Ronn said: > Instead of obscene language, then, how about the classic example of > shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theatre?
That really isn't so difficult. Having a freedom doesn't mean that we can't make contracts that voluntarily constrain that freedom. For example, I could constrain my freedom to talk about some new idea by signing an NDA with its inventor. If I were to talk about it (which I could, of course), then I'd have broken the contract and so would be liable for whatever penalties are specified in it. Similarly, it wouldn't be a constraint on my freedom if the owners of the theatre make it a condition of the use of their facilities that I not shout "Fire!" and have terms and conditions that make me liable if I (perhaps implicitly) agree to those conditions and then make a nuisance of myself. Similarly for people "joking" about being terrorists in airports or whatever. None of this needs laws restricting freedom of speech; although such laws clearly exist. A harder problem to consider is libel or slander, in which the slandering party hasn't made any kind of explicit or implicit contract with the slandered party. Rich _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
