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U.S. Indicts Saudi Student For Website Contents

Posted by timothy on from the is-it-fire-in-a-crowded-theater dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A student ( studying for his doctorate) has been charged by the U.S. government for setting up a website, moderating a email list listing it as 'material support' for the terrorist. How fine is the line between First Amendment rights and 'material support'?"

2 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Freedom/Responsibility by GrendelT · · Score: 5, Interesting

    With freedom comes responsibility...
    With Freedom of Speech comes the responsibility of knowing what NOT to say.

    Saying that one wishes death on the president is against the law. So you're not free to say just anything.
    In a time of war if you start propogating sensative information, you will be charged with treason and executed. So you're not free to tell people what you want.

    You are free within limits. Its like, you're free to drive as fast as you want, just not over a certain limit. You're free to go where you want, so long as you do not trespass. You're free to do what you want, so long as you do not infringe on other people's rights and such.

    The whole freedom of speech thing comes becomes paradoxical when you speak out against the US as a whole. I'm all for speaking out against parts of our government, but when you say "The US (as a whole) sucks! and I'm free to say that if I want." Aren't you denouncing the country that gives you such a right? How can it suck then? Sure, you're free to disagree with certain aspects. But when you burn the US flag, aren't you then saying that you reject the US and its rights???
    Oh you aren't? So obviously there is something about this country that you find pleasing...

    The whole thing about freedom comes back to, you're free to do what you want, as long as you dont cross the line. By aiding those who wish harm on the US, that's breaking the law.

    1. Re:Freedom/Responsibility by DreamerFi · · Score: 3, Interesting

      You are somewhat right, and you make a good point. However, I don't think you go far enough. I mean, we (I'm not american, but dutch right don't really differ all that much where it really counts) can all celibrate how "Free" we all are because we allow others to say things we disagree with, but the real strength of a Free country comes with the resulting discussion. "so you think we suck because of X. How would you do things differen then?" Of course this doesn't work for quite a lot of folks (on both sides of the discussion) because they are too rigidly set in their opinion, but the real freedom lies in the fact that the discussion can take place and make the country as a whole stronger as a result.

      -John