the most mean, incorrect and hateful things. It’s acting on it that is the crime.

This is found on the right as well. Your assessment lacks context and facts.

the US has very recently had political assassinations of left politicians by hateful rightwing madmen. Notably Melissa Hortman of Minnesota.

I often wonder if open fascist racists are on this site. I am being serious after what I’ve read the last few weeks.

I'd say we can make a pretty educated guess.

Ah, the very type I was referring to.

He was a tool of Trump’s. That’s it. That’s the really sad thing. He made his living grifting and promoting every idea and thought of Trump’s. Ultimately, it led to his death. I’m sorry for his wife and children.

Not a big thinker, then?

Nope, I was referring to you, actually. You know little of me, but given your activity, I know much of you.

No one in this thread is cheering Charlie Kirk’s death.
It is more than unreasonable to lay blame on anyone other than the shooter for his death. Shame on you.
It is perfectly reasonable to say that CK was a controversial figure. He wasn’t a fluffy teddy bear, was he? Why would an inoffensive person be targeted at all?

When gun advocates are shot, what can we say?

An interesting diversion from Dmitry Medvedev, former Prime Minister of Russia and now Deputy Chair of the Security Council/propagandist. This tweet was sent a few hours ago and seems to blame Ukraine for the assassination. However, generally whatever Russia shift the responsibility to Ukraine for, their own hands tend to be dirty. It’s just a strange message to send.

“Political crimes and assasinations have been carried out lately by a variety of left-wing liberal scum who support Banderite Kiev. Fico, Kirk. Who's next? Maybe it's time for the MAGA team to realize that by supporting Ukraine, they're supporting murderers.”

Charlie himself would have had to admit his death was an acceptable price to keep the 2A.

i wonder if his wife feels the same.

Two people died in a school in Columbus as well today. They did nothing wrong.

The reason why he is shot is irrelevant. america wants their guns. This is inevitable consequence.

i am still seeing people advocating for more guns. Arm everyone on university campuses. More guns would not have made a blind bit of difference, there were armed police, security, and no doubt armed members of the audience. Not one managed to stop this.

utah recently passed a law that means open carry is allowed on college campuses. This is the result.

Where were you back in June when a two Democrats, their husbands and a dog were shot by a politically-motivated assassin? I hope that you condemned that in equal terms.

I do find it odd how much attention this one murder has attracted. There was yet another school shooting on the same day, but this man is the one deemed important enough to have flags lowered to half staff in his honour. Actual elected representatives didn’t get that but some Youtuber does, just as long as he's on the side of the regime?

Your imagination is working overtime.

That should have said "spouses", not husbands. Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered, Jack Hoffmann and his wife were wounded.

Ah, I just knew one of you would reply like this.

Deliberately making yourself a divisive public figure and becoming a target because of it is not remotely comparable to a woman being raped because of what she wears. The fact you’d even try to make that comparison is disgusting, though sadly not unexpected.

And before you clutch your pearls over the language being used here, maybe take five minutes to look at how Trump, Fox News, and the right on SM reacted to the attack on Paul Pelosi or the assassination of Melissa Hortman. The hate and bile that poured out then didn’t seem to bother you lot in the slightest. Funny how it’s only when the shoe is on the other foot that you suddenly discover outrage.

What politician killed him?

He seemed to be someone who wanted to shut down other people's free speech with violence.

Why are people so deluded that they think the far right = free speech? It just means that you are free to hear other people with the same views. They are fascists.

Only under a liberal society you get to hear a range of views.

No, he did not seem to be that, because he was not that.

Are you seriously using a play on a word meaning learning disability as an insult? Disabilities are not shameful and they do not make people less than so using it as an insult is not ok.

Sorry that a law abiding citizen and a father who always advocated for the law to be followed and debate to be pursued rationally was slaughtered by a filthy fucking maniac.

At least, that's what normal decent people are saying.

And why do gun lovers in the US think they are so special that their society needs so many guns? Look at any other civilised country. Trouble is they would need to take their heads out of their asses first.

You’re conflating “freedom of speech” with “freedom to disrupt”. They are not the same.

The radical left ARE the new facists. They have become the very thing they claim to hate. Reading any comments on dedications to Charlie Kirk shows just have low the ‘liberals’ have fallen. Just like when Trump was shot. It’s almost unnerving that they cannot see themselves