Quote:
Originally posted by mikester
Germany does not have freedom of speech.
We do (relatively speaking).
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Germany is in the EU
all EU member states have freedom of speech.
and even without the EU , the german constitution still covers free speech
Articles 1 through 19 delineate basic rights that apply to all German citizens, including equality before the law;
freedom of speech, assembly, the news media, and worship; freedom from discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or political beliefs; and the right to conscientious objection to compulsory military service. In reaction to the experience of the Third Reich, the framers of the Basic Law did, however, place limits on extremist political activities that might threaten to subvert the democratic political order. Article 18 states: "Whoever abuses freedom of expression of opinion, in particular freedom of the press, freedom of teaching, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, privacy of posts and telecommunications, property, or the right of asylum in order to combat the free democratic basic order, shall forfeit these basic rights." Article 18 was employed twice in the 1950s to ban political parties of the extreme right and left. Article 18 is seen as an essential component of a wehrhafte Demokratie --a democracy that can defend itself, unlike the Weimar Republic.
and there are similar limitations regarding freedom of speech in the US... i don't think you can just walk around just about anywhere in the US insulting people based on their religion , race, or looks without getting slapped around the ears with lawsuits...the only difference, as far as i know of , is that the german constitution has limitations built in for extreme cases... while the US constitution does not, and relies on courtroom interpretation and rulings to prevent abuse by means of insulting just about anybody ... , please correct me if i'm wrong on that last part...